Viva Mexico

Knowle Operatic Society

Solihull Library Theatre

Fire, blood and Latin temperament were mixed together ferociously, exploding in an exciting, colourful, cheerful, show.

Viva Mexico is not for those who demand a great deal intellectually from the plot.

But it is a harmless, happy, and melodic musical with a good, old-fashioned love story and a sprinkling of crime thrown in to keep up the thrills.

What was commend­able about production director David Derrington’s overall show was the obvious sense of enjoyment exuded from the cast.

Unlike many amateur societies its chorus was an overwhelmingly smiling one. The show generated optimism.

Conductor Ronald Gullen Beales and leader David Kent worked in unison to put that familiar beat into the Latin rhythms.

Spirited perfor­mances came from Vera Scott as Mama, Bridget Gibb as a fine-voiced Senorita, Raquelita, and Angela Gowan as Lucille.

The Aztec ceremony led by the Priestess (Avril Griffiths) was effective and I loved the Mexican accents!

ALEXIS PARR