Pop star Marti Pellow proves he can also be a quality actor in this dramatic award-winning musical by Tim Rice and Andrew Lloyd Webber.

The famous Wet Wet Wet lead singer plays revolutionary Che Guevara, the narrator who stalks the stage in his black beret, army boots and combat gear, cleverly linking together the story of Argentina’s political struggles and Eva Peron’s remarkable rise to fame.

From the moment bearded Marti steps forward to sing Oh What a Circus the audience know they are set for a special night. And the rest of the cast also perform superbly in a musical full of drama, passion and a dash of fun here and there.

While Pellow is the big name in the show, Portuguese-born Madelena Alberto gives a memorable performance as Eva Peron, the attractive young girl who sleeps her way up the social ladder, becomes an actress and marries Juan Peron, convincing the army officer she can help his rise to power.

And she succeeds.

She sings the emotional Don’t Cry for Me Argentina beautifully, on the balcony alongside her husband, impressively played by Mark Heenehan, who fell under the spell of the determined woman.

Eva casually dismisses Peron’s mistress, a role which gives Sarah McNicholas an opportunity to thrill the audience with one of the big numbers, Another Suitcase in Another Hall. And Nic Gibney, Eva’s first lover, Agustin Magaldi, has some of the show’s lighter moments with On This Night of a Thousand Stars.

Bill Deamer’s slick choreography is particularly effective in the intricate military marching scenes.

Evita runs until August 31.