Evita, Newcastle Theatre Royal

David Gillon, Evening Chronicle

AS THE curtains were raised and light illuminated the stage, I found myself full of high hopes. Andrew Lloyd Webber’s Evita had promised so much, now it had to deliver. Oh and deliver it did, in magnificent form as well.

Following the hollow, haunting opening portrayal of Eva Peron’s funeral, the show came to life in spectacular fashion with Seamus Cullen, perfectly cast as Che Guevara, setting the bar higher than imagined with a near-perfect recital of Oh What a Circus.

Little changed over the course of the musical, whereby a gripping narrative complemented by a wonderful score and excellent cast are but a few of the reasons Evita excels.

As Rachel Wooding thundered out an impressive rendition of Don’t Cry for Me Argentina, a distinct air of delight descended upon me, gradually drawing me deeper into the world of romance, politics and humour in which I was already embroiled, the world of Eva Peron.

Evita’s basic plot consists of a retelling of the life of Eva, beginning with her funeral before winding back the years and introducing the audience to her as a 15-year-old. From there the musical showcases her rise to fame and eventual political power, featuring her marriage to Juan Peron and the political unrest it causes between him and his generals. The entire show is narrated by Che Guevara, fulfilling a useful role as a device between the characters and the audience.

The aforementioned Rachel Wooding provides a stellar display as our heroine, demonstrating her terrific vocal talents throughout. As Eva, Wooding stirred a mixture of emotions, ranging from immense admiration to strong sympathy, all the while engaging the audience in her plight.

Similarly, Mark Heenehan’s booming voice and commanding physical stature enriched his performance, enabling him the presence to effectively mould his own portrayal of the Argentine President, Juan Peron. A powerful, slightly intimidating depiction, yet featuring a complex undertone of vulnerability, which further added to his character’s appeal.

As wonderful as Wooding and Heenehan were, for me the real star of the show was undoubtedly Cullen, who turned in a highly entertaining display.

Flowing with the ease of a seasoned theatrical veteran, he switched perfectly from unsettled activist to amusing narrator, giving the show an important cohesion via a backdrop of sarcastic quips that linked the transitioning scenes well.

I certainly have no hesitation in recommending Evita, a tale of courage, determination and love, featuring political scandal and tragedy, but with just enough comic relief to remain light hearted, Evita really is the musical extravaganza of the summer and is certainly not to be missed.

:: Evita, Newcastle Theatre Royal until July 4