Despite the title, the musical La Cava is not a homage to the joys of cheap Spanish champagne; more of a rough Rioja doctored with an ounce or two of Moroccan magic. Adapted from Dana Broccoli's novel Florinda, it tells the tale of an eighth-century girl credited with inciting the overthrow of the Spanish Empire by the Moors in 711, after her romance is dashed by the randy if otherwise benevolent King Roderic, played with swash firmly buckled by Oliver "The Stud" Tobias.
Even the programme notes acknowledge that the period was obscure and chaotic, which might not augur too well for La Cava's chances, but there are a few robust moments. These are mostly down to the music and lyrics of Laurence O'Keefe and John Claflin, an LA-based team who have decided that for every mawkish tune, the action demands they'll sneak in some innuendo and the odd knowing send-up. There's also a moment of nudity, though hardly enough to get your pantaloons in a palaver.
The plot centres around feisty Florinda, a lovelorn teenager sent off to boring old Toledo by her father, the Spanish governor-general, leaving her secret suitor in Ceuta to contemplate the orange trees. The lad Somal bats for the barbarians, which complicates matters, but the couple feel Moorish so they persevere. When Somal is unfortunately killed by Roderic, Florinda embarks on a course of revenge, abetted by a eunuch aptly named Agon, and a scheming Archbishop of the boo-hiss type who later props up the Spanish Inquisition.
The cast do their best with a cumbersome framework. Tobias is rugged enough while the likable Julie-Alanah Brighten makes a decent stab at evolving from teenybopper to seductress to her chastened denouement. Sometimes the dialogue creaks like a rusty galleon. As Flo and dad approach Gibraltar he gets over-excited at seeing "the Great Rock", when in reality the journey only takes 45 minutes. Elsewhere the plot is stretched to include religious persecution, the Spanish Queen's sexual frustration and many visits to a finishing school for young ladies with lines such as "I saved you the seat next to mine in tapestry class."
Unlike most other musicals doing the rounds, one retains some interest in La Cava's outcome. Without giving the game away let's just say that not many of the protagonists live happily ever after. As a football score, it's a case of Morocco 2 - Spain 1.
Booking to September 2. Box office: 020 7834 1317.
La Cava
