What better way to enjoy the unpredictable thrills (and spills) of the British weather than with an alfresco musical theatre performance? Enter Regent’s Park Theatre’s run of Evita. Read on for our review…
One of the most beloved musicals of our time, the life of Eva Peron, from poverty to spiritual leader is being brought to life on the stage once again this summer with Regent’s Park Open Air Theatre’s run of Evita. The chart-topping score includes Don’t Cry For Me Argentina, Oh What A Circus, Another Suitcase in Another Hall, and the Oscar-winning You Must Love Me, with direction from Jamie Lloyd for this version of Tim Rice and Andrew Lloyd Webber’s iconic musical.
Full cast: Alexander Barria, Felipe Bejarano, Alex Cardall, Russell Dickson, Lauren Drew, Hannah Fairclough, Chris Fung, Chlöe Hart, Travis Kerry, Jessica Lee, Dale Mathurin, Frances Mayli McCann, Peter Nash, Sarah Naudi, Mireia Mambo, Samantha Pauly, Adam Pearce, Ektor Rivera, Trent Saunders, Marsha Songcome, Bree Smith, Monica Swayne, Oliver Tester, Amy Thornton, Jon Tsouras and Rodney Vubya. Four children alternate at each performance: Saffia Layla, Ava Masters, Chanai Owusu-Ansah and Ellicia Simondwood.
Open Air Theatre, Inner Circle, Regent’s Park, London, NW1 4NU
7.45pm, 2 August – 21 September
From £23 | openairtheatre.com
Oh, how the Brits love an alfresco summer occasion. From watching screenings of vintage films while eating soggy sandwiches under golfing umbrellas to watching neighbours’ tents blow away in a swampy festival field.
True to form, press night at Regent’s Park Open Air Theatre’s Evita came with a side order of weather warnings, and the outfit du jour was a disposable poncho (clear, not orange). But it would take more than gale force winds and a fine English drizzle to put a dampener on Jamie Lloyd and co’s production of the Andrew Lloyd Webber and Tim Rice favourite.
The cast and crew have achieved the seemingly impossible and made the show (productions of which surely number in the thousands) feel fresh, with standout performances from Trent Saunders (as the disillusioned narrator) and Samantha Pauly as the iconic lead. Fun, simple costumes and modest staging are bought to life for the unique outdoor setting with bold, impactful lighting and flawless (both in design and execution) choreography.
Expect ticker tape, flares, knicker-throwing, anti-slut-shaming statements and a little paint-throwing to boot. And, if you’re really lucky, a perfectly-timed downpour at the final bow to disperse the crowds and speed your departure.
This is Evita as you’ve never seen it before. (And we don’t just mean while wearing a throwaway mac.)
