Theatre Review: On Your Feet - King's Theatre, Glasgow ✭✭✭✭
On Your Feet tells the true story of Gloria and Emilio Estefan's rise to worldwide success. They in fact open the show with a humorous pre-recorded message encouraging theatregoers to switch their phones off. It sets the tone for their playful relationship before the curtain even goes up.
The show is high energy, colourful, infectiously joyous and also an emotional rollercoaster. It charts the rise of Gloria from humble beginnings as the daughter of Cuban immigrants to global domination starting with the Miami Sound Machine before her solo success beckoned. It doesn't shy away from the challenging aspects of her life including her father's battle with Multiple Sclerosis and a difficult relationship with her mother as the band's success began to grow. Alexander Dinelaris's book sensitively handles this and weaves it into a rich narrative however, at some points key plot moments do feel a little rushed but given the number of years the show spans, it is perhaps to be expected.
Sergio Trujillo's choreography takes the backdrop of this iconic Cuban sound and sets the stage alight creating full cast numbers that leave the audience itching to get on their feet and join in with these incredible dancers.
Philippa Stefani is outstanding as Gloria. She captures Gloria's distinctive, effervescent persona as well as her more private side exquisitely. Her vocals are phenomenal and the rhythm really will get you, as she dances across the stage delivering hit after hit. George Ionnides's Emilio complements Stefani's Gloria perfectly and the pair tell the Estefans' story beautifully and with heart. Their scenes following the tragic accident are particularly heart-wrenching and highlight the strength of the Estefans. Madalena Alberto shines as Gloria's mother with a wonderful scene set in Cuba proving to be a real highlight of the show. Laura Friedrich Tejero's Consuelo brings much needed light relief in key moments as well as the fierce Latin heritage.
On Your Feet would be easy to write off as a straightforward jukebox musical but this is a wonderful staging of a true love story that addresses key issues such as racism that are as important today as when Emilio and Gloria were fighting to becoming crossover artists in the US market in the 80s.
It is bursting with sunshine and the perfect pick me up. Tickets are available now, don't miss this chance to get on your feet and do the conga!
On Your Feet is at the King's Theatre Glasgow until Saturday 7th March. For tickets visit ATG Tickets.
