press tickets for review

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

La Bamba está volando arriba.

I cannot begin to tell you how incredibly privileged it was to watch the very first press night for La Bamba at Curve Theatre, Leicester. I always feel a different level of excitement for brand new shows. It’s walking into a brand new creation. It’s something fresh and new. It’s watching something for the first time and there’s nothing more exciting than that.

But sometimes, you come out and think ‘that was a great watch’. But, it’s unlikely to be the top of a list. It’s unlikely to be one of the best things that you’ll see in theatre this year.

That was until La Bamba brought the emotions. Brought the passion. Brought the plot. Yes, hand on heart, La Bamba is one of the best things I have seen this year and if you’re a Coco or Encanto lover, or you’re a hispanophile, you are going to have so much amor for La Bamba.

Bueno, the storyline? We meet Sofia Martinez, the global phenomenon performing to a packed out show. The show that Ritchie Valens never made it to after that fateful day where music died. But Sofia, she made it. Taking inspiration from the Ritchie Valens story, Ritchie is honored throughout whilst creating a whole new plot set in 2010s up until 2020. This is a story of fate which intertwines throughout the story in every possible emotion.

The show is predominately performed in flashbacks. And, dios mio, do these flashbacks bring emotion aplenty! There is so much hispanic culture celebrated in La Bamba and the attention to detail and natural signs of endearment are so evident. The recurring themes of ‘mariposa’, the dia de muertos celebrations, the food, the music, THE TEQUILA! But also the slurs, the micro-aggressions, the struggles. They are all expressed and shown so incredibly well.

The set provides a beautiful mural as a backdrop paying homage to Pacoima, Los Angeles where Sofia, and Ritchie, were born. Celebrating Van Nuys Boulevard known as Mural Mile, this itself is truly a work of art with the themes of mariposas displayed. We also see elements of Hispanic architecture to the side of the stage, showing the disparities of, in Sofia’s words being ‘neither poor, but not rich’. The costumes most certainly reflect hispanic and Latino music and we feel the shift as producers and managers fight to diminish that latin spark.

Hispanic culture is all about celebration. Life is a celebration. Death is a celebration. And what dies never stays dead. With La Bamba, this is so perfectly executed. We watch Ricardo (Pasha Kovalev) be an eternal presence and his presence is felt by all around. We are all in awe of his dancing – especially the duet between Pasha and Elena (Stefani Ariza).

Sofia is portrayed by Inês Fernandez and Inês is one to watch. She is going to be a star. She is a name to watch (not us being in absolute tears when Inês and Pasha had their daddy daughter scenes because all we kept thinking was that’s Inés!!). Inês has a voice behind her and her performance of Donna with Mateo (Siva Kaneswaran) was heartwrenchingly spectacular.

Of course, Siva Kaneswaran is no stranger to performing. Best known as being a part of The Wanted, they are a boyband that were definitely the soundtrack to my summer 2012. But, taking on a new venture as Mateo, Siva showed a whole new side to his talents. He had Curve Theatre rocking to Livin’ La Vida Loca and then having the snuffles of tears performing Donna. Playing a loveable chistoso, Siva is a class act.

Elena, Sofia’s mamá, is nailed by Stefani Ariza. Stefani is the definition of a Spanish mamá. I loveably giggled at all the quips and mannerisms that just screamed mamá. The ‘have you been eating, you sound thin’. The responses to the Dani de Vila invite, ‘you’re not going alone’ and the ‘oh…’. They were all… perfection. But, she also drew you in. You emotionally invested in Elena. You felt heartbreak. You felt her power. You felt la fuerza real del amor de mamá.

Dance is a major staple in La Bamba and it brings passion, energy and a real fiesta. When Graziano di Prima is the choreographer, you know that it’s going to be unreal. Graziano, Giada Lini and Erica da Silva have choreographed with impact and take you on a real journey. It’s a passionate expression filled with high energy numbers. Every movement, every gesture and every step is deliberate and conveys a story full of intense meaning. The kind of choreography that has you tapping your feet and wanting to dance along and be swept up in the moment.

This is a Spanish holiday fix in a theatre show. I felt such a strong connection to this show having our time in Spain. It is a Spanglish show. For us, it is… perfecto. This would be the most incredible show to watch each year near dia de muertos.

When I say I could watch this show over and over, I mean it. I, 100% without a doubt, would go again… multiple times. It’s that good. And, please, let’s remember this is only the opening show. This show is only going to get better. And better. And better.

And I for one cannot wait to see the levels of heights that La Bamba is going to soar to. La Bamba cast, creatives, writers, producers – you all deserve every bit of success because this show is truly something special. You have created a show that oozes emotion, a show that honours hispanic culture. A show that is authentic and true and detailed and FUN!

La Bamba is a fiesta and you’re all invited.

I have purposely not told you too much about the show in this review. I am instead want to use this time to tell you to go and see it, if you can. If you love Spanish culture, Spanish music, Spanish language. This is the show for you. The song list is electric and it is one that makes you want to dance. And trust me, when that megamix comes on for curtain call – you are going to jump to your feet and have your own little fiesta.

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Curve Theatre, Leicester
TUE 1 AUG — SAT 5 AUG
Director – Ray Roderick 
Choreographer – Graziano Di Prima 
Associate Choreographer – Giada Lini 
Musical Supervisor and Arranger – Alfonso Casado-Trigo 
Book by Paul Morrissey
Set designer – Justin Williams
Lighting designer – Jack Weir