'Evita' - the 'theatrical event of the year' goes on tour

By Kate Morley - 23/07/2008

  Bill Kenwright’s touring production of Evita came to Bristol this week, with a stunning new production of one of Andrew Lloyd Webber and Tim Rice’s most complex musicals.

 

The plot and musical numbers are so well known as to need no introduction here, but you may not be familiar with the name of the female lead, Louise Dearman. However, if last night’s performance is anything to go by, she is destined to become as well known as her predecessor in the role, Elaine Page.

 

Her performance in the title role, which earned her a well deserved standing ovation, was simply outstanding. Her portrayal of the transition in Evita from ambitious ‘backstreet girl’ to poised First lady and finally to the closing weeks of her life was very well observed, and her voice was excellent in the wide vocal range of this challenging role. 

 

Another relative newcomer was Seamus Cullen, playing the revolutionary Che. Cullen, one of the runners up in the BBC show ‘Any Dream Will Do’ undoubtedly has a good voice. But there are times when he seems to lack the depth of experience required for Musical theatre.  His movements are not quite definite enough to make a firm statement, and his vocals are not always completely centred, leading to a performance that, while perfectly competent, was curiously passionless – not quite the angry revolutionary.  This also lead to a lack of connection between Che and Eva – at times the scripts calls for an almost sexual tension between the two characters – such as during ‘A Waltz of Eva’,  and this didn’t really come across. All in all, he needs more authority in his performance to make the role his own.

 

Unfortunately, the excellent Mark Heenehan , playing Juan Peron, only served to highlight the above. His performance and vocals were very good indeed, and there was an excellent visual contrast between his stature and the petite Dearman which gave delicious irony to her steely manipulation of him.  The closing scenes of him attending the bedside of the dying Eva were the most moving I have seen in a production of this musical.

 

Another very moving performance was given by Nikki Mae in the role of the Mistress. Her rendition of ‘Another Suitcase in Another Hall’ was breathtaking. This is not an easy song to sing, but Nikki‘s bell like quality in the upper register was perfectly suited to this wistful number.

 

The cast are very well supported by an excellent company. The ensemble numbers are beautifully performed with tight choreography. There were times when they could have done with a slightly larger chorus, namely in the opening’ Requiem’ and in the rousing ‘New Argentina’, but this is a  minor point.

 

All in all, a beautifully lit, visually stunning production – this is being billed as ‘the theatrical event of the year’ and it’s hard to argue with that -  don’t miss it!

 

Evita is showing at the Bristol Hippodrome until 2nd August. For more details visit the website linked below or call 0117 302 3333

 

The show is then touring the following theatres.

 

18 Aug - 30 Aug Grand Theatre, Leeds 0870 121 4901

 

1 Sep - 13 Sep Kings Theatre, Glasgow 0870 060 6648 

 

29 Sep - 11 Oct Milton Keynes Theatre, Milton Keynes 0870 060 6652

 

13 Oct - 25 Oct Lyceum Theatre, Sheffield 0114 2496000

 

27 Oct - 8 Nov Regent Theatre, Stoke-On-Trent 0870 060 6649 

 

10 Nov - 22 Nov Cardiff New Theatre, Cardiff 02920 878889 

 

23 Dec - 10 Jan Leicester De Montfort, Leicester  0116 233 3111