North West Theatre

Evita

Tim Rice and Andrew Lloyd Webber
06 Sep 10 to 18 Sep 10
The Lowry

Featuring the classic Don’t Cry For Me Argentina, On This Night Of A Thousand Stars, Oh What A Circus, You Must Love Me and Another Suitcase In Another Hall, Tim Rice and Andrew Lloyd Webber’s musical Evita arrives at The Lowry.

Bringing to life the dynamic, larger-than-life persona of Eva Peron, wife of former Argentine dictator Juan Peron, Evita tells the story from her young and ambitious beginnings to the enormous wealth and power she gained and her ultimate rise to sainthood.

Nothing listed

Abigail Jaye... Her stunning portrayal... When she’s followed by the ensemble in full song the result is rousing... Mark Powell as Che sings well... Mark Heenehan impresses as an imposing yet human Peron, while Abigail Matthews as the Mistress, sings Another Suitcase in Another Hall beautifully... a fine production... it is Lloyd Webber’s music coupled with Rice’s unique take on a political true story which carries the show’s success and gives it an edge that hasn’t faded
City Life (Rating: 4/5)
...this production... now is looking and feeling as weak and as fragile as the dying days of Eva Peron herself... visually this production designed by Matthew Wright is exquisite... Abigail Jaye... looks every bit the strong minded power driven first lady, however despite a strong voice there was very little in her performance... Mark Heenehan... was strong in stature... but his deep bass/baritone voice seemed to struggle... Mark Powell was a charming Che... but his silky smooth voice and charismatic way seemed at odds... Abigail Matthews gave one of the most convincing portrayals of the evening... the first half seemingly lacking in real energy and indeed creativity... a much tighter and creatively excellent second act...
The Public Reviews (Rating: 3/5)
...ends up as a sequence of short snatches of story that are rushed through as we are hurried on to the next bit. It therefore all comes across as very superficial, a little confusing and emotionally very unengaging... Lloyd Webber constructs some catchy pop songs... Rice's lyrics are pretty workmanlike with occasional flashes of wit... some decent performances but feels rather weary. Abigail Jaye is strong as Eva and Mark Heenehan is excellent as Perón. Mark Powell also does a decent job with the narrator character Che...
British Theatre Guide
Despite more than 30 years on the stage, Evita has lost none of its appeal... looks fantastic on the Lyric Theatre’s stage... Abigail Jaye is perfectly cast... She shone... a likable Juan Peron, played by Mark Heenehan. A highlight of the production has to be Abigail Matthews’ performance as the Mistress... Mark Powell is an excellent Che.
Sale and Altrincham Messenger
...suffers though from a lack of atmosphere and sense of place... Directors Bob Tomson and Bill Kenwright do not stint on spectacle. Bill Dreamer’s fast-moving choreography compensates for the bland music and Mark Howett’s gothic lighting sets a surprisingly sombre tone... [Abigail] Jaye displays the maniac willpower of Evita before allowing a degree of vulnerability to be revealed... [Mark] Powell’s critical narrator lacks the killer... Abigail Matthews gets to deliver "Another Suitcase, another hall, the one song that has a decent melody with heartbreaking pathos...
What's On Stage (Rating: 4/5)