Kathryn Evans- London's Fabulous 'Norma' PLUS other Norma's Revisited — Page 2

#26

re: Kathryn Evans- London's Fabulous 'Norma' AND other 'Normas' Revisited!

Posted: 2/6/09 at 6:53pm

"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!"

Ria is a fantastic performer and would be an awesome Norma. However, she told me she still considers herself too young. Hopefully she will get round to playing her at some stage.

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THEATRE 2020: CURTAINS**** LET'S HEAR IT FOR THE GIRLS***** WICKED***** KEITH RAMSAY TAKING NOTES WITH EDWARD SECKERSON***** KAYLEIGH MCKNIGHT CONCERT***** RAGS***** ON MCQUILLAN'S HILL** DEAR EVAN HANSEN***** THE JURY***

#27

re: Kathryn Evans- London's Fabulous 'Norma' AND other 'Normas' Revisited!

Posted: 2/6/09 at 7:35pm

I was with her 2 weeks ago and she still, yes, feels the same but the fact ALW still says she will do it one day is something to be amazed at.

#28

re: Kathryn Evans- London's Fabulous 'Norma' AND other 'Normas' Revisited!

Posted: 2/6/09 at 7:40pm

I just hope that the tour of Witches of Eastwick does well enough to earn it a West End transfer so Ria can be back on the West End where she belongs!

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THEATRE 2020: CURTAINS**** LET'S HEAR IT FOR THE GIRLS***** WICKED***** KEITH RAMSAY TAKING NOTES WITH EDWARD SECKERSON***** KAYLEIGH MCKNIGHT CONCERT***** RAGS***** ON MCQUILLAN'S HILL** DEAR EVAN HANSEN***** THE JURY***

#29

re: Kathryn Evans- London's Fabulous 'Norma' AND other 'Normas' Revisited!

Posted: 2/6/09 at 9:34pm

Did anyone ever see the FORBIDDEN BROADWAY version of Elaine Paige in SUNSET? Christine Pedi played Norma on her knees and at one point screams "It isn't the actress that got smaller - it's the sets that got bigger!"

I liked Debra Bryne as Norma here in Melbourne. Unfortunately she was, once again going through issues the publicity of which outshone the show.

I always though Norma's final exit was botched, she should just go off into the wings into the light but instead for some reason she steps forward to reprise a couple of lines from With One Look (?) which completely kills the emotion of the moment.

Updated On: 2/6/09 at 09:34 PM

#30

re: Kathryn Evans- London's Fabulous 'Norma' AND other 'Normas' Revisited!

Posted: 2/8/09 at 1:44pm

I know it's difficult to say, but what's the chances of this revival lasting until June? Trying to get down to see it...

#31

re: Kathryn Evans- London's Fabulous 'Norma' AND other 'Normas' Revisited!

Posted: 2/8/09 at 1:49pm

I'd say pretty good. Business is OK and they will try and hold out for the awards. ATG have money enough to nurse this production, they already have it on the move to New York in December.

#32

re: Kathryn Evans- London's Fabulous 'Norma' AND other 'Normas' Revisited!

Posted: 2/8/09 at 3:26pm

bob, thanks for that youtube link!! I had no idea someone had vids of the Fix! Just saw all of them... sorry, but I'm biased with Philip Quast.

I was suppose to be one of the few to see Sunset with Faye Dunaway in LA...

alterego, I saw that one and the one with "Patti Class", where Glenn Close, ALW and Madonna are all her students.

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I once heard someone describe her (Ruthie Henshall) singing as sounding as though she's trying to swallow a whole meatball slightly larger than her windpipe. (The same person compared Michael Ball's singing to sounding as though he's sitting on a washing machine on spin cycle and Colm Wilkinson's to a man with a paralyzed lip trying to eat cottage cheese.) --- Schmerg_The_Impaler

#33

re: Kathryn Evans- London's Fabulous 'Norma' AND other 'Normas' Revisited!

Posted: 2/8/09 at 4:47pm

Im not so sure about its long term future past April as I have heard talk Kathryn Evans is cast/or favourite to be cast (depending on who you listen to) to play the mum in Light in the Piazza in May

#34

re: Kathryn Evans- London's Fabulous 'Norma' AND other 'Normas' Revisited!

Posted: 2/8/09 at 6:48pm

"I have heard talk Kathryn Evans is cast/or favourite to be cast (depending on who you listen to) to play the mum in Light in the Piazza in May"

Kathryn Evans as Margaret in Piazza would be quite something - especially as the fabulous Caroline Sheen has been cast to play Clara.

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THEATRE 2020: CURTAINS**** LET'S HEAR IT FOR THE GIRLS***** WICKED***** KEITH RAMSAY TAKING NOTES WITH EDWARD SECKERSON***** KAYLEIGH MCKNIGHT CONCERT***** RAGS***** ON MCQUILLAN'S HILL** DEAR EVAN HANSEN***** THE JURY***

#35

re: Kathryn Evans- London's Fabulous 'Norma' AND other 'Normas' Revisited!

Posted: 2/9/09 at 4:43am

Absolutely love "La Evans" as she is known.

A true lady and world class performer. One of our finest in the UK, yet totally underrated because of her lack of OCR's/high profile appearances.

Fantastic as Norma in a show I've seen twice. Two standing ovations and more bravos than I think I've ever heard outside of the opera.

#36

re: Kathryn Evans- London's Fabulous 'Norma' AND other 'Normas' Revisited!

Posted: 2/9/09 at 4:52am

Caroline? Really?!
What fantastic news, I simply adore her.

And thanks for the information, guys, fingers crossed I'll get to see it.

#37

re: Kathryn Evans- London's Fabulous 'Norma' AND other 'Normas' Revisited!

Posted: 2/10/09 at 2:23pm

You should all track down a little album called "Sue Mathys Sings Broadway And Piaf". Sue was the final Norma in the German production, and she kicked some ass! On the album she sings Norma's two big songs in English, for some reason, but she's very good.

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"Curse you, Lady Glyde!"

Updated On: 2/10/09 at 02:23 PM

#38

re: Kathryn Evans- London's Fabulous 'Norma' AND other 'Normas' Revisited!

Posted: 2/10/09 at 4:22pm

Thanks to this thread ive relistened to the 3 recordings of Sunset i have (OLC, American one with Glenn Close, and the Canadian cast) and have to say out of those three Glenn is my favourite Norma, she definately comes accross as the better actress.

God I wish theyd get on and make the movie!

#39

re: Kathryn Evans- London's Fabulous 'Norma' AND other 'Normas' Revisited!

Posted: 2/11/09 at 7:56am

why is she called La Evans? I've met her several times at the Haymarket theatre, Leicester and she's always approachable and will pose for photos. Saw her at the Comedy 2 weeks ago, she was fabulous, even better than at the Watermill. Am definitely going to see SB again!

#40

re: Kathryn Evans- London's Fabulous 'Norma' AND other 'Normas' Revisited!

Posted: 2/11/09 at 7:59am

Do hope she will be in Light in the Piazza - I've seen her in lots of shows at the old Haymarket Theatre, Leicester. My very favourite actress after seeing her in Piaf!

#41

re: Kathryn Evans- London's Fabulous 'Norma' AND other 'Normas' Revisited!

Posted: 2/11/09 at 8:10am

La Evans is just a camp name that she has in the theatre world that she actually likes and answers to.

#42

re: Kathryn Evans- London's Fabulous 'Norma' AND other 'Normas' Revisited!

Posted: 2/11/09 at 9:30am

Oh Mama, I'd love to see you sporting one of those cigarette holders. I had an original Berlin black opal-encrusted cigarette holder for many years, but since I don't smoke I gave it away in the end.

I'll keep a look-out for fabulous smoking accessories.

#43

re: Kathryn Evans- London's Fabulous 'Norma' AND other 'Normas' Revisited!

Posted: 2/11/09 at 10:27am

susan3: "why is she called La Evans? I've met her several times at the Haymarket theatre, Leicester and she's always approachable and will pose for photos"


Answer is exactly as MamasDoin'Fine says

Met her several times, she is a lovely person who has time for photos and autographs for fans, and usually a chat too when quieter through the week. Very courteous to cast and theatre employees and by all accounts a pleasure to deal with.

The name is a compliment, not derogatory!

#44

re: Kathryn Evans- London's Fabulous 'Norma' AND other 'Normas' Revisited!

Posted: 2/11/09 at 12:05pm

ALL actresses who have played Norma automatically receive the coveted 'La' in front of their surname La Close, La Clark, La Buckley etc.

susan3: I would be interested in hearing how you would compare La Evans' performance in the West End with the one at the Watermill? I saw her at the Watermill, and I found her to be one of the weaker links of that production.

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"Curse you, Lady Glyde!"

#45

re: Kathryn Evans- London's Fabulous 'Norma' AND other 'Normas' Revisited!

Posted: 2/12/09 at 7:13am

Glad its a complement! I would have loved to see her after the Weds matinee performance, but didn't know how to go about it. Do fans have to wait until she comes out after the evening show? Also as I'd come from Leicester, I didn't want to risk missing the coach back. It took me ages to find the Comedy Theatre, as I don't know London very well.

#46

re: Kathryn Evans- London's Fabulous 'Norma' AND other 'Normas' Revisited!

Posted: 2/12/09 at 7:20am

Well, I was sitting near the back at the Watermill, and on second row in stalls at the Comedy, so had a better view and just felt more a part of it (mind you, I'm biased!). I just thought she was really into the part and giving it everything. I was a bit disappointed in Dave Willets as Max, I preferred the actor at the Watermill.
Kathryn is on the Elaine Paige radio programme this Sunday, talking about her career and favourite musicals, Radio 2, 1pm, I think.

#47

re: Kathryn Evans- London's Fabulous 'Norma' AND other 'Normas' Revisited!

Posted: 2/12/09 at 1:05pm

'In my books, out of the 6 or 7 I've seen in the part, Elaine Paige was by far the best'.

Mama just out of curosity what Norma's did you see and how did you rate them?

#48

re: Kathryn Evans- London's Fabulous 'Norma' AND other 'Normas' Revisited!

Posted: 2/14/09 at 10:20am

Out of 5-

Patti Lupone ✯
Elainge Paige ✯✯✯✯✯
Glenn Close ✯✯✯✯
Rita Moreno ✯✯✯ (for the pure hell of trying!)
Dianna Carroll ✯✯✯
Kathrine Evans ✯✯✯✯

#49

re: Kathryn Evans- London's Fabulous 'Norma' AND other 'Normas' Revisited!

Posted: 2/14/09 at 11:48am

>>ALL actresses who have played Norma automatically receive the coveted 'La' in front of their surname La Close, La Clark, La Buckley etc. <<

La LuPone or La Pone?

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I once heard someone describe her (Ruthie Henshall) singing as sounding as though she's trying to swallow a whole meatball slightly larger than her windpipe. (The same person compared Michael Ball's singing to sounding as though he's sitting on a washing machine on spin cycle and Colm Wilkinson's to a man with a paralyzed lip trying to eat cottage cheese.) --- Schmerg_The_Impaler

#50

re: Kathryn Evans- London's Fabulous 'Norma' AND other 'Normas' Revisited!

Posted: 2/15/09 at 6:35am

Amazing what a thread can do. Ive just re-discovered my recording of Sunset with Michael Ball and Emma Williams, and I think Petula Clark as (a questionable) Norma