In her mansion on Sunset Boulevard, faded silent-screen goddess, Norma Desmond, lives in a fantasy world. Impoverished screen writer, Joe Gillis, on the run from debt collectors, stumbles into her reclusive world. Read more …
Persuaded to work on Norma’s ‘masterpiece’, a film script that she believes will put her back in front of the cameras, he is seduced by her and her luxurious life-style. Joe becomes entrapped in a claustrophobic world until his love for another woman leads him to try and break free, with dramatic consequences.
It may not be Lloyd Webber's most famous work but arguably it's his best, and in Ria Jones he has a leading lady with the talent to match. She is ready for that close-up.
In terms of combining the arts of acting and singing, music and dialogue, to create one great piece of storytelling, this works from bustling beginning right up to its big, glorious and painfully tragic ending.
Sunset Boulevard is a real feast for Webber fans and those of the movie.
Sunset Boulevard, with its heart-wrenching ballads, is a triumphant night of theatre.
Excellent.
Fair-to-average.
Edinburgh Playhouse, Edinburgh from Tuesday October 3, 2017, until Saturday October 7, 2017. More info: www.edinburghplayhouse.org.uk