What is going on with Rachel Zegler’s balcony scene in Evita?

If you’ve been anywhere near a social networking site since Saturday, you’ve surely seen the exterior of The London Palladium.

In a blonde wig and a white gown, Rachel Zegler steps out onto the exterior balcony accompanied by a video operator.

It’s there that she delivers arguably the biggest number from the much-loved Andrew Lloyd Webber-Tim Rice Musical, “Don’t Cry For Me Argentina”, which has been sung by many iconic performers in the past.

Much like Tom Francis‘ Olivier Award-winning walk down the Strand, the balcony scene opens the second act of Jamie Lloyd‘s revival.

Listen to our free podcast, discussing the balcony move:

Zegler, in her West End debut, has drawn large crowds for the outdoor balcony performance as part of its nightly routine. The moment is filmed and streamed into the auditorium, where it plays on screen as part of the production’s multimedia staging. With regards to what happens inside the auditorium, our lips are zipped until press night in early July!

Theatregoers and passers-by can now gather outside the Palladium most nights around 9pm to watch the performance, in what looks set to become a nightly fixture following the start of previews over the weekend.

If you don’t want to sacrifice your evening standing around outside, on matinee days, there will likely be a performance around 4pm.

Bella Brown, who plays The Mistress and is the Alternate Eva Peron, has yet to take the stage in a public performance of the role but it is expected she’ll appear in the same way.

The creative choice has drawn attention on social media and in press coverage, with some applauding the move to draw the public into the show in an unprecedented move. Others, have questioned Lloyd’s decision to stage the show-stopper away from paying audiences.

Importantly, in the context of the show, the delivery totally makes sense. Following Perón’s election, Eva sings the song while addressing her adoring supporters from the balcony of the Presidential Palace, asserting that the people of her country are her true calling amidst the fame and glory.

Early responses suggest that this move could do for Zegler what it did for Nicole Scherzinger and Francis in Sunset Boulevard. Only time will tell – but it’s certainly a unique West End offering for visitors. Oh, what a show!

Evita runs at the Palladium until 6 September.