Zorro the Musical

The 2015 NOMADS Summer School gave us Zorro the Musical with music by The Gipsy Kings and book and lyrics by Stephen Clark.

Initially I did not think this musical was my cup of tea but I gradually warmed to it as the music and the enthusiasm of the cast took hold.  What these young people and their adult support team achieve in two weeks is phenomenal.  There was a good pace and much of the humour in the script was brought out.

Zorro (an imaginary Spanish hero) has been likened to Robin Hood but he is really more like a Scarlet Pimpernel in that he combines the foppish persona of Don Diego with the swashbuckling alter ego of the caped avenger.  

Joseph Beach revealed himself as a real star as Diego/Zorro, combining excellent acting, vocal and physical skills with charm plus the enviable gift of appearing in two places at once.  

Jake Overy had exactly the right sneering cruelty as Ramon giving a fine and believable performance.

Outstanding was Maddie MacIntyre as Inez. Every aspect of her performance combined to create a realistic and empathetic character.

Diego/Zorro’s love interest Luisa was beautifully played by Emily Bowman.  She didn’t possess the fiery spirit of Inez but was feisty when need be with the added bonus of an excellent voice.

All members of this young cast did a first-class job.  I must congratulate the Company on their expert singing in Spanish.  It all sounded brilliant.  

All those with dialogue executed their roles well and in the main spoke clearly.  There were some good performances including Aidan Bayford’s Sergeant Garcia and I will be watching with interest the progress of Luke Schultz who showed great promise as Young Ramon.

As a general comment, delivery of dialogue is important to an actor’s characterisation and therefore needs to be thought about carefully.  Menace and anger can be shown in many ways but if done a full volume from the outset leaves an actor with nowhere to go in moving that menance and/or anger forward. 

The show also has the ingredient that all good musicals need: excellent choreography and this was once again in the capable hands of Jessica Clifford and Andy Thorpe.  We got plenty of flamenco and Spanish dance with lots of foot stamping, skirt swirling, clapping hands plus wooden chairs used as drums.  The dancing in this production was entertaining and well-executed.

The fight routines were also excellent. Executed skilfully and with great enthusiasm. The stage illusions too worked incredibly well. 

The composite set was splendid with good use of levels . Scene changes were carried out swiftly and efficiently.  However, I think the production cried out for a follow-spot.  The lighting on the back wall was excellent but there were dark patches down front centre which left actors delivering dialogue and songs dimly lit.  Another problem was radio mikes.  These are a great piece of equipment but only if they work properly.  There were a few problems here.  There is a need to have them switched on and off at the right time.  Nothing worse than a voiceless singer or a backstage conversation!  I know it was a learning curve but it has such an impact on a production . 

The purpose of summer school is to learn how all aspects of a show are put together and all the young people working on the back stage jobs, guided by their adult mentors, supported those on stage well.  

Director Jamie Maguire and Assistant Director Tim McCormick did a fine job with this unusual choice of musical for summer school which set the cast a huge challenge one which must also have challenged the expertise of Musical Director Simon Pearce.  Needless to say all rose to that challenge, achieving in one week a pretty slick and entertaining show.

The secret of this musical is that it never takes itself too seriously. When Don Diego leaves the gypsy camp and embarks for California sporting earrings a cape and a large floppy hat, his sexy romany chum, Inez, asks, "What are you going to do? Entertain them to death.”

Well entertain us they certainly did.  Well done Class of 2015.

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