Ev 11 aA

This musical tells the story of Eva (Evita) Peron (1919-52), a woman whose name
evokes powerful feelings in her native Argentina. It begins with the news of
Evita’s
death, and then turns to a much earlier scene at her father’s funeral. Eva was the
child (one of many) of a rural landowner and her seamstress mother. Hers was not

a wealthy childhood by any means, and she was continually discriminated against
because of her lowly birth. She is refused admission to her father’s funeral for
this
reason. This scene is contrasted with her own funeral, a spectacular affair not
different from that of a beloved head of state.

Eva leaves her village at the age of 15 to go to Buenos Aires and begin her
campaign
to become a performer, actress and public figure. In 1944 she meets Juan Per6n, an
ambitious young army officer, who is imprisoned when he falls foul of the
government
of the time, which was far from liberal. Eva possesses persuasive skills and she
uses
her position as a celebrity to get him released. Following their marriage, she
remains
formid supporter, her help proving crucial to his later becoming the head of st:

i e ina, Eva expects better treatm