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Post by blamerobots on Sept 16, 2024 18:13:11 GMT
The apparent reason she turned it down was because she didn't want the press attention and she didn't like Eva Peron as a person after finishing the concept album and couldn't bear playing her night after night, and would understand if she didn't want to deal with the score. There's a funny story in Tim Rice's biography where he took her out to dinner to try and convince her to avoid spending the money on a search and got through the entire night without talking about it until the end where he asks and she just says "No." She seems like a very private person. Another rumour was that she didn't agree with Hal Prince's politics. That wasn't true either. "I didn't even know Hal Prince had any politics." www.thebeautifulchanges.co.uk/observer.jpgThank you very much for posting that article! Very lovely insight from the great lady herself. I'm glad the "didn't like Eva" part was correct. I've only ever read Tim's point of view from his autobiography. He goes on a lot in the book about how she must not have wanted to he famous for some silly reason and he never understood her decision to drop out. It comes off as quite condescending as much of that book does. |
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Post by Jon on Sept 16, 2024 18:17:40 GMT
I adore Evita, but I feel like London is surely pretty Evita-ed out. I can't see this selling. I know Michael Harrison and ALW are trying to exploit his back catalogue but both Sunset and Starlight brought something distinctive to the table. I can't see how they're going to do that with Evita, especially as we've already had the (arguably wonderful, definitely interesting) Jamie Lloyd version. If thats the case (that Harrison and ALW want to keep breathing new life into some of his works) when was the last time a real revival of Whistle Down the Wind was discussed. That's a show with an incredibly strong score and a fascinating, albeit tricky story to work out. I've always felt that was something that was right on the edge of being something really special WDTW wasn't that successful first time round to warrant a fresh revival. |
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Post by blamerobots on Sept 16, 2024 18:19:56 GMT
We'll wait for Jamie Lloyd's WHISTLE ⬇️ THE WIND.
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Post by BVM on Sept 16, 2024 18:22:34 GMT
I adore Evita, but I feel like London is surely pretty Evita-ed out. I can't see this selling. I know Michael Harrison and ALW are trying to exploit his back catalogue but both Sunset and Starlight brought something distinctive to the table. I can't see how they're going to do that with Evita, especially as we've already had the (arguably wonderful, definitely interesting) Jamie Lloyd version. If thats the case (that Harrison and ALW want to keep breathing new life into some of his works) when was the last time a real revival of Whistle Down the Wind was discussed. That's a show with an incredibly strong score and a fascinating, albeit tricky story to work out. I've always felt that was something that was right on the edge of being something really special I completely agree with you. The original London production was superb. And it's Washington DC predecessor certainly interesting. It was rather sad to see it reduced to a shadow of it's former self in the deeply uninspired Kenwright tour. And even that was a long time ago now! It's a great musical long overdue a decent revival. I'd go either big or Jamie Lloyd but not the cost saving middle ground! |
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Post by BVM on Sept 16, 2024 18:22:57 GMT
We'll wait for Jamie Lloyd's WHISTLE ⬇️ THE WIND. As ever I am poised.... |
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Post by unseaworthy on Sept 16, 2024 18:28:52 GMT
We'll wait for Jamie Lloyd's WHISTLE ⬇️ THE WIND. As ever I am poised.... I am sure a physiotherapist can help you with this! |
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Post by Phantom of London on Sept 16, 2024 18:31:34 GMT
Julie Covington turning down the role of Eva Peron the First Lady of British Theatre one of the biggest female roles ever on stage. Has there ever been a bigger mistake made?
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Post by BVM on Sept 16, 2024 18:42:13 GMT
I am sure a physiotherapist can help you with this! LOL - am not sure anything can help other than the dropping of a new Starlight Express complete double CD and/or Jamie Lloyd knocking out another life changing ALW revival IDK! |
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Post by singingbird on Sept 16, 2024 19:16:49 GMT
If thats the case (that Harrison and ALW want to keep breathing new life into some of his works) when was the last time a real revival of Whistle Down the Wind was discussed. That's a show with an incredibly strong score and a fascinating, albeit tricky story to work out. I've always felt that was something that was right on the edge of being something really special I completely agree with you. The original London production was superb. And it's Washington DC predecessor certainly interesting. It was rather sad to see it reduced to a shadow of it's former self in the deeply uninspired Kenwright tour. And even that was a long time ago now! It's a great musical long overdue a decent revival. I'd go either big or Jamie Lloyd but not the cost saving middle ground! Completely agree. I thought the Watermill production (the last one I am aware of) did a total disservice to the material. It often gets pitched as a family show, but it's not. It's a very dark show that happens to have children in it. Would love to see a decent director have a go at it. |
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Post by Jon on Sept 16, 2024 19:24:32 GMT
I completely agree with you. The original London production was superb. And it's Washington DC predecessor certainly interesting. It was rather sad to see it reduced to a shadow of it's former self in the deeply uninspired Kenwright tour. And even that was a long time ago now! It's a great musical long overdue a decent revival. I'd go either big or Jamie Lloyd but not the cost saving middle ground! Completely agree. I thought the Watermill production (the last one I am aware of) did a total disservice to the material. It often gets pitched as a family show, but it's not. It's a very dark show that happens to have children in it. Would love to see a decent director have a go at it. I suspect that making it darker would make it a much harder sell. |
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Post by singingbird on Sept 16, 2024 19:30:01 GMT
Completely agree. I thought the Watermill production (the last one I am aware of) did a total disservice to the material. It often gets pitched as a family show, but it's not. It's a very dark show that happens to have children in it. Would love to see a decent director have a go at it. I suspect that making it darker would make it a much harder sell. Oh, for sure. It wouldn't be right for the Palladium. But I'd like to see an off West End theatre with a good reputation take it seriously and tackle it! |
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Post by BurlyBeaR on Sept 16, 2024 19:33:48 GMT
Well, sorry to disappoint but as someone who never saw a theatrical production of Evita until the BK tour came around (and around) I am very grateful for it. Ok, the Marti Pellow as Che situ wasn’t great but I think that same tour had Madalena Alberto as Eva who was fabulous. I’ve seen other very impressive performances in the BK production. I tried to see the OAT production but ended up at the only performance that got rained off. It’s all very well being sniffy about Bill Kenwright but he has probably done more to bring theatre “to the masses” (sorry Being Alive ) than most. Give the man some props and may he rest in peace. |
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Post by elfman1 on Sept 16, 2024 19:40:38 GMT
Well, sorry to disappoint but as someone who never saw a theatrical production of Evita until the BK tour came around (and around) I am very grateful for it. Ok, the Marti Pellow as Che situ wasn’t great but I think that same tour had Madalena Alberto as Eva who was fabulous. I’ve seen other very impressive performances in the BK production. I tried to see the OAT production but ended up at the only performance that got rained off. It’s all very well being sniffy about Bill Kenwright but he has probably done more to being theatre “to the masses” (sorry Being Alive) than most. Give the man some props and may he rest in peace. I would say the same thing about the curve production (I feel like the only person here who liked it) it’s the first version i saw live and made me fall in love with a great score |
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Post by greenandbrownandblue on Sept 16, 2024 19:42:38 GMT
Agreed - the BK one is the only production of Evita I've seen. It was lost in the Dominion, but in a medium-size house on tour, it was really rather good (Marti Pellow aside). It's a musical I've always loved, and I had tickets for the cancelled Barbican OAT transfer, and I'm now genuinely excited for a new revival of it.
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Post by BVM on Sept 16, 2024 20:13:11 GMT
Well, sorry to disappoint but as someone who never saw a theatrical production of Evita until the BK tour came around (and around) I am very grateful for it. Ok, the Marti Pellow as Che situ wasn’t great but I think that same tour had Madalena Alberto as Eva who was fabulous. I’ve seen other very impressive performances in the BK production. I tried to see the OAT production but ended up at the only performance that got rained off. It’s all very well being sniffy about Bill Kenwright but he has probably done more to bring theatre “to the masses” (sorry Being Alive ) than most. Give the man some props and may he rest in peace. You make a fantastic point of course. He really has brought theatre to the masses. The first show I ever saw in my life was his Joseph at the Bristol Hippodrome and that is what got me hooked. Guilty as charged of being sniffy about his productions in comparison to RUG et al, but no doubt he understood audiences and business. ALW certainly respected him on both these counts. Some people said he's found a new Cameron in Michael Harrison but I'd argue it's much more a new Bill. He also understands what the masses want and how to spend enough without spending a penny more. Anyway, may Bill RIP indeed; agree that he was a very important figure in British theatre. (And by all accounts a nice genuine guy). |
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Post by BVM on Sept 16, 2024 20:14:44 GMT
Well, sorry to disappoint but as someone who never saw a theatrical production of Evita until the BK tour came around (and around) I am very grateful for it. Ok, the Marti Pellow as Che situ wasn’t great but I think that same tour had Madalena Alberto as Eva who was fabulous. I’ve seen other very impressive performances in the BK production. I tried to see the OAT production but ended up at the only performance that got rained off. It’s all very well being sniffy about Bill Kenwright but he has probably done more to being theatre “to the masses” (sorry Being Alive ) than most. Give the man some props and may he rest in peace. I would say the same thing about the curve production (I feel like the only person here who liked it) it’s the first version i saw live and made me fall in love with a great score Not just you - I loved the Curve production. Went 4 times! |
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Post by blamerobots on Sept 16, 2024 20:15:07 GMT
I absolutely despised the BK Evita but I will be eternally indebted to him. Blood Brothers was my gateway into theatre, couldn't thank him enough.
Also Evita being made "darker" was likely what made the ART transfer fall through, as that production did a lot to present Eva as more morally grey than usual (that tour production made her almost comically evil if I recall), showing that the way she acts is because she is a victim of that society as much as anyone else is, pretty explicitly showing the kind of harrassment and misogyny present at the time. There's clips online where you can get the gist of it. I believe it had an age restriction of 13+?
Evita's written through a skewed point of view by two conservative British guys using biased source material which is definitely inherent in the text so I guess it's difficult to reinterpret it massively without annoying RUG, but I really do hope that this production is not Disney-ified
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Post by shorn on Sept 16, 2024 20:29:53 GMT
Well, sorry to disappoint but as someone who never saw a theatrical production of Evita until the BK tour came around (and around) I am very grateful for it. Ok, the Marti Pellow as Che situ wasn’t great but I think that same tour had Madalena Alberto as Eva who was fabulous. I’ve seen other very impressive performances in the BK production. I tried to see the OAT production but ended up at the only performance that got rained off. It’s all very well being sniffy about Bill Kenwright but he has probably done more to bring theatre “to the masses” (sorry Being Alive ) than most. Give the man some props and may he rest in peace. I saw the BK version on tour a couple of times and enjoyed it. One had Rachel Wooding and Seamus (I think) from Any Dream Will Do. I actually found it superior to the Adelphi revival that was very static and lacked energy, and Matt Rawle was the only real saving grace of the cast. I still think Evita works better as a movie though. |
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Post by Phantom of London on Sept 16, 2024 20:31:22 GMT
Agreed - the BK one is the only production of Evita I've seen. It was lost in the Dominion, but in a medium-size house on tour, it was really rather good (Marti Pellow aside). It's a musical I've always loved, and I had tickets for the cancelled Barbican OAT transfer, and I'm now genuinely excited for a new revival of it. The same production also play the smaller Phoenix Theatre. I wonder if they remount the Harold Prince original production at the Prince Edward, I wouldn’t be surprised if MJ closes to make way for it. |
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Post by ceebee on Sept 16, 2024 20:54:07 GMT
Agreed - the BK one is the only production of Evita I've seen. It was lost in the Dominion, but in a medium-size house on tour, it was really rather good (Marti Pellow aside). It's a musical I've always loved, and I had tickets for the cancelled Barbican OAT transfer, and I'm now genuinely excited for a new revival of it. The same production also play the smaller Phoenix Theatre. I wonder if they remount the Harold Prince original production at the Prince Edward, I wouldn’t be surprised if MJ closes to make way for it. Now that would be great! |
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Post by max on Sept 16, 2024 21:00:25 GMT
It's LONG overdue!! A whole generation of theatregoers won't have seen it. When was the last time that version was staged in any iteration in the UK? The 90s' tour with a 50-something Marti Webb?! Hal Prince’s staging was iconic. Even better I think even than his Sweeney Todd. It was like watching a movie as scenes swept breathlessly in and out. Didn’t it start with black and white footage from one of Eva’s movies up on screen in a darkened cinema interrupted by a somber announcement of her death and the house lights going up? Very like the new version of Sunset Boulevard with the big floating cinema screen. I can’t remember if the RSCs famous Nicholas Nickelby production came before it (anyone?) but the staging was like that with continual movement and a large number of actors being on stage creating continuous action. Les Mis used the same trick. The theatre at the time was in a bad state which suited the production well. They hung a gigantic canvas mural artwork as a proscenium arch around the minimalist black empty stage. From the auditorium ceiling to the pit on all sides hiding the shabby cinema/casino auditorium. The art work was stunning like something you saw in soviet Russia or PR China but depicting the working class of Argentina. I often wonder if it was rolled up and packed safely away somewhere after closing. Maybe at the V&A? Anyone remember it or know if it was saved? Far from being saved it seems even the front cloth designs were lost - which seems more than a bit ridiculous. Liz and Chris Clark are scenic artists who recreated the front cloth for the 2017 tour (I think the World Tour Prince helmed?). If you click forward through this gallery on their website you'll come to a number of pictures of their recreated version. It has Peron and the Military at the top, surrounded by the top hatted aristocracy, standing on a pile of the poor and desparate of Argentina. In the captions under they say that Evita's original designer Timothy O'Brien worked from an indistinct photograph of the original front cloth to create a design they could work from. www.lizandchrisclark.co.uk/photo-gallery/And this is a rather old website about the musical - but the person who ran it has done some animations of how the set and lights worked in various scenes. A photo of the front cloth is on the landing page for 'Set', and then if you click below the animations run (clunky, but a lot of detail in how precise moments were staged and lit). www.squareone.org/evita/theset2.html |
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Post by blamerobots on Sept 16, 2024 21:05:09 GMT
The mural of the Broadway production is available to view online in the NYPL digital archives. It's a few photos at various angles but I believe they also used it as reference for the recreation. There were also murals extending to the sides of the theatre walls at the Prince Edward but they never transferred nor toured. Edit: digitalcollections.nypl.org/items/b0ead0eb-6ce7-29dc-e040-e00a18060c48#/?uuid=b0ead0eb-6ce7-29dc-e040-e00a18060c48Some elements are just utterly lost. The Rainbow Tour section had a synced bit of film that the band would follow that had footage of Eva on the tour with custom hand drawn animations of cameras flashing and some inserted political cartoons. Those films were never properly digitised so for the 2017 tour they just remade the film from scratch. Same with the film that was played in Buenos Aires which showed ground footage of the city and cars driving about and such. I suspect the film was probably just worn out from all the copies made. They were only made on 16mm for theatre where it wouldn't need to be the best quality anyways. |
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Post by Dawnstar on Sept 16, 2024 21:08:36 GMT
Well, sorry to disappoint but as someone who never saw a theatrical production of Evita until the BK tour came around (and around) I am very grateful for it. Ok, the Marti Pellow as Che situ wasn’t great but I think that same tour had Madalena Alberto as Eva who was fabulous. I’ve seen other very impressive performances in the BK production. I too have only seen the Kenwright production (I didn't even try to see the Regent's Park one as it was very clear the production style would not be at all to my taste) and I enjoyed it. It's a pity it seems to now be inextricably linked to Marti Pellow, because he did the London run, but I saw it a dozen time altogether over a 5 year period & only saw Pellow the once so there were plenty of other cast options. I think I saw 5 Ches altogether, including understudies. The only real problem I had with the casting throughout the 5 years was that the ensemble were almost all in their early 20s so the male ensemble were always implausible as Peron's fellow generals. |
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Post by BVM on Sept 16, 2024 21:23:59 GMT
Bonkers that we've made it to page 5 in 24 hours due to an unsubstantiated rumour from some bloke on TikTok!
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Post by blamerobots on Sept 16, 2024 21:27:36 GMT
Bonkers that we've made it to page 5 in 24 hours due to an unsubstantiated rumour from some bloke on TikTok! The voice of the people cannot be, and will not be, and must not be denied. |
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