What a difference a theatre makes. Resplendent in Melbourne’s State Theatre, Evita now has the lighting, sound and space to make it the spectacle it deserves to be.
Already a veteran when she played the Narrator in Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat, Tina Arena returns to the State Theatre stage some 26 years later to galvanise her home town with an electric portrayal of notorious Argentine First Lady, Eva Perón. Arena’s lungs of steel cope seemingly effortlessly with the vast range expected by composer Andrew Lloyd Webber, producing high volume, thrillingly accurate pitch and characterful expression. Arena makes Eva’s journey from wide-eyed youth to immaculately coiffured magnate to broken doll a riveting and, ultimately, affecting one.
A recreation of the original production of Evita, in honour of its 40th anniversary, this world tour staging comes to Melbourne from the cramped, dimly lit Sydney season at Joan Sutherland Theatre, Sydney Opera House. Associate director Daniel Kutner and associate choreographer R. Kim Jordan have the Australian cast performing at their veritable peak.
Even more noticeable improvement comes from the work of associate lighting designer Trudy Dalgleish and associate sound designer Shelly Lee. Lighting in Sydney seemed to consist of a couple of spotlights and some lights in the floor. Now, the intricate tableaux and lively dance numbers can be seen and appreciated with ease. Hal Prince’s direction contains marvellous moments, particularly as the young Eva makes her way up the social pecking order.
Although the orchestra has 11 less players than in Sydney, the music sounds far better here, with rich, fascinating colour heard in the orchestrations. Percussion is a highlight, particularly Steven Pope’s thrilling work in “Perón’s Latest Flame.” Renowned musical supervisor / musical director Guy Simpson has delivered reliably first rate work on all aspects of the music, with vocal harmonies also at a premium.
Lloyd Webber’s lush score, widely considered to be his finest, contains a surplus of eminently hummable tunes. His masterstroke is the creation of extraordinary anthem “Don’t Cry For Me, Argentina,” which Eva sings at her glorious peak and then attempts to sing during her pitiful final days as she loses her life to cancer. Tim Rice’s excellent lyrics are cause for wonder at what may have been achieved had he and Lloyd Webber worked together again.
Timothy O’Brien’s design looks suitably grand on the mighty State Theatre stage. With the full set construction now in view, the overall design can be properly appreciated. The open setting allows fluid, sung-through storytelling and the deployment of Brechtian devices, such as placing and removing props and set pieces in full view. A large, mobile overhead screen (less prominent here) shows scenic elements and provides a generous serving of footage of the real Juan and Eva Perón. Any further scenery would most likely impede the flow and distract from the detailed costumes.
With the benefit of time, Kurt Kansley has really found his characterisation of Che, successfully raising his performance to a top-notch level of quality and impact. Sporting the ideal physical look, Kansley now adds sweaty, wild haired, wild eyed recklessness, creating a spirited air of desperation and danger. This climaxes in the imaginary interaction “Waltz for Eva and Che,” in which sparks now fly freely between Kansley and Arena.
Brazilian baritone Paulo Szot retains an imposing presence as Colonel Perón, bringing out the passively sleazy and self-serving aspects of the man as well as possible given the underwritten nature of the role. While not the prime focus of the show, Szot’s darkly honeyed baritone is a pleasure to hear.
Only given one song to make her mark, Melbourne-born discovery Alexis van Maanen (as Mistress) nails “Another Suitcase in Another Hall,” rending hearts with the aching sweetness of her delicate but well supported vocal tone. The non-verbal negotiation between Mistress and Eva for Eva’s fur coat is priceless.
A little too young and handsome for the role, Michael Falzon nonetheless finds an air of the ridiculous in small time nightclub Magaldi, all the while singing the role with resonant beauty.
The generously sized ensemble is peopled with triple threat performers who, collectively and individually, play a multitude of roles, dance up a storm and sing for all they are worth.
In much the same way that the history of Broadway is peppered with legendary performances, years from now Australian theatregoers will ask each other if they saw Tina Arena in Evita. Melbourne has waited decades for this revival, and it is absolutely not to be missed.
Evita plays at State Theatre, Arts Centre Melbourne until 3 March 2019.
Photos: Jeff Busby
Categories: Music Theatre, Reviews
Man in Chair 
I am so pleased that State Theatre has corrected the lacklustre of the Sydney season!! Major concerns were the terrible sound and the lighting and the “Joan Sutherland Lecture Theatre” as I call it, itself! Sydney had 29 in the orchestra and it sounded like a CD playing in the background! Congrats! Melbourne
With those three main issues all addresssd it was like a whole new show last night.
Simon, I’m inclined to go more with your reaction to the Sydney production of Evita.
The element that most distracted me was the use of the very large screen.
Surely this technology was not available for the original Harold Prince production ?
For me Evita the musical is a dramatic interpretation of a ‘true’ story. One expects an extravagance of emotion and maybe a slight blurring of reality. It should be up to the score and the book to tell that story.
The over use of documentary footage, especially during the course of musical numbers,sent mixed messages and confused my line of vision. Doesn’t this suggest that there is not enough confidence in the narrative to tell the story ?
Is it a concession made for the ‘screen generation’ that without the footage it’s not real ?
Glancing at audience members too I noticed that they were more focused on the screen when in use.
I saw a performance with Gemma Rix in the lead and there was a notable lack of on stage chemistry between all the leads.
This is one of my favourite shows but not a big fan of this outing.
Interesting comments, Edward. Thanks for sharing.
Your comments about the screen make me wonder if I have “come around” to it and subsequently noticed it less. I recently found some evidence of the screen’s existence in the original production: the documentary Evita- The Making of a Superstar aired in London at the end of November. I was able to watch this, and it showed Hal Prince meeting the original cast on the first day of rehearsal at which time he showed them a set model that was clearly the same as the set (screen and all) in the current production.
I was at the same performance of Wednesday night, having gone back to see Jemma Rix. It was only her second performance in Melbourne., so perhaps there is some settling to occur. Overall, the absence of book scenes somewhat impedes the development of chemistry. Plus the direction has them all facing the front all the time.
Did you notice the audience’s silence at the end of the show. I felt that they were all strongly affected by the final scene and needed to take a moment before starting the curtain call applause.
I am going back in mid-February to see Tina again and I really can’t wait.
I saw the original production of Evita at Her Majesty’s in Melbourne in 1978. The lead was played by a then unknown Jennifer Murphy who was plucked from obscurity and landed the role while pregnant with her first child, and the show started about 2 months after she had given birth. She had a great voice and a wonderful stage presence, but the night I saw her she looked totally exhausted. Being a new mother will do that I guess. Do you know what happened to her?
Thanks for sharing this memory, Don. I would love to have seen Evita in its original Melbourne season. At least we finally have this revival!
I was happy to read that Jennifer Murphy attended the opening of this season of Evita in Sydney. There is an article, with photos, on Aussie Theatre.
What Date Was Evita perfomed in 1978 at Her Majesty’s in Melbourne???. My mum and dad went but I would love to know the exact date if possible.
Hi Lyn, my parents went to that production of Evita as well. I wish they had taken me along!
Evita played at Her Majesty’s, Melbourne from 2 August 1980. Here is a link with more details: https://www.ausstage.edu.au/pages/event/135304
Just got back from seeing Evita. I know the Julie Covington album by heart, saw the Jennifer Murphy production as a kid (and preferred the album). Kurt Kansley, Paulo Szot, Michael Falzon, Alexis von Maanon and the chorus were simply superb! I confess I wasn’t swept away by Tina Arenas performance. Rather wooden, not dramatic, V poor movement and odd posture at times. Also, she sounds tired, vocally. I think she saved her energy for key scenes such as the balcony scene, which was beautiful. The rest of the cast outdid Arena by miles in strength, dramatic and musical conviction. Just my 2c.
Saw it last night and totally agree with your comments.