A bit of a Cuban calamity

Pasion de Buena Vista, Palace Theatre, Manchester

THE heat and passion of a steamy night in Cuba was promised as part of this touring show, with singers and dancers from the world famous Tropicana Club meant to transform Manchester’s Palace Theatre into a throbbing nightclub at the heart of old Havana.

Instead, the audience was left with a mixed up show of great music accompanying a group of not-so-great dancers.

Cuban music and dance has had a revival since veteran Cuban musicians took part in the “Buena Vista Social Club” film documentary, released in 1998.

And it was the three veteran performers, including 77-year-old Inocente ‘Pachin’ Fernandez-Jimenez and Maida-Ernesta Castaneda-Cordovi, who brought a touch of class to last night’s show.

Their duet of “Quizas”, also known as “Perhaps, Perhaps, Perhaps” by Doris Day, showed off their experienced voices, while Maida, a singer for 40 years, thrilled fans with strong performances of “Mi Tierra” and “Besame”.

The 10-piece live band La Idea were a delight and delivered tight arrangements, vibrant rhythms and Cuban flair, performing high energy classics such as “Mi Tierra” and “La Vida Es Un Carnival”.

Things turned a little odd when trombonist and guitarist Yuilie Velazquez-Guerrero took centre stage on a number of occasions to promote his new solo CD.

Even odder was show host Knut Gambusch whose confusing dialogue between show pieces could have easily been replaced with a recorded soundtrack.

However, it was the dancing that failed to deliver.

Despite a hectic mix of hip-wiggling, shoulder shimmies and cheesy grins from the seven-strong mixed group, standards were decidedly variable.