School will be first to perform Evita

12:50pm Sunday 12th October 2008

Comments (0)   Have your say »

DAUNTSEY’S School in West Lavington will be the first school in the country to be granted permission to perform the blockbuster musical Evita.

Tickets are already selling out for the show, on from December 2 to 6 in the school’s Memorial Hall.

The school has a reputation for the quality of its productions, and it was the first school in the country to be allowed to perform Les Miserables.

The production so impresssed the producers at Cameron Mackintosh that the school was invited to perform it in a concert version at the Prince Edward Theatre in the West End.

Head of drama Rikki Jackson had been trying for some time to get the rights to perform the story of Eva Peron, the first lady of Argentina who was loved by her people, translated to the stage by Andrew Lloyd Webber and Tim Rice.

He said: “As soon as we heard it was closing in the West End we approached the Really Useful Group about doing it and they very swiftly got back to us and said no, because it was going on tour.

“Then they got back to us to say they wanted somewhere to try it out before they released it for general use and we got the opportunity.”

It will be the updated 2006 version that will be performed at the Memorial Hall.

Casting has never been a problem at Dauntsey’s. There seems to be an endless supply of talented boys and girls who can not just hold a tune but bring passion and realism to a part.

Sixth former Poppy Salter is the envy of the school, having been given the role of Evita. She has been a star performer since taking part in the children’s musical Honk!, when she was back in second form.

Jonathan Barnwell, who is playing Che Guevara, and Tom Hollis, who takes the role of President Peron, are also veterans of Honk!

They are supported by a cast of around 150, which does not include the lower school choir, also taking part.

Then there is the school orchestra, under the baton of head of music Chris Thompson.

All in all, it will be a showcase for all the dramatic and musical talents at the school.

Tickets for the Friday and Saturday performances are now sold but there are still a few for earlier in the week. Ring (01380) 814500 for more details.