Chesterfield Operatic Society to premiere Evita in Derbyshire

Seldom available outside professional productions, Chesterfield Operatic Society has secured the rights to perform one of the duo’s best loved collaborations - a musical society premiere for the county.

“We were extremely fortunate to be given the rights to perform Evita,” said society chairman Doug Melloy, “as performing licences for the show are extremely rare.

“As a sung-through musical it is challenging, but has brought the best out of the society’s principals and chorus.”

Evita tells the story of Maria Eva Duarte de Peron, a poor girl who grows up to be the wife of the president of Argentina and is worshipped by her people.

Rising to the challenge of the eponymous Evita is Sue Higgins, who has leading and principal roles to her credit with Chesterfield and other musical theatre groups. She said: “Evita is the most difficult part I have ever done, but I’m up to the challenge. As the dialogue is sung you have got to get the story across to the audience. It had always been an ambition to play the role and I’m really enjoying it.”

Taking on the pivotal role of narrator Che Guevara is society newcomer Davron Hicks, who has played leading and principal roles with societies throughout South Wales.

Davron said: “It was a part I’d always been interested in playing so,when I heard that Chesterfield were doing Evita I was very fortunate to be able to be offered the part of the narrator.”

Danny Winson makes a welcome return to the society, after a nine-year spell in London, to play President Peron. “I was coming back to the society in any case but it was fortuitous that the part of Peron was up for grabs,” he said. “I am enjoying getting into the character of someone who actually existed. You can get into the research and you can start to believe in him.”

Evita is at Chesterfield’s Pomegranate Theatre from April 21 to 25 at 7.15pm with a Saturday matinee. Book online at www.chesterfieldtheatres.co.uk or call 01246 345222.