Evita: A review

By R. Pieris

Well done Jerome, Surein and the Workshop Players for an excellent production. The sets, lighting, costumes and direction were of very high standards, and folks like me watched Evita several times over.

Though marred by technical defects, Dilrukshi, Mario and Rehan left the audience mesmerised. The transformation of Eva, from a coy 15-year-old to an ambitious Eva Peron was played brilliantly by Dilrukshi and she dazzled onstage.

Melani had a more powerful voice but perhaps in an attempt to compensate for poor acting skills, projected too much which made her sound as if she was shouting. The same facial expressions and gestures sans emotion were her ways of portraying Eva and were therefore boring to the eye.

Shenuk as Che gave more dynamic character to the role and it came out well. The ensemble was full of energy and they all clearly enjoyed what they were doing. Some of the other leads lacked singing and acting skills and one wonders why they were cast in these roles as the audience paid the same amount of money for each show and it seemed unfair when the casting was poor on some nights.

Well done Dilrukshi for an irresistible portrayal of Eva Duarte de Peron on the closing night – you shone. Hats off to Mario and Rehan as well. The audience loved every moment of it and the applause and standing ovation was spontaneous and indeed not orchestrated as was the case on some of the other nights.