Evita

Lloyd Weber’s music ensures this is an enjoyable show but Michelle Weston as Evita took charge of the songs and held us all enthralled. She took us on the journey from the poverty in Argentina and led us to the heights of political power showing steely backbone of her own as she negotiated and triumphed over that challenging sing. In costumes - many and apt - with quick changes some deftly done on stage, she looked and was Evita. She was ably supported by Ian Davidson as Che, in a tricky and almost narrative role, with some difficult singing in his own right carefully achieved and by Graeme Rodger in the equally challenging role as Peron showing, despite his power as President, his helplessness against Evita’s star. John Coe as Magaldi showed his mettle and took his notes cleanly while Jennifer Kay Brisbane as Peron’s discarded mistress showed her talent in a beautifully rendered ‘Another Suitcase in Another Hall’. Despite the difficult recitative score, real passion for their roles came across. The good sized chorus delivered the solemnity of the opening Requiem and the lively crowd scene numbers which were wholly in keeping with the spirit of the times and showed restraint in the signature ‘Don’t Cry For Me Argentina’ which made it all the more memorable. Production officials ensured a good sounding orchestra complemented the singers, movement was controlled and staging was unobtrusively successful. The set with the iconic balcony fitted the bill and imaginative use was made of the screen without it overtaking action on the stage. This was a seriously good show and everyone is to be congratulated.

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