Evita, the musical about Eva Peron and her rise to Argentine political marvel has been around the world several times since it’s premiere back in 1978. The show has made its creators, composer Andrew Lloyd Webber and lyricist Tim Rice, firm leaders in the cutthroat world of musical theatre and made them a small fortune in the process.
Evita began life as a rock opera concept album released in 1976. The albums critical success paved the way for a full production of the musical in the West End in 1978. The production went on to win the Oliver Award for Best Musical and launched the career of the now iconic musical theatre star Elaine Page, who won over audiences with her portrayal of Eva Peron. In 1979, the show made its mark in the bright lights of New York City, opening on Broadway to rave reviews and was the first British musical to receive the Tony Award for Best Musical.
The next big leap into the public consciousness for Evita was the making of the big-budget film version in 1996. This stage to screen adaptation starred Madonna as Eva Peron and Antonio Banderas as the ever-present figure of Che, and also served to indelibly mark Evita in the hearts and minds of people the world over.
Director Michael Grandage successfully revived Evita in London back in 2006, this time with the starring role going to Elena Roger. This version of the musical was widely regarded as the definitive rendering, epic in scale, but intimate in emotion. However, this brand new restaging of this timeless classic from Bob Tomson and Bill Kenwright takes the musical to new heights of brilliance.
The Dominion Theatre, situated on Tottenham Court Road and the heart of London’s theatre district is an imposing theatre and makes an excellent home for this grand musical.
The Dominion Theatre, situated on Tottenham Court Road and the heart of London’s theatre district is an imposing theatre and makes an excellent home for this grand musical. Newly refurbished after the exit of its previous tenant (the Queen musical We Will Rock You), it provides a glamorous environment for the story of naïve starlet turned couture stateswomen. The lavish surroundings match the sumptuous and extravagant staging by Tomson and Kenwright, as the pair lead the audience expertly on the long journey that transforms Eva Peron into the glitzy political icon that had her life cut tragically short by cancer at the age of just 33, yearning to do more for the nation she loved.
Based on a true story, Evita opens to reveal a cinema in Buenos Aires, Argentina in July 1952 where the audience is told of the death of Eva Peron. The narrator character of Che then begins to recount the life of Eva, starting when she is 15-years-old in 1934. We follow the young Eva as she grows up and moves to Buenos Aires to peruse her dream of becoming an actress, but the bright-lights of the big city are not as kind as the ambitious young woman hoped, and she resorts to sleeping her way up the social ladder, becoming a top model, radio star and finally achieving her dream of being a film star. It is through these highflying circles of upper society that Eva meets Juan Domingo Perón, a military colonel who is quickly making his mark as a potential political leader. As Peron and Eva begin their affair, the ambitious colonel is elected President of Argentina in 1946. Now the first lady, Eva begins a glamorous tour of Europe and rubs shoulders with the rich and powerful, but decides that her real calling is to help the people of Argentina and not to chase fame and success for her own ends. However, with the knowledge that her cancer will soon stop her working, she swears eternal love to the people of Argentina, and the rest as they say is history.
Evita’s radiant star this time is a newcomer from Portugal, Madalena Alberto, and she gives a powerful and charismatic performance as Eva Peron.
Evita’s radiant star this time is a newcomer from Portugal, Madalena Alberto, and she gives a powerful and charismatic performance as Eva Peron. Her impressive singing is matched by her iron-willed characterisation, always keeping us at a distance until the final moments of the production, where she slowly and ever so carefully lets the audience see the real Eva, complete with all her insecurities and fragility. As the stirring melodies of Lloyd Webber’s score crescendos and Alberto sings her final goodbye, you couldn’t spot a dry eye in the house.
Alberto is joined on stage for much of the show by the lurking figure of Che, based on the revolutionary Che Guevara, played here by Marti Pellow. This character is the linchpin to the musical, leading the audience ever forward in Eva’s exciting story. However, Pellow plays him with a forced sincerity and stern, almost glum tone that rarely changes tempo, and he misses every opportunity to lift the production, instead choosing to stick to this one heavy note. Talking of ‘notes’, Pellow struggles to reach the difficult challenges that Lloyd Webber’s music poses and is often not hitting the right note altogether! But thankfully the rest of the supporting cast and talented ensemble more than make up for Pellow’s lack of ability.
The large ensemble are bursting with energy, especially when tackling the tango and Latin dance numbers, as they transport the audience to the dark clubs of Buenos Aires, filled with passion, heat and sensuality. They must also be commended for the sheer diversity of the characters they are required to play, moving from privileged elite to browbeaten peasants in the flash of flamenco skirts or white spats.
Mark Heenehan makes for an imposing and stately Colonel Peron, quietly dominating the diminutive figure of his wife and contrasting well with the belligerent and spiky Che. Sarah McNicholas gives an outstanding rendition of ‘Another Suitcase in Another Hall’, slowly revealing the depths of the mistress’ regret. Again, the audience audibly produced tissues.
The real star of Evita though is the score. Andrew Lloyd Webber may not be to everyone’s taste, but no one can deny the skill and emotional resonance of Evita’s sweeping melodies and grand orchestration. This, combined with the dramatic story of Eva Peron makes for a truly breathtaking night at the theatre.
Evita runs at the Dominion Theatre until Saturday 1st November 2014.
Thriller Live, the global hit Michael Jackson tribute show that is currently entertaining audiences at the Lyric Theatre in London’s West End has extended its booking period through to 6 September 2015.