Brian Beacom

A SMILE emerges on realising there are quite a few similarities between Madalena Alberto and Evita.

The West End actress is set to star as Eva Peron in Tim Rice and Andrew Lloyd Webber’s stage classic, the role she performed in the West End four years ago.

That’s not to say however Alberto is a crypto-Fascist. Or the Lady Macbeth-like power grabbing figure the Argentine First Lady was accused of being.

However, Madalena like Eva Peron, grew up poor in a small town .(In Madelina’s case a village outside Lisbon.)

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And like Eva, she made their way to the metropolis, determined to become a film star.

And while the Portuguese performer hasn’t quite reached the fame Evita achieved in Forties Argentina – although she has starred in the likes of Les Mis and Cats - she certainly has a singular conviction.

“I had always wanted to act but I was shy,” Madalena offers.

“I never told anyone about the dream and I got into the business as a hobby, working on local productions and then I was spotted.”

The shy teenager didn’t think twice about moving to England when offered a scholarship by a drama college.

“I have to thank my parents for letting me move to a different country. And I feel very lucky. Usually foreign students don’t get scholarships.”

Madalena grins when you suggest she sounds American?

“Yes, that’s because I learned English from watching movies and TV shows at home.

“In Portugal, most of the foreign movies and TV aren’t dubbed, they’re in subtitles, so you hear the voices as you read the meaning.

“This became my natural voice.”

Normally, those who star in musical theatre have been studying since bib-wearing days.

Madalena reveals she had hardly sang a note before coming to the UK.

“That’s true. But it was good not to be too formed. It meant I could train my voice from scratch. It all happened at the right time.”

Since first taking on the Evita role, Madalena has immersed herself in the character.

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But she has been determined to play her against type - not the charismatic woman reckoned to have slept her way to the top, who became a manipulative, controlling figure in Peron’s government.

Madalena has researched the woman thoroughly, looking to reveal the person who battled her way out of poverty, fought for trade union rights and was at the vanguard of the feminist movement.

“There are so many contradictory accounts of Eva. I think the musical attempts to present its own version of her story, but it’s not necessarily the correct one because we just don’t know.

“In fact, the show is very cynical towards her, especially via the character of Che Guevara.

“It was interesting as an actress to try and give her some depth, this lady who had been a bastard child who was looked down upon

“I wanted to give her the nobilities and the humanities which help the audience connect with the story.”

Madelina’s Evita should be honed to perfection by now, having performed the role in London alongside then co-star, Marti Pellow who played Che Guevara.

The pair would arrive at the theatre early and run lines, work out detail on how to perform certain moments.

“I am really disciplined and Marti is too,” she maintains. “He was great to work with - very dedicated and hard working.

“ We see him as a big name who has done it all but you can see why he’s done so well. He gives so much.”

Madelina adds; “But he’s also very funny. He’d come to my room and we’d watch YouTube videos. He’s a very private person, but he’s also very generous.”

The Portuguese star is certainly appreciative of the chance to play one of the greatest female roles ever written.

“Yes, it’s definitely one of the few big female roles. And it’s so challenging because most of the show you are on stage.”

She adds; “It’s challenging vocally and emotionally. You play Evita from the age of 16 to her death at just 33 and that demands a lot.”

Does she carry the role home with her?

“Sometimes friends joke I’m being a little Eva,” she says, smiling. “But only when I get a bit wound up.”

*Evita, the King’s Theatre, May 15 – 19.

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