Beautiful version of famous Lloyd Webber musical
THE Andrew Lloyd Webber musical version of Sunset Boulevard has been beautifully resurrected by the Curve in Leicester.
It is another fabulous made in Leicester production which did bring the house down last week at the city venue. The musical is based on the film of the same name which came out in 1950.
It revolves round a faded silentmovie star called Norma Desmond who is played by Ria Jones. She lives in a faded mansion served by her faithful butler.
She is the star of the show and steals every scene she is in.
The faded star is not in a good way now that the limelight has moved on.
A screenwriter called Joe Gillis manages to stumble across her mansion one night and a strange friendship/ relationship starts which revolves around Norma’s attempt to write a film script.
Using the help of Joe, her plan is to make a big comeback in her own film.
Joe sees Norma as an easy mealticket to the lavish lifestyle he has always dreamed of.
But it does not go to plan and things take a dark turn.
This is a serious, adult show and is quite tragic at times.
It is full of big songs and almost operatic melodies which might not appeal to everyone’s tastes.
However, it was a big hit in the West End and won many awards in previous incarnations. And this one is no-less grand. If you like proper scenery rather than minimalism, you are in luck here as this version has a wonderful setting which moves around as quickly as the dancers.
The packed house gave the cast a stading ovation at the end and the biggest cheer was for Ria Jones who did the role of Norma proud. This is one of the great stage roles and she met the challenge with some style.
The show is now going on tour around the country.