CUBANS INVADE SOUTBANK

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13 June 2012

Get a mariachi band, add some brass and drums, front it all up with half a dozen dancers who really have got the moves and you’re halfway to Havana Rumba, the sensational dance show that is wowing audiences in the upside down purple cow in Jubilee Gardens, writes Michael Holland...

Bring on the master of the Son Subano, Eric Turro Martinez, and you just about have all you need to get the whole feel of Cuban dance through the last 60 years, as the show takes in Rumba, Salsa, Mambo, Cha Cha Cha and Reggaeton.

Every person in the band multitasks, with the guitar player hitting a cow bell for some numbers, the trumpeters shaking something between blows, and one of the two lead singers getting out on the floor to bust some cool steps among the Kings of Cuban Dance.

All of them do the backing vocal responses and between them they create an atmosphere of pure joy; a feeling that can only come when a little rum and the spirit of the people burns through the misery of Communism.

The dancing was energetic and sexy, the costumes just sexy; the music intoxicating.  It didn’t take long before it got us all up in one big audience participation routine.

Highlights of this wonderful show are when they bring on Eric Turro Martinez to do his stuff.  Not a young man anymore, Eric, tripped on to the stage dressed in a cerise Zoot suit and shoes so big and gaudy they could have doubled as brothels.

He then done some big pimp thing with the three girls in the dancing troupe that just made your head spin in awe.  He rocked, he rolled, he schmoozed, he fell to the floor before being caught just at the end of the drop, and spun round on his heel while pouring drinks.  It was a sight to behold.
You don’t have to like dance or South American music to see this as you will like and respect both after you have.

E4 Udderbelly Festival,
Southbank Centre, Jubilee
Gardens, London, SE1 8XX until
Sunday 8th July 2012 Tues – Fri
7.00pm, Sat & Sun 2.30pm &
6.00pm
Box Office: 0844 545 8282
Website: www.udderbelly.co.uk
£10/£15/£20/£25

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