Evita

[daniel]

Aug 22, 2017 14:28:27 GMT BurlyBeaR said:

Aug 22, 2017 12:40:28 GMT daniel said:

Looks like it's going back out on tour around the UK in the Spring. Is there really anybody left who actually wants to see this?!

Yes. Me!

Of course BurlyBear, forgive me

[ali973]

Tina Arena is the best casting choice for Evita in years. Her voice is AMAZING, she'll sing the living sh*t out of it, and she's gorgeous. And yes, she's been in several musicals and actually started in Joseph in Australia many years ago. She looks and sounds practically the same (even better TBH) than she did in 1991.

[Deleted]

Well. We didn't get Emma Whatsit but we got the understudy, Natalie Langston. However if you'd told me that dear old Gemma Craven had made a comeback at the grand age of 67 then I wouldn't have argued with you. I'm not so sure about Eva Peron but she does play it as Jane McDonald auditioning for 'Mary Poppins'. Which is entertaining enough in its own way.

I admit that I love 'Evita', it's got some of The Lord's best melodies hidden in there for my money but this version isn't great. The score sounds like it's been slowed down a bit and poor old Natalie/Gemma gives a lot of the high notes a miss. Kevin Stephen-Jones has a good bash as Juan and Gian Marco Schiaretti looks great as Che. I'm pleased to say that the shirt comes off and we get a bit of red vest and bare arms action which is nice. He also gives 'And The Money Kept Rolling In' some wellie too. He has some strange phrasing going on but I put that down to him being all Italian-like and occasionally his voice veers into Peter Jöback but on the whole all Che does is lots of walking around and looking at the audience and GM does that really rather well.

The orchestra sounds a little bit like an elevator music version of 'Evita' and I swear the little girl singing 'Santa Evita' was miming. I think even she gave up half way through. The end does drag a bit and you do often end up wishing that she'd just get on with it and die.

There is a lot of stair action for those who like that kind of thing though. Thank God they didn't ask Glenn Close to do that much in 'Sunset Boulevard', she'd have passed out in the first act.

Bring Back Patti LuPone.

[Deleted]

Aug 23, 2017 8:54:24 GMT @ryan said:

Bring Back Patti LuPone.

With Tina having been announced in Australia, I'm hopeful that someone on Broadway asks Patti to do a limited run (if the Hal Prince production does come back). She can still definitely pull it off, the only question is if she'd like to do it.

[BurlyBeaR]

Aug 23, 2017 11:22:15 GMT @finefineline said:

Aug 23, 2017 8:54:24 GMT @ryan said:

Bring Back Patti LuPone.

With Tina having been announced in Australia, I'm hopeful that someone on Broadway asks Patti to do a limited run (if the Hal Prince production does come back). She can still definitely pull it off, the only question is if she'd like to do it.

The woman is 68. 

[Deleted]

Aug 23, 2017 11:43:22 GMT BurlyBeaR said:

Aug 23, 2017 11:22:15 GMT @finefineline said:

With Tina having been announced in Australia, I'm hopeful that someone on Broadway asks Patti to do a limited run (if the Hal Prince production does come back). She can still definitely pull it off, the only question is if she'd like to do it.

The woman is 68. 

And her voice is in a better shape than Emma Hatton's ever was.

[Deleted]

Aug 23, 2017 11:22:15 GMT @finefineline said:

Aug 23, 2017 8:54:24 GMT @ryan said:

Bring Back Patti LuPone.

With Tina having been announced in Australia, I'm hopeful that someone on Broadway asks Patti to do a limited run (if the Hal Prince production does come back). She can still definitely pull it off, the only question is if she'd like to do it.

I think the chance of La LuPone doing anything related to The Lord again is as likely as Bruce Forsyth hosting another series of 'Strictly'.

[BurlyBeaR]

Aug 23, 2017 11:47:55 GMT @finefineline said:

Aug 23, 2017 11:43:22 GMT BurlyBeaR said:

The woman is 68. 

And her voice is in a better shape than Emma Hatton's ever was.

I wouldn't doubt it for a millisecond and I'm the first one to propose pushing the age boundaries to allow a fabulous performer to take on a role. But don't you think it would look a little odd having 68 year old Patti skipping around to What's New Buenas Aires pretending to be a 15 year old? 

The skipping might be a problem in itself. 

[Deleted]

Aug 23, 2017 13:13:37 GMT BurlyBeaR said:

Aug 23, 2017 11:47:55 GMT @finefineline said:

And her voice is in a better shape than Emma Hatton's ever was.

I wouldn't doubt it for a millisecond and I'm the first one to propose pushing the age boundaries to allow a fabulous performer to take on a role. But don't you think it would look a little odd having 68 year old Patti skipping around to What's New Buenas Aires pretending to be a 15 year old? 

The skipping might be a problem in itself. 

Agreed.
Granted, I don't think it would be that grating in the Hal Prince staging as opposed to the recent revivals, as it's a bit more minimalistic and abstract.
I realise the notion of her doing it again is a bit ridiculous and chances of it happening are very slim. However, if it were to happen, it would be EPIC.
(And after a quick image search, I don't think Patti looks THAT much older than Tina Arena. She's not as fit though).

[BurlyBeaR]

They should do an anniversary concert and get the best Evas in to share it. 40 years next year. Could be amaze.

[BurlyBeaR]

^^^^ when this happens remember it was my idea.

[ali973]

Ryan's review is the best thing on the 44 pages of this thread. Loved it.

[BurlyBeaR]

Aug 23, 2017 16:24:13 GMT BurlyBeaR said:

They should do an anniversary concert and get the best Evas in to share it. 40 years next year. Could be amaze.

Aug 23, 2017 16:25:01 GMT BurlyBeaR said:

^^^^ when this happens remember it was my idea.

Aug 23, 2017 18:19:11 GMT @theatremonkey said:

^^^^^I always thought it would be brilliant "in the round" at Wembley Arena, with a cast of hundreds.

Oh go on then.... let's cast it. 

[theatremadness]

The film has just started on the Sony Movie Channel (32) if anyone else, like me, is sat on their sofa doing nothing!

[SamB (was badoerfan)]

Sept 3, 2017 14:32:26 GMT theatremadness said:

The film has just started on the Sony Movie Channel (32) if anyone else, like me, is sat on their sofa doing nothing!

And for those like me who missed it, it's on again on Saturday at 13:10.

[music0fthenight]

Saw this last week with Natalie on for Eva, not quite sure if I thought she was dreadful or exquisite. She acted the last 20 minutes of the show beautifully (although I thought she died about 3 times before she actually did), yet she feels like she's going through the motions for most of the first act. Ensemble were great, dropping several candles and various other set pieces as the show went on but sounded stunning throughout. Would love to return to see Miss Hatton as Eva.

[distantcousin]

Saw it last Wednesday. Definitely felt a smaller version of the Dominion production 3 years before, but obviously still had the really good elements of it - just on a lesser scale.

I was disapppointed with La Hatton. Especially after all the good reviews. She got a lot better in Act II but I found her mostly grating in Act I. Lacking subtely, not playing "15" very realistically at all, and vocally just not that impressive. Especially when she wimped out of doing the high bits of A New Argentina - and sung in the lower octave - unforgiveable! Act II brought out much more well rounded acting though.

However she could not hold a candle to Madelena Alberto. Gian Marco was LOADS better than Pellow! He was very alluring, though didn't seem to have too wide a range of facial expressions!

[distantcousin]

Aug 10, 2017 17:32:49 GMT @outlander said:

Ive not seen many stage Evas bit agree Abi Osmon was brilliant, conniving and complete bitch. Although for me Madonna has been the best Eva ive seen

Abi didn't continue in musical theatre for some reason and mostly works as quite a high profile backing singer/session singer.

[ali973]

I don't think it's Emma's call to miss the lower notes - isn't she musical directed to sing them at a lower octave (as a gay man, the lowering of octaves in musicals, especially in Evita, is highly offensive).

Re: Abi..a high paying singing gig is probably a lot more stable, high paying, and less exhausting than being a West End performer. Who is she backing up for?

[distantcousin]

Sept 10, 2017 18:54:37 GMT ali973 said:

I don't think it's Emma's call to miss the lower notes - isn't she musical directed to sing them at a lower octave (as a gay man, the lowering of octaves in musicals, especially in Evita, is highly offensive).

Re: Abi..a high paying singing gig is probably a lot more stable, high paying, and less exhausting than being a West End performer. Who is she backing up for?

She has worked a lot with Kylie Minogue.  And Tom Jones I think too.

[distantcousin]

Sept 10, 2017 15:53:30 GMT distantcousin said:

Saw it last Wednesday. Definitely felt a smaller version of the Dominion production 3 years before, but obviously still had the really good elements of it - just on a lesser scale.

I was disapppointed with La Hatton. Especially after all the good reviews. She got a lot better in Act II but I found her mostly grating in Act I. Lacking subtly, not playing "15" very realistically at all, and vocally just not that appealing. Especially when she wimped out of doing the high bits of A New Argentina - and sung in the lower octave - unforgiveable! Act II brought out much more well rounded acting though.

However she could not hold a candle to Madelena Alberto. Gian Marco was LOADS better than Pellow! He was very alluring, though didn't seem to have too wide a range of facial expressions!

[SageStageMgr]

Few things;

First of all, seeing this tonight finally with much trepidation. Love Evita. Seen almost every cast of this production over the years. But hated it last time in town (Marti Pellow). Anyone else going?

Secondly, re: Abi Jaye. One of the nicest people in theatre, completely down to earth and wonderful! I interviewed her previously for my old theatre blog and got to know her a little (she enjoys a mojito, same as me!).

She is, hands down and without doubt the best Evita I've seen. I wrote more about this many pages back so I won't go on about it, but she is definitive in my view, having seen the rest of the last 15/20 years for comparison.

One thing Abi said in our interview and subsequently when chatting, is that she has done mostly takeovers of roles - almost every credit to date except Eurobeat, which she only did at the Fringe. When I last spoke to her, the aim was very much to be originating new roles - I seem to remember something about wanting to be a Disney Princess too!

[SageStageMgr]

Father Ted fans may remember Father Liam Deliverance ("shoddy, shoddy, shoddy!"). He'd have had a field day at this Evita.

It wasn't all bad; "And the Money Kept Rolling in and Out" was entertaining and "You Must Love Me" was strong.

But it was mostly bad.

Despite the sub par performances from the limited - and tiny - cast, the production itself did nobody any favours.

From "Perón" being consistently spelt wrong throughout, to several lighting states failing to cover the entire stage, the entire thing felt third rate.

The band of eight made one of Lloyd Webber's best scores sound like musak. Not their fault, but woefully underpowered. As were the vocals, thanks to the "streamlined" company.

I thought this tour (it's a tour with a stop in the West End - if it's a West End Evita then I'm an Argentinian revolutionary - couldn't get worse after the Pellow Affair but this proved wishful thinking.

Don't get me wrong - I've seen much worse shows. But to do so little with this material is shameful - every corner is cut. The (half full) Saturday night audience were largely apathetic too, which didn't help the vibe.

As an Evita fan I am regrettably more often than not, doomed to be an optimist when going to see the show. Double when it's this same Kenwright production. But even after last time (larger band, bigger cast but Marti Pellow) this hit a new low and absolutely doesn't deserve to be still going.

From the second you enter the foyer (even on a Saturday night, you don't exactly have to fight your way through the crowds) it all feels cheap and nasty. The tacky logo, the crappy merchandise still from the original tour of this production - everything screams desperation.

A word on the cast; the male chorus is exclusively comprised of Mormons. Tallish, handsomeish with black hair. All of them.
They're all very young.

Emma Hatton is okay as Eva, especially towards the end. Probably in the top ten Eva's I've seen live. She basically does an Elaine Paige impersonation, which is tolerable if unoriginal.

Gian Marco Schiaretti is hit and miss as Che. He looks great - buff and handsome. His singing is VERY Jerome Pradôn. Would not recommend.

The rest of 'em were in keeping with the low rent nature. Passable. Good enough to avoid people asking for refunds, not good enough to recommend the show to anyone.

Cheap, nasty, cash grab.

[wickedgrin]

I LOVE Evita and like the above poster have seen many productions over the years. I will happily avoid this...it sounds as bad as I thought it would be. It's a disgrace it's in the WE - has ALW no say in the matter? Surely he must want quality productions of his work such as JCS at Regents Park not this tat?

[SageStageMgr]