The Show...
The band start to play, the curtain lifts and on come the dancers to rapture of applause from the audience. Following a spectacular opening, the lights dim and on walks Lady Salsa to share with us the story of her life in Cuba and how Salsa has evolved to be the sound we all know and love today. As she talks she puffs slowly on a large Cuban cigar, the distinctive smoky aroma only adds to the already electric atmosphere. If you close your eyes you could really believe that you could actually be in Cuba and not in the Theatre Royal in Brighton!
As the story unfolds, we are shown how Cuba 's musical history begun, starting in 1492 with the arrival of Columbus . Then in 1550 the African slaves arrive, with the fusion of Spanish melodies and African rhythms a unique Cuban sound is born. The dancers take us back in time, illustrating the period through fantastic dance routines and amazing costumes.
In the second half, Lady Salsa concentrates more on her life story, when she was young in the mountains of Santiago , her first love and her move to Havana where she gets a job working backstage at the Club Tropicana. She reflects on many of the people that she has met in her lifetime, Beny More, Nat King Cole, Carmen Miranda and Rita Montaner to name but a few. However, secretly she aspires to perform on the stage rather behind it, a dream she thought would never come true.
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The History...
Cuba is an island in the Caribbean sea that has created the world's most popular music - the Bolero, the Rumba, the Mambo, the Cha Cha Cha, and the incredible sound of SALSA . Cuba has always been a melting pot of music. The geographical location has brought together many different people to the island, the African slaves, Spanish, French, Portuguese, English and Americans have all played their part in Cuba 's musical evolution. 
Next we are shown how Jose Marti, the poet revolutionary ignites the fight for freedom, and so begin the two wars of independence. Jose is killed but his words are woven into the music of Cuba . Spain surrenders Cuba to America and Havana resounds to the sound of jazz. In celebration a huge salsa party Cuban style is held, the dancers perform a fast and furious La Rueda wheel, finishing the breathtaking routine with Le Fleur (ladies balancing on the male dancers grasped hands) but facing outwards.
However, in the mountains of the Sierra Maestre, others were dreaming too, of Cuba 's freedom. Lady Salsa met the great Argentinean revolutionary, Che Guevaran in the square in Havana . He told her that now the revolution had come she was free to follow her dreams. For the final song, the singers and dancers get the whole audience to their feet and encourage (not that we need it!) everyone to dance and chant. We are all having such a good time - more, more, we want more the audience shout!. To our delight the cast give us one more song.
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