Zorro

SYNOPSIS

Review

This was only the second West End show that I have seen and it is INCREDIBLE! The actors are superb and the story is brilliant! A must-see. I would pay again and again to see it! Leah Hendre 

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Zorro the Musical

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On the back of a highly successful UK tour, the West End's Garrick Theatre is now home to the dramatic retelling of the life and times of one of the world's most infamous swashbuckling adventurers - Zorro. Based on the 2005 best-selling book - "Zorro: A Novel" by Chilean born author Isabelle Allende, the London musical breathes life into the folk tales of this daring hero of the people of Spanish California and their fight against injustice. Allende herself produces the show - a move that sees the verve and panache of the original story captured and seamlessly transferred to the stage.

A legend re-born

Zorro is no stranger to the limelight. Since his creation by writer Johnston McCulley in 1919, the fictional character of Don Diego de la Vega and his sword-wielding alter ego - Zorro - have found their way into the hearts of millions. Comic books, television series, novels and film have all laid bare the man behind the mask - and his mission for justice in a time and place where prejudice and corruption rule.

Arguably Zorro's most famous outing came in the 1998 movie - The Mask of Zorro. Hollywood actor Antonio Banderas led an all-star cast that brought the legend to the big screen, garnering a whole new generation of followers. The movie sequel "The Legend of Zorro" helped to cement Zorro's worldwide popularity - and has done much to lay the foundation for interest in Zorro the Musical.

In Zorro the Musical Isabelle Allende and director Christopher Renshaw - Renshaw's credits include work on the West End smash hit "We Will Rock You" - bring the character of Zorro to life once more in an epic stage adventure that features breathtaking aerial acrobats and sword fighting heroics. The full cast of the show is 30-strong, and includes a troupe of flamenco dancers. The show is superbly choreographed by one of the best-known flamenco choreographers in the business - Rafael Armargo.

A brand new musical score by the legendary flamenco group, the Gispy Kings, also features in the production. The score includes new music by the Reyes and Baliardos brothers, and includes some of their greatest hits - Bamboleo, Baila Me and Djobi Djoba among them. John Cameron, of Les Miserables fame, contributes to the musical arrangements. Designs are by Tom Piper - RSC Associate.

The man behind the mask!

Actor Matt Rawle takes the lead role as Don Diego de la Vega / Zorro. Rawle is a familiar face to West End theatregoers. His credits include lead roles in Boublil and Schonberg's Martin Guerre, and in Miss Saigon and Les Miserables. Prior to taking up Zorro's sword at the Garrick Theatre Matt Rawle was to be seen in the 2006 revivial of Lloyd Webber and Tim Rice's classic "Evita" at the Adelphi Theatre in London.

Zorro the Musical opens for previews on June 30, 2008. Press night is July 15, after which the musical is scheduled to run through to January 2009.

Reviews

This was only the second West End show that I have seen and it is INCREDIBLE! The actors are superb and the story is brilliant! A must-see. I would pay again and again to see it! Leah Hendre