Evita at the Liverpool Empire Review
Evita
Liverpool Empire
24-28 January 2017
Reviewed by Jan Mellor
Although a story of politics, reform and censorship Evita, from the first scene of a group of young people being devastated of the news of Eva Peron’s death whilst watching a film at a cinema, was a delight to watch. The requiem to Evita at her funeral was exceptionally moving and from this scene we are effortlessly transported to her story – as a working class girl in 1935 at the age of 16 she persuades her ‘one night stand’ (Magaldi) to take her to Buenos Aires with him, in the hope she can reach her dream of becoming an actress. Once there she soon gains roles on the radio station and attracts the attention of many influential men from the city. At a fundraising event (for earthquake victims) in 1944 Eva meets Colonel Juan Peron Eva whose military regime had seized the country a year earlier. He was the most powerful man in Argentina. They fall in love and together they become the faces of Argentina and although Eva reaches her ambition to become an actress – starring in 5 films, 20 plays and 26 soap operas – her passion now moves to politics and at the side of Peron.
Che (Gian Marco Schiaretti) guides you majestically through her climb to be the most influential women in South America. In a short time as Eva Peron (1945-1952) she (remembering her roots) helps the poor people of Argentina by bringing about reforms that improve working conditions, pay and rights – she names herself Eva Peron (the wife of Peron) and Evita (the wife of a leader of people). Dying suddenly of cancer at the young age of 33 – we are left with the sadness of how much this powerful woman did in such a short time – leaving legacies such as trade union powers, the vote for women and establishing the Social Aid Foundation. The story is pieced together with wonderful Tim Rice and Andrew Lloyd Webber masterpieces that include ‘Oh what a circus’, ‘Another suitcase in another hall’, ‘You must love me’ and of course the tear-jerking and stunning ‘Don’t cry for me Argentina’ (sang to perfection by the lead Emma Hatton). The voices and choreography of all the cast were superb, the scenery and costumes divine and some scenes totally took your breath away and left the theatre silent. The leads were exceptional. At the end I would have loved to have seen it all over again.
I saw Evita a long, long time ago – when David Essex played the part of Che and I must admit the Evita of 2017 is as good if not better, with more sophisticated props and backdrops, faultless timing and superb voices, dances and choreography. The show was on for a little over 2 hours and was entertaining and evocative throughout. I enjoyed the show as much as the first time and would recommend it to people who have seen it before and to those who haven’t. A great performance.
A fabulous 5 out of 5 stars!
Rating: 5/5 
Tickets cost from £14.90 to £52.40 (plus £2.85 transaction fee).
Evita is at the Liverpool Empire until 28 January 2017. For more information or to book tickets click here or call the box office on 0844 8713017.
Liverpool Empire Theatre, Lime Street, Liverpool, Merseyside, L1 1JE | 0844 8713017
