Evita arrives at Birmingham Hippodrome
Tim Rice and Andrew Lloyd Webber's musical masterpiece Evita has won more than 20 major awards, including an Oscar. Now it has arrived at Birmingham Hippodrome for a fortnight's run.
With a string of awards and an association with some top names, Evita has arrived at Birmingham Hippodrome for a fortnight's run.
It's one of the greatest and most popular musicals of all time. Tim Rice and Andrew Lloyd Webber's musical masterpiece, Evita, has won more than 20 major awards, including an Oscar.
It features some of the most iconic songs in musical theatre and follows the extraordinary life of Eva Peron, the wife of former Argentine dictator Juan Peron.
It began life as a rock opera concept album in 1976 and was transformed into productions for London's West End and Broadway, with both enjoying huge success.
Evita opened at the Prince Edward Theatre in June 1978 starring Elaine Paige as Eva with David Essex as Che and Joss Ackland as Peron.
The production, which ran for 2,900 performances until February 1986, made Paige a household name. She had secured the role after beating many other hopefuls, after Julie Covington declined.
Since then, there have been numerous touring productions, a London revival, a performance at the Stratford Shakespeare Festival and a Broadway Revival is also planned for 2012.
The production was also shot as a film by the director Alan Parker, who collaborated on the work with Oliver Stone. It starred Madonna, Antonio Banderas and Jonathan Pryce and won numerous awards, including an Oscar and three Golden Globes.
The latest touring production is at Birmingham's Hippodrome Theatre until September 24.
Hippodrome spokeswoman Mandy Rose said: "This brand new production of the smash hit show promises to resonate the outstanding success and heartfelt audience response that has made Evita such a world-wide hit."
Evita follows the story of the young and ambitious Eva Peron, who gained enormous wealth and power during her ultimate rise to sainthood.
Mrs Rose said: "Abigail Jaye will play the role of extraordinary Eva Peron.
"Abigail's musical theatre credits include her role as Narrator in Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat and Isobel in Scrooge (West End and UK Tour). Joining Abigail on stage in the role of Che is Mark Powell, whose credits include Evita (West End), Whistle Down the Wind (West End) and Les Misérables (West End)."
Evita features some of the most famous and inspiring stage music ever written, including the classic songs Don't Cry For Me Argentina, On This Night of a Thousand Stars, Oh What A Circus, You Must Love Me, Another Suitcase in Another Hall and High Flying Adored.
Tickets are priced at £15-£39.50, available on 0844 338 5000 or select you own seat online at www.birminghamhippodrome.com
Performance times are Monday to Saturday at 7:30pm with matinees at 2pm pn Wednesdays and 2.30pm on Saturdays.
Andy Richardson
