It all began with a stamp, a chignon and a death.
Lyricist Tim Rice grew up a stamp collector fascinated by the image of Eva Peron, an Argentinian political leader in the 1990s — and second wife to President Juan Peron — who had gone from actress to beloved star of the nation before dying at age 33 after a battle with cancer.
He and renowned British composer Andrew Lloyd Webber (Cats, The Phantom of the Opera) formulated a rock opera based on Peron in 1976, which was later adapted into Evita, a musical that is part-ode, part-complaint and completely pregnant with emotion.
Now, the play that has found success the world over — including a 40-year stint at London’s West End — is coming to the UAE, where it will run from January 22 to February 3 at the Dubai Opera.
It’s the tale of a young girl with huge dreams, bent by insecurities, propped up by ambition and led into the spotlight by cunning.
“I think that it’s always remarkable and incredibly true to see and experience how big, strong and famous personalities are, at the end of the day, simple humans with normal vices and weaknesses. This story is and it’s always going to be contemporary,” says Gian Marco Schiaretti, who plays Che, the narrator-cum-chorus leader of this tale.
Madalena Alberto, who plays a role immortalised on the big screen by Madonna in the Oscar-winning 1996 hit Evita, is looking forward to the music that represents the voice of the people. “It is the opportunity to play such an iconic role: to be able to sing the world-known songs about an incredible woman. Then it’s the excitement and challenges that brings,” she says in an interview with Gulf News tabloid! ahead of the show.
Eva, or Evita as the Argentinian First Lady was lovingly called, grew up in the 1900s, began life as a babe borne out of wedlock. After stumbling her way through much of her life, she finally found her calling as the second wife of Peron. For him, she campaigned, cajoled and created followers. And in the process, she discovered her own path to fame and fortune — everything from charity work to a bid for vice-presidency. She was hailed for being an advocate for women’s rights; she founded and ran the first female political party in Argentina, the Female Peronist Party. She was also thought of by some as a social climber.
The leads that portray her story have both been prolific in their careers, with stints at the theatre and at the movies. And yet, there is something magical about a live act, explains Marco Schiaretti. “I personally find theatre the most interesting, simply because it’s real and it’s always “one take”. The vibes and the feelings of a live performance are incomparable and irreplaceable.”
For Alberto, who has previously played Fantine in Les Miserables and Grizabella in Cats, the role is demanding. “It’s a very challenging vocal role, probably one of the most demanding for a woman in musical theatre. Then it’s to try to tell a complex story in such a short amount of time, and to do justice to it. It’s a very emotional roller coaster with many different vocal qualities.”
And still, says Marco Schiaretti, it is perfect. “I would never ever change anything about the show. It has its own identity and I just enjoy every second of it. I love the sarcasm and the strength of Oh what a Circus, but my favourite moment of the show is the ballad High Flying Adored.”
Eva’s life was, for better or worse, blanched by the choices of the men around her. Considering the #metoo campaign that is shredding the veil of deceit in the showbiz industry, what’s been Alberto’s experience with the casting couch? “I have been bullied, harassed and lost opportunities for not agreeing to following through with advances. But I think this happens in Hollywood, in the theatre and everywhere else. Both to and by men and women. I’m very happy that people feel empowered to speak up about it, but I think discernment is very important, as well as to define the grey lines that surround this subject. I think it’s important to not victimise ourselves and to find real solutions that can only come through the education of new generations,” she says.
For now, like Eva, Alberto is ready to take charge of her own destiny and sing Don’t Cry for me Argentina.
Quote/Unquote
“It’s my first time here in this beautiful country [UAE] and I am so excited to enjoy everything this incredible area has to offer. I am very curious to get in touch with people from different cultures and discovering the local food. Can’t wait,” says Gian Marco Schiaretti.
Don’t miss it!
Evita runs from January 22 to February 3 at the Dubai Opera. Tickets start at Dh250.
