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When the brand new Evita opened in the West End, it took the critics by storm. But, a few weeks on, is it - and the leading lady - living up to the hype?
Oh what a circus, oh what a show. London has certainly gone to town over the life of an actress called Eva Peron. Tim Rice's words have been echoed by almost the whole of the critical fraternity following Michael Grandage's wonderful revival of his musical biography of the Argentinian would-be goddess.
So, what has made a group that contains more than its fair share of hardened old cynics so excited? The answer is probably two-fold.
Grandage is fast becoming the hottest property in town, running one of the best theatres - the Donmar - and bringing productions such as the multi-award-winning Don Carlos and Guys and Dolls onto larger West End stages.
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The initial meeting between Eva Duarte and Juan Peron borders on the comical as the mountainous Philip Quast dwarfs his female lead.
Soon enough though, they are in love and the story turns into a re-run of Macbeth as a determined wife drives her unscrupulous husband to their country's pinnacle.
© Trinity Mirror Plc
