Evita
***
Wales Millennium Centre, Cardiff,
Tue 28 Aug
Depending on who you listen to, the popularity of Eva Peron was either due to a cult of personality or a cult of celebrity. The Andrew Lloyd Webber musical has over time managed to make Eva Peron an icon of history and popular culture (how many Argentinian First Ladies does the average person know?), whilst also criticizing a lot of Evita’s actions, although it has since been claimed that the influence for many of Tim Rice’s lyrics – Mary Main’s biography, Evita: The Woman with the Whip – was largely false.
Opening in a cinema in Buenos Aires, the ‘film’ is interrupted by the announcement of the death of Argentina’s First Lady, Eva Peron. The musical then flashes back to tell the classic Hollywood-esque story of rags to riche; actress to First Lady of Argentina… Eva Duarte to Evita!
As a reviewer I have to admit the musical Evita is one of my favourites and I’ve seen it twice before. So it makes me sad to say this production was slightly flat. When the character of Che (Glenn Carter) starts singing Oh What A Circus, it seems to be without any bite or cynicism. Carter is an accomplished actor but he might be a tiny bit old for the part and unfortunately doesn’t sparkle in his role.
The title role originally made stars out of Elaine Paige and Patti LuPone, not to mention Madonna’s film version, so The Voice’s Lucy O’Byrne has some big musical shoes to fill. Unfortunately she doesn’t quite manage it. Lucy O’Byrne has to do two main things – put forward a sympathetic portrayal, and totally kill it when it comes to do Don’t Cry For Me Argentina; the other times I’ve seen this musical that particular number made the hairs on the back of my neck stand up but this time it sadly did nothing. Byrne has a beautiful voice and her duet with Mike Sterling’s Peron – I’d Be Surprisingly Good For You – was one of the highlights of this production.
Peron can be a thankless role – he doesn’t get any of the best songs but Swansea-born Sterling brings a certain gravitas to the part and his performance of Dice Are Rolling is particularly emotive.
The sets and lighting are excellent, but again if you saw the show when it was in Cardiff last year there’s nothing new here; not to be too negative towards a set that’s simple and effective.
As it is returning soon to the capital, maybe the constant touring will make it less special (although it means more people have the chance to discover this musical). Maybe it could do with a revamp.
words Chris Williams
Evita is at Wales Millennium Centre until Saturday 1st September. Tickets: £17. Info: 029 2063 6464
