Zorro - Hope Mill Theatre / Charing Cross Theatre

Closed after 2 previews. How sad

They've been trying to sort that since before last Christmas. Pandemic kept getting in the way.

I don't know if I'm pleased or not about this. I adored the original West End production so much I saw it 22 times then went to see it in Paris when it was done there later that year. But with a different cast & changes to the plot it didn't work for me. I then saw the concert at Cadogan Hall, with the original leading ladies but even more plot changes, and was so-so on it. So I don't know whether to see this version or whether I would be happier with just my memories of the original production.

I suppose that means the cast announcement will be later too. Much as I love the show, I'm not even thinking about booking for this until they announce the cast.

Saw this last night. It's a colourful, exhilarating and exciting show and the Gipsy Kings music fits in well around a pretty daft story.

I was in seat A6 and would warn anyone of a nervous disposition to be wary of A5 and A6. A7 and A8 are a little "safer" but still very close to the action. The sword fighting is very fast, very close and feels very real. I flinched and moved back in my seat several times and at one point a sword was inches away from where nobody would want one!

It runs for 2 hours 50 minutes and I felt that the first act up to when Zorro first appears could have been cut back at least 10 minutes. 90% full.

Are they doing the amended version which starts with the main characters as children? I certainly found that a slower opening than the original one.

I'm there for Press Night on Tuesday 😁

I saw the show on Tuesday and was honestly blown away. It was absolutely thrilling. Creative elements embrace you from all directions and fully immerse you into the colours, noise, heat and textures of the Pueblo. No swinging, but lots of fire and stage combat!

Ben Purkiss is perfect as Diego/Zorro, but the show is really all about the women. Phoebe Panaretos and Paige Felon are exquisite. Phoebe honestly has one of the best voices I have ever heard, it’s just so rich and full-bodied. The female ensemble are one of the strongest and most compelling I’ve seen to date.

RE. the start of the show - in terms of pre-show, there is flamenco dancing, plate spinning, audience engagement etc. The actual show starts with Diego, Louisa, Ramon as children. Their younger selves are played by puppets.

Ah, it sounds like they are doing the newer version then, but puppets? Really? That does not make me want to see the show.

Audience engagement? I'm out.

I have an aversion to puppets full stop! I've been avoiding seeing War Horse for years. The only puppets I can think of that I've ever enjoyed are in the Lonely Goatherd in The Sound of Music, & that's only the film because the stage productions I've seen haven't used them.

Saw this tonight, was down to about 2 hours 40 minutes. Great fun. Wouldn’t have even been on my radar if not for this board.

I think you really need to be sat in the middle of the rows though, as from where I was sitting on one end of a row I couldn’t see the start of the second act. And I can’t help thinking all that business of running through the audience with swords is asking for trouble.