Theatre review: Evita

Evita opened at the Tabard Theatre in Ahuriri last Thursday evening.

The Napier Operatic Society's current production of Evita opened at the Tabard Theatre in Ahuriri last Thursday evening to a full house and is set to run for three weeks thanks to the buoyant demand for tickets.

Andrew Lloyd Webber and Tim Rice's Evita charts the rags-to-riches rise of the First Lady of Argentina, who won the love of her countrymen after marrying military leader-turned-president Juan Peron during the post-war era until her death in 1952.

Events from Eva Peron's life are presented in song with some of Lloyd Webber's most famous hits including, Don't Cry For Me Argentina, Another Suitcase In Another Hall and Buenos Aires.

Set in Buenos Aires between 1934-1952, the musical follows Eva Duarte Peron on her journey from being a fatherless child to ambitious actress, to becoming the most powerful woman in Latin America - and, eventually, to a saint-like status after her death from cancer at age 33.

This is a very exciting show in many respects. There are remarkable performances, vibrant dancing and singing and an innovative stage set which adds to the ambience.
This Eva has been jointly cast with Amy Dunn and Teish Williams playing alternative performances - it is such an enormous role to learn with Eva on stage for all but three minutes while performing complex choreography plus powerful singing and acting. On opening night, Amy Dunn played Eva and she delivered us a woman of charisma and intensity.

Ben Black, in his role as "Che'' the "Everyman'', adds much to the understanding of the Argentinian political environment of the time. As the show's narrator, he is the voice of the people and of Eva's conscience. Black plays a cynical observer of her political progress and motives. He says: "I wanted Che to have elements of all the views of the time, with elements of love, lust, hatred and despair." His performance is very compelling.

The part of Juan Peron is played by Rick Behague, who was cast late after two actors withdrew. He put in many hours to get up to speed and perfect his performance. The poignant scene with Eva as they face the full implications of her impending death is, I think, his best.

Other fine performances were by Rachel Griffiths singing Another suitcase In Another Hall and Farani Penitito singing the role of Magaldi.

Leeanne Murphy's choreography has brought timing and precision to the dance performances, especially the chillingly immaculate military leaders, while the 18-piece orchestra, backstage and unseen, professionally support the singing performances. The full company of more than 50 people includes musicians, dancers, actors, singers and the production crew, with the on and off-stage talent drawn entirely from Hawke's Bay.

"Actually," Marc Collier (president of Napier Operatic Society) informs me, "the full volunteer support for the show is closer to 150 people." Surely, this is an indication of the level of involvement Hawke's Bay people are giving to support a widely held passion for theatre.