Hit musical Evita has returned to the West End stage after a 21-year absence
Unknown Argentinian actress Elena Roger took the lead role last night in the opening performance of the new production.
She was joined on stage for the curtain call at London's Adelphi Theatre by the show's creators Andrew Lloyd Webber and Tim Rice.
The story of Argentinian First Lady Eva Peron is one of their most enduring successes.
It first opened in 1978 and ran in the West End for seven years. Madonna starred in the 1996 film.
The original stage role was played by Elaine Paige, who was in the audience to see the new production.
Afterwards Lord Lloyd-Webber said: "This is a special night for us.
"Tim and I began working on this show in 1974. It's wonderful to see it back in the West End after so many years."
The celebrity-studded first night audience included Rod Stewart and his fiancie Penny Lancaster, Cilla Black, Graham Norton, Angela Rippon and Tara Palmer-Tomkinson.
Cilla said: "It was a trip down memory lane for me because I saw it the first time around with David Essex.
"I'm so glad to see it's back. When it first came out it was so new. The music is great and Tim Rice and Andrew Lloyd Webber are legends."
The original show had the biggest box office advance in West End history and went on to become the toast of Broadway.
Director Michael Grandage passed over well-known British and American actresses in favour of the unknown Roger.
Fittingly, she was born in Buenos Aires and is a star of stage and screen in her home country.
