Evita (Tudor Musical Comedy Society)
From the bars, from the sidewalks, from the gutter theatrical, don't look down it's a long, long way to fall ..... probably some of the greatest and most descriptive lyrics from the pen of Sir Tim Rice and equally words of warning for any company who wish to take on what has come to be probably one of the most well known pieces of musical theatre.
Therefore with some trepidation as MD, Dave O'Leary and his musicians play the opening bars of Lord Lloyd Webber's score, I settled back into my seat at Sutton Coldfield Town Hall and hoped that Tudor Musical Comedy Society were up to the challenge, I think it is fair to say that my fears were quickly and effectively eradicated.
Strangely there is a relatively small principal cast for such an iconic piece and that puts considerable pressure on the ensemble cast, the director and the choreographer to fill the stage with a complicated story that through this medium many will know far better than history would normally have allowed them. Jemma Tiso's choreography is engaging, insightful and sometimes inspirational as she embraces everything from the expected Latin Rhythms of Argentina to the military style marching of 'Peron's Latest Flame', complementing Faye O'Leary's consummate direction, creating layer upon layer of heightened atmosphere as the story progresses.
Narrating said story is Pete Beck with an assured performance as Che Guevara, delivering a deceptively strong vocal and an animated style of storytelling, drawing the audience in and taking them on a journey that covers all the gamut of emotions from elation to despair. Vickie Beck is an astonishingly authentic Eva Peron from naive young actress to heroine, a calculated performance that reveals what can only be described an exceptional talent.
Alistair Jolliffe is a strong and forthright Juan Peron, never quite sure if he is in charge of his own destiny or just part of the evolving 'Evita Story' a position already experienced by Augustin Magaldi, Tango Singer seduced and cast aside like many by Eva on her way to the top and played with swarthy charm by Matt Collins.
Very few parts in musical theatre depend purely on the performance of a single song and to make such a part memorable is a challenge in itself, Kim Waldron achieves this with style as Peron's Mistress and a powerful performance of 'Another Suitcase in Another Hall'.
It would be difficult to believe that a production of this appeal will not be 'high flying adored' and keep 'rolling, rolling, rolling' but, sadly all good things must come to an end and the this 'Rainbow Tour' will see it's final performance on Saturday 30th March 2019 so grab what tickets remain while you can.
Book Here
Therefore with some trepidation as MD, Dave O'Leary and his musicians play the opening bars of Lord Lloyd Webber's score, I settled back into my seat at Sutton Coldfield Town Hall and hoped that Tudor Musical Comedy Society were up to the challenge, I think it is fair to say that my fears were quickly and effectively eradicated.
Strangely there is a relatively small principal cast for such an iconic piece and that puts considerable pressure on the ensemble cast, the director and the choreographer to fill the stage with a complicated story that through this medium many will know far better than history would normally have allowed them. Jemma Tiso's choreography is engaging, insightful and sometimes inspirational as she embraces everything from the expected Latin Rhythms of Argentina to the military style marching of 'Peron's Latest Flame', complementing Faye O'Leary's consummate direction, creating layer upon layer of heightened atmosphere as the story progresses.
Narrating said story is Pete Beck with an assured performance as Che Guevara, delivering a deceptively strong vocal and an animated style of storytelling, drawing the audience in and taking them on a journey that covers all the gamut of emotions from elation to despair. Vickie Beck is an astonishingly authentic Eva Peron from naive young actress to heroine, a calculated performance that reveals what can only be described an exceptional talent.
Alistair Jolliffe is a strong and forthright Juan Peron, never quite sure if he is in charge of his own destiny or just part of the evolving 'Evita Story' a position already experienced by Augustin Magaldi, Tango Singer seduced and cast aside like many by Eva on her way to the top and played with swarthy charm by Matt Collins.
Very few parts in musical theatre depend purely on the performance of a single song and to make such a part memorable is a challenge in itself, Kim Waldron achieves this with style as Peron's Mistress and a powerful performance of 'Another Suitcase in Another Hall'.
It would be difficult to believe that a production of this appeal will not be 'high flying adored' and keep 'rolling, rolling, rolling' but, sadly all good things must come to an end and the this 'Rainbow Tour' will see it's final performance on Saturday 30th March 2019 so grab what tickets remain while you can.
Book Here
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