Picture: Manuel Harlan
The critically-acclaimed Made at Curve production Sunset Boulevard – At Home is being made available once again next month to raise funds for the newly launched Andy Nairn Bursaries in Technical Theatre.
All money raised from ticket sales and donations for the week-long run will go towards the scheme which has been launched in memory of the venue’s head of production Andy Nairn who passed away on 26 November last year. Set up by Curve, Derby Theatre and Nottingham Playhouse, The Andy Nairn Bursaries in Technical Theatre will provide accessible training opportunities for aspiring theatre technicians from challenging socio-economic and diverse backgrounds.
Announcing the second chance to see the production which was Andy Nairn’s last production, Curve’s chief executive Chris Stafford and artistic director Nikolai Foster said: “We were truly blown away by the incredible response to our production of Sunset Boulevard, a testament to the incredible freelance artists, technical teams and musicians who made it all possible. And we are thrilled the gates of Paramount will open once again before we start to emerge from lockdown. What makes this screening even more special is that when you buy a ticket, you will be supporting The Andy Nairn Bursaries in Technical Theatre, named in honour of Andy Nairn, our much-missed Head of Production, who passed away last November aged just 34 years old.
“Andy wasn’t only an exceptionally talented and respected technician and production manager, but he was an incredible leader and mentor for those starting out. He was deeply passionate about training the technicians of tomorrow, encouraging people from all backgrounds to embark on a career in theatre. All money raised from these screenings will support the bursary programme at Curve, meaning many young technicians will be able to benefit from accessible training in our state-of-the-art theatre.
“Our thanks and enormous gratitude to The Really Useful Group, Paramount Pictures, UK Theatre, the Musicians Union, sponsors PPL, Arts Council England, Leicester City Council and the DCMS’ Culture Recovery Fund which has enabled us to produce this show.”
Andy Nairn’s widow, Anne Nairn added: “I find it incredibly heart-warming and humbling knowing that Andy’s name will live on forever in the world of theatre. Anyone that knew Andy, knows that as well as an immeasurable love for his family and friends, he also loved theatre and was particularly passionate about giving opportunities to young people.
“To know that the three theatres in the East Midlands, where Andy loved working, are coming together to enrich the lives of young people, who otherwise might not have had the chance to experience theatre, as Andy did, would make him so proud. My immense gratitude goes to Curve and Andrew Lloyd Webber, for showing such grace and compassion, in supporting the Andy Nairn Bursaries in Technical Theatre.”
Sunset Boulevard – At Home will be available to view online from 10-15 May.
Originally planned as live theatre production, Sunset Boulevard In Concert was transformed into an online event late last year in the wake of the November lockdown. 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. The production was seen by almost 15,000 people across 45 countries when it was streamed from 22 December 2020 until 17 January 2021,
The concert version of Curve’s award-winning 2017 international touring production reunited the original leads Ria Jones and Manchester Theatre Award-winner Danny Mac reprising their performances as Norma Desmond and Joe Gillis. The production also features 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 company is completed by 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 1950 Paramount film by Billy Wilder, and featuring music by Andrew Lloyd Webber with a book and lyrics by Don Black and Christopher Hampton, the 2017 production of Sunset Boulevard marked the first time a Lloyd Webber musical had been produced at the Curve.
Featuring a 16-piece orchestra supported by music licensing company PPL, 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. The production was filmed and edited by Crosscut Media.
Angela Thomas
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