Picture: Marc Brenner
In response to popular demand Leicester Curve has announced an extended run for its critically-acclaimed Sunset Boulevard – At Home which will now continue streaming until 17 January 2021.
Following the decision to turn the planned live theatre production of Sunset Boulevard In Concert into an online event in response to December’s lockdown restrictions, in a first for Curve, the production was performed by the company in the theatre’s newly configured auditorium and filmed in HD for audiences to enjoy in their own homes. With performances streaming from 22 December 2020, the production has already been seen by viewers in 36 countries across the world.
Announcing the extra online showings, Curve’s chief executive Chris Stafford and artistic director Nikolai Foster said: “We’ve been blown away by the incredible response to our production of Sunset Boulevard and we are thrilled the gates of Paramount will now remain open for one more week.
“From our initial plans to perform the show to socially-distanced audiences, to creating a filmed version in a matter of days, this has been an exceptional achievement by all involved.
“We know nothing will ever replace the electric joy of live theatre, but during this third national lockdown, we hope this astonishing musical, performed by an incredible company of actors and musicians, continues to bring joy into our audiences’ homes, both here in the UK and across the globe.
“Our thanks and enormous gratitude to Really Useful Group, Paramount Pictures, UK Theatre, the Musicians Union, our sponsors PPL, Arts Council England, Leicester City Council and the DCMS’ Culture Recovery Fund which has enabled us to produce this show and bring together so many freelance artists.”
With original leads Ria Jones and Danny Mac reprising their performances as Norma Desmond and Joe Gillis, the company also includes returning stars Molly Lynch as Betty Schaefer and Adam Pearce as Max Von Mayerling, with Dougie Carter as Artie Green and Carl Sanderson as Cecil B DeMille.
The Sunset Boulevard company also includes Benjamin Chambers, Owen Chaponda, Joanna Goodwin, Kristoffer Hellström, James Meunier, Gemma Naylor, Joanna O’Hare, Jessica Paul, Sam Peggs and Barney Wilkinson.
Based on the classic Paramount film by Billy Wilder, and featuring music by Andrew Lloyd Webber with a book and lyrics by Don Black and Christopher Hampton, the 2018 award-winning production of Sunset Boulevard marked the first time a Lloyd Webber musical had been produced at the Curve.
Featuring a 16-piece orchestra, the concert presentation is directed by the production’s original director, Curve’s artistic director Nikolai Foster. Musical supervision is by Stephen Brooker, with musical direction by Chris Mundy and orchestral management by Stephen Hill for Musicians UK Ltd.
The production team also includes set designer Colin Richmond, choreographer Lee Proud, lighting designer Ben Cracknell, sound designer Tom Marshall and video designer Douglas O’Connell with casting by David Grindrod CDG. The production was filmed and edited by Crosscut Media.
As part of the extended run, Foster will also host a live pre-show talk at 6pm on 12 January which will include cast members Ria Jones, Danny Mac and Molly Lynch, musical supervisor Stephen Brooker, lighting designer Ben Cracknell and company stage manager Julia Reid.
Angela Thomas
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