Playlists: The cast of Evita

What’s on the Spotify playlist of a West End musical star? An immortal question, so we posed our Playlists challenge to the principals of the current West End revival of Andrew Lloyd Webber’s Evita: a former West End Elphaba and renowned musical star in Emma Hatton, the internationally acclaimed Gian Marco Schiaretti, and the brilliant actor Kevin Stephen-Jones.

Recalling everything from audition songs and karaoke tunes to guilty pleasures and childhood memories, tastes certainly proved eclectic, ranging from Miss Saigon to Simply Red, and Sinatra to S Club 7.

So get your Spotify logged on, your headphones plugged in, and enjoy an afternoon with the musical stars.

Evita plays at the Phoenix Theatre until 14 October. Book your tickets today!

Which song…

… are you listening to a lot at the moment?

Emma Hatton: Midnight by Jessie Ware. I am a huge fan of Jessie Ware’s music – her voice, combined with the production, is just superb. Right up my street! Plus, this song reminds me of Benny And The Jets, and I can’t hear that song without smiling!

Gian Marco Schiaretti: You Make Me Feel Brand New by Simply Red. It reminds me of my love – beautiful times spent with my girlfriend.

Kevin Stephen-Jones: Dixie Biscuit by Tape 5.

… did you first perform in public?

Emma: Killing Me Softly by the Fugees. I think everyone was surprised at this big voice coming out of such a little body!

Gian: Can You Feel The Love Tonight by Elton John. That was my first performance on stage ever; I was so small, I couldn’t even reach the microphone!

Kevin: In The Bleak Midwinter – aged 11!

… is your favourite to relax to?

Emma: Anything by London Grammar…. they’re sublime.

Gian: Carribean Blue by Enya. It reminds me of the sea and the warmth where I come from.

Kevin: The Scientist by Coldplay.

… reminds you of your childhood?

Emma: ‘How Will I Know by Whitney Houston. My Mum was a fitness instructor and worked evenings. My Dad used to take us down to collect her on the evenings, and this was one of her favourite songs to use in her classes. I remember sitting on a crash mat at the side of the gymnasium and watching her teach to this song – good times!

Gian: Livin’ On A Prayer by Bon Jovi. This song was the first one I recorded on a tribute band album – I was 13 years old!

Kevin: Money, Money, Money by ABBA.

… is your guilty pleasure?

Emma: CELINE!!! Anything by Celine [Dion]. She is a Queen!!

Gian: Sweet Harmony by The Beloved. God bless the 90s.

Kevin: Don’t Stop Movin’ by S Club 7.

… is your favourite musical theatre song of all-time?

Emma: I’d Give My Life For You from Miss Saigon.

Gian: Sorry, I can’t choose: You Must Love Me from Evita, Bring Him Home (Les Mis), or Endless Night (Disney’s The Lion King)!

Kevin: Bring Him Home from Les Mis.

… is your favourite song for karaoke?

Emma: Young Hearts Run Free by Candi Staton.

Gian: I Want To Know What Love Is by Foreigner. It’s simply a fantastic ballad for destroying your throat!

Kevin: Smoke Gets In Your Eyes.

… reminds you of auditions?

Emma: You Know How To Love Me by the wonderful Charles Miller and Kevin Hammonds. It got me into my dream show We Will Rock You.

Gian: Moon (Lune) by Notre Dame De Paris. I always take the sheet music with me.

Kevin: Stars from Les Mis.

… makes you the happiest?

Emma: This is the hardest question in the world, because music is the thing that makes me happiest! I’m going to be cheeky and choose two: You’re My Best Friend by Queen and My Girl by The Temptations.

 

Gian: Pride (In The Name Of Love) by U2. Definitely my favourite rock band!

Kevin: Fly Me To The Moon.

… do you look forward to performing the most in Evita each night?

Emma: I love them all and it varies… but today… Rainbow High!

Gian: High Flying, Adored. Every night it’s simply an honour singing these notes and enjoying these lyrics.

Kevin: She’s A Diamond. But also my only song, haha!