Evita; Credit: Pamela Raith Photography

On Tuesday evening, the West End musical Evita premiered with the 1st of a 14-performance run at the Grand Theatre in Luxembourg city.

Evita, with lyrics by Tim Rice and music by Andrew Lloyd Webber, with The Really Useful Group and produced by Bill Kenwright, tells the story of Eva Perón, wife of former Argentine president Juan Perón, following Eva’s journey from humble beginnings through to extraordinary wealth, power and iconic status which ultimately led her to be heralded as the “spiritual leader of the nation” by the Argentine people.

Evita features some of the most iconic 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.

Following on from the huge success two years ago of another West End Musical, Mamma Mia, the Theatres de la Ville de Luxembourg have now brought another major production from London, with Madalena Alberto in the role of Eva Peron and Gian Marco in the role of Che, a character who reflects the voice of the Argentinian people.

What is immediately striking is the set design - more anon. But it is the singing by the entire cast, but particularly the two leads, that setts this production apart. Quite rightly, Madalena Alberto steals the show, with one particular rendition of "Don't Cry for me Argentina" at the start of the second act giving many people goosebumps - simply stunning.

While the first act sets the scene and explains the historical backdrop, the second act brings the audience on a journey through Eva Peron's life, inccluding her trip to Europe.

The sound and lighting are technically brilliant, from the rumbling of the earthquake in one scene to the changing of moods on sttage from one scene to another, aided also by a masterful result in set design. While many sets nowadays have split staircases than can form different permutations, it was this combined with the columns that created he wonderful and seamless change of scenes.

Absolutely not to be missed!

PERFORMANCES

19, 20, 21, 22, 26, 27, 28 & 29 December 2017 at 20:00
 Saturday, 23 & Saturday 30 December 2017 at 15:00 & 20:00
 Sunday, 24 December 2017 at 15:00
 Sunday, 31 December 2017 at 19:00 (followed by New Year’s Eve Dinner at Grand Théâtre!)

Tickets cost €25, €40, €65 (U26 €8) from www.lestheatres.lu, www.luxembourgticket.lu

For the full programme and all details, including reservations, see www.lestheatres.lu