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Photo by: Darja Štravs Tisu
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Interesting facts
- The song “Don’t Cry for Me Argentina” was originally titled “It’s Only Your Lover’s Return”.
- Eva Perón was immensely popular among ordinary people, who called her “Evita”, meaning “Little Eva”. She campaigned for workers’ rights and women’s suffrage and was seen as a champion of the poor and the forgotten. She set up the Eva Perón Foundation, which built hospitals, schools and homes, and distributed food, clothes and money to those in need.
- The project by Tim Rice and Andrew Lloyd Webber originally took the form of the concept album Evita, released on vinyl on 19 November 1976, with Julie Covington in the title role. The album, which included the song “Don’t Cry for Me Argentina”, sold an impressive 300,000 copies and was awarded a platinum disc.
- Sergej Lugovski, who portrays Che in the musical, is a member of the group Modrijani.
- Sabina Cvilak won several competitions while still a student and became a regular guest at Leoben Municipal Theatre (in central Austria), where she made her debut in the opera The Marriage of Figaro, the operettas The Tsarevich and Countess Maritza, and the comic opera The Poacher.
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Following a triumphant run in its home venue, SNG Maribor’s production of the musical Evita moves to Križanke. The creators of the cult favourite – composer Andrew Lloyd Webber and librettist Tim Rice – conceived Evita as a concept album, but the extraordinary popularity of the recording soon led to its first theatrical staging. Since its 1978 premiere in London’s West End, the story of Argentina’s controversial first lady Eva Perón has been staged all over the world and even became a hit film starring Madonna and Antonio Banderas. The musical is performed so frequently that the copyright owners are said to be very cautious about approving new productions, in order to maintain quality standards. It is therefore all the more impressive that the Maribor director Svetlana Dramlić was granted permission to stage a new version, on condition that it be completely original. Dramlić, whose production company Rosa has also collaborated with international platforms such as Netflix and the BBC, explains that when designing her new Evita she was guided by the fundamental principle of the theatre – the magic of the stage. Magic also accompanied Evita herself. Actress, dancer, charismatic speaker, philanthropist and extraordinarily influential political figure, she died at the age of just 33 following a serious illness but nevertheless became a symbol that continues to divide public opinion today. The role of this highly complex woman will be performed by the versatile soprano Sabina Cvilak, while the part of Evita’s husband Juan Perón will be played by Mike Sterling, a much-in-demand performer with over 30 years’ experience encompassing West End theatre, television and radio. The starry cast, the enduring appeal of the story and the timeless musical numbers – including the legendary Don’t Cry for Me, Argentina – add up to a performance that will once again remind us why Evita remains one of the best loved musicals of all time.
Accessibility for visitors with reduced mobility
Festival Ljubljana is committed to ensuring a welcoming and accessible experience at cultural events for persons with reduced mobility.
Selected venues offer designated wheelchair-accessible spaces as well as seating for accompanying persons. Wheelchair users can inquire about availability and reserve accessible seating by calling +386 (0)1 241 60 28 or emailing blagajna@ljubljanafestival.si.
Free rides on LPP city buses
Ticket holders for events within the 74th Ljubljana Festival are entitled to free rides on LPP city buses within two hours before the start and two hours after the end of each event.
