Review: Evita
Venue: Opera House
Date Reviewed: 25th June, 2008
Evita has attracted some truly talented leading ladies over the years including Elaine Paige, Marti Webb and the wonderful Elena Roger, the last actress to play Eva Peron in the West End. Instead of resting on his laurels, allowing this classic musical to sell itself, director and producer Bill Kenwright has assembled an excellent cast, including the brilliant Louise Dearman as the Argentine First Lady.
Tim Rice and Andrew Lloyd Webber’s tale of a poor peasant girl who drags herself out of poverty and into the arms of Argentine dictator Juan Peron (Mark Heenehan), features world-famous songs, including “Another Suitcase, Another Hall” and “A New Argentina” which cleverly mixes epic grandiose in terms of Lloyd Webber’s iconic music and cynicism, via Rice’s superb lyrics.
As Eva’s popularity grows, Peron is almost reduced to standing in the shadows, reminding you of powerful contemporary women like Princess Diana and Hilary Clinton. With each song, Dearman brings the ambition and determination of Evita, but also the heartache that awaits her. “Don’t Cry For Me Argentina” in her capable hands is a subtle plea, as opposed to a big overblown ballad, capturing Eva’s manipulative majesterial qualities, perfectly.
Seamus Cullen also does a fine job as narrator and cynic, Che Guevara. He constantly plays to the audience, acting as a reminder that this woman’s actions were not entirely selfless. During the tremendous “And The Money Keeps Rolling In” (And Out), he acts as a wake up call, as ordinary folk are duped by Evita’s ‘alturistic’ charity work.
Heenehan is an above average Peron but he lacks the gravitas you associate with the character. He is in good voice and works well alongside Dearman but there is something missing from his performance, overall.
Nikki Mae and James Waud make the most of their scene stealing turns as The Mistress and Magaldi, one of Eva’s early conquests.
The excellent ensemble sing and dance beautifully, adding weight to the brilliant songs. The only disappointment really is that there are not more of them, providing the show with the epic treatment that it deserves, although they play many roles, therefore, creating a sense of a much bigger cast.
Matthew Wright’s set design is better than most, as it does not have that cheap appearance, often associated with touring musicals. It does need a revolve though, as there is much to-ing and fro-ing with Evita’s coffin, which does detract from the plot at times.
Ultimately, Evita rises or falls, depending on the leading lady’s singing and acting abilities. Despite having to wear some slightly frumpy costumes, Dearman is a revelation in the role. She manages to convey the chameleon-like character of this Argentinian icon, yet enables you to feel her pain, inspite of her alterior motives, particularly during the poignant “You Must Love Me.”
Her pitch-perfect performance, brings a West End quality to the regions, and you will cry for her, as she makes this show a must-see!
-Glenn Meads
June 25th, 2008 at 4:47 pm
I was lucky enough to win tickets to see this musical through ‘Whatsonstage’ Manchester and I thoroughly enjoed the show.
Louise Dearman is fantastic as Eva Peron, and she performed the show stopping number, ‘Don’t cry for me Argentina’ wonderfully, it really was very moving.
She was perfectly complemented by a wonderful performance by Seamus Cullen in the role of Che. I liked the way that he played to the audience and his voice was superb. The rest of the cast were all excellent. The set was very impressive, and I must say I thought that the sound levels were brilliant, as occasionally things can be too loud or the microphones too quiet etc, but it was spot on.
Overall, I think that this is a powerful and must-see musical, so thanks ‘Whatsonstage’ for the tickets! Jonathan Sterling
June 26th, 2008 at 5:20 pm
I saw the show on Tuesday and was very taken with the lead performance of Louise Dearman. She ably conveyed the change between the young Eva Duarte to the poised Eva Peron, keeping the audience’s sympathies. At times a difficult task as Eva Peron was manipulative and self serving. Seamus Cullen was a charismatic Che (but please why did they get him to sing in a falsetto which he clearly couldn’t handle?) however I found Mark Heenehan’s Peron a little distant and found it difficult to gain any feeling for the character. For me though the surprise in the middle was the beautiful and emotional performance by Nikki Mae as the Mistress.
A great set, excellent ensemble and good direction bought the show together. As a long time lover of the musical Evita (I remember buying the original soundtrack before the musical was even opened in London) this was a production well worth watching.