Creating
challenging opportunities for their students, the Drama Department at DUT is
staging Tim Rice / Andre Lloyd Webber’s iconic musical, Evita, at the Playhouse Drama from August 24 to 31.
Directed
by Prof Debbie Lutge, with costume design and co-ordination by Nellie Ngcongo
and Debbie Webster, set design by Derek O’Toole, choreography by Mdu Mtshali
and music direction by Madlen Tzankova, the cast features students cast from
first, second and third year.
Evita is traditionally a stage-musical but also
known as a film musical featuring Madonna, Antonio Banderas and Jonathan Pryce.
It features music by Andrew Lloyd Webber and lyrics by Tim Rice.
The
story looks at the life of Eva Peron, known fondly as Evita, an extravagant and
outspoken public figure who was a political leader in her own right, married to
Argentine President Juan Peron. The musical follows her life from a restless
teenager, who after a series of strategic love affairs, eventually became one
of the most watched global icons by her death in 1952.
The
musical also follows a historically inaccurate connection between Evita and Che
Guevara – known as “Che” who plays the role of commentator and narrator in the
production.
The
musical began as a rock opera in the mid 70s. It has enjoyed lengthy seasons on
London’s West End and Broadway since the late ‘70s, and it was the first
British musical to receive the Tony Award for Best Musical.
The
musical has a myriad recognisable numbers including the beautiful requiem for
Evita, Oh What a Circus; On This Night of
a Thousand Stars; High Flying Adored; I'd Be Surprisingly Good For You, and
the chart toppers, Another Suitcase in
Another Hall and Don’t Cry for Me
Argentina. The movie introduced another popular ballad, You Must Love Me recorded by Madonna
especially for the movie version.
Evita
runs in the Playhouse Drama from August 24 to 31. Tickets R60 (R20 concessions)
booked through Computicket. More information from Lebohang on 031 373 2194.
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