Evita, The Mayflower, Southampton (From Daily Echo)
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Evita, The Mayflower, Southampton
10:16am Tuesday 6th September 2011 in Stage Reviews
Abigail Jaye in the role of Eva Peron
A SPINE-tingling version of Don’t Cry For Me Argentina sung by a dazzling Eva Peron aloft a Buenos Aires balcony to the masses has to be one of the most moving moments in musical theatre.
You could have heard a pin drop at The Mayflower last night as Abigail Jaye, dressed from head to toe in white and diamonds, launched into an incredible rendition of the classic song as she performed spectacularly as the iconic heroine on Evita’s opening night in Southampton.
Each of the leads excelled in their roles with Mark Heenehan an imposing Juan Peron with an accomplished voice and Mark Powell superb in the ever-present narrator style role of Che Guevara.
That’s not to say that the entire large cast, and spectacular orchestra, didn’t contribute to what was an enjoyable version of this powerful show.
There were some beautifully choreographed ensemble pieces, particularly the army officers and society ladies piece which cleverly used chairs as props. Excellent scenery and props, including that famous balcony, were used to good effect throughout.
Evita brings to life on stage the extraordinary life story of Eva Peron, wife of former Argentine dictator Juan Peron. It tells the rags to riches story eloquently – from her humble yet ambitious beginnings to the enormous wealth and power she gained and her ultimate rise to sainthood with her untimely early death from cancer at the age of 33.
A piece which starts and ends with a casket on stage is never going to be the most jovial form of musical theatre, but it is certainly one of the most fascinating and dramatic.
If Abigail Jaye’s balcony scene does not inspire you, then nothing will.
