Review: Don’t Keep Your Distance from Evita

Wow, wow, wow.

Douglas Choral Union’s production of Evita opened at the Gaiety last night and what a show it is.

Anyone who knows the show will know it is about the life of one extraordinary woman, brought to life last night by the amazing performance of Leah Carter.

Carter is sharing the role with Lauren Molyneux and no matter which leading lady is performing, they both give stunning, emotional and powerful performances that drive the show.

But while Carter and Molyneux give the show it’s soul, Matt Creer’s take on the role of Che, who acts both a cynical member of the crowds watching on and the narrator who helps the audience keep up with events, is the head of the show, pulling back the veil just enough to make you question what you’re seeing, a role Creer does brilliantly.

While the show is all about Eva, none of her extraordinary tale would’ve been possible without Juan Peron. Alex Toohey has the unenviable task of stepping into his boots and it is one he does with quiet charisma and charm which while existing in the shadow of Eva, he does superbly.

The other big solo roles of Evita are Thomas Iain Dixon’s Agustin Magaldi and the Mistress, played by Evie Skillicorn and Jade Ward. All have big numbers and hit every note brilliantly.

When having a lead cast such as this and the ensemble it’s hard not to single anyone out, but Skillicorn’s rendition of Another Suitcase in Another Hall was just brilliant and well received by the packed house.

The show has a large ensemble cast, booth singers and even a children’s ensemble, they are all just fantastic and are vital in drawing you into what is ultimate a love story, not just between the Perons but between the people and their Eva, whatever her flaws.

With banger after banger the orchestra also deserves its praise for a fantastic performance.

Sometimes you can just run out of ways to describe how good a show is and this is one of them, whether you know the story, have seen the film, or have no idea what any of this is about, go and see it, it is brilliant.

Evita runs until February 17 and you can get tickets from the VillaGaiety Box Office.

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