Zorro

Recently Updated

Introduction to "Zorro"

"Zorro" premiered in London’s West End at the Garrick Theatre on July 15, 2008, following previews from June 24, and ran for 245 performances until March 14, 2009. With music by the Gipsy Kings and John Cameron, a book by Stephen Clark and Helen Edmundson, and lyrics by Clark, this musical adapts Isabel Allende’s 2005 novel "Zorro," a prequel to Johnston McCulley’s 1919 pulp classic. Directed by Christopher Renshaw, it starred Matt Rawle as Diego/Zorro, Emma Williams as Luisa, and Lesli Margherita as Inez. Produced by Adam Kenwright and Isabel Allende for £2.8 million, its flamenco-infused score featuring "Bamboleo" and "Djobi Djoba" and swordplay dazzled, earning an Olivier for Margherita. Revived at Charing Cross Theatre in 2022 with Benjamin Purkiss, its tale of a masked hero fighting tyranny in 1805 California remains a vibrant, if brief, West End flame, seen by over 200,000 in its original run.

The Creative Team Behind the Show

The Gipsy Kings supplied the pulsing flamenco beats, with John Cameron co-composing and adapting, while Stephen Clark’s lyrics and co-authored book with Helen Edmundson spun a fresh Zorro origin. Christopher Renshaw directed, with Rafael Amargo’s Olivier-nominated choreography igniting the stage. Matt Rawle’s charismatic Diego/Zorro, Emma Williams’ tender Luisa, and Lesli Margherita’s fiery Inez her Olivier win a standout led the cast, backed by Adam Levy as Ramon and Jonathan Newth as Don Alejandro. Producers Adam Kenwright and Allende, with David Howe’s lighting and Sue Willmington’s costumes, built on an Eastbourne tryout. Michael McCabe’s illusions and Bobby Aitken’s sound design amplified the spectacle, crafting a team whose Latin flair and theatrical daring turned a pulp hero into a West End sensation, though its run reflected a struggle to match "Les Mis"’s heft.

A Masked Hero’s Fiery Quest

In 1805 Los Angeles, Diego de la Vega, a wealthy caballero’s son, returns from Spain where he’s cavorted with gypsies like Inez ("Baila Me") to find his pueblo oppressed by his tyrannical foster brother Ramon. Donning a mask as Zorro, he battles for justice ("Libertad"), wooing childhood love Luisa ("Falling") while dodging Ramon’s wrath. Inez stirs his wild side ("Bamboleo"), but Luisa’s plea pulls him home. Zorro’s raids slashing a flaming "Z" rally the villagers, culminating in a duel with Ramon’s sergeant Garcia ("One More Beer"). Ramon’s downfall frees the pueblo, with Diego unmasking to Luisa’s embrace ("A Love We’ll Never Live"), blending swashbuckling valor with romance and gypsy fire a tale of heroism sparked by love and liberty, set to a sizzling Gipsy Kings beat.

Performance and Reception

Opening after a successful Eastbourne debut, "Zorro" ran 245 performances, grossing £5 million but closing early amid five Olivier nominations winning Best Supporting Actress for Margherita. The Guardian’s Michael Billington praised its “Hispanic freshness,” while Charles Spencer of The Telegraph dubbed it “insanely enjoyable” for Rawle’s charm and Amargo’s dance though some found the plot thin. Audiences cheered the flamenco and fire effects over 200,000 attended per The Evening Standard’s "eclectic thrill," yet Variety noted cast vocals lagged behind Gipsy Kings’ verve. A 2008 cast recording hit charts, with "Hope" a fan favorite. Critics lauded its energy WhatsOnStage’s Michael Coveney gave four stars but its £2.8 million cost and nine-month run couldn’t rival "Mamma Mia!"’s dazzle, closing as a spirited hit with unrealized potential.

Legacy in West End Theatre

"Zorro"’s 245 West End shows and Margherita’s Olivier outshine its brief stay, dwarfed by "Phantom"’s thousands, yet its five 2009 nominations Best Musical, Actor (Rawle), Actress (Williams) signal impact. A 2022 Charing Cross revival ran 64 shows, with Purkiss and Phoebe Panaretos, while global stagings France, Japan, Brazil hit $70 million by 2025, per producer stats. The 2008 cast album and Gipsy Kings’ "Bamboleo" endure, with amateur runs via Josef Weinberger Ltd. A 2020 Cadogan Hall concert with Margherita and Williams, and a COVID-cut Manchester tryout, hint at resurgence WhatsOnStage praised the revival’s “fiery abandon.” Less a titan than "Les Mis," its flamenco flair and Zorro’s zeal carve a niche legacy a swashbuckling echo of passion and justice in Theatreland’s vast saga.