FEATHERS, spangles, camp pirates and
gunshots. As the song says, who
could ask for more?
The Rattonians delivered their usual
high standard with a thoroughly
professional two hours of singing,
dancing and comedy.
Lola (a super performance by Paula
Pout) arrives in New York with stars
in her eyes, determined to crack
Broadway.
After a little musical assistance
from Tony (Steve Clarke) she becomes
a Copa girl, dancing and singing at
the most famous club in the city.
The pair fall for each other, but
she catches the eye of pantomime
Latino baddie Rico (Barnaby Pout)
who drugs her and smuggles her to
his club in Havana.
The besotted Tony, and the gruff
nightclub boss Sam Silver, fly off
to Cuba to rescue her. But Rico is
not to be trifled with and there are
bullets flying around – so who shot
who?
The second half is even better than
the first, with more plot, more
action and more tongue in cheek
humour, including the fabulously
camp El Bravo scene, complete with
pirates swinging in on ropes.
There are some fine performances,
particularly from Paula Pout,
Barnaby Pout as the sinister Rico,
Debbie Hackett as Rico's
long-suffering wife Conchita Alvarez
and Mark and Melanie Adams as the
comedy duo Sam and Gladys.
The big numbers, complete with
fantastic costumes plus tight
choreography from Jan Lynton, are
the highlight of the show which is
directed with aplomb by Mark Adams,
with Nicola Brazier providing
musical direction.
It was a little surprising to see
Copacabana performed so soon after
its last appearance at the Congress,
just six years ago in 2002, but
possibly the lure of feathered
head-dresses, spangled jackets and
Manilow music proved too great.
Certainly the Congress Theatre
audience had as good a time watching
as the cast were having on stage.
Copacabana is on until August 2,
with evening performances at 8pm and
matinees (July 25, 30 and 2) at
2.30pm.
Tickets cost from £10-£14, call
412000.
Paula Pout and Steve Clarke
