A ticket for Jamie Lloyd’s hot new West End production of Evita could set you back as much as £250.
But some paying audience members have been left feeling disappointed after they realised one of the musical’s biggest showstoppers does not take place on stage.
Instead Rachel Zegler, who plays protagonist Eva Perón, belts out Don’t Cry for Me Argentina on a balcony outside – with passersby able to enjoy the performance for free.
Meanwhile those who have paid for tickets inside the London Palladium must make do with a live video link transposed onto a massive screen.
Crowds are now expected to assemble at the spot on Argyll Street at about 9pm every night until the show concludes in September.
On Saturday evening, around 600 people gathered for 24-year-old Zegler’s performance of the song made famous by the likes of Elaine Paige and Madonna.
However, furious fans have taken to social media to express their frustration that they will not see Don’t Cry for Argentina on stage, despite paying for tickets.
One person wrote: ‘Sorry, are you saying I’ve paid £350 for 2 tickets and she’s singing the biggest number outside at people who haven’t paid?’
Rachel Zegler starring as Evita is seen singing on the balcony at the London Palladium Theatre on Saturday night
Zegler sings from the balcony on Saturday night to crowds outside
Crowds gather as Rachel Zegler is seen singing on the balcony at the London Palladium Theatre on Saturday night
Another explained that they ‘go to the theatre to share the same space with a performer’.
Others, however, said the move would help encourage more people to go to the theatre.
Abi, a 21-year-old student from London, said: ‘I think it’s making theatre more accessible.
‘It’s actually adding to the ambience of the show.
‘The speech she does at the end of the song does hit completely different seeing it outside. It adds so much more to her performance to see her do it to the people.’
Another person added: ‘I think you might potentially be a bit gutted [if you were inside the theatre]. I know they had it on the projectors, but you might be a bit gutted to have missed the most important song.
‘But you’ve still got the rest of it to go and it’s given a good night to a lot of people who wouldn’t normally be able to get that experience.’
Photos taken of Zegler performing the song on the balcony, show her wearing a blonde wig, which was styled in a neat waved up-do.
She also donned a strapless white gown and wore a huge dazzling necklace for her first West End performance.
The actress, 23, is set to take to the stage in Jamie Lloyd’s new West End production
Crowds are now expected to assemble at the spot on Argyll Street at about 9pm every night until the show concludes in September
Rachel Zegler was seen for the first time as Eva Perón in Evita last Tuesday as she performed Don’t Cry For Me Argentina on the London Palladium balcony
Zegler, who has been engulfed in controversy since the release of Disney’s ‘woke’ Snow White is hoping her fortunes could see a career turn with Evita.
She is playing former First Lady of Argentina Eva Peron in the show, which debuted in 1978 and was written by Tim Rice and Andrew Lloyd Webber.
Following the announcement earlier this year, Rachel gushed: ‘Evita has been such an important musical to me since I was a little girl, when my dad and I would sing Don’t Cry for Me Argentina together on my back patio.
‘The opportunity to bring Jamie Lloyd’s singular, visionary ideas to life onstage is an honour unlike any other. The stage has always felt like home to me, and I can’t wait to make my West End debut in such great company.’
Meanwhile Jamie said: ‘I am so excited to be collaborating with the brilliant Rachel Zegler on Evita. She is a phenomenal talent, and I am delighted she will be making her West End debut as the iconic Eva Perón’.
An official announcement for the show read: ‘Tim Rice and Andrew Lloyd Webber’s legendary Evita returns to the West End, reimagined by the visionary award-winning director Jamie Lloyd’.
‘Featuring an iconic score including Don’t Cry For Me Argentina, Oh What A Circus, Another Suitcase in Another Hall, and the Oscar-winning You Must Love Me’.
‘Fuelled by ambition and passion, Eva Perón rose from poverty to become the most powerful woman in Latin America. A symbol of hope to many Argentines, her star shone brightly as she captured the nation’s heart and divided its soul’.
Rachel is no stranger to musical theatre and starred in Stephen Spielberg’s Oscar winning adaption of West Side Story in 2021.
Other famous faces to take on the iconic role Evita include Patti Lupone, Elaine Paige as well as mega Madonna in the 1996 movie version.
