Cuban-born Gloria Estefan fought many battles on her way to becoming one of the most successful female recording artistes of the 20th Century.
Escape from revolutionary Cuba, a childhood spent caring for her bed-ridden father and younger sister while her mother worked to put food on the table, struggles for recognition in a music industry dominated by racism and prejudice.
And then the near-fatal 1990 tour bus accident which threatened her with permanent paralysis.
These dramatic strands are at the core of award-winning writer Alexander Dinelaris’ driving bio-musical – but essentially it is all about the songs.
And when the outstanding Phillipa Stefani is leading the all-dancing, all-singing company through hits like Dr Beat, Rhythm Is Gonna Get You and Gloria’s signature song Conga, which involved some dancing in the aisles, you can feel the Miami heat rising from the stage.
Initially shy and suffering from stage fright, Gloria is driven by love of her life Emilio (the excellent Georgio Ioannides) to step front and centre as the voice of the Miami Sound Machine.
But Latin tempers flare as Gloria fights with her equally tough mother, who does everything she can to thwart her daughter’s musical ambitions. Why? Karen Mann reveals all in convincing style.
Their conflict is neatly countered by Gloria’s supportive grandmother Consuela, a part which allows Hollie Cassar to introduce some welcome comedy moments.
The dancing is vibrant and colourful, backed by a dynamic on-stage band, but the only downer is the confusing, Spartan scenery which looks as it if was knocked up by a Crossroads carpenter as it noisily rolls on and off, at one point interrupting a key scene with a crash like a Richard Hammond stunt.
Fortunately, the props were cleared away for the full-on finale as the rhythm got everyone to their feet, the company more than earning their standing ovation.
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