THEATRE SPOTLIGHT: EVITA THE MUSICAL AT CURVE, LEICESTER
Last Updated on 28th November 2024 by Bejal
This year’s festive ‘Made at Curve’ production by talented artistic director, Nikolai Foster, is Tim Rice and Andrew Lloyd Webber’s acclaimed musical, Evita.
This almost rags-to-riches story charts the inspiring, yet short life of Argentina’s First Lady and political heroine, Eva Péron, known to the world as Evita. This is a not to be missed musical that follows the existence of one of history’s most decisive figures of not just her time but of all time.
All Production Photography by Marc Brenner (Unless otherwise stated)
Disclosure: Be-lavie received a press invite to experience ‘Evita’. All opinions, and views are our own along with non-production photography and therefore remain a copyright of be-lavie. For further information, refer to our disclosure policy
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The Plot
Born Eva Duarte, in the small town of Junin, Argentina to a home of poverty, and illegitimacy, she never stopped thinking about how to better her future. Her ambitions and perseverance to make a better life for herself, led her to leave her home town and head for the big city.
In 1934 at the age of 15, she landed in Argentina’s capital Buenos Aires and pursued a career as an actress on stage, radio and films. It was in 1944, she met Colonel Juan Péron, during a charity event for the victims of an earthquake in San Juan, Argentina. Juan later went on to become president, where Eva, the first lady of Argentina ardently remained at his side. Eva was an incredible public speaker which she used to her advantage.
As the couple married it was clear she started to win over the hearts of so many of her poor country men and woman, who called her Evita, although the army always saw her as some sort of dangerous socialist threat.
She decided to decline vice presidency yet fought for many causes that she could, in her new position, especially for the poor classes. Unfortunately in her good will tour of Europe, known as ‘Rainbow Tour’ was a mixed bag, she was idolised in Spain but mocked in Switzerland.
Evita is set in Buenos Aires between 1934-1952 and follows Eva’s life story as she unanimously wins the hearts of Argentina’s working class and manages to pave way for women to enter politics, initiating Argentina’s women to gain suffrage,
Even after Eva’s death from cancer, aged only 33, she was immortalised, given saint-like status in her beloved Argentina. The events in her life are narrated on stage by Che.
There are many enduring and distinguished songs to this musical including, Buenos Aires, Another Suitcase in Another Hall, Oh What a Circus and the most hailed of all, Don’t Cry for me Argentina.
This is the life story of the most powerful woman in Latin America’s history, Evita.
Notable Performances
Eva Perón, Evita played by Martha Kirby (UK tour of Bat Out of Hell, Rags and Curve’s UK tour of Grease the Musical) was of course the star of the show. She portrays Eva’s passion and determination for her country with great form and is completely mesmerising to watch her captivate the audience with her words of defiance and emotion. The much awaited musical performance of the night was of course Don’t cry for me Argentina’, previously executed by Madonna, in the 1996 movie adaptation. It did not disappoint with the utter pin drop silence and crescending applaud from the audience.
Tyrone Huntley (Jesus Christ Superstar, The View UpStairs and Dream Girls) plays a formidable Che, as the narrator of Evita. His storytelling is spellbinding, articulated to perfection and absolutely captivating, His voice was controlled and had great poise drawing into the political elements of the story seamlessly. His character which he articulates effortlessly as manipulative and impulsive, is modelled on the real-life Argentinian-born Che Guevera, the Cuban guerilla fighter. Although in Evita the character is a representation of all activities. He could be labelled as the ’Greek chorus’ of the show,
Gary Milner, (Mamma Mia, Chicago and Dr Zhivago) who plays Juan Peron, supports the role of Eva beautifully and depicts the intricacies of the relationship between the two. as well as his leadership as army colonel, president and husband to Eva.
The annunciation of Tim Rice’s lyrics as well as music of Lord Andrew Llyod Webber is bought to life by the whole production as they come together for some of Evita’s most poignant songs.
The complete ensemble does a fantastic job in delivering wonderful dance and musical sequences with the opening funeral scenes being quite moving as well as some of the later scenes, which combine Latin-American dance moves with a more contemporary-style.
Staging
As Evita is set in Buenes Aires, the expectation would be to see the backdrop of colonial buildings and state houses, instead the staging is more industrial and brought to life by the clever use of lighting in scenes. From the hydraulic podium at Eva’s funeral to the silver staircase where she delivers her speeches to the nation, the team have drawn from all aspects to create a platform to execute the relevance of each portion of the story on stage.
Final Words
Eva Perón, never really left Argentina, even as she sings “I never left you, all through my wild days, my mad existence, I kept my promise, don’t keep your distance’ from the iconic ‘Don’t cry for me Argentina”.
Feminism, the disparity of politics, social classes, this is a story about one ladies dream that leads her to become Argentina’s most-loved female figures. A woman who used her ability to speak to the crowds. The only woman to have a state funeral in the whole of Latin America attended by almost three million mourners.
This is a slice of history adapted for the stage with contemporary touches and an outstanding score.
Evita will run at Curve until Saturday 13 January 2024
The Details
- Address: The Curve. Alexandra House, 60 Rutland St, Leicester LE1 1SB
- Box Office: 0116 242 3595
- Box Office Email: tickets@curvetheatre.co.uk
- Website: Curve Theatre.
Related Reading
- More Theatre Experiences
- A Weekend Guide to Leicester By a Local
- Leicester Street Street Art Scene
- All things Leicester Life
- Theatre Experiences Around The World
À bientôt
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