Sunset Boulevard

SUNSET BOULEVARD, a musical staged by Adlington Musical and Arts Society at Adlington Community Centre, Railway Road, Adlington, Chorley on Friday, 3rd May, 2019

This was my first visit to see Adlington Musical and Arts Society perform and my first ever viewing of the musical Sunset Boulevard – so I hoped for an interesting and entertaining evening – I was not disappointed!

Based on a book by Don Black and Christopher Hampson, this Andrew Lloyd Webber masterpiece is a story of romance and obsession. Based on Billy Wilder’s 1950 film of the same title, the story centres on a faded, silent-screen actress Norma Desmond, who lives in a fantasy world.  Joe Gillis is a young, penniless screenwriter, on the run from debt collectors; who accidently crosses paths with Norma. She persuades him to work on a script that she believes will put her back in front of the cameras. Joe, seduced by her life style, becomes entrapped. Then when he falls in love with another women and attempts to break free with dramatic consequences!

This was supposedly an amateur production, never as the word ‘amateur’ been so misrepresented ... this was a stunning production!  My congratulations to everyone concerned especially Anthony Williams(Director/Choreographer) and his assistant Jennie Miller for thoroughly understanding the show and having the ability to build the tension to that fateful climax!  They were well supported by a truly magnificent orchestra under the guidance of Dave Dossett (Musical Director), who produced some ‘wonderful’ music, sung by top-drawer singers.

To stage this show successfully I would suggest requires exceptional people as the lead characters and Adlington achieved this and more!

Diane Simmons as Norma Desmond gave a ‘masterful performance’ and stole the show for me! Vocally strong, her diction was superb. From her first dramatic entrance to the final scene, Diane captured, superbly, every aspect of ‘The Greatest Star of All’.  Her rendition of ‘With One Look” was outstanding, bettered only by “As If We Never Said Goodbye” which was set in the studio with the entire cast present – spellbinding!  A master class - a privilege to be present!

Adam Richardson took on the role of Joe Gillis.  A complex character with so many sides: a desperate writer, a ruthless man, someone who will do anything to reach the top, a romantic yet a hardnosed cynic ... this is a challenging role that Adam accepted and achieved wonderfully well.  Charli Bradbury played the role of ‘Betty Schaefer’ who falls in love with Joe. Her performance was excellent and her duet with Joe, ‘Too Much in Love to Care’ was superb!  

Diane may have stolen the show for me...but running her close for this mantle was John Matthias’s portrayal of Max Von Mayerling, Norma’s manservant who protects her from intrusion and reality.. was outstanding!  Despite spending most of his time in the background or shadows, his obvious love for Norma was moving and believable and his rendition of “The Greatest Star of All” was emotional, heartfelt – superb!  Another truly exceptional performance...be ever so proud!

The lead actors were superbly supported by a whole host of supporting roles.  Philip May as Mr Sheldrake, the hard bitten, no nonsense Hollywood producer and Dean Richardson as Cecil B DeMille were very believable. So too was Mr Manfred, the Hollywood outfitter who was amusingly played by Stephen Glenn.   His team of gentlemen outfitters measuring Joe for his new high class wardrobe were one of my highlights.  

Let’s NEVER forget ‘the ensemble - the cast’; there is little or no doubt that the success any show relies, not only great casting, great leads but to great togetherness (teamwork)!  Adlington had this in abundance - you could see it, feel it and that ‘togetherness’ made this a fabulous show.  How do you see togetherness: well toward the end of the show a small lamp, situated on the staircase fell over, the centre piece, a round bulb, rolled down a couple of steps and landed in the middle of the bottom step!   ‘Max’ saw it first and casually moved it to the side with his foot, BUT it rolled back!  I can’t give you a name, but a female ‘photographer’ who was stood to the side of staircase also saw it and realised the possible implications!  In a ‘flash’ pardon the pun..she decided to ‘step out’ and take a photo of Norma as she started to move down the staircase...as well as the taking a ‘most memorable photo, I would suggest’ she removed the offending bulb and negated any potential problem...’team togetherness’ ... well done that lady!

I was told that the set was designed, built and constructed ‘in-house’... every credit to Stage Manager Stephen Pilkington and his Team.. Cliff Hill, Russ Jones, Frank Garside and Brian Horrocks for a superb set which worked so well, affording smooth slick changes and enhanced the production so much!  Lighting was superb and very effective throughout, matching the mood of the scenes really well; so congratulations to RA Design (Rob Armstrong) Jamie Flavell and Kirsty Lofthouse.  Sound was really good, although there were a couple of ‘quiet mikes’ but this in no way detracted from the overall success of the evening...so again congratulations to Joanna and Natalie Sweet and Rachel Carter.

Finally the costumes.... I’m not sure how many costumes Diane wore, but they were exceptional and enhanced the production and her character. All others costumes were apt, appropriate for the time and again added much to the overall production... well done to Chantelle Stamp (Wardrobe)

Thank you so much for inviting my wife and I for making us feel so welcome and for your hospitality throughout. It was a privilege to be there on the night and a privilege to write this review.  We look forward to seeing you all again soon.

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