TIM Rice and Andrew Lloyd Webber never made it easy for themselves with their choice of musical subject matter, writes Laurence Sach.

This was never more so than with Evita, the story of Eva Duarte who rose from actress to Argentina’s First Lady before her untimely death from cancer at the age of 33.

On the way she achieved near legendary status, and something not far from sainthood.

Bob Tomson’s polished production, with David Steadman’s musical direction and Bill Deamer’s Latin inspired choreography, brings Evita impressively to the stage.

And Matthew Wright’s deceptively simple, yet highly effective designs, enhanced by Mark Howett’s lighting, provide the perfect settings, not least of which the spectacular pillared cathedral for the opening Requiem for Evita.

Eva Peron, normally played by Emma Hatton but beautifully played on Sunderland’s first night by Natalie Langston, is ambitious and determined.

Langston was passionate and believable, and worked every moment of the highly charged balcony scene, connecting with the people, and of course singing the musical’s pivotal number, Don’t Cry for Me Argentina.

Oscar Balmaseda is also in great voice as Magaldi the tango singer, and the delivery of Another Suitcase in Another Hall by Sarah O’Connor as Peron’s Mistress, another notable highlight.

For me, however, the star turn of the evening was Gian Marco Schiaretti’s commanding performance as Che Guevara, the sardonic, cynical narrator; constantly working to remove the gloss from Eva’s hallowed image, and reminding us that her life was also one touched by controversy.

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