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Vamos Cuba
Birmingham Hippodrome
***** VAMOS CUBA is a story set within a party
backdrop from a country which has seen fast political and cultural
changes over the past half-century. This Saddler’s Wells production is a
beautiful display of culture in the heat of Havanan life. The production is essentially an on-stage party,
showing the best of Cuba’s song, dance and music, evolving from the
1950s. The show is full of traditional Cuban dance, such as salsa,
rumba, cha-cha and reggaeton. The styles are blended into a colourful
backdrop of sounds of an upbeat band who provide a constant stream of
non-stop party music. With a beautiful demonstration of Cuban lifestyle
and atmosphere, director and choreographer Nilda Guerra provided a
fabulous plot that goes hand in hand with the explosive dances. The
story is set inside a Cuban airport, where the cast of fourteen wait for
a long delayed flight to Miami. Through amazing choral and individual numbers, we
are introduced to the experiences behind each character trying to board
the flight, such as the pilot on his first day at work, an airport
care-taker and each excited passenger. In the performance of two acts,
we see the events unfold as the wait goes on leading to fights, break
ups and holiday romance. The company are amazing story tellers taking us
into their world of vivid colour and a ‘take it easy’ lifestyle in the
best way they know how. Their language of Caban dance is infec Each number is clearly mapped out for us, showing
the varied nature of Cuban dance and culture as they bring each dance to
life. With the help of Lisandra Ramos and Celia Ledon's wonderfully
colourful costume design, each character is strikingly individual,
bringing their backgrounds to the holiday experience. The dynamic
between male and female is explosive, giving instant sparks and subplots
of love and lust, especially between the pilot and air hostess. As exciting and energetic as this production may
seem, we can also see striking political undertones within this
production, including the change that Cuba has seen within the past
sixty years. The show takes us through two time zones, where the past
and present are married together to tell the audience about a Cuba that
is known today. When a photographer shows his pictures from
Havana, we are transported to a scene entitled ‘A fantasy of Havana’ in
the 1950s, with memories of cabaret and music. A time lapse of a
building in Havana is seen in a projection from its derelict structure
of today, going back to the bright and impressive new structure in the
Fifties. There is a retro feel to the scene, with
beautiful costumes of ladies with enormous feather headdresses and the
background of music from the live band that takes us to the era of the
past. A swift change of music is seen as the evolution between Havana in
the past quickly turns into Havana of today at the airport, with stylish
and modern characters. Adam Wiltshire’s set design and vibrant lighting
from Chris Davey inject a fabulous feel of a constant party atmosphere.
The stage is vast and open and on either side there are platforms that
house the live band of saxophone, trumpet, guitar and percussion -
perfect addition to the colourful mood. Singers Geydi Chapman and Maikel
Ante act as narrators in song, telling us the story and setting the
atmosphere within each scene, an addition which helps make the show
extraordinary. Vamos Cuba has an electric feel, a constant
Havanan party and not one to be missed. To 05-11-16. Elizabeth Halpin 01-11-16
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tious
and they create a constant energetic vibe.