Rachel Zegler, who received the Olivier award for best actress in a musical for her part in Jamie Lloyd’s acclaimed production of ‘Evita’, has lauded the accessibility of the show’s now-famous balcony scene. Zegler’s performance of “Don’t Cry for Me Argentina” from the balcony of the London Palladium, visible to crowds assembled on the street below, became a significant talking point of the theatrical year.

During the recent Olivier Awards ceremony, Zegler reprised this iconic song, this time performing on the stage of the Royal Albert Hall, and secured the award for best actress in a musical. The ceremony’s host, Nick Mohammed, humorously noted Zegler’s impact on London’s tourist landscape during ‘Evita’s’ successful run last summer. He pointed out that the innovative staging allowed individuals without purchased tickets to witness the performance live and free of charge, while those inside the theatre paid to view it on a large screen. Mohammed, with a touch of jest, suggested this unique approach to audience engagement was a “business model that I’m sure could really catch on.”

Zegler herself described the scene as “so beautiful,” emphasizing the inclusive nature of the free balcony performance.

English Translation:

‘So beautiful’: Rachel Zegler hails accessibility of Evita’s free balcony scene

Rachel Zegler, the recipient of the Olivier award for best actress in a musical for her role in Jamie Lloyd’s lauded production of ‘Evita’, has expressed her admiration for the accessibility of the show’s now-iconic balcony scene. Zegler’s rendition of “Don’t Cry for Me Argentina” from the balcony of the London Palladium, which was visible to crowds gathered on the street below, emerged as a major topic of discussion in the theatre world last year.

At the Olivier Awards ceremony on Sunday evening, Zegler performed the song from ‘Evita’ once more, this time on the stage of the Royal Albert Hall, and was honored with the award for best actress in a musical. Host Nick Mohammed remarked that Zegler had become “a new landmark for London sightseers” during ‘Evita’s’ run last summer. He elaborated, “People who hadn’t bought a ticket could effectively watch it live for free whereas everyone inside had to pay to watch it on a giant screen,” jokingly commenting that it was “a business model that I’m sure could really catch on.”

Zegler described the experience as “so beautiful,” highlighting the inclusive aspect of the free street-level viewing.