Evita with modern twist

UPDATED: SMALL TWEAKS DELIVER WHOLE NEW MUSICAL EXPERIENCE

Story of one woman’s rise amid the swirling tides of revolution and populism. EVITA

Cast: Emma Kingston, Jonathan Roxmouth and Robert Finlayson Director: Anton Luitingh Theatre: The Teatro at Montecasino

Adriaan Roets

Sing-through musicals have been back on the scene for a while. Last year, Lin-Manuel Miranda’s Hamilton swept the Broadway box office as well as the Tony Awards and in South Africa, we’ve also landed sing-through gold.

For the first time, a full-scale production of Andrew Lloyd Webber’s Evita has opened and the timing couldn’t be more perfect.

Dealing with notions of populism and revolution, the part fiction, part autobiographical musical stirs emotions that touch on present day South Africa, just like Hamilton spoke to Americans on the dawn of one of the country’s most controversial presidencies.

Evita is the story of Eva Peron, an actress who became the first lady of Argentina, gaining massive political admiration while frustrating the upper class of the country.

What sets it apart is that the production is oiled for stages in Hong Kong, Manila and Japan and features a cast and creatives from various countries.

The result is an international touring production that will have even the most money-hungry capitalists tapping their feet to the tune of the proletariat.

But it’s also an Evita of the times. Modern stage design featuring a mega screen backdrop helps create a slick production that glistens with mesmerising visuals like political posters and peeks into Evita.

According to associate director Dan Kutner, there have been a number of changes, such as an updated score and a new set of arrangements.

Of Briton Emma Kingston, who won the role of Eva, he said: “This score can make mincemeat out of the most musical performers and when we saw Emma’s tape we were blown away by her.”

Kingston gives a heart-wrenching performance and she has clearly done her homework. She exudes confidence, yet is frail and there’s a sparkle in her eye every time she is on stage.

As the narrator, Jonathan Roxmouth delivers an equally bril-

UNMISSABLE. Evita, the original West End and Broadway production of Tim Rice and Andrew Lloyd Webber, presented here by Pieter Toerien and David Ian, will run until November 26. BE BLOWN AWAY. Emma Kingston, centre, as Eva.

Pictures: Michel Bega HEART-WRENCHING. Emma Kingston, right and centre, performs as Eva at The Teatro at Montecasino. UNEQUALLED PERFORMANCE. Jonathan Roxmouth as Che.