A BLOCKBUSTER Andrew Lloyd Webber musical hits the stage in Rugby for the first time next week.
Interesting Theatre will stage a five-performance run of Evita at the Avon Valley School Theatre next week – after being given special permission by Lloyd-Webber’s Really Useful Group.
A winner of seven Tony Awards, Evita brings to life the extraordinary story of Eva Peron and how she went from poverty in a small town in Argentina to become a major political force in the country.
Lloyd Webber and lyricist Tim Rice mixed Latin, pop and jazz to create memorable songs for the show, including Don’t Cry For Me Argentina, Another Suitcase in Another Hall and Oh What a Circus, which all made it into the UK charts.
The original 1978 show made a star out of Elaine Paige, while Madonna played the role of Eva in the 1996 movie version.
Director Alan Pavis said: “I’ve had a passion for this show for years since I saw the original West End production with Elaine Paige and David Essex, and it’s fantastic to be one of the few companies to be granted the amateur rights.
“Musical director Jon Watson is pulling together a full orchestra to back our amazing cast, and there’s some wonderful staging from choreographers Connor Woon and Jordan Childs.
“It’s going to be very special, and not to be missed.”
In Interesting Theatre’s second outing, following their production of Sister Act in March, Emma Smart stars as Eva, with Ash Clifford as her husband Juan, and Chris Gilbey-Smith as Che.
Evita runs from Tuesday (October 16) to Saturday October 20. Visit www.interestingtheatre.org or call 07931 772091 for tickets.
