Coffee & Chat with Stage Masters

EP 10: Samantha Creswick

EP 09: Dave Hearn

EP 08: Charlie Russell

EP 07: Henry Shields

EP 06: Denholm Spurr

EP 05: Joshua Malina & Simon Yadoo

EP 04: David Hunter

EP 03: Kerry Ellis

EP 02: Tom Fletcher

EP 01: Kait Kerrigan

An Interview With…

How excited are you to be part of the team that will be bringing Evita back to the West End this summer? 

It’s always exciting to revisit a classic musical—especially one as well-known as those written by Tim Rice and Andrew Lloyd Webber—and breathe new life into it. Keep it fresh, resonant, and relevant for today’s audience.

 

This is your second time working with Jamie Lloyd, what keeps drawing yourself (and audiences) back to see his versions of these iconic shows?

Jamie Lloyd has this remarkable ability to strip a piece back to its most beautiful, raw essence, and then thoughtfully build it up with layers of precise detail. And the clarity of his vision… it’s both powerful and profoundly inspiring. The result is theatre that transcends time—work that doesn’t just exist on stage, but truly takes up space as moments that matter. With Jamie, you’re guaranteed an experience—one you didn’t know you needed, and one you definitely won’t forget. With Jamie, you don’t just watch a show—you feel it.

 

How different is this version of Evita to the ones that have come before it?

This version of Evita echoes some of the bold choices first explored at Regent’s Park years ago—but, like all the theatre we create, it evolves. It breathes. It transforms. And in that process, it becomes something richer, more thrilling, and even more meaningful.

It’s kind of crazy to think it all started as a concept album. Over the years, all the different stage versions—and of course the film with Madonna and Antonio Banderas—have helped Evita reach audiences far beyond the theatre.

Our version is making theatre history again in ways that elevate the work to even greater heights. 

I can promise—you won’t have seen Evita quite like this. This adaptation has taken on a life of its own. It’s become its own energy, its own voice, and speaks to audiences that has gone beyond anything we could have imagined. 

 

How has it been rehearsing with such an extraordinary cast? 

Having worked with Jamie, Fabian Aloise, and Alan Williams before, they understand what it takes to tell a story. They have this uncanny ability to gather the most extraordinary pool of talent—people who not only bring skill, but heart. In this Evita, the choreography plays a powerful role. Fabian has this beautiful gift for making movement speak through every kind of body, creating a true sense of unity—a crew mentality within the ensemble where no one is left behind. It’s demanding, yes. It asks a lot. It takes a lot. But that’s the magic of it. That’s why we do this. Why else would we tell these stories?

What has been the biggest challenge during the process?

The most challenging part of the process is being both mentally and physically prepared for the ride—it’s a beast! Once you strap in, it’s like a rollercoaster: there’s no slowing down. You’re locked in, and all that’s left to do is unleash everything you’ve got.

 

What is your favourite number to perform in the show?

It’s hard to pick a single favourite number—there are a few that really stand out for me. The first time the audience hears ‘Buenos Aires,’ sung by the incredible Rachel Zegler, is electric. The ensemble explodes into choreography that spans a range of styles, vividly portraying the class systems of Buenos Aires, Argentina. It’s a moment we all feel—it hits you emotionally and viscerally.

I also love the new arrangement of ‘Rainbow Tour.’ It breathes fresh, percussive life into the song, giving it a rhythm that feels so current—grounded in today’s homecoming energy and urgency. Then comes ‘And the Money Keeps Rolling In,’ led by the talented Diego Andres Rodriguez. It’s a knockout. The storytelling in both numbers is razor-sharp and thrilling, and physically—they're punishing in the best way. They take your breath away, quite literally, but that’s part of the exhilaration.

 

What can audiences expect from this thrilling new production?

Audiences can expect the unexpected. With a musical score masterfully curated by Alan and brought to life by an exceptional group of musicians, thrilling choreography by Fabian that leaves you breathless just watching, and direction by Jamie that can leave you crying, shaken, and on the edge of your seat within seconds—this production pulls no punches. You’ll be taken on a journey with the Evita you know and love—reborn and unapologetically alive. It hits hard, it thrills, and it refuses to sit quietly in the past. This Evita demands your attention.

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