As I followed the sound of salsa music into the grand ballroom at The Assembly Rooms, I have to admit I felt a little underdressed in jeans and trainers. What I was about to be part of was not just a show, but a full two hours of drinking, singing, dancing and a non stop party for both audience and performers alike.
The Assembly Room group deliver a night of relentless music in this fantastic cabaret show. With a mini bar at the side of the stage and the freedom to wander out to the main bar during the show, the atmosphere is relaxed and happy - this performance is a real night out. The show features a variety of styles from samba to mambo to reggae. Supported by an enthusiastic male band, there are three main singers who perform in very different but equally passionate varieties.
A highlight was the stunning singer Paloma Gomez, whose gorgeous vocals had the whole audience instantly on their feet. Her rendition of the well-known classic ‘Mas Que Nada’ was the perfect way to get everyone in the party mood. The energetic vocals were accompanied by some equally energetic female dancers, who got the audience going and even invited some particularly enthusiastic dancers up onto the stage to shake their stuff. They were joined by a male dancer who also turned out to be a very talented singer, teaching the whole auditorium the ‘Playa Playa, Piscina Piscina’ song, along with actions (that’s beach beach, pool pool to me and you...) We were also taught the four steps of how to drink a shot in Cuba. The cha-cha dance number between the male and female dancer was particularly captivating and brought out the true style of the evening. The two dancers moved seamlessly as one, falling elegantly and sexily into each other’s movements. Both the male and female dancers aren’t wearing very much clothing, so there is something to please everyone!
This show offers so much fun and is the perfect way to end or even start a night out. Parts of the night do echo cruise-ship entertainment and if you’re not one for joining in with the crowd, maybe you should avoid this commercial production and go for something a little more intimate. Despite this, the group are so very talented and passionate about what they do, you can’t help but get carried away by their infectious energy and you’ll soon be dancing in the aisles. Probably best to have a pint before you go though and put on your best dress and dancing shoes! Olé!
