Musical: Don't cry for me . . .

Buenos Aires comes to the Theatre Royal, as Bury St Edmunds Amateur Operatic and Dramatic Society (BSEAODS) puts on award-winning musical Evita.

Charting the rise and fall of María Eva Duarte de Perón, the show is on from October 8-12, and features lyrics by Tim Rice and music by Andrew Lloyd Webber.

Peron was a poor Argentinian girl who went on to be the wife of the President of Argentina and was worshipped by her people.

As a young woman she longed for the fame and fortune of an acting career and quickly learned her feminine wiles held power among a culture and a political system run by men.

Evita found fame and success in Buenos Aires, eventually seducing the rising political figure, Juan Perón, who became President. As First Lady of Argentina, she aligned herself with the poor, winning herself and Perón popularity. Evita becomes a hero to the poor and the working class, but an enemy to the rich.

Playing the leading role is Katie Woodhouse. “Playing Eva Perón is a huge challenge for me and one that I’m thoroughly enjoying. I’m thrilled to have the opportunity to play the role of such a strong female character in history and the heartache that pursues her life,” she says.

Joining the society for the first time is Andrew Haines, a RAF police officer from Honington,

who was surprised to be offered the role as Juan Perón. “I came to the sing through and auditions in May, with the hope of just getting an opportunity to join the company; presuming if I were lucky enough, I’d get a part in the male chorus. I was absolutely blown away to find out I was cast as Perón. Everybody in the cast and crew has

been so supportive of me and I’m having a

great time!”

Playing the narrator Che, is Richard Simpson, a teacher from Elmswell who also joins BSEAODS for the first time. “I was overwhelmed by the professionalism and talent I saw when I watched The Sound of Music, I just knew this was a company I wanted and needed to be a part of.”

Evita, October 8-12, Theatre Royal, Bury St Edmunds. Call 01284 769505 or visit theatreroyal.org