Sunset Boulevard

This musical was created by Andrew Lloyd Webber and is based on a film written and directed by Billy Wilder. The majority of the action is performed on stage, interspersed with short filmed pieces to overcome the restrictions presented by an indoor venue. Joe Gillis, an unemployed screenwriter, (superbly played by Rob Callaby) is being hounded for the payment of an outstanding debt by two “repossession” guys. Joe has no money and is desperate for work, any work, and it looks very much as if he is about to lose his car. A filmed car chase takes place and in order to avoid a confrontation, Joe turns off on a concealed driveway and manages to get away from the persons in pursuit of him. On calling at a nearby large dilapidated house Joe is met by the butler, Max (played by Trevor Fenton, a great character actor with a fine singing voice), who informs Joe that the owner of the property is Norma Desmond, a former star of the silent movies (competently played by Sharon Sinnott). Unfortunately Miss Desmond has not kept up to date with the film business and claims that she intends to make a film, having written the screenplay, in which she, a fifty-year-old woman, will play the sixteen-year-old temptress, Salome, and wants Joe to take on the task of editing it. As Joe is without a job, has no money nor prospects, he accepts. Meanwhile, Betty Schaefer (confidently played by Bronte White) who is engaged to Joe’s friend, Artie (played by Sam Argyle) endeavours to persuade Joe to work with her on a new script. Joe refuses but then on New Year’s Eve he agrees. However, Norma’s attempted suicide prompts Joe to return to her mansion. A few weeks later Norma, accompanied by Max and Joe, travel to the Paramount Studios to meet up with director Cecil B. De Mille (played by Tony Smith) who, although he acts up to Norma, only does so because he wishes to use Norma’s expensive limousine in a forthcoming film he is to make. Whilst at the studios Joe bumps into Betty and they agree to resume their collaboration on her script. In the final scene we see Norma finally lose control of her mind and when the police, press reporters and photographers arrive she mistakenly presumes they have come to film her big scene in “Salome”.   The delivery of this complex musical required a cast and production team that possessed an immense range of abilities; the pooling of this groups efforts under the skilled direction of Stuart Bull resulted in the presentation of an amazing stage performance. Besides the very capable principals, the multi-talented members of the ensemble provided great support, undertaking scintillating dance routines - cleverly devised by choreographer Lucy Allen, exemplary chorus work and slick set changes. The fantastic range of accompanying music was provided by the Sunset Boulevard Band under the sensitive direction of Marc Murray. Thank you all for this wonderful entertainment – the sustained applause given by the audience at the conclusion of the show was very well deserved.          

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