One of the most captivating musicals of all time, Andrew Lloyd Webber and Time Rice’s Evita is returning to Newcastle Theatre Royal this month 22-26 May.
An epic tale of love and ambition in 1950s Buenos Aires, Evita tells the story of Eva Perón, wife of former Argentine dictator Juan Perón. The show follows Eva’s meteoric rise from ordinary country girl to presidential First Lady at a time of extraordinary political unrest, and ultimately her being heralded as the ‘spiritual leader of the nation’ by the Argentine people.
The show is back on tour to celebrate 10 years in the UK (including two hit West End seasons), and following a sell-out visit to Newcastle Theatre Royal back in 2014.
With more than 20 major awards to its credit, an Oscar winning film version starring Madonna and Antonio Banderas, and featuring some of the best loved songs in musical theatre, including Don’t Cry for Me Argentina, On This Night of a Thousand Stars, You Must Love Me, and Another Suitcase in Another Hall it is little wonder that extraordinary musical Evita is a much-loved theatre classic.
The role of Eva Perón will be played by Madalena Alberto, star of the West End season in 2014 for which she received critical-acclaim. Considered as one of the West End’s prominent leading ladies, Madalena is renowned for some of the most coveted roles in musical theatre, including Fantine in Les Miserábles (25th Anniversary Tour, The Barbican, 02 Arena), Grizabella in Cats (London Palladium) and the title role in Piaf (Leicester Curve). Her most recent credits include The Ghost of Christmas Past in A Christmas Carol (Lyceum Theatre), Polly in Pollyanna (Tristan Bates Theatre) and a guest lead in BBC’s Holby City. Alongside her acting career, Madalena is a songwriter and performs solo concerts regularly.
Fresh from the recent West End production in July 2017, leading Italian performer Gian Marco Schiaretti will continue in the role of Che, a character who reflects the voice of the Argentine people. Linked to Eva by destiny; he brings balance to the story of Eva’s rise to fame. Gian’s most recently played the title role of Tarzan in Disney’s Musical Tarzan, in Stuttgart. Prior to this he played Mercutio in Romeo and Juliet across Italy.
Leading London and Broadway performer Jeremy Secomb plays Juan Perón. Jeremy most recently starred in the theatre production of Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street (Barrow Street Theatre) in the title role on Broadway, previous to which he played Javert in Les Miserables (Queens Theatre) and Phantom in The Phantom of the Opera (Her Majesty’s Theatre).
The cast is completed by: Oscar Balmaseda (Magaldi); Cristina Hoey (Mistress); Kellie Gnauck (Ensemble); Bethan Jacks (Ensemble); Samuel John Humphreys (Ensemble); Benjamin McMillan (Ensemble); Verity Burgess (Ensemble); Riva Grant (Ensemble); Callum Fitzgerald (Ensemble); Joe McCourt (Ensemble); Emmanuel Alba (Ensemble); Yuval Zoref (Ensemble); Oliver Slade (Ensemble); Jessica Ellen (Ensemble); Kirsty Whelan (Ensemble); Anthony Ray (Ensemble); and Mike Ward (Ensemble).
Evita is at Newcastle Theatre Royal for one week only - Tue 22 until Sat 26 May 2018 at 7.30pm with matinees at 2pm on Weds and Thurs and 2.30pm on Sat. Tickets from £15.50 can be purchased from the Theatre Royal Box Office on 08448 11 21 21 (Calls cost 7ppm plus your phone company’s access charge) or book online at www.theatreroyal.co.uk
