Zorro, the new musical based on the legendary story of the original caped crusader, has extended its booking period at the Garrick until September 2009. It had been booking until January after opening on 15 July this year.
Featuring a score by Spanish guitarists The Gipsy Kings and choreography by flamenco star Rafael Amargo, Zorro combines the story of the masked man with traditional flamenco music, singing and high-energy dance, sword fighting, rope-swinging and even a magic trick or two.
Written by Stephen Clark, the musical takes us through the life of Diego de la Vega, the son of Californian ruler Don Alejandro. Shipped off to Spain to learn the ways of a gentleman, Diego is summoned back to America by his childhood friend Luisa following the death of Alejandro. Taking his gipsy pals with him, Diego returns to California and assumes the secret identity of Zorro in order to avenge the death of his father by the hand of the evil Ramon.
The cast includes Matt Rawle as Diego/Zorro, Emma Williams as Luisa, Lesli Margherita as Inez and Adam Levy as Ramon. They are directed by Christopher Renshaw, the director of previous West End hits We Will Rock You and Taboo.
The character of Zorro was created in 1919 by pulp fiction writer Johnston McCulley. Since then, the masked hero has appeared in numerous films, books, comics and television series around the world, notably in the 1998 film starring Antonio Banderas, The Mask Of Zorro, and the 2005 bestseller Zorro: A Novel by Isabel Allende, who co-produces the musical.
According to a statement, the success of the musical in London means plans for productions in Tokyo in 2009 and Sydney in 2010 will go ahead, with negotiations also underway for an American production.
CB