Evita

"The West End came to Leamington and looked and sounded like, well, the West End" Evita review, The Courier

The 2022 show for LWMS was Evita, by Andrew Lloyd Webber and Tim Rice, nightly at 7.30pm from 5th-9th April 2022 at the Royal Spa Centre, Leamington Spa, with a Saturday matinee at 2.30pm. Featuring the Novello-winning anthem, Don't Cry For Me, Argentina, Evita won both the Olivier and Tony Awards for Best Musical in London and New York, and was adapted as a movie in 1996, starring Madonna.

It is based on the true story of Eva Duarte, who rises from poverty to become the rich and influential wife of Juan Perón, the President of Argentina. Eva, known as Evita, becomes a hero to the poor and working class but an enemy to the rich and her patriotic speeches divide the nation.

Our cast of 30 rehearsed from October 2021, with months of singing and dancing in face-masks to keep each other as safe as possible from COVID-19.

It was a thrilling show, with the glorious sound and big dance numbers you've come to expect from LWMS, as well as great soloists – both new to the Society as well as familiar faces.

Evita was an amateur production by arrangement with The Really Useful Group Ltd.

Director Stephen Duckham
Musical Director Matt Flint
Choreographer Hannah Hampson

production & publicity photos: Helen Ashworth, rehearsal photos: Alec Brown, Emy Stoicescu