Evita

It was good to see Axminster Musical Theatre back where they belong, on the stage of the Guildhall.  We were there for the first night and the auditorium was almost full, the audience clearly eager to enjoy live theatre again.

Teamwork is one of the strengths of this society, coupled with an abundance of talent and enthusiasm.  In the opening scenes the grief of the ordinary Argentinians was displayed so movingly.     Every member of the company had become a believable person.   The ensemble singing was of a high quality, helped no doubt by the many leading performers from other AMT shows being amongst them.  

The casting was inspired with outstanding performances by the leading actors.  I hesitate to single out an actor but feel that a reference should be made to the actor playing Che who held everything together with an ease of voice and movement which belied the difficulty of the role.           

Beautiful and sincere singing carried the story forward.  Evita is an operetta or sung through musical and is very cleverly written so clarity is vital.  Not always easy with the orchestra between the stage and the audience but diction was excellent, and the sound was in very skilful hands so not a word was missed.  Not the easiest score to play I am told but the orchestra was superb.  The balance of sound was first class, and we were able to enjoy both the glorious singing and the quality of the playing even though we were on the front row.  I did wonder if placing some speakers part way back the auditorium might have been an idea, but I am not a sound technician !

The choreography was clever but simple, it complemented the story and was performed with skill.  It was clear that both Director and Choreographer had worked closely together, as indeed had the Musical Director.  Between them producing a vision of how they wished "Evita" to be staged.

The story spans seventeen years from when the ambitious fifteen-year-old Eva persuades her lover, Magaldi, to take her with him to Buenos Aires.  Once there every opportunity to climb the route to power is taken, often using her feminine charms, until she meets and ensnares Juan Peron and wins the hearts of the ordinary people.  The transformation from "chorus girl" to First Lady of Argentina, the changing demeanour, the aging process, the deterioration in her health and her eventual demise was performed with great skill.  

 The passage of years necessitates many different scenes and each segued smoothly to the next.  There was always some action that kept our attention on the story rather than the set change.  The stage was set very simply.  The balcony remained in place as did the Peron bedroom which was on the stage extension.   Otherwise only necessary furnishings were moved on and off which gave an uncluttered vista and aided the smooth running of the story.  

The well-chosen costumes were sourced from the society's own wardrobe department.  The company needed numerous outfits to appear as different characters in different settings.   Eva's costumes helped to show the change from chorus girl to elegant First Lady.  Her hairstyles changed over the years as did her make up to show the ageing and strain in her face. 

The lighting enhanced the production without being obtrusive.   There was a glorious lighting effect, a "ray" of light showing above Evita at just the right moment.

This well directed and staged production left us wondering if Eva had really changed from the ruthless, ambitious young woman into the benevolent "joint" head of state or were her actions all part of the plan to get to the position of supreme power.  We were superbly entertained and made to question - that is a successful production.   My congratulations to Axminster Musical Theatre Company. 

Joyce Pomeroy

 

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