Review - Evita 1st Preview London

[Practically Perfect]

Posted: 6/2/06 at 7:34pm

Just got back from the 1st preview of this wonderful revival of Evita. I haven't seen the show live before, so I was very excited about this evening.

Firstly, the cast - Philip Quast was excellent (as ever) as Peron, though I felt the role had been cut down a bit (though I only know the role as it is in the film). Even so, his performance was strong - you could tell that Peron felt second best to Eva.

Matt Rawle as Che was alright - I wasn't particularly keen on his singing voice (some vowel sounds were a bit strange I thought), but his acting made up for it, and that is only a personal opinion - most people in the audience loved him, and he got a standing ovation.

Gary Milner as Magaldi sang magnificently, and made the most of his number, as did Lorna Want as Peron's Mistress. She sings, arguably, the most famous song from the show, and Miss Want certainly did the number justice.

The ensemble was very strong, with some great singing and exciting dancing - I thought that they would have been the star of the show had it not been for one remarkable performance...

Elena Roger as Eva Peron was sensational! The girl can sing, act and boy, can she dance. I was a bit skeptical about her, having seen her perform 'Don't Cry For Me Argentina' on a TV show and being very underwhelmed. I felt that she really understood her character, and portrayed the role magnificently. As soon as she finished 'Buenos Aires' (having been dancing enthusiastically and singing the hell out of the song) I knew she was the perfect Eva. She brought tears to my eyes in 'You Must Love Me'. She's much sexier than Madonna was in the film, moving seductively in all of her dance sequences, and she takes control of the stage each time she enters. Her entrance in 'Don' Cry For Me Argentina' (in a dress very similar to that worn by Elaine Paige and Patti LuPone) was a very exciting moment. She really was incredible.

The choreography was very lively, and was richly inspired by Latino/South American dancing, and I thought it was great - it brought a lot of life to a show that could just drag on, imo.

The set is beautiful, reminding me slightly of the set for 'Light In The Piazza', with two moving buildings that create a central square on the stage, and the facade of the Casa Rosada rests at the back of the stage. It's a really great set.

The new orchestrations have been almost entirely re-worked, and they're much more South American, which really updates the sound of the score. And the orchestration for 'You Must Love Me' is different from the film, and much more romantic and sentimental - that song was one of my favourite moments of the show.

The only part of the show I didn't enjoy was the 'Montage' which takes place before Lament. Eva was lying in her hospital bed, and suddenly people spun the bed around, and we were into a montage of Eva's life - I just felt it was a bit naff.

For a first preview, the show ran very smoothly, and I would say is almost ready to be seen by the critics. A few things need to be tightened, and I'd rework the spinning bed in Montage, but apart from that, it was a pretty complete, tight show. I really hope it does well - judging by the audience's reaction to the show (especially to the leading lady) tonight, it surely will.

Mary P x
Updated On: 6/2/06 at 07:34 PM

[ruthiefan_felix]

Posted: 6/2/06 at 7:42pm

great stuff! I heard alot of gd things about Elena from those who saw the dress rehersal! Can't wait to see the show!

[WickedGeek28]

Posted: 6/2/06 at 7:47pm

Can't wait for the cd! Nice review.

[EugLoven]

Posted: 6/2/06 at 7:52pm

It sounds like a remarkable time to be in London, indeed. How were the Aristocrat/Soldier sequences (namely "Peron's Latest Flame")?

[Michael Bennett]

Posted: 6/2/06 at 7:54pm

Thanks so much for the post! I'm even more excited now to be seeing this the end of the month! Did they add or cut any other songs? "Art of the Possible" always seemed like it was a song written around Hal Prince's concept (the rocking chairs) so it would be interesting to see it staged completely differently

[Practically Perfect]

Posted: 6/2/06 at 7:58pm

The Aristocrat scenes were great - very witty. The soldier sequences were a bit odd - I personally don't think the material for those sequences is particularly god, but they staged them interestingly, with unique marching passages, and conflicts between soldiers (that isn't explained very well, but I can't describe it) - the soldier moments didn't really stand out to me.

Mary P x

[EugLoven]

Posted: 6/2/06 at 8:00pm

Do they keep the trademark head bob/wiggle/wiggle when the soldiers skip around in 3x3 squares? (Sorry, I've just got a thing for men in uniform!)
Updated On: 6/2/06 at 08:00 PM

[Practically Perfect]

Posted: 6/2/06 at 8:04pm

And 'The Art Of The Possible' is listed in the programme, and is performed by Peron, Eva and the Colonels, and I think it was staged with the colonels in a line across the stage and Eva and Peron in front of them, but don't quote me on that - the small passages like that weren't particularly memorable. I remember the Charity Concert and I'd Be Surprisingly Good For You (which had some great dancing in it!).

Mary P x

[Michael Bennett]

Posted: 6/2/06 at 8:07pm

Have they posted any official schedule yet for Elena Rogers? I would imagine she has an alternate who does some of each weeks performances.

[Practically Perfect]

Posted: 6/2/06 at 8:09pm

There's no official schedule yet, as far as I know, but I believe Elena Roger will be performing 6 shows a week. The alternate Eva is Abbie Osmon.

Mary P x

[muscle23ftl]

Posted: 6/2/06 at 8:26pm

I was surprised with the dancing scenes of this show when i saw the American tour last November. It's an excellent show. I was lucky enough to see Elena Roger in Les Mis and Saturday Night Fever.

[best12bars]

Posted: 6/2/06 at 8:37pm

Interesting that they've added "You Must Love Me," since it was written for the film and wasn't in the original show.

[muscle23ftl]

Posted: 6/2/06 at 8:40pm

Most people like "You must love me", i don't think it's a good song, anyone agrees?

[Michael Bennett]

Posted: 6/2/06 at 8:42pm

Someone on another board says that "You Must Love Me" is actually performed in a very different way here than the film.

[mrkringas]

Posted: 6/2/06 at 9:16pm

The official website has been update with full cast bio (including ensemble), understudies and song list. Plus a few more bits and bobs.

Worth a look

www.evitathemusical.com

[AshleyBrownFan123]

Posted: 6/2/06 at 9:19pm

now if it can be like sweeny and get over here....

[mrkringas]

Posted: 6/2/06 at 9:25pm

Oh I think after Woman in White's short run ALW will want to reassert his "brand" on Broadway. If this gets the critics raving and praise for Elena Roger I would not be surprised to see it transfer with her in the lead.

I mean why recast an American when the whole point of this production seems to be getting an authentic Argentinian? I am seeing this production on June 17th and cant wait. Phillip Quast is a legend. I have concerns over Matt Rawle as I think I know what this reviewer is getting at with his vocals. Fantastic voice and great actor but his placement is quite "tight"...perhaps that and an accent I presume is making some of his vowels sound "odd"?

[guitargeek0624]

Posted: 6/2/06 at 9:31pm

My mom and I would *die* to see this come to the states. She saw the original production with Patti Lupone twice, and I've seen two separate performances by smaller theatre groups. We absolutely love the show.

Thanks for the review!

[apdarcey]

Posted: 6/2/06 at 9:35pm

oh so happy for elena.


personally i think you must love me is now one of the strongest songs in the score. and i'm thrilled that they brought it into the show.

[chernjam]

Posted: 6/2/06 at 10:49pm

Happy to hear a positive first preview/review. It's hard to tackle something that was so well received the first time and reconceive it as it sounds they've done here.

And muscle - as for "You Must Love Me"- I loved that song... typical Tim Rice lyrics - you don't know if she's singing that you must love me like a command/demand or you must love me - like she's finally realizing either Peron/the people love her. And the music is beautiful!

[timote316]

Posted: 6/2/06 at 11:38pm

I don't think there's any question that this will transfer if successful in London. Evita hasn't been on Broadway in over 20 years, I'm rather surprised it hasn't been revived yet.

You can also add me to the list of people that love "You Must Love Me".

[DAME]

Posted: 6/3/06 at 12:00am

Sounds wonderful. Can't wait to see it. The touring company of Evita that was out till last year was such a stale and by the numbers event that it will be a thrill to see new life injected into this wonderful show via new orchestrations, staging, and most important.. a genuine star performance. Thanks for the review.

[timote316]

Posted: 6/3/06 at 12:06am

I really don't get the reviews of the latest tour. If everyone says its so bad, I'm really going to love seeing a great production of it. I enjoyed the tour (I saw both casts: Voytko/Dean & Litzsinger/Kirk) immensely.

[wonderwaiter]

Posted: 6/3/06 at 12:09am

I'm fine with "You Must Love Me" being included, but I'm still bothered by "Another Suitcase In Another Hall" being moved and given to Eva. I felt like it was an ego-driven maneuver for the movie, and I don't think the song fits Eva's character AT ALL. Also, if you were playing the title role in Evita, wouldn't you be a little relieved to have someone else take a number at that point in the show? Plus, what does the mistress do now, just shrug and walk off?

[mrkringas]

Posted: 6/3/06 at 12:59am

I think you have your wires crossed.

The Mistress still sings Another Suitcase. Check the revised song listing on the revival website if you want. Also several reviews have popped up praising Lorna Want for her rendition.

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