Kokova Magazine

With Rachel Zeglar in the iconic role of Eva Perón, Tim Rice and Andrew Lloyd Webber's Evita has returned to the West End. Perón became a symbol of hope to many Argentines, as she captured the heart of the nation, yet divided its soul, fuelled by ambition and passion; rising from poverty to become the most powerful woman in Latin America.

My daughter and I love a good musical, so when tickets become available to see Evita for Thursday 24th July, we jumped at the chance of seeing a stage show. This was my first visit to the London Palladium, a beautiful building so close to Oxford Circus. We excitedly took our seats in good time for the first act.

This is a new Evita. A bold adaptation by Jamie Lloyd. The set is minimal, and very modern, rows of steps with a large screen on stage. Compared to other musicals we have been to , the set seemed quite dark and bare but those performing certainly lit up the stage. The first act was very fast moving, with hard singing and fast dancing - and if I am honest, it lost me slightly in the speed of the story. By the time the intermission came it actually started sounding a little strained, and we were happy to step away for a short time.

Most intermissions are fairly swift, with enough time to grab a mid-show drink and a bathroom break but as more time passed we began to wonder why there was a delay. Returning to our seats to wait, we heard the announcement that Rachel Zeglar would not be performing in the second act. Rachel stepped out mid-show and Bella Brown took over the role of Eva Perón for the rest of the performance. A 40 minute intermission followed the first act, but the wait for the second act was worth it.

Bella had played the Mistress in the first act, yet stepped seamlessly into the leading role of Eva Perón. The second act started with the iconic balcony song, and to my surprise we only saw this on the stage screen. It seems I was the only person in our small group to not be aware of this twist in the performance, and it was quite controversial. We had paid to see it live - yet it was the perfect expression of Eva Perón and how she would have ignored those who could afford the seats, to perform to the people on the street. Her people. The waiting audience on the street got the live performance from Bella.

Yet due to the swap mid performance, it meant we got to see both Bella and Rachel perform on the same night. And I have to say, Bella Brown did an amazing job in the second act. If there were any nerves about coming in at 'half-time', Bella need not have worried. The audience, all of us, gave her the warmest of welcomes to the stage and her performance was rewarded with the longest standing ovation, and an extended curtain call. Bella Brown's depth of voice is stunning; full of warmth and emotion.

The production has received widespread attention for the performances of 'Don’t Cry For Me Argentina' from the balcony of the theatre, in front of members of the public. I did feel slightly cheated, but also in awe of a twist that felt so right for this musical performance. I made it my mission to return the following evening and stand on the street to see Rachel Zeglar in her performance of the iconic song. I was not alone.

The street outside was packed full by 8.45pm on Friday 25th July. I had stood from 7.30pm, the time the doors closed on the first act, alongside a small group of like-minded people from around the globe. We watched what seemed to be the entire audience from the night before return to line the street. The theatre staff on the door were amazing in making sure those who arrived early managed to stay in the centre balcony view at the front, fanning late-comers out on either side.

And then it happened...Rachel emerged from the building and performed perfectly from the balcony to her waiting audience. Any tension in her voice from the previous night had vanished, and she commanded the entire street with her song. It had been worth the wait.

The feeling of experiencing both performances, by both leading ladies on the same night, then returning the second night was time well spent. It also meant another weekend in London, as to go all that way and not stay seemed such a waste. Ultimately, and ironically, watching from the street became more of a hit to our purse than sitting in the theatre but it was an experience not to be missed. Whichever you choose to do - inside or out - or both - it will be time and money well spent.

For more information visit Evita the Musical