Theatre Review: Evita - Beck Youth Theatre at Beck Theatre, Hayes ✭✭✭✭
Beck Theatre, Hayes
Reviewed by Philippa Stubbs
13th April 2013: Backstagepass.biz were delighted to be invited
to Beck Youth Theatre’s twenty fifth anniversary performance of Rice and Lloyd
Webber’s popular musical, Evita.
Evita is an unforgettable story of the rise
and fall of Argentina’s first lady Eva Perón and her passionate involvement in
Argentina’s political history. As
an entirely ‘sung-through’ musical, familiar numbers include Don’t Cry For Me
Argentina, Another Suitcase In Another Hall and Buenos Aires.
With a cast ranging between the ages of eight
and nineteen, there is an incredible range of talent from these young
performers and the effort, enthusiasm and professionalism that the entire cast
showed must be commended. From the oldest to the youngest members, it was
evident that everyone knew what was expected of them and had an understanding
of the emotion behind such a dramatic narrative. Dance numbers were well choreographed
and particularly memorable chorus moments were On The Balcony Of The Casa
Rosada and And The Money Kept Rolling In.
The principals tackled the difficult musical
score with gusto and there were some very promising voices. Connor Harper
played a regal Perón
with strong vocals and Bethany Perry gave an utterly beautiful performance of
Another Suitcase in Another Hall. Another name to look out for in musical
theatre of the future has to be Stephen King. His role as Che (the narrator) was
really well performed and his technically strong singing and acting seemed
effortless.
Performing the title role was nineteen year old Natalie Venier. Her emotional connection with her character, Eva Perón, was spot on and
conveyed a strong understanding of the highs and lows required for this role.
Her vocal talent is sensational and Eva’s Final Broadcast had some of the audience
members in tears! This young lady is sure to be a future star of the West End
and we wish her all the best for the future.
Not forgetting all the hard work that must have
gone on behind the scenes, Damian Sandys and Grant Murphy have directed a
winning production that could only have been possible with a cast and crew of
talented and dedicated individuals.
A huge well done to all involved!
4 stars ✭✭✭✭
