Evita to close in May
Preview by Lizzie Guilfoyle
DESPITE recently extending its booking period until December 2007, the acclaimed revival of Sir Andrew Lloyd Webber and Tim Rice’s musical, Evita, will complete its run at the Adelphi Theatre on May 26, 2007, just under a year after it opened.
As yet no further productions have been announced for the Adelphi.
Previously Posted: Evita has extended its run at the Adelphi Theatre again and is now booking until December 15, 2007.
The current cast includes Elena Roger as Eva Peron (Abbie Osmon on Monday evenings and Thursday matinees), Philip Quast as Juan Peron and Matt Rawle as narrator Che Guevara.
Evita has recently been nominated for three Olivier Awards – Outstanding Musical Production, Best Actress in a Musical (Roger) and Best Actor in a Musical (Quast).
Previously Posted: The acclaimed revival of Sir Andrew Lloyd Webber’s Evita has extended its run at the West End’s Adelphi Theatre by three months – from October 21, 2006 to January 13, 2007.
Previously Posted: Months of speculation have ended with the announcement that a new production of Evita, the 1978 hit musical from Sir Andrew Lloyd Webber and Tim Rice, will open at the Adelphi Theatre on June 21, 2006, with previews from June 2.
The revival, the first in London’s West End for more than 20 years, will be directed by Michael Grandage, designed by Christopher Oram and choreographed by Rob Ashford – the same creative team responsible for the current revival of Guys and Dolls at the Piccadilly Theatre.
Evita is based on the life of Eva Peron who, in spite of never officially holding office, became a powerful influence in post-war Argentina after becoming the second wife of President Juan Peron. She died from cancer in 1952, aged just 33.
The score which includes classics such as Don’t Cry for Me Argentina, Oh What a Circus and Another Suitcase in Another Hall will, for the first time on stage, feature the Oscar-winning You Must Love Me, which was specially written for Alan Parker’s 1996 film version and went on to become a Top Ten single.
And again, for the first time, an Argentine actress, 30-year old Elena Roger, will take the lead role – a role made famous by Elaine Paige in the original West end production which ran at the Prince Edward Theatre for seven years; and more recently, in Parker’s film, by Madonna.
The part of General Juan Peron will be played by Philip Quast who has won the prestigious Olivier Award for Best Actor in a Musical three times – for Sunday in the Park with George, The Fix and South Pacific.
His other credits include A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum, Stuff Happens, The Secret Garden, Macbeth and White Devil.
Matt Rawle whose previous West End credits include Camelot, Miss Saigon, Martin Guerre, Into the Woods and Hard Times, will play narrator Che.
Speaking at a London press conference, producer Andre Ptaszynski said: “Evita is such a rich musical that Michael Grandage’s new production can show a different side to Hal Prince’s ground-breaking original. We are bringing colour, dance and a new Argentina to London audiences.”
Tickets: £15 – £55 l Book now
Chicago is currently playing at the Adelphi Theatre.
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