Stage is set for 30 years of drama

A group of thespians will be celebrating 30 years of performing with their latest production, which takes to the stage in March.
Sister Act: The Musical, by Alnwick Stage Musical Society at Alnwick Playhouse.Sister Act: The Musical, by Alnwick Stage Musical Society at Alnwick Playhouse.
Sister Act: The Musical, by Alnwick Stage Musical Society at Alnwick Playhouse.

Alnwick Stage Musical Society celebrates its 30th anniversary with Norman Luke taking the helm to steer them towards seven performances of the Andrew Lloyd Webber and Tim Rice musical, Evita.

The supremely talented Peter Brown as musical director and Joanne Burn as choreographer make up the production team.

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Norman said: “There have only been a small number of licences given out to adult amateur groups in the whole of the UK to perform Evita so we are very fortunate to have been given one.

“We have an amazingly talented group of performers in this year’s show and it is a suitable follow-up to last spring’s multi award-winning sell-out show, Sister Act.

“At last year’s NODA awards, newcomer to the society, Leonie Dial, won the prize for individual performance and the society itself took the prize for best production, which took into account direction, musicality, dance and overall production value.”

Norman Luke and Paul Toward founded the society 30 years ago and Norman has both performed in and directed many of the shows during the last three decades of performances.

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Jo Potts, manager of the Alnwick Playhouse, where the Alnwick Stage Musical Society performS, said: “It is always a pleasure having the Stage Musical Society perform at the Playhouse, particularly as it usually has sell-out performances, and Evita, I am sure, will be no exception.

“Tickets are already selling fast and it looks as if it will be one of this season’s hottest tickets in town.”

Evita, the musical, concentrates on the life of Argentine political leader Eva Perón, the second wife of Argentine president Juan Perón.

The story follows Eva’s early life, rise to power, charity work, and eventual death.

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The musical began as a rock opera concept album released in 1976.

Its success led to productions in London’s West End in 1978, winning the Laurence Olivier Award for Best Musical, and on Broadway a year later, where it was the first British musical to receive a Tony Award for Best Musical.

Big musical numbers include Oh What A Circus, Another Suitcase in Another Hall, Buenos Aires, and most famous, Don’t Cry for me Argentina.

The show runs from March 21 to 26 at the Playhouse. For details of performances and how to book tickets see left.