IN all good political revolutions, if you don’t look at the expenses involved, there’s a period of animated confusion before everyone establishes their roles. So it shouldn’t be surprising to discover that towards the end of the first half here, a musical finally breaks out after nine songs of wildly contrasting fortunes.

It could be that I’d Be Surprisingly Good For You, sung by the excellent Rachael Wooding as Eva and Mark Heenehan (a nicely-judged Peron) offered us a clearlyperformed, and warmlyremembered, duet. By the time that professional debutant Carly Bawden (as Mistress) sings the ever-popular Another Suitcase In Another Hall, the audience is finally gripped by Lloyd Webber and Rice’s 1978 award-winning show.

Quite what went wrong before on this finely-lit and beautifully-constructed set may well rest in the hands of directors Bob Tomson and Bill Kenwright. Certainly, the variable singing performance and stature of Seamus Cullen (the Any Dream Will Do contestant who has the pivotal role of narrator, Che) isn’t helpful, but there are times when the quick-fire combined voices and ten-strong orchestra create an unintelligible cacophony. Little blame should attach itself here to the well-schooled youngsters from Stagecoach, Newcastle, or some excellent chorus singing.

The second half fares better, although setting to music the enduring sadness and demise of real life Argentinean icon Eva Peron, who died of cancer at 33, always gives the impression of a lengthy funeral procession.

Wooding’s Don’t Cry For Me Argentina, from the balcony is as impressive as any version I’ve seen. Her last moments of life as Eva bring a tear to the eye of even the most hardened hack… so I’ll wave a cautious banner in favour of Evita.

■ Until July 4. Tickets: £12- £36. Box Office: 08448-112-122