IT’S a seminal show that has won awards the world over.
So there’s no surprising that local companies are clamouring to add their backing as the Andrew Lloyd Webber/Tim Rice spectacular Evita comes to the Isle of Man next week.
Taylorian Productions’ 2012 summer show opens at the Gaiety Theatre next Monday (Aug 6), sponsored by Lloyds TSB.
Based upon the life of Argentine political leader Eva Perón, it features some of theatre’s most beautiful songs, including ‘Don’t Cry for Me Argentina’, ‘Another Suitcase in Another Hall’, and ‘High Flying, Adored’.
Trevor Kirk, senior manager of Corporate Banking at Lloyds TSB, said: ‘We are delighted to continue our ongoing support of the local community with this fantastic production of Evita. We hope that everyone will come along and enjoy this local top quality production.’
Rice got the idea for a musical about Eva Peron when he was late for dinner in London one evening in 1973 and heard the start of a radio programme about her remarkable life.
He remembered her name from his schoolboy stamp collection and, after further research, realised her story could be the one to prove he and Lloyd-Webber were no one-hit wonders.
Had he been punctual that night, who knows what would be on at the Gaiety this summer!
His eldest daughter, who is a best-selling novelist, is also called Eva!
As well as full backing from Lloyds, SMP Partners has signed up as Gold Sponsor of the show, after last year’s sponsorship of the record-breaking Wizard of Oz.
Mark Denton, managing director of SMP, said: ‘It is with great pride that SMP associates itself with this production.
‘The outstanding success of previous Taylorian productions highlights the quality of the Island’s theatrical scene and the need for the local business community to support such wonderful shows.
‘As it turns out, it’s one of my all-time favourites so we are delighted to be able to sponsor Evita.’
Taylorian Productions was formed in 2007 and has been responsible for many local productions including Oliver! and Me and My Girl.
Co-founder Matt James said: ‘Obviously we’re delighted. It’s quite a coup, particularly in the year it has opened on Broadway. It’s going to be quite a show.’
Director John Cumberlidge added: ‘I think what has surprised me and people in the cast is what an emotional experience creating Evita has been.
‘The fact that, unlike a lot of musicals, it is about something that actually happened makes the story more engaging and interesting and real for the cast.
‘The authenticity will make it visually spectacular and interesting for audiences.
‘The way that Evita is written makes it such a fast moving piece of theatre, packed with so much musical staging, choreography and exciting scenarios, you really can understand why people call Evita a “tour de force” piece of theatre.’
Evita – by special arrangement with the Really Useful Group – runs at the Gaiety from Aug 6-18.
Tickets available on the ticket hotline – 600555 – from the Welcome Centre and Villa Marina or from villagaiety.com