EVITA/WHISTLE

8/5/06
I heard recordings of the new London productions of EVITA and WHISTLE DOWN THE WIND, they are polar opposites.
WHISTLE DOWN THE WIND is one of Andrew Lloyd Webber’s most problematic shows. A luscious score with a bizarre story and a book that unfortunately never got fixed by Hal Prince in D.C. because it got put on hold until the unwatchable original London production (Lesson: you will not get a better director than Hal Prince so do not let him go!)
Fortunately this touring production is far better than the first London incarnation.
The cast all have fine voices especially The Man and Swallow (perfectly sweet).
The orchestrations are full and rich with a rather large orchestra that savors the scores lyricism.
Not having seen the staging, I enjoyed hearing this reinvention of a show that deserves a second look (or listen.)
On the other hand, the EVITA revival seems pointless, why restage this show unless you have something new to add or can be better than the original?
The cast are all forgettable, but Peron and The Mistress have fine voices.
The orchestrations are uninspired and bombastic. Ultra-loud crescendos don’t cover up empty emotions, it exacerbates the problem.
Unfortunately this production makes a fine show like EVITA seem banal, whereas WHISTLE makes a precarious show more enjoyable.