Sunset Boulevard

This Andrew Lloyd Webber musical is one that is not often put on by amateur groups. Being totally sung through and the set of Norma Desmonds’ mansion could cause some groups to avoid this show. Rugby Theatre more than adequately overcame both of these issues.

It is not often that when a curtain opens on a scene the set gets a clap, this set deserved it. Made by the company, the sweeping staircase and sumptuous multi-layered whole stage set of Norma Desmonds  palatial reception room was stunning and a perfect backdrop for the performances.

From the outset Chris Gilbey-Smith grabbed the audience’s attention as Joe Gillis. This character is a complex one with many sides, a desperate writer, a ruthless man who will do anything to climb the ladder, a romantic but also a hard nosed cynic. To portray all of these convincingly in the space of an evening is a challenge that was accepted and achieved with distinction. In a similar vein is Norma Desmond (Rayner Wilson) she is a fading star but her determination to rise again is all consuming, she is devious and manipulative yet vulnerable. Every aspect was played with conviction, “As if we never said goodbye” was sung and acted beautifully by Wilson in a scene that was just as beautifully played by the rest of the cast on stage. A foil to all of the darkness is Betty Schaefer played by Becca Shaw, although a less complex character, her performance is just a captivating, the duet with Joe is a total joy.

Special mention must be made to the orchestra, one of the license conditions to this show is that the orchestra must be a certain size, the pit at Rugby isn’t big enough for this so the orchestra were located in a rehearsal room across the road from the theatre and the sound relayed. The only time this was apparent was when the video link was shown at the start of the second act.

This was a production that can only be described as wonderfully lush.

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