In the meantime, English singer David Essex had completed his work on "Jeff Wayne's Musical Version of The War of the Worlds", and was interested in theatrical productions. He received a call from Rice and Webber, and immediately accepted the part. "Evita" had already generated interest with its concept album of the same name, as well as the commercial success of singer Julie Covington's released single, "Don't Cry for Me Argentina". Essex met director Hal Prince and talked about the character of Che, an Argentine everyman narrating and commenting on the events, including the vision that Rice and Webber had about him. Due to his Romany ancestry, Essex had the characteristic laconic nature and idealistic looks needed for the role of Che.