Evita at the Bristol Hippodrome until 18th February - Review
Posted on: 2017-02-15
Our rating:
Showing at Bristol Hippodrome until 18th February, Bill Kenwright’s touring production of Andrew Lloyd-Webber and Tim Rice’s musical masterpiece is bigger and better than ever.
For almost 40 years Evita has captured the hearts and minds of audiences worldwide, bringing to the stage an entrancing, complex portrait of a charismatic but imperfect figure flawlessly wrapped up in a collection of incredible Latin-inspired rhythms and some of the greatest lyrics in musical theatre.
Showing at Bristol Hippodrome until 18th February, Bill Kenwright’s touring production of Andrew Lloyd-Webber and Tim Rice’s musical masterpiece is bigger and better than ever.
(1).jpg "Evita at the Bristol Hippodrome until 18th February - Review")
From the moment the curtain went up to show the heroine’s coffin in the middle of an echoing church set I was hooked. I was drawn into the murky world of Argentinian political manoeuverings by this fabulous production that was fresh and charming, energetic and splendidly vibrant. This was a production of Evita like none I had seen before; bold with a strong operatic vibe and beautifully staged on a pared back set.
Set in 1940s Argentina this is the story of first lady Eva Peron –wife of former dictator Juan Peron- and her rise to prominence from a dirt poor childhood, via a career as a sometime actress to become Argentina’s ‘ Rainbow’. Lauded and applauded by the working classes who identified with her success and for whom she became a symbol of hope. This demagogue leader was someone for whom the world celebrity was invented.
The entire cast is first rate treating the audience to some glorious versions of musical theatre’s best known and well-loved tunes: Oh What a Circus, Don’t Cry for Me Argentina, Another Suitcase in Another Hall and High Flying, Adored being particular highlights.
The leads are truly outstanding. Emma Hatton, who recently finished playing the lead role of Elphaba in the West End production of Wicked, brings true star quality to the role of Eva. She has a dazzling voice and is an outstanding actress. From her first moment on stage she managed to convey the power and ambition of the character along with an innate fragility. Her final scenes as the strong willed and resilient Eva was ultimately defeated by her own mortality were powerful and heartrending.
As Che, Gian Marco Schiaretti -an Italian newcomer to the UK stage- shows off a fine voice and displays the perfect amount of charm and anti-establishment dissention for the sneering, revolutionary character who narrates the story and brings conflict to the otherwise sugary rise of ‘Santa Evita’.
The role of Peron is played with conviction by Kevin Stephen-Jones, whose experience in performing in opera across the UK and Europe is clearly apparent.
Stylish and classy, this is an incredible production; exciting and full of life. I was gripped throughout, listening to every fabulous word sung and note played and dazzled by the sets, costumes and dancing. This exceptional piece of theatre shows that Evita continues to be a touching, thought-provoking and compelling story; well deserving of last night’s standing ovation, this is one not to be missed.
5/5
Article by:
Sarah-Jane is an aficionado of film, theatre, culture and the arts. A voracious reader and avid crafter, she can be found volunteering her face painting talents at Bristol Zoo when she's not cementing her reputation as Coalpit Heath’s cake maker extraordinaire. Known to have an opinion on everything she’s never happier than when sharing these with the good folk of Bristol!
