Review: Don't cry to me if you miss this incredible youth production of Evita at the Millennium Forum
Challenge: Learn the music, lyrics, choreography and directions for a musical that is sung the WHOLE way through and perform it in a professional theatre in just three weeks.
Impossible? Not for the cast, orchestra and technical team of the Millennium Forum's Youth Production of Evita which burst into life in the Derry venue on Wednesday, July 29.
Evita is a musical about the life, rise to power, charity work, and death of Eva Perón, the wife of Argentine president Juan Perón. It traces her journey from a poor illegitimate child to an ambitious actress, and eventually to the powerful First Lady of Argentina.
This is NOT an easy musical to perform: there is no dialogue, the entire plot is sung, and some of it in Latin! The standard that the young people in the cast, crew and orchestra achieved in such a short space of time was incredible.
Guiding the audience through the time line of Eva's life is the narrator, Che, played by Aaron McAteer - what a monster of a role Che is! Rarely off stage and involved in most of the action, Aaron portrayed the character with energy, comedy, cynicism and power, as needed. A real presence on stage and a great, strong voice to match.
Aidan McLaughlin took on the incredibly tricky role of Juan Peron with gravitas and authority, but he also beautifully portrayed Peron's vulnerability and dependence on his hugely successful wife.
With a strong voice and clear diction, Aidan proved to be an incredibly powerful Peron cutting an imposing figure as he rose from the ranks of the army to the top position in Argentina.
Completing the 'big three' of Evita and taking on the HUGE responsibility of playing the titular character, Eva Peron, was the talented 17-year-old Willow McIntyre. Just one word: SUPERB!
Singing, acting, dancing, diction, emotion - Willow's performance was of a standard well beyond her years. Interestingly, she previously appeared in the West End touring production of Evita when it visited the Forum several years ago, playing the Child Soloist in that production.
The role of Eva is enormous and Willow never once faltered or showed the slightest sign of running out of energy. And what a voice - from the belting "Buenos Aires" to the heartbreaking "You Must Love Me," Willow captured every emotion from the songs.
Another top notch female in the cast was Clara Clements in the role of Peron's ousted mistress. “Another Suitcase in Another Hall” is usually performed with the mistress alone on the street, holding only her suitcase after being thrown out by Eva.
In this production, the glamorous mistress (n blonde wig, shimmering gown and sparking jewels) slowly divested herself of the trappings of that life with Peron one-by-one during the song - a really powerful device, thanks to Clara's fantastic rendition.
Shout out too to Daithi McBrearty for a lovely portrayal of Magaldi, the arrogant nightclub singer who was the first rung on Evita's ladder of success.
Another highlight for me was the choreography which incorporated so many varying styles - from military precision marching to Argentine tango styling to flamboyance of Latin American steps.
The (well deserved) standing ovation at the end of the opening night performance is a testament to the hard work and commitment of those young people on and off stage and also to the creative team behind that mammoth three week creation – David McLaughlin (producer), Jonathan Burgess (director), Louis Fields (musical director) and Leigh Chapman (choreograher).
Evita runs at the Millennium Forum in Derry/L’Derry until Saturday, August 1. Telephone the Box Office on 71 264455 (option 1) or visit millenniumforum.co.uk for bookings.