Try another move like that and you're busted

Hollywood's stereotyping of national cultures often goes too far, but who can resist the glimpse of Cuba in the central scene of Guys and Dolls? When Marlon Brando's Sky Masterson plies Joan Simmons's Salvation Army prude with too much rum in a Havana night club, the room is soon aflame with primal Latin dance moves and amorous energy.

This is an identity Cubans are happy to own, to judge by the latest import to The Peacock. Havana Rakatan, choreographed by Cuban ex-dancer Nilda Guerra, supplies everything you expect - long brown legs and wagging rumps, bright clothing and even brighter grins, and dance gestures that could get you arrested if you tried them in the street.

Better still, though, is the seven-piece band Turquino, which supplies the percussive drive for a range of mid-20th-century popular dance styles, from mambo and bolero, cha cha cha and rumba, through to modern salsa with strains of hip hop and reggaeton. But before the party gets going, we have the obligatory trawl through the island's cultural influences, from the flamenco brought by Spanish invaders to the religious rites of Congolese and Yoruba slaves.

The show could do with less of this. Though it's interesting to note the African source of so many of the moves we now call Latin, tribal stomps by men in itchy grass skirts look ludicrous on a West End stage. The women fare better - though the night I went one shook her head so hard that her wig flew off.

Things look up on reaching the 20th century, with a terrific set piece based on the song most Britons will recognise as "the peanut song", thanks to Golden Wonder. In fact, "El Manisero" is about a peanut seller, and the show's summoning of Havana's multiracial street life - complete with the peddling of coffee, fruit and stolen goods as well as peanuts - is a highlight.

Things go from hot to hotter in the second half, thanks partly to the dazzling trumpet playing of the aptly named Luis Danger, and the singing of Geydi Chapman, whose figure vies for magnificence with her voice. "Guantanamera" gets a spot to itself, naturally, and the authentic Cuban rumba (much sexier than dance-hall rumba) is a revelation. Catch this show on a Friday and there's a free post- show salsa class, DJ and dancing till late.

To 23 June (0844 412 4322)

Further listening Latin sounds galore at www.nationalgeographic.com/worldmusic

Copyright 2007 Independent Newspapers UK Limited. All rights owned or operated by The Independent.
Provided by ProQuest Information and Learning Company. All rights Reserved.