The Show
The monumental, multi-award winning musical Evita comes to London's West End this summer after a highly anticipated return. With lyrics by Tim Rice and music by Andrew Lloyd Webber, watch the life of Argentinian icon Eva Peron, wife of Dictator Juan Peron, unfold as she rises from a disadvantaged upbringing to Argentina's most adored political figure. She used her platform of power in the late 1940s to fight for women's rights, striving to improve the lives of the poor and was subsequently labelled 'the spiritual leader of the nation'. Bill Kenwright Productions present an astounding adaptation of the well-loved show which stars Emma Hatton as Eva Peron. Hatton has previously performed in Dreamboats and Petticoats, We Will Rock You and played the lead role of Elphaba in Wicked. Starring alongside Hatton is Italian-born Gian Marco Schiaretti who plays Che Guevara, an Argentinian revolutionary who is said to represent the voice of the people and act as the narrator. Eva's husband Juan Peron is played by Kevin Stephen-Jones, who has previously appeared in Cats and Dirty Rotten Scoundrels. Lloyd Webber's infamous songs, including 'Don't Cry for me Argentina,' 'On This Night of a Thousand Stars' and 'Another Suitcase in Another Hall,' are as powerful and awe-inducing as ever. The show runs at London's Phoenix Theatre from July and is directed by Bob Tomson and Bill Kenwright, with set design by Matthew Wright and choreography by Bill Deamer. Make sure you do not miss this spectacular production of the timeless musical which comes to London on the 65th anniversary of Eva Peron's death. Eva Peron famously said her 'biggest fear in life was to be forgotten'. Bill Kenwright's Evita wholeheartedly celebrates her legacy and is truly unforgettable.
History of Evita
Before premiering at the West End in 1978, Tim Rice and Andrew Lloyd Webber's Evita began life as a concept album which was released in 1976. The West End premiere starred Elaine Paige as Eva Peron, shooting the actress to stardom. Pop singer David Essex played Che and Joss Ackland was Juan Poron. A year later in 1979, the musical premiered in Broadway with Patti LuPone taking the lead role. Many different adaptations have been created since its premiere across the United Kingdom, America as well as Madrid and Rio de Janeiro. In 1996, Alan Parker directed a film adaptation starring music legend Madonna as Eva Peron and Antonio Banderas as Che. Evita's American tour is still ongoing, and Bill Kenwright's production has recently finished a nationwide tour before heading for London's West End.
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Awards and what the critics say
Evita has won a phenomenal number of awards since its premiere in 1978. It won a Society of West End Award for Best Musical and Elaine Paige won Best Performer in 1978. In 1980, Evita won a prestigious Tony Award for Best Musical. In the same year, the Tony Awards kept rolling in as the show also won Best Score, Best Lighting Design, Best Direction, Best Book, Best Costume Design, Best Performance by an Actor for Mandy Patinkin's role as Che and finally, Best Performance by an Actress for Patti LuPone's star role as Eva Peron. Andrew Lloyd Webber and Tim Rice's song 'You Must Love Me' won the pair an Oscar for Best Music in 1997. In the same year, Madonna won a Golden Globe for Best Actress for her film performance as Eva Peron. Alan Parker's film also achieved a Golden Globe for Best Motion Picture and a Satellite Award for Best Costume Design and Best Film. More recently, Evita won an Oliver Award for Outstanding Musical Production in 2007. Following Evita's premiere in 1978, Michael Billington reported for The Guardian that "it is an audacious and fascinating musical." Bill Kenwright's new West End production has recently finished a nationwide tour and the response has been incredible. Hilary Porter for the Daily Echo expressed that "surely this is the finest work ever of director Bill Kenwright who has assembled an amazing cast." There is great admiration for Emma Hatton too, as The Senital state "[she] conjures a scintillating stand-out performance [and] her singing is powerful." The Senital also recognise the power of Kenwright's production, reporting that "like a tidal wave, the audience rose almost as one to acclaim a wonderful evening's entertainment."
