Latest news with #LloydWebber
Metro
17 hours ago
- Entertainment
- Metro
Andrew Lloyd Webber shares safety fears over Rachel Zegler's Evita stunt
To view this video please enable JavaScript, and consider upgrading to a web browser that supports HTML5 video Andrew Lloyd Webber has weighed in on the row surrounding Rachel Zegler's balcony performance in Evita. The Hollywood star is currently starring as Eva Perón in Jamie Lloyd's new production of Evita at the London Palladium, but one of the most iconic scenes of the show has sparked controversy. A highlight of the musical – which is based on the real life of the Argentine political leader Eva, the second wife of Argentine president Juan Perón – sees Eva sing Don't Cry For Me Argentina as she addresses the crowds from the balcony of the Casa Rosada. In this version of Lloyd Webber and Tim Rice's show, Zegler has been belting out the ballad on a balcony outside the Palladium, with theatregoers inside watching on a screen. Now, theatre icon Lloyd Webber has addressed the drama, and admitted he has some concerns about the backlash rather than the artistic choice itself. 'Rachel Zelger is absolutely amazing in it. I'm only a little bit worried that it might get out of hand,' he said on Friday's Good Morning Britain. 'The crowds now turning up outside the Palladium, now the audience in the theatre sees the crowd outside, and it's kinda like the real deal,' he added. Fans have pointed out that Jamie Lloyd's production choice actually mirrors Eva's kinship with the poor people in Argentina. With so many people gathering each night now to catch the unique West End moment, Lloyd Webber is worried that there could come a point where they need to stop. He said: 'But, I don't know, you just hope it doesn't become such a big thing that we're not allowed to do it.' To view this video please enable JavaScript, and consider upgrading to a web browser that supports HTML5 video The balcony stunt has caused uproar among some attendees, who have expressed how 'disappointed' they would be after paying to see the show, only to not actually see one of Evita's pivotal scenes in the flesh. Theatrewithmaila wrote on Instagram: 'So excited to see her, but not sure how I feel about paying £££ and one of the most iconic songs performed isnt even on stage. (sic)' Others said they were 'very unimpressed' and 'fuming' by the decision, arguing that Zegler wouldn't receive 'her biggest applause' from the audience because of it. However, some people pointed out the decision was a smart move given the nature of the show. Pebbles The Radbbit wrote: 'Genius promo. You watch it as a 'peasant' on the street and then go and see it as a rich person. More Trending 'People saying 'I'd be fuming' as if they couldn't go and see it the other 364 days of the year on the street – if anything it's making it MORE accessible.' Meanwhile, Metro's music expert Danni Scott got a first hand experience of the balcony performance and admitted it changed her mind. 'As a child, I only saw one West End show; had that been this production of Evita, I'd have been devastated to miss out on the big number,' she wrote. 'However, having seen Rachel perform Don't Cry For Me Argentina on the balcony of the London Palladium, my feelings have changed. I realised it was exactly people in my position growing up that she was singing for.' Got a story? If you've got a celebrity story, video or pictures get in touch with the entertainment team by emailing us celebtips@ calling 020 3615 2145 or by visiting our Submit Stuff page – we'd love to hear from you. MORE: Met Police deploying dedicated patrols to protect women and girls at concerts this summer MORE: Christian group threatens Westminster Council over 'indoctrinating' pride flags MORE: £20 Pan-Indian feast from a Michelin-starred chef: 10 unmissable Time Out deals
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First Post
18 hours ago
- Entertainment
- First Post
Snow White star Rachel Zegler serenades the crowd for free in a new London production of ‘Evita'
News has spread quickly since the show began previews this week, and hundreds have gathered outside the historic venue in London's West End theaterland to enjoy the free serenade by the 'Snow White' star. read more In a new production of 'Evita,' one of the biggest moments isn't on the stage. Midway through the show, Rachel Zegler, playing Argentine first lady Eva Perón, emerges onto an exterior balcony at the London Palladium and sings 'Don't Cry for Me, Argentina,' to whoever is passing by below. The performance is streamed back on video to the audience inside. News has spread quickly since the show began previews this week, and hundreds have gathered outside the historic venue in London's West End theaterland to enjoy the free serenade by the ' Snow White ' star. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD The show's composer, Andrew Lloyd Webber, said that it makes for 'an extraordinary moment' in his musical about a woman who rose from poverty to power and was adored by the masses. 'Within the theater, it's really exciting because suddenly you see her with a genuine huge crowd, which you can't do onstage,' Lloyd Webber told The Associated Press on Thursday. 'I think there will be people who are disappointed that she hasn't sung it live in the theater, but I think it's goinag to be greatly outweighed by the theatricality of using film in that way.' The decision by director Jamie Lloyd has sparked some grumbling from ticketholders who paid up to 245 pounds ($330) for a seat, only for the musical's most famous number to be sung offstage. It's a technique Lloyd has used before. He had a character in 'Sunset Boulevard' perform a song while walking down the street outside the theater, and his production of 'Romeo and Juliet' saw star Tom Holland play a key scene on the theater roof. Theater blogger Carl Woodward told the BBC that he could understand why some theatregoers who'd forked out for a ticket felt 'a bit aggrieved,' since 'a trip to the theater for some is really a once-a-year occasion.' STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD But Lloyd Webber cited an opinion piece in The Times of London noting that the gesture is 'kind of what Eva Perón would have wanted — that people are actually experiencing her big anthem, as it were, for free.'
San Francisco Chronicle
a day ago
- Entertainment
- San Francisco Chronicle
Rachel Zegler serenades the crowd for free in a new London production of 'Evita'
LONDON (AP) — In a new production of 'Evita,' one of the biggest moments isn't on the stage. Midway through the show, Rachel Zegler, playing Argentine first lady Eva Perón, emerges onto an exterior balcony at the London Palladium and sings 'Don't Cry for Me, Argentina,' to whoever is passing by below. The performance is streamed back on video to the audience inside. News has spread quickly since the show began previews this week, and hundreds have gathered outside the historic venue in London's West End theaterland to enjoy the free serenade by the 'Snow White' star. The show's composer, Andrew Lloyd Webber, said that it makes for 'an extraordinary moment' in his musical about a woman who rose from poverty to power and was adored by the masses. 'Within the theater, it's really exciting because suddenly you see her with a genuine huge crowd, which you can't do onstage,' Lloyd Webber told The Associated Press on Thursday. 'I think there will be people who are disappointed that she hasn't sung it live in the theater, but I think it's goinag to be greatly outweighed by the theatricality of using film in that way." The decision by director Jamie Lloyd has sparked some grumbling from ticketholders who paid up to 245 pounds ($330) for a seat, only for the musical's most famous number to be sung offstage. It's a technique Lloyd has used before. He had a character in 'Sunset Boulevard' perform a song while walking down the street outside the theater, and his production of 'Romeo and Juliet' saw star Tom Holland play a key scene on the theater roof. Theater blogger Carl Woodward told the BBC that he could understand why some theatregoers who'd forked out for a ticket felt 'a bit aggrieved,' since 'a trip to the theater for some is really a once-a-year occasion.' But Lloyd Webber cited an opinion piece in The Times of London noting that the gesture is 'kind of what Eva Perón would have wanted — that people are actually experiencing her big anthem, as it were, for free.' ___ Lizzie Knight contributed to this report.
Winnipeg Free Press
a day ago
- Entertainment
- Winnipeg Free Press
Rachel Zegler serenades the crowd for free in a new London production of ‘Evita'
LONDON (AP) — In a new production of 'Evita,' one of the biggest moments isn't on the stage. Midway through the show, Rachel Zegler, playing Argentine first lady Eva Perón, emerges onto an exterior balcony at the London Palladium and sings 'Don't Cry for Me, Argentina,' to whoever is passing by below. The performance is streamed back on video to the audience inside. News has spread quickly since the show began previews this week, and hundreds have gathered outside the historic venue in London's West End theaterland to enjoy the free serenade by the 'Snow White' star. The show's composer, Andrew Lloyd Webber, said that it makes for 'an extraordinary moment' in his musical about a woman who rose from poverty to power and was adored by the masses. 'Within the theater, it's really exciting because suddenly you see her with a genuine huge crowd, which you can't do onstage,' Lloyd Webber told The Associated Press on Thursday. 'I think there will be people who are disappointed that she hasn't sung it live in the theater, but I think it's goinag to be greatly outweighed by the theatricality of using film in that way.' The decision by director Jamie Lloyd has sparked some grumbling from ticketholders who paid up to 245 pounds ($330) for a seat, only for the musical's most famous number to be sung offstage. Weekly A weekly look at what's happening in Winnipeg's arts and entertainment scene. It's a technique Lloyd has used before. He had a character in 'Sunset Boulevard' perform a song while walking down the street outside the theater, and his production of 'Romeo and Juliet' saw star Tom Holland play a key scene on the theater roof. Theater blogger Carl Woodward told the BBC that he could understand why some theatregoers who'd forked out for a ticket felt 'a bit aggrieved,' since 'a trip to the theater for some is really a once-a-year occasion.' But Lloyd Webber cited an opinion piece in The Times of London noting that the gesture is 'kind of what Eva Perón would have wanted — that people are actually experiencing her big anthem, as it were, for free.' ___ Lizzie Knight contributed to this report.
Hindustan Times
a day ago
- Entertainment
- Hindustan Times
Rachel Zegler serenades the crowd for free in a new London production of 'Evita'
LONDON — In a new production of 'Evita,' one of the biggest moments isn't on the stage. Midway through the show, Rachel Zegler, playing Argentine first lady Eva Perón, emerges onto an exterior balcony at the London Palladium and sings 'Don't Cry for Me, Argentina,' to whoever is passing by below. The performance is streamed back on video to the audience inside. News has spread quickly since the show began previews this week, and hundreds have gathered outside the historic venue in London's West End theaterland to enjoy the free serenade by the 'Snow White' star. The show's composer, Andrew Lloyd Webber, said that it makes for 'an extraordinary moment' in his musical about a woman who rose from poverty to power and was adored by the masses. 'Within the theater, it's really exciting because suddenly you see her with a genuine huge crowd, which you can't do onstage,' Lloyd Webber told The Associated Press on Thursday. 'I think there will be people who are disappointed that she hasn't sung it live in the theater, but I think it's goinag to be greatly outweighed by the theatricality of using film in that way." The decision by director Jamie Lloyd has sparked some grumbling from ticketholders who paid up to 245 pounds for a seat, only for the musical's most famous number to be sung offstage. It's a technique Lloyd has used before. He had a character in 'Sunset Boulevard' perform a song while walking down the street outside the theater, and his production of 'Romeo and Juliet' saw star Tom Holland play a key scene on the theater roof. Theater blogger Carl Woodward told the BBC that he could understand why some theatregoers who'd forked out for a ticket felt 'a bit aggrieved,' since 'a trip to the theater for some is really a once-a-year occasion.' But Lloyd Webber cited an opinion piece in The Times of London noting that the gesture is 'kind of what Eva Perón would have wanted — that people are actually experiencing her big anthem, as it were, for free.' Lizzie Knight contributed to this report.
