The cast and crew of Evita were given a standing ovation that “would not stop” on the final night of the show’s eight-day run at Cromer Pier.
Martin Rodwell, director of the Cromer and Sheringham Operatic & Dramatic Society (CSODS) production, said he was overwhelmed by the response to the musical.
Mr Rodwell said: “It was an amazing success. It was a huge undertaking by us as a society and to achieve what we have is a little bit special.
“We added more dancing, we didn’t shy away from the intricacies of the music.”
Mr Rodwell said this contrasted with other amateur productions of the show where dance routines and other elements were often removed.
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He said more than 4,500 people had seen the musical over nine performances, and than £2,800 had been raised for Cromer Community Fridge.
CSODS usually puts on one big production each summer at Cromer Pier, but Mr Rodwell said Evita was extra challenging because it is entirely music, with no spoken dialogue scenes.
He said: “This was a rock opera, and we had to completely change our thinking as to how we would rehearse that.
"We had the biggest orchestra we’ve ever had - 18 pieces - and its sound was phenomenal.”
Review of Evita at Cromer's Pavilion Theatre
The show starred Emmie Wright as the title character, alongside performers including Aly Gatfield, Gary Clifton, Josh Hinds and Gabriella Green.
Neither the original Evita musical by Andrew Lloyd Webber and Tim Rice, nor the 1996 film version starring Madonna, were well received in Argentina, where Eva Perón is considered a national hero.
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But Mr Rodwell said the north Norfolk production had shown the character in a better light and hoped it explained why she was so well-loved.
CSODS’s summer show next year will be the Dolly Parton production, 9 to 5.
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