***** (5 stars)
“The Evita of our Times!”
The renaissance of the works of Andrew Lloyd Webber continue in theatres across London and the world and acclaimed director Jamie Lloyd continues his critically acclaimed work of not only reviving productions but totally reinventing them for audiences who are clamoring to grab those gold dust tickets.
Jamie Lloyd is truly an impressive symbol of an impassioned new generation of theatre makers who thrills in blurring the lines between live on stage action and live camera work whilst deploying strip backed sets, he allows his talented casts and musicians to carry the load. It worked beautifully on Sunset Boulevard. However can he repeat the feat on Lloyd Webbers 1978 Olivier award winning adaptation of Argentina’s Eva Peron’s Life namely Evita? The answer is a resounding yes and he and his extraordinary cast deliver an Evita of our times!
The story of Eva Peron’s life from the quite backwaters of Argentina to becoming the spiritual leader of the nation is one filled with the dramatic power of love, self belief and ultimately human sacrifice wrapped around a world gripped by a political power play. That power play is now directly reflected in our modern day world and Jamie Lloyd harnesses all that power in this production that lives up to and defies the hype that surrounds it especially that magical moment on the balcony of the London Palladium over looking Argyle Street.
Performances are across the board are uniformly excellent, none more so than Rachel Zegler making her west end debut as Eva Peron she gives a performance that crackles and sparkles with energy throughout from Eva’s hip and trendy young days to the ball gown and diamond bedecked moment of raw power as she implores those to “don’t cry for me Argentina” Zegler understanding of Eva’s power over the people shine through in an outstanding vocal performance that moves the palladium audience to both wrapped silence and thunderous ovations throughout the performance. She is joined by Diego Andres Rodriguez as “Che” who matches Zegler in a performance filled with raw power and tenacity with gorgeous honey soaked vocals he truly makes the character is own.
James Olivas brings an understated dignity to his turn as “Juan Peron” but also gives the character a marvelous multi faceted dimension as Juan battles between holding power over the people, his love for Evita and his carnal desires for other women. Aaron Lee Lambert brings comedy and light to his turn as “Augustin Magaldi” and gives the overall show wonderful balance and symmetry.
The principal cast are joined by stellar and well drill thirty strong ensemble, every one of them west end worthy and beyond as they deliver both the people in inhabit Evita’s life but also every fancy of Argentinean Humanity and the sparkle while delivering Fabian Aloise’s polished Choreography that blends Latin, ballroom and musical theatre themes with ease.
This Palladium production is a partial revival of the 2019 Regent’s Park open air theatre production also directed by Lloyd, which was due to transfer to the Barbican, but the pandemic scuppered those plans so it’s a joy to see the original creative team reuniting to deliver a flawless technical production.
Soutra Gilmour’s Set and Costume Design is utterly sumptuous as it is stripped back, the bleachers rising high above the Palladium stage with Musical director Alan Williams stellar 17-piece orchestra positioned on the top delivering Lloyd Webber’s score in thrilling style. The orchestra and indeed cast are given an epic sound design from Adam Fisher that brings every note and lyric by Lloyd Webber and Sir Tim Rice to vivid life. This is topped off by Jon Clark’s incredible lighting design that harnesses both open spaces and intimacy with ease. Special mention must go to Tom Durrant who leads the video team. It’s a thrilling addition to the show and the fact that Jamie Lloyd has restricted the video use to very select moments further enhances the show and truly that moment on balcony must be seen from within the palladium to understand its grandeur and power.
The Palladium production of Evita is not a refreshing of the show more a complete reinvention that seeks to engage the audience by showing the true power and grace of its story coupled with outstanding award worthy performances from the entire company all wrapped in the creative drive of one of the most visionary directors of this new generation.
The show is selling out with ease and is undoubtedly the hottest tickets of London’s summer season! The truth is we have always loved her, so what wrong with you! rush to the Palladium for what few tickets are left and be forever changed by the raw intense power of EVITA!
Evita, The London Palladium runs until Saturday 6th September for more information and tickets go to: https://www.evitathemusical.com/
Please Note Rachel Zegler does not perform at all performances as Bella Brown will perform the Role of Eva Peron on selected dates.
ScotsGay Arts 