Evita

Evita – a musical performed by students from Cowley International College, on Friday, 27th October 2023 in the Theatre at Cowley International College, Hard Lane, St. Helens. 

Before I start my review, could I please take the opportunity, on behalf of NODA (National Operatic and Drama Association) to welcome the students and staff from Cowley International College to the NODA North West District 6 family.  This was the college’s first production since joining NODA during the Summer and on a Sunday afternoon a couple of weeks before opening night, I had the privilege and pleasure to be invited to college to watch one of the final rehearsals and to speak with the students
and staff about NODA… l really do hope that this is just the start of a long and productive association.

Evita… is a 1978 Tony Award Winning Musical written by Tim Rice with music by Andrew Lloyd Webber. Set in Argentina between 1934 and 1952, it tells the true-life, ‘rags to riches’ story and meteoric rise to sainthood of ‘Eva Duarte’ and her journey from poor illegitimate child to ambitious actress, to wife of military leader-turned-president Juan Perón and how she became the most powerful woman in Latin America before her death from cancer at the age of 33.  

Production Team… Oh what a triumph, Oh what a show…  Cowley International College had gone to town over the death of an actress called Eva Perón … couldn’t resist!  My opinion… I can only think this wasn’t the easiest of musicals to stage… but what was apparent, even at the rehearsal stage, was that Cowley International College are not only blessed with many talented students but some incredibly knowledgeable and dedicated staff… Danny Watkins (Director/Producer/Chorus Master), Claire Radford (Choreographer), Corey Gerrard (Musical Director) and Sam Westhead (Assistant Director/Stage Management) were those tasked with bringing this production to stage and what an amazing job they made of it!   It was obvious that they knew exactly what they wanted from this musical, and how to achieve it!  So, congratulations to Danny, Claire and Corey for having the vision and dedication to create this wonderful piece of theatre, which, if the applause throughout and at the finale had anything to go by, was appreciated by everyone present the evening I attended.  

The Cast… I think I’m right in suggesting that we had a cast of forty-four all of whom, from first entrance to final bow…  looked confident, happy, and totally engaged with everything that had been thrown at them… this really was a performance that they should all be incredibly proud of!   If you’ve ever read a review of mine, you’ll know that this is where I ‘stick my neck out’ and start selecting MY ‘Show Stealer’ and MY favourite characters, ask anyone else present that evening and they may well come up with other suggestions, but these are mine…  ‘Show Stealer’ without fear of contradiction had to be Isla Graham and her portrayal of ‘Eva Perón’. A challenging role for any actor let alone a fourteen-year-old, but Isla made it her own! Confident, assured, wonderful stage presence, she had me and the rest of the audience enthralled from first entrance to last!  Hardly off stage with multiple songs to sing, but this was never about quantity, it was all about quality and her rendition of the iconic ‘Don’t Cry for Me Argentina’, with Isla stood above the cast, was something I will remember for a long time… be ever so proud Isla… wonderful performance!  From one outstanding performance to another… Sam Smith’s portrayal of ‘Juan Perón’, the charismatic General and later President of Argentia was another to note!  Again, confident, great stage presence, great characterisation with a wonderful singing voice! The chemistry between Sam and Isla was tangible, the scene where Eva dies in Perón’s arms… ‘again detail’… the sight of Sam’s hand shaking/twitching as he held Eva in his arms was so real… be ever so proud Sam!  Aiden Bell took on the role of ‘Che’, the soldier, the revolutionist, the narrator who guides us through this dramatic journey!  Again, another great character created, good stage presence, good mannerisms, he was never not there, if not front and centre, he was always just lurking, listening in the background creating this totally believable character… be ever so proud Aiden! Tom Woodward did a great job with ‘Magaldi’… Eva’s first love interest and her stepping stone to stardom, the charming loser!  Tom did a great job setting the scene for the show with the opening number!  Another great character created!  Grace Murphy and her interpretation of Juan Perón mistress is my final favourite… Grace has an amazing voice and her rendition of the classic ‘Another Suitcase in Another Hall’… was another highlight for me… well done Grace, be proud!  At the end of the production, I was asked to speak with the cast… I asked the question… ‘What makes a good show great’?  The answer… THE CHORUS and what an amazing chorus we had who supported the principals ever so well!  Before I name the remaining cast members, can I just make two observations…   
i) As previously stated, during ‘Don’t Cry for Me Argentina’, a large number of cast members were stood below  Isla as she sang, they were there for a lengthy period…this could have been a ‘bland scene’ for them… but that never happened…DETAIL… many had small intimate movements/moments… some just held hands, some put arms around those stood next to them, there was the odd glance at each other, the odd tear wiped away… these small details enhanced this iconic scene ever so much and made it even more ‘special’!
ii) We had two entrances where members of the chorus came on as one in a very tight knit group… the foot movement and the body control to do that properly was amazing… well done each and all… AGAIN DETAIL!
CAST… Lizzie Holmes (Swing for Evita), Jack Swift (Swing for Juan Perón), Hol Clarke (Swing for Che), Isabelle Jarvis, Beth Allen, Lucy Chisnell, Eloise L’Abert (All four Swings for Mistress) Grace Richardson (Mother), Luke Atherton, Darcy Threlfall, Chloe Kewley, Kitty Kretay (Santa Evita Children), Harvey Blackhurst, Jacob Sowler, Josh Boyland (Male Swings).   Riley Parry, Nikitta Pilkington, Libby McHugh, Lily Carroll, Rosie Sewell, Olivia Upton, Ella Potter, Zara Samuel, Amelia Upton, Katie Croston, Jasmine Llewellyn, Ben Friar, James Rathbone-Britch, Rebecca Parry, D-J Green, Isabel Simms, Peighton-May Green, Lucy Roberts, Maggie Middleton, Emily Gauchwin (Ensemble)… Libby McHugh, Freya Leigh, Aimee Atherton, Heleina Faasavalu (Dance Troupe)

The Orchestra… led by the ever so talented Corey Gerrard (Musical Director) … Trumpet - Clifford Ray; Trombone - JP Warder, Guitars - Jack O’Hanlon/Paul Taft; Bass/Upright Bass - Adam Dutch; Drums – Amy Grey; Percussion – Caitlin Monaghan;  Keys (1, 2) Ben Attfield, Craig Mann/Tom Pieczora, well done guys…

Staging/Set/Tech… Sam Westhead (Assistant Director/Stage Management/Costume Manager) and his team of designers and constructors, were in charge of this simple set which was used throughout!   The set basically consisted of a ‘bridge’… situated toward the rear of the stage which spanned the entire width of stage and was there throughout. Beneath the bridge were arches, this construction separated the actors from the orchestra. Stage furniture was brought on ‘as and when’ required, to create the various scenes by cast members.  Sound… if I could be a little picky… I did think the music in Act 1 was a little loud, but I did think this may have been the result of a ‘rogue mike’ that affected the whole of Act 1 (live theatre... not much you can do about things like that only get on with it, which is what happened). The problem didn’t faze any of the performers, nor did it detract from the overall enjoyment and the problem was ‘sorted’ during the interval... Act 2 was perfect!  Lighting was simple yet effective… Costume/Props - were excellent and enhanced the show so much… congrats to all concerned! 

Can I take this opportunity to thank Cowley International College for inviting my wife and I to your production and me to your rehearsal.  I understand that this was the last college production for some of the cast … those leaving include Sam Smith, Aiden Bell, Lizzy Holmes, Hol Clark, Jack Swift, Tom Woodward, Lucy Chisnall, Beth Allen and Eloise L’Abert… can I, on behalf of NODA and myself, take this opportunity just to wish you all the very best for your futures, wherever that my take you and in whatever direction; be proud of what you achieved here tonight, it will no doubt serve you well throughout your lives and remember, if you want to keep performing, there are many societies locally that would just love to have you and your talents in their cast!

Stay safe and keep well….
‘Stronger Together’
Jim Briscoe
NODA North West
District 6 Rep

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