Evita set for the Island Centre

No sooner have the 50 strong cast returned from Harrogate (where they staged their award-winning production of Chess) than they will launch into two weeks of intensive rehearsals for Evita.

It will be a particularly challenging period for the principal line up of Aisling Quinn who plays the eponymous heroine Eva Peron, Gareth Brown who plays the Che (the revolutionary who acts as commentator on proceedings), and Nathan Graham who plays Eva’s husband, Peron.

Gareth and Nathan both took part in Fusion’s last three productions, and are just back from Harrogate, where Gareth played the chess grand master, Freddie. It is particularly challenging for Gareth to be playing two such huge roles back to back!

Other key roles in Evita will be played by Connor Carson, and Jordan Mackin.

Fusion’s resident team of Director/MD, Ian Milford and choregrapher Rebecca Leonard have been working tirelessly with the cast over the series of productions this year, and relish the challenge of the quick turn-around.

Ian said: “I was really inspired by the musical Evita when it first came out, and have been long been hoping to persuade the Really Useful Group to release the licence to amateurs.

“I think it might have been my frequent telephone calls that led to them finally giving in, and agreeing to grant Fusion the licence.

“I will never forget Julie Covington playing the lead, and couldn’t believe it when Aisling proved that she was a Julie Covington in the making. As for whether Gareth is our answer to David Essex? Well, come along and see for yourselves.”

The production will be on stage in the Island Hall, at Lagan Valley Island from 5 to 8 September at 7.30pm, and tickets are selling fast. Tickets cost £10 (Wed), £12 (Thurs) and £14(FRI/Sat), and are available from the box office on 9250 9254, or online.