If you missed out on the spectacular Cuban song and dance extravaganza, Lady Salsa, when it was in Manchester last month, get along to Liverpool’s Empire Theatre next week. The red-hot Latin sensation was first performed at the 2000 Edinburgh Festival and became an instant hit with both audiences and the press. It transferred to London’s West End where it ran for more than a year. Since then, it has continuously toured across the world with hugely successful seasons in Australia, Scandinavia, Northern Europe, South East Asia and the Middle East. Cuba is the indisputable cradle of modern salsa music, alive with hot, spicy Afro-Caribbean rhythms. Hundreds of years ago, with the slave trade booming, many Africans arrived in Cuba and with them their traditions of raw, hypnotic music and dance. Over time these beats were blended with the island’s native Spanish guitar music and melodies to create the fabulous sound of the salsa band. Throughout the story of Cuba’s history, politics and music have become melded together. Lady Salsa takes audience on a thrilling ride through that relationship and the people and irresistible sounds that bring the island to life. The intoxicating, high-energy show interweaves the story of the Cuban revolution with the history of the island’s music and dance through its roots in earthy slave rhythms, elegant 20th century jazz. From the producer of West End smash hits Fame and Saturday Night Fever and directed by Toby Gough, this whirling kaleidoscope of dazzling colour and seductive glamour charts Cuba’s vibrant and volatile history from dictatorship through to liberation with red hot rumba, mambo, cha-cha, Macarena and the sensational salsa. Gorgeous dancers in an incredible array of glittering, sexy costumes and an impossibly funky band transport audiences to the steamy streets of Havana and the world of salsa, rum and revolution. Lady Salsa features 20 of Cuba’s hottest, sexiest dancers along with an outrageously funky 10 piece Cuban dance band. Leading the cast is Trinidad Ronaldo, one of Cuba’s most famous actresses, singers and dancers, who has performed for more than 50 years across the world. Among the show’s celebrity fans are pop diva Kylie Minogue and entrepreneur Richard Branson who described it as ‘one of the most enjoyable ways of spending an evening’. The show runs at the Liverpool Empire from Monday, August 13 to Saturday, August 18 with tickets ranging from £14 to £22.50. Ring 0870 607 7575 or visit www.LiverpoolEmpire.org.uk. | 
