Palace Theatre, Manchester – until 9 December 2017. Reviewed by Julie Noller
5*****
If I ever had a theatre bucket list, then Evita would be on it. I’m in my 40’s I know the songs, I watched the film, I cried, I sang into my hairbrush thinking I was Elaine Page. So to say I was excited to see Evita – I didn’t think twice about saying yes to reviewing it, I juggled my childcare in order to drive in the beating rain for over an hour into rush hour Manchester – well excited is an understatement.
Evita would be welcomed I’m sure into any theatre never mind one such as the Palace with it’s old school charm of historical façade. The glittering gold paint of bygone years seamed to rub against the story unfurling in front of us, a tale of determination against all odds, of people breaking free from one oppression and poverty into another rule of oppression and poverty and amongst all this we have the ray of sunshine that was “Santa” Evita to the Argentines.
Evita is the work of two of our greatest musical collaborators, Tim Rice (lyrics) and Andrew Lloyd Webber (music), 40 years later it hasn’t dated the songs still fresh and when delivered with such a polished performance that nears perfection for me then you are left with hairs tingling and a big dopey smile from start to finish.
The set is simple yet striking, visually it’s clever picking the most important eye catching pieces in what is essentially a historical story. We see Evita’s coffin, with a huge portrait above, behind which we first see Evita as a heavenly white dressed saintly angel, whilst her people cry and wail, traipsing past her coffin in despair. I wondered as I watched those people in the background paying their respects would a character walk past twice? They must have done but somehow I never noticed.
Mark Howett is the original lighting designer but its Tim Oliver who uses the stage lights to bring life as this tale is unfurling. The characters we are supposed to be concentrating on are hi-light, lit up, whilst those in the background are dull in comparison. This is Latin America and a time where emotions play a huge role in rebuilding a post war world. Reds of different shades help portray a young Eva driven by emotion, wanting so much more from life to escape her poverty. Madalena Alberto is simply divine, beautiful with a voice to match. She sang each song perfectly with an understanding of her character that was totally believable. I know Evita was a huge fashionista, her costumes were superb, that white diamante dress was stunning, I wish I could dress just like Evita. Cristina Hoey during her solo song as the mistress wears a coat that also had me wishing I could find one just like it. Our story teller for the night is Che (Gian Marco Schiaretti) his cheeky face lit up the stage, essentially we the audience know hes there, yet on stage he blends into the background, just another Argentinian. I bet I wasn’t the only lady (or gent) to swoon when he took his shirt off. Each song is an explanation of 1950s Argentina, Evita and hinting slightly at the politics surrounding those times.
Jeremy Secomb is Peron, the army General who rose to be President, to some he was a dictator to others a saviour. But those events are glossed over for this isn’t a story of politics this is the story of Evita. Her support and love for Peron as well as the people of her Argentina shine out. She understood the masses, despised the upper classes, yet longed to belong and be accepted. That understanding and her support pushed Peron to the top, yet we all know as with all coups it is only a matter of time before they fall and the next dictator comes along. Peron is a dynamic character yet as much as Evita supports him, for this story he is her supporting actor. Evita is the ultimate ‘it’ girl, the original and quite possibly hard to beat. If reality TV had been such a thing in 1950’s Argentina then she would’ve been the brightest star of all. She knew her way to the top was a path laid with rocks and stones and she clambered over every one in the form of various singers, actors, directors and finally military men until she found Peron and there was no one higher. She captivated him body and soul in the same way she captivated the masses she adored as much as they adored her.
I found the dancing invigorating and really wanted to climb up on stage, I came away singing and humming as if I was indeed up on stage singing alongside as part of the choir. When the aristocrats turned to look towards us the audience you had the feeling of those masses stood, waiting, cheering for Evita –”Santa” Evita their self proclaimed Saint. There maybe only one Evita but in a musical with so many solo performances its hard to single one out as each and every one is wonderful. One person however deserved her standing ovation, she doesn’t however have her name in the programme which is unfortunate. She is the child who sang her solo piece and delivered it so beautifully, I’m sure her parents were brimming with pride. So I will name all the children in the programme who are students of Stagecoach Chester (my home city – so I can be proud too) Nicole Owen, Charlie Goodwin, Daisy Cooper, John Brocklebank, Olivia Cooper, Rhys Owen, Rebecca Guy, Rory Flynn, Lily Rackham, Oliver Somauroo, Freya Watson and Jack Golding. Well done I guess we’ll be seeing your names in lights in the future.
We left the theatre and I listened to the conversations, all the same, how fantastic, loved Evita, that dress, that voice. One things for sure I will be seeing Evita again and I know I will be as excited the next time as I was this time. By the sounds of it so will a lot of other people – you should too.