EVA Peron’s rise to fame from a wannabe actress to first lady of Argentina captured the imagination of millions in the post-war era and still does today.

This much was clear at the Bristol Hippodrome on opening night of Andrew Lloyd Webber’s acclaimed Evita.

From the very first note of the solemn requiem, the audience was transported to the warm climes of South America in the aftermath of the tragic death of Argentina's beloved ‘spiritual’ leader and wife of president Juan Domingo Peron.

The musical then takes us back in times retracing bright-eyed Eva Duarte's move as a young woman to the big city, Buenos Aires, full of dreams of breaking the silver screen, her encounter with Colonel Peron and her foray into politics as the face of her nation abroad and at home.

Although her deep concern for her countrymen and women is obvious, Evita is a complex woman with her very own agenda and a love of putting on a good show.

Professing her commitment to the masses, filling her speeches with promises of better days and social justice, she enjoys her luxurious lifestyle and never shies away from the limelight and extravagant parties.

Throughout Che, played by Marti Pellow, is the cynical yet very discerning voice of reason, revealing Eva’s conceit and too often setting the record straight when she runs away with herself and the unblemished public image she is projecting.

Hannah Grover is simply flawless as multi-faceted and often inscrutable Evita, who teeters on the edge of two worlds, admired mostly and in fact idolised by the masses but considered all of her life as a low-class opportunist by the middle and upper classes. Her rendition of the musical’s most iconic song Don’t Cry For me Argentina was truly electrifying.

Her portrayal of fragile Eva’s last days, wasting away aged just 33 in hospital, reduced many in the audience to tears.

Marti Pellow’s Che, who acts to some extent as Eva’s troubled conscience, brought a surprisingly rocky edge to the show.

Wonderfully acted, produced and directed, Evita is a must-see.