Evita

Evita, being an opera, relies on music, well sung and impeccably played. Everything else that happens around that is there to enhance this musical experience. This is why, unusually, I am starting off by complimenting this production team, Martin Rodwell – Director, Mark Sharp – Musical Director, Georgie Galloway and Carole Beatty – Choreographer. Everything they contributed to this production has indeed enhanced it. With additional vocal rehearsing by Joanna Kemp and harmony coaching by Ro Curtis, every second that this team has given to this show has not been wasted. 

The part of Eva was beautifully played by Emmie Wright as she portrayed the many sides to this complex lady. Her powerhouse vocals and strong acting held us bewitched as she moved, with so many costume changes, between the series of events that led to where she finished. She is worth the ticket price on her own.

As with all operas there has to be a tenor, and this falls to the narrator Che delightfully played by Gary Clifton. What a way to return to the society. This, like many of the parts in the show, this is not an easy sing but he made it look effortless. It was also good to see the freedom he had moving around the stage as he told us what was really happening. 

Evita has a boyfriend, who is a cabaret singer, called Magaldi and this smooth, slightly oily character is so well depicted by Josh Hinds. His voice and lady killing charms so well displayed in “On This Night of a Thousand Stars” 

The most serious part has to be Peron. Aly Gatfield took this on and not only sang with power and control but never lost his character.   

The final member of the big five in this leading team is the Mistress (Gabriella Green) with her one song, but what a song “Another Suitcase in Another Hall” which she delivered so well. The audience were clearly moved by this lovely rendition.

The Ensemble in this production deserved their bows, every single one of them, with total concentration and a determination to make this production great, they worked their socks off. 

It was lovely to be welcomed to the bar after the show for a chat with the cast and to help consume some of your wonderful buffet. 

CSODS is the epitome of team-work and the result of this is what we witnessed here tonight.

Thank you all, this was an evening of sheer theatrical delight. 

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