Peacock Theatre, London
October 29, 2017
Jessica Wilson
Vamos Cuba! is back, bringing some Caribbean sunshine to London’s Autumn season. Full of vivacious dancers, a band performing live on stage and two hugely talented live singers, the show certainly has plenty of colour but lacks life and soul rather.
Set in the crazy chaos of Havana airport, Vamos Cuba! is a mix of traditional and modern dance styles, including salsa, cha cha cha and reggaeton, with its live band led by drummer Rodney Barreto. Contemporary Cuban culture is hinted at in some places, and in others illustrated more effectively through a mix of music, dance, and suggestions of the stories of the characters waiting in the airport for a delayed flight to Miami. The detailed programme synopsis ultimately fails to be conveyed on the stage, though, and the show’s lack of structure is not redeemed by the positive atmosphere and party vibe the live music creates.
Although director Nilda Guerra is the show’s creator, he is just one of three choreographers that Vamos Cuba! boasts (the other two are guests). It seems to be from here that the problems stem, the dance content merging between the scenes and losing any sort of identity.
Photo Johan Persson
In addition, in places the dancers lost energy too, seeming to go through the motions of the movement vocabulary, and were overshadowed by the admittedly fantastic band playing. Only now and again did the dance rise up and deliver the fast footwork and sizzling energy the promised.
In places the movement was so relaxed it came close to appearing under rehearsed. It was far from slick. The content was executed well when the dancers were performing alone or as a duet, but as a group, they were not always synchronised. There was also some pulling down of costumes after lifts or faster sections, and even some slipping out of character and checking of hair. This all detracted hugely.
Despite the intermittent highlights, it was unfortunate that Vamos Cuba! flagged in its performance. As for the narrative, while a handful of dancers were committed to their characters, some lack depth and as a result, the narrative becomes weak and unclear. The journey the audience was taken on felt very different from that in the programme’s synopsis. Certain moments lost the attention of the audience too, the action sometimes being paused for too long, stilting the momentum of the show.
Despite the issues, some sections of the show did hold lots of emotion and came across well. On those occasions the dance content soars, the problems all seemed inconsequential as the dancers fully demonstrated their vigour and verve.
Vamos Cuba! is at the Peacock Theatre to November 11. Visit www.sadlerswells.com for booking and details.