Charing Cross Theatre – until 28 May 2022
Reviewed by Claire Roderick
4****
Zorro is a fabulous fiesta of fun with tongue firmly in cheek.
Zorro has always been one of the cheesiest and campest masked heroes – and this production gleefully acknowledges the ridiculous story but Stephen Clark’s book and lyrics still manage to include emotive moments.
In this version, it is Zorro’s own brother that he must battle to free the pueblo of Los Angeles. A brief glimpse of their childhood shows Don Alejandro (Pete Ashmore) will never win Father of the Year as he plays favourites with his sons, sending the youngest, Diego (Benjamin Purkiss) to military school in Spain as preparation for leadership instead of his firstborn Ramon (Alex Gibson-Giorgio). Diego ditches school and spends his time wildly with the gypsies until he is told of his father’s death and Ramon’s cruel rule by old friend Luisa (Paige Fenlon). The gypsies, led by Inez (Phoebe Panaretos) sail to Los Angeles with Diego and Luisa. As he foppishly fawns on Ramon, Diego secretly Don’s the black mask and cape to become el Zorro (although he lobbies hard for el Puma) and thwart Ramon’s despotic orders.
It is the ultimate cheese fest, and joyously so – the cast play it straight with the glorious exception of Marc Pickering as the tragi-comic Sergeant Garcia wooing Inez while the brothers play their dangerous game of cat and mouse.
Gibson-Giorgio gets to chew the scenery as the tortured but dastardly villain, Benjamin Purkiss is an impish Zorro and an excellent romantic foil for Fenlon’s strong and charming Luisa, while Panaretos is full of dry one-liners as she guides Zorro in between burning up the stage with her dance moves.
There are some well choreographed sword fights and stage magic, but it is the music and dancing that make this show so special. The music of The Gypsy Kings, along with John Cameron, is performed brilliantly by the extraordinary cast of actor/musicians. The flamenco dancing is passionate and uplifting, especially when unaccompanied. The energy of Bamboleo and Djobi Djoba is off the charts, and you can’t help but be swept along. The vocal skills of the cast are impressive, with the women’s laments guaranteed to give you goosebumps.
A blast from start to finish, Zorro is escapism at its best.