Evita

After directing this show twice, I was looking forward to watching someone else’s interpretation of this show and was hugely impressed by what the production team and done.

Evita began as a rock opera concept album in 1976 written by Tim Rice with Music by Andrew Lloyd Webber its success led to a musical production in London’s West End in 1978 and due to its popularity moved to Broadway a year later. The musical loosely follows the last sixteen years of Eva Peron’s life from her move from her village in Los Toldos to Buenos Aires: her aspiration for power, status, her charity work, and the consequential feeling of love and hate before her early demise at the early age of thirty-three.

The creative version for this musical was in the capable hands of Andy Lunn, Director and Ted Oxley Kirk, Choreographer and oh what a triumph, oh what a show they produced over an actress called Eva Peron, from the opening with an Argentinean film series halted by an announcement that Eva Peron’s life had come to an abrupt end to the final bows this show was filled with passion and enthusiasm from an extremely talented cast. Music was in the capable hands of Tony Dylak and his orchestra who ensured that this beautiful score was delivered perfectly never overshadowing the chorus or principals a perfect balance. I loved the choreography throughout this musical and it was visually clear that the cast embraced the dances and movement and ensured that they delivered every move with style and zeal capturing the heat of Buenos Aires.

The set was modern and took a fresh approach whilst keeping the traditional balcony and cleverly using the auditorium space to create height and dynamics. Scene changes were carried out with military provision never interrupting the flow of the performance. Costumes and wigs were fantastic and well-chosen especially Eva’s costumes which looked authentic and stylish, which for me raised the visual appearance of the show. Technical support was strong in this production I loved the lighting plot which created the different atmosphere in individual scenes, well done Jamie Hudson and to conclude congratulations to Chris Eddison who provided an excellent sound quality.

This musical has a very difficult score and a fast story line however it was clear that the cast had been well rehearsed, the principals had settled into their characters, appearing confident and disciplined.

Playing the part of Che was Ashley Wade, this is a very demanding role and an essential character in the production, as the character is rarely off the stage, he set the tone for the show and most of the scenes guiding and narrating the audience through Eva Peron’s life. Ashley delivered his character with ease, he had great stage presence and immediately engaged with the audience in his opening number “Oh What A Circus” great vocals and a dynamic personality, I particularly enjoyed his number “High Flying Adored” for me one of the highlights of the show. Fiona Lane, a wonderful actress who played the same part in the show I had directed some years ago. She delivered a standout performance in the title role Eva Duarte/ Peron, this is a very difficult role to perform not only has she the unenviable task of filling the shoes of one of the most iconic female lead roles which she did admirably, but her character is barely off stage. Fiona ensured that she brought out all the characteristic traits of Eva Person: demonstrating through her performance how ambitious and manipulative Eva was and yet capturing the vulnerability side as she climbed the social ladder, delivering a confident performance. Fiona captured the life from the very beginning as a young Eva pursuing her followers from the dance halls and bars before finally joining forces with Juan Peron. She gave a wonderful and lovely performance commanding the stage and her musical numbers were well delivered especially how she brought out the seductive side in “I’d Be Surprisingly Good For You” and in contrast with the iconic number “Don’t Cry For Me Argentina” I loved the number “You Must Love Me” and I thought that the number “Rainbow High” was well choreographed and performed by all on stage. The emotions delivered in her “Final Broadcast” and “Montage” was delivered with pure emotion and had the audience captivated. Playing the shrewd and ruthless part of Juan Person was Dave Lee: great stage presence and I loved how his character softened around Eva: showing a real tenderness in their relationship and together they made a formidable team lovely vocals in his musical numbers and duets: I particularly enjoyed the number “She Is A Diamond” and “The Art of The Possible”, great interpretation and vocal ability. Darren Smith delivered a first-class performance as the tango singer Augustin Magaldi: although not in the show for very long Darren made a great impact and performed with immense energy and pace and I loved his musical number “On This Night Of A Thousand Stairs”. A fantastic delivery of such a small but vital role in this show.

Niamh Murphy delivered a first-class performance as the mistress to Peron her performance for me was outstanding: fantastic vocal ability her voice shone in her musical numbers “Another Suitcase In Another Hall” which left me wanting much more.

No show is complete without the strong support from the ensemble who ensured that this show was such a triumph: all their musical numbers were well delivered and could not be faulted, there was a great eye to detail in setting the mood for each part of Eva’s short but convoluted life with the ensemble brought together, Well done to the men and women of Argentina, and especially the children who certainly added to the production. They must be applauded for their swift costume changes, multi role performances and vocals.

Finally, a big thank you to the front of house team who made me, and my guest feel most welcome.

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