It is a dramatic balcony scene as famous as Romeo and Juliet's moonlit meeting of lovers.

Powerful political First Lady Eva Peron stood high above two million people of Argentina and pledged her life to helping them.

And in the musical show telling her triumphant then tragic story she sings the moving ballad Don't Cry For Me Argentina.

Now 20-year-old Aylsham actress Paris Chandler is set to recreate the moment as the curtain goes up on a youth community drama production of Evita at Sheringham Little Theatre.

It charts her rise from up-and-coming, and social climbing, teenage actress to the influential woman at the side of general Juan Peron, who becomes the darling of the working classes as she sought to improve their downtrodden lives, until her work and own life were cut short by cancer. She was aged just 33 when she died in 1952.

The 1979 Tim Rice and Andrew Lloyd Webber musical features other hit songs including Oh What a Circus (David Essex) and Another Suitcase Another Hall (Barbara Dickson), and in 1996 was turned into a movie starring Madonna.

Paris's younger sister Chloe, 17, also has a role in the play as Peron's former mistress ousted by Eva.

They are the daughters of radio presenter Rob Chandler, and his wife Jo who runs West End Experience musical stage courses and shows.

Theatre director Debbie Thompson is full of praise for the 40-strong young cast, aged from eight to 21, from the venue's musical theatre youth group who have been rehearsing since November.

She said: 'They are a mix of experienced performers who have done previous shows with us and some newcomers.

'What has impressed me is how supportive they all are of each other.

'Many of them have not danced but they gave learned some great Latin American salsa routines under the choreography of Vicki Feetham,' she added.

Evita opens at Sheringham Little Theatre on Saturday April 2 and runs until the following Saturday, nightly at 7.30pm with a 2.30pm matinee on Saturday April 9.

For more information and tickets call 01263 822347 or visit www.sheringhamlittletheatre.com.

The theatre's musical theatre youth group's next event is a Best of the Best showcase on September 9 and 10. To get involved email Debbie@sheringhamlittletheatre.com