People, power and politics in Tim Rice & Andrew Lloyd Webber’s musical masterpiece

York Light Opera Company return to the stage of York Theatre Royal, 09 to 19 February, with Evita, one of the most acclaimed musicals from Tim Rice and Andrew Lloyd Webber.

Based on true events, Evita tells the story of Eva Peron’s rags-to-riches life as she goes from poor provincial child to First Lady of Argentina on her ‘Rainbow Tour’. A champion of working class descamisados (otherwise known as ‘the shirtless’), she uses popularity and politics to serve her people – and herself.

The show features some of Tim Rice and Andrew Lloyd Webber’s most iconic songs including Don’t Cry For Me Argentina, Oh! What a Circus and  Another Suitcase in Another Hall. This musical masterpiece won seven Tony Awards, including best musical and best original score.

This show of people, power and politics comes to the main stage of York Theatre Royal under director Martyn Knight and musical director Mike Thompson.

The production has double casting in the main roles . “It’s a fully sung show and double casting provides each team with sufficient rest – the main character parts are huge and it would be a colossal ‘ask’ of any understudy to learn and have to perform those roles without significant rehearsal,” explained a York Light spokesperson. “Double casting provides the best possible cover, which is needed more than ever when putting on the production during a pandemic”.

Alexa Chaplin and Emma-Louise Dickinson share the role of Eva Peron; Dale Vaughan and Jonny Holbek play Che; Juan Peron is played by John Hall and Neil Wood; Dave Copley-Martin and Richard Weatherill are Agustin Maglidi; and Fiona Phillips and Hannah Witcomb play Peron’s Mistress.