Evita

A rather successful afternoon for the Theatre for All group recently saw twenty-five Torbridge u3a members heading to the Assembly Hall Theatre in Tunbridge Wells for TWODs’ production of Evita – and what an afternoon it turned out to be. From the opening moments, the production swept the audience into the drama, ambition, and emotion of Eva Peron’s remarkable story. With familiar songs including Don’t Cry for Me Argentina, Another Suitcase in Another Hall and You Must Love Me, there was hardly a foot in the theatre not tapping along by the second half. 

TWODs once again demonstrated why local theatre can be every bit as enjoyable as the West End. The production was polished, energetic and full of memorable performances, with impressive staging and some genuinely powerful musical moments. 

Of course, Theatre for All outings are never solely about what happens on the stage. Much of the enjoyment comes before and – gathering together, catching up over coffee, comparing favourite musicals and attempting to organise twenty five people through foyers, staircases and interval queues with varying degrees of success! There was plenty of laughter, lively discussion afterwards and more than one member leaving the theatre still humming the songs on the walk back into Tunbridge Wells. 

One of the real pleasures of the group is the shared experience. Whether it is a major London production or a talented local company closer to home, these afternoons offer friendship, community and the simple joy of spending time together, enjoying live performance. And judging by the applause at the final curtain, Evita clearly went down rather well with Tonbridge u3a!