Kathryn Evans- London's Fabulous 'Norma' PLUS other Norma's Revisited

Most people don't know who Kathryn Evans is and, sadly, not much of her work is captured on CD or DVD. I've just found this video for which she is the vocal.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DNRgsXjxums

Updated On: 2/6/09 at 08:36 PM

I think I've seen everything she has done since the closing night of 'Evita' at the Prince Edward in 1986? Certainly one of the better 'original' Eva's in London.
'The Fix' despite some of its few flaws was one of the most exciting shows around at that time but her stand out performance for me and the one I wish I had on a recording is when she played Lily in 'On The 20th Century' at he Bridewell. One of my all time female musical performances ever- up there with Sheila Hancock in 'Sweeney at Drury Lane!
A great musical actress who never seems to be out of work yet as I said isn't really that well known outside the theatre world.

I'd put her 3rd after Elaine Paige and Glenn Close. She was great, just not that great.

Not the Kathryn Evans version, but three or four recording of the original ones with Patti Lupone, Glenn Close and others.

The only negative with Kathryn Evans Norma for me was she went a bit too OTT with the deranged performance. Otherwise - brilliant

Quite- I was left distinctly cold first time I saw the show. With a re-focused production, (including the excellent final projection, and a dynamite performance from Elaine Paige, it was a different musical!

Very short with very poor quality.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WJy3qyiBLqc
The very first EVER performance of 'Sunset Blvd' at Lloyd Webber's annual festival with a very young Ria Jones as Norma- years before Streisand and LuPone heard a single note of it!
He continuously apologizes to Ria over the years for her being to young to play the part in a major production.


She isn't now!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=g5r55OzbsNI

Updated On: 2/6/09 at 02:33 PM

Way too over the top in an already over the top part.
She had no sexual allure and came over as just being cold. There is supposed to be a great sexual chemistry between her and Joe but it just didnt happen. She was also just very annoying on stage to watch.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ssNOCcP6Ync

Updated On: 2/6/09 at 02:53 PM

What was the set like for the original as I always hear people say it was outstanding? x

Awesome!!
How did they show the swimming pool at the start??

Elaine Paiges entrance in Sunset
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wNv2SXjxfeA&feature=related

God id love to have seen her in this. Didnt they have to raise the steps on the staircase for her?


Ive seen a bootleg of Betty Buckley on Broadway and have to say thought she was excellent

Updated On: 2/6/09 at 03:39 PM

Actually I lied earlier. My only other experience was as a child seeing the trainwreck also known as Debbie Byrne in the 1997 (or was it 1996) Melbourne production. Of what I can remember, she was pretty much playing herself - a faded star with delusions of grandeur. However, I recall that the same production had Hugh Jackman as Joe.
I don't remember much, but from what my parents remind me, the production itself was spectacular (one of the grandest sets ever they say), while the leading lady was atrocious.

I do have a few cast recordings/promos (Patti, Glenn, Betty, Linda and Diahann) and I must say my fave is Betty Buckley's promo. I was just hoping that there would be another with Kathryn to add to my collection.

Updated On: 2/6/09 at 04:16 PM

Kevin Anderson has moved back to straight plays, starring in Come Back Little Sheba and Death of a Salesman on Broadway - he was Tony nominated and won the Drama Desk award for the later.