Learn about the production history of 'Evita'

We take a look at notable productions of the Andrew Lloyd Webber and Tim Rice classic ahead of Jamie Lloyd's new staging at the London Palladium this summer.

Oh what a circus! Following their triumph with Jesus Christ Superstar, Andrew Lloyd Webber and Tim Rice turned their attention to a topic even more contentious than religion – politics. In 1972, Rice first had the idea of turning the life of the late Eva Perón, former actress and first lady of Argentina, into a musical when he heard a radio programme about her life. After some persuasion, his writing partner Lloyd Webber agreed to write the Latin-inspired melodies. Evita was the result.

She had her moments, she had some style… Born in 1919, Eva Duarte grew up in abject poverty and moved to Buenos Aires to become an actress. In 1944, she caught the eye of politician Juan Peron, who became president two years later.

As First Lady, she became the darling of the working classes due to her advocacy for workers’ and women’s rights and her charity work. Following her death from cervical cancer in 1952 at the age of 33, she was exalted as a saintly national icon. However, the truth is more complicated, as we see in the musical, which is interspersed with snarky narration from “everyman” Che.

The show has travelled the world, though not to Argentina. This summer, Jamie Lloyd directs the show at the London Palladium. Read our history of significant productions of this “high, flying, adored” show that have come before.

Book Evita tickets on LondonTheatre.co.uk.

1976: Concept album

Like Jesus Christ Superstar, Evita was introduced to the world through a record produced by MCA Records. Julie Covington, who had starred in Godspell and The Rocky Horror Show, sang the title role, with Colm Wilkinson (later to create the role of Jean Valjean in Les Misérables) as Che, and Paul Jones as Perón.

Covington’s recording of “Don’t Cry for Me Argentina” reached no. 1 in the UK Singles Chart, and versions by Karen Carpenter, Petula Clark, and Olivia Newton-John followed shortly afterwards, so the biggest number was already well-known by the time the show reached the stage.

1978: Original London production

The show opened at the Prince Edward Theatre (which had been used as a cinema for several decades) on 21 June 1978. Harold Prince (Cabaret, Company, and many more) directed the production. Elaine Paige, who had been considering changing careers prior to winning the title role, has been one of the most beloved performers in British musical theatre ever since. Pop star David Essex played Che, and Joss Ackland, whose credits included Fredrik Egerman in the original London production of Sondheim’s A Little Night Musical, was Perón.

The show received largely positive reviews, with particular praise for Paige’s performance and the vibrant score and incisive lyrics, though some critics felt that the staging was too bombastically operatic. At the Society of West End Theatre Awards (the precursor to the Oliviers), it won Musical of the Year and Performance of the Year in a Musical (Elaine Paige). The production played for 3,176 performances and Paige’s successors included Marti Webb, Stephanie Lawrence, Siobhan McCarthy (who created the role of Perón's Mistress), and Kathryn Evans.

1979: Original Broadway production

The Broadway production opened the following year on 25 September 1979, following tryouts in Los Angeles and San Francisco. The role of Eva had launched Paige to stardom and it did the same for Patti LuPone on Broadway. While Paige’s Eva retained an angelic quality, LuPone made her a more conniving antiheroine. LuPone, who is known for her uninhibited stage presence, has been outspoken about the vocal demands of the role and the backstage politics. The show also gave Mandy Patinkin his musical theatre breakthrough as Che.

The Broadway production played for 1,587 performances – about half the London run, though it did win seven Tony Awards, including Best Musical, Best Original Score, Best Book of a Musical, Best Direction of a Musical, and Best Performance by a Leading Actress in a Musical. In 1981, LuPone took over the role in the Australian production, which proved to be a happier experience.

1980: Original Madrid production

The first Spanish-language production of Evita took place at the Teatro Monumental in the Spanish capital in December 1980. In the early 1980s, the show was also performed in Mexico and in Brazil. However, it has yet to be performed in Argentina.

1996: Movie adaptation

Talk of a film adaptation started to circulate almost as soon as the show first premiered. There was much speculation over whether the lead role would go to Paige, or a movie star like Liza Minnelli or Barbra Streisand – or a complete unknown.

Eventually, Alan Parker was signed to direct in 1994 and Madonna was cast, alongside Antonio Banderas as Che and Jonathan Pryce as Perón. Madonna underwent extensive vocal coaching to work on her projection and upper register for the role. Reviews were mixed but Madonna won a Golden Globe for her performance and the film received one Oscar, for Best Original Song (“You Must Love Me”).

West End revival (2006) and Broadway revival (2012)

Although there were touring productions in the 1980s and ‘90s, Evita didn’t return to the West End until almost 30 years after its premiere. Michael Grandage directed a bold new production at the Adelphi Theatre which introduced the unknown (to UK audiences) Argentine actress Elena Roger in the title role. Roger received many superlative reviews, though she didn’t win the Olivier (she did, however, win in 2008 for Piaf). Three-time Olivier Award winner Philip Quast was Perón and Matt Rawle played Che.

LondonTheatre.co.uk’s reviewer observed that “Grandage’s realisation has eschewed the gimmickry and gadgetry often found in other Lloyd Webber productions, and opts for style rather than technology.” Roger’s performance showcased “a delightful breath of fresh air in the popular music world – a refreshing vocal spirit… Apart from being powerful and resonant, Roger's singing voice also has an interesting vibrato quality which, though much out of fashion these days, is reminiscent of Edith Piaf”.

The production took six years to transfer to Broadway. Roger reprised her Eva in the production and pop star Ricky Martin played Che. This time, it received mixed reviews. It was nominated for Best Revival of a Musical, but Roger didn’t receive a nod for her performance.

2013 and 2017: West End revivals

Bill Kenwright’s touring production arrived in the West End for limited seasons in 2014 (Dominion Theatre) and 2017 (Phoenix Theatre). The former starred Madalena Alberto and the latter Emma Hatton. In 2017, LondonTheatre.co.uk’s 5-star review noted that “with President Trump in the White House, it is difficult not to think of contemporary parallels”.

2019: Regent’s Park Open Air Theatre

Shortly after the death of original director Prince and four years before his multi-award-winning production of Sunset Boulevard, Jamie Lloyd brought his stripped-back style to this earlier Lloyd Webber musical. In this monochrome production, Samantha Pauly’s (SIX) Eva was akin to a modern-day social media influencer.

LondonTheatre.co.uk’s reviewer noted, somewhat wryly, “I'm not sure I've ever witnessed as many confetti cannons and pyrotechnics in all my years of attending the theatre and I've certainly never seen as many impetuously unleashed at the Open Air Theatre before.” The production won the Evening Standard Theatre Award for Best Musical.

2023: Leicester Curve

Nikolai Foster’s production at the Leicester Curve starring Martha Kirby also put a contemporary, social media-inspired spin on the material. The production, with its industrial-style set and feverish pace, received mixed reviews.

2025: London Palladium

Jamie Lloyd will “reimagine” the show this summer for a 12-week run at the London Palladium. Lloyd has explained that the production will be an “evolution” of the Regent’s Park staging rather than a replica. Casting is to be announced – but surely the title role will be inhabited by someone with more than "just a little touch of star quality"!

Book Evita tickets on LondonTheatre.co.uk.