Bolton Octagon’s artistic director Lotte Wakeham will direct a new actor-musician production of Andrew Lloyd Webber’s Sunset Boulevard next spring.
Tag Archives | Sunset Boulevard
Five Questions With: Ria Jones
Award-winning actress and singer Ria Jones is reprising the role of Mrs Overall in a special charity concert revival of Acorn Antiques The Musical, Victoria Wood’s cult-classic satire of British soap operas, which plays Manchester Opera House (2 and 16 November) and London’s Shaftesbury Theatre (9 November).
Buena Vista Social Club, Death Becomes Her and Maybe Happy Ending each receive 10 Tony Award nominations
The nominations for the 78th Annual Tony Awards were announced by Sarah Paulson and Wendell Pierce this week, with the musicals Buena Vista Social Club, Death Becomes Her and Maybe Happy Ending topping the leader board with 10 nominations each. Sunset Boulevard, the biggest winner at the Olivier Awards 2024 (seven wins) has received seven […]
Music Review: Sunset Blvd: The Album
Sunset Blvd: The Album (The Other Songs). Star rating: five stars ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ Director Jamie Lloyd’s vision has lifted a musical once regarded as a two-trick pony to the realms of seductive masterpiece.
Olivier Awards 2024 – Sunset Boulevard is the most nominated production
The nominations for the Olivier Awards 2024 with Mastercard have been announced and Jamie Lloyd’s production of Andrew Lloyd Webber’s Sunset Boulevard, starring Nicole Scherzinger (Best Actress in a Musical nominee) and Tom Francis (Best Actor in a Musical nominee) has come out on top by being recognised in 11 categories.
Sunset Boulevard wins big at the WhatsOnStage Awards, Guys and Dolls picks up Best Revival and Operation Mincemeat is top New Musical
The big winner of the night at the 24th Annual WhatsOnStage Awards at the London Palladium was Sunset Boulevard with seven awards from its nine nominations.
WhatsOnStage Awards – Guys and Dolls leads the nominees
The Bridge Theatre’s critic and crowd-pleasing production of Guys & Dolls leads the nominees for the 24th WhatsOnStage Awards.
New Sunset Boulevard is Broadway-bound with London stars
American award-winning recording artist, actress and TV personality, Nicole Scherzinger will make her Broadway debut later this year when Jamie Lloyd’s hit London production of Andrew Lloyd Webber’s Sunset Boulevard transfers to the Great White Way.
Musical Theatre Review contributors pick their top shows of 2023
A selection of critics have chosen their ‘show of the year’ although some struggled to pick just one. The shows represent just a small percentage of productions staged this year, but we hope these ‘top picks’ bring back some happy memories.
Sunset Boulevard – Savoy Theatre
Sunset Boulevard continues at the Savoy Theatre, London until 6 January 2023. Star rating: four stars ★ ★ ★ ★ ✩
Evening Standard Awards 2023 – the winners
Jamie Lloyd’s critically acclaimed revival of Sunset Boulevard and the Bridge Theatre’s hit production of Guys & Dolls were the big genre winners at the 67th Evening Standard Theatre Awards.
Five Questions With: Grace Hodgett Young
Grace Hodgett Young is currently making her professional stage debut as Betty Schaefer in Jamie Lloyd’s acclaimed reimagining of Sunset Boulevard at London’s Savoy Theatre.
Rachel Tucker In Concert – Cadogan Hall
During the last six years, Rachel Tucker has performed all over the world. Even after the Broadway production of Come From Away closed last year (she had reprised the role of Beverley Bass which had also won her an Olivier nomination), her travels continued with concerts in Sydney and Japan.
Five Questions With: Rachel Tucker
West End and Broadway actress RACHEL TUCKER is very busy. This week the star of Wicked and Come From Away has released her new album ‘…you’re already home’, she’s performing a solo concert at London’s Cadogan Hall on 5 November and is currently wowing audiences as Norma Desmond on Monday nights in Jamie Lloyd’s much acclaimed West End production of Sunset Boulevard at the Savoy Theatre.
Sunset Boulevard – Savoy Theatre
Sunset Boulevard continues at the Savoy Theatre, London until 6 January 2024. Star rating: five stars ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ The success of this high-tariff revival hinges on Nicole Scherzinger, no past-her-sell-by has-been like Desmond but a sexy superstar who is so much more than a Pussycat Doll. She’s a powerhouse singer with a great stage presence who blows you away and a glorious, delicate dancer.
Sunset Boulevard – full cast and creatives
The full cast and creative team have been unveiled for director Jamie Lloyd’s highly anticipated new London production of Andrew Lloyd Webber’s Sunset Boulevard.
Norma Desmond role for Nicole Scherzinger in new Sunset Boulevard
Nicole Scherzinger will play faded movie star Norma Desmond in a major new production of Andrew Lloyd Webber’s Sunset Boulevard later this year.
Andrew Lloyd Webber announces death of his composer son Nicholas Lloyd Webber
Andrew Lloyd Webber has announced the death of his eldest son Nicholas Lloyd Webber following an 18-month battle with gastric cancer.
Mazz Murray to reprise the role of Norma Desmond in Sunset Boulevard at the Royal Albert Hall
Mazz Murray will reprise her performance as fading movie star Norma Desmond for a one night only special concert performance of Sunset Boulevard at the Royal Albert Hall in December. Presented by The Alpha Family, in association with Quick Fantastic, the performance will reunite Murray (We Will Rock You, Mamma Mia!) with Ramin Karimloo (Les […]
Concert dates announced for Andrew Lloyd Webber’s Symphonic Suites
Andrew Lloyd Webber is bringing music to the ears of theatre-lovers with a live concert version of his new Symphonic Suites album at the Royal Festival Hall in September followed by UK tour dates in 2022. Presented by The Really Useful Group, Kennedy Street and Kilimanjaro, Andrew Lloyd Webber – Symphonic Suites Live In Concert […]
Dancing up a storm – Remembering Bob Avian
BOB AVIAN, the celebrated director, producer and choreographer, has died at the age of 83. Famed for his work on major productions of A Chorus Line, Ballroom, Miss Saigon, Martin Guerre, Follies, Sunset Boulevard and The Witches of Eastwick, he had become something of a Broadway legend. Michael Darvell looks back over a long and […]
Sheridan Smith to host Palladium show as part of BBC musicals special
Sheridan Smith will return to the London Palladium to host a star-studded transatlantic celebration of the music and stars of musical theatre and film on BBC Radio 2 later this month. Musicals: The Greatest Show will be the centrepiece of Radio 2 Celebrates Musicals – three days of programming on the national radio station along […]
Curve extends online run of Sunset Boulevard – At Home
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 […]
Sunset Boulevard in Concert – Curve Leicester
Sunset Boulevard in Concert at Home is streaming from Curve Leicester until 9 January 2021. Star rating: five stars ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ Talk about making the very best of a bad job, Leicester Curve has dazzlingly turned the body-blow of having its planned Sunset Boulevard in Concert live-audience season scuppered by the new […]
Curve’s Sunset Boulevard Concert to be turned into online event
Forced to re-think its reopening season once again, with Leicester having entered Tier 3, Leicester Curve announced plans to turn the eagerly-anticipated concert version of Curve’s hit production of Sunset Boulevard into an online event. Plans for the return of live theatre are now on hold until the city can exit the country’s toughest restrictions, […]
Concert versions of The Color Purple and Sunset Boulevard to feature in Curve’s comeback season
Live theatre will return to Leicester Curve next month for the first time since the venue closed its doors to the public in March with the launch of an autumn season that will feature two re-imagined, socially distanced concert versions of two Made at Curve productions. Launching on 12 November 2020 with an exclusive event […]
Book Review: Life Drawing – A Life Under Lights – Jessica Martin
LIFE DRAWING – A LIFE UNDER LIGHTS – Jessica Martin (UNBOUND Books – ISBN: 978-1-78352-758-8) Star rating: five stars ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ I have just read a graphic novel which has been a delight from beginning to end, an autobiographical story presented in comic-strip format and published as a book. Jessica Martin is well-known […]
Sunset Boulevard – New Wimbledon Theatre and Touring
Sunset Boulevard continues at the New Wimbledon Theatre until 14 April, then tours until 28 April 2018. Star rating: four stars ★ ★ ★ ★ ✩ The Sunset Boulevard tour has been on the go since September so it came as a surprise when Wimbledon threw a press night with only two more ports of […]
Manchester Theatre Awards winners revealed
Leicester Curve’s acclaimed touring production of Andrew Lloyd Webber’s Sunset Boulevard won the battle of the musicals at this year’s Manchester Theatre Awards. Presented by Michael Harrison, David Ian and Curve, the production – directed by Curve’s artistic director Nikolai Foster – beat the equally high profile Funny Girl and Bat Out of Hell and […]
WhatsOnStage Awards 2018 – a photo-reflection on the big night
At a ceremony hosted at the Prince of Wales Theatre by Trevor Dion Nicholas and Vikki Stone, the 18th annual WhatsOnStage Awards – decided entirely by theatregoers themselves – were revealed. Photographer Vivienne Vincent was there. Leading the pack was 42nd Street, currently running at the Theatre Royal Drury Lane, which took home four prizes for Best Musical […]
WhatsOnStage Awards 2018 – 42nd Street and Everybody’s Talking About Jamie come out on top
Leading the pack at the 18th annual WhatsOnStage Awards was 42nd Street, currently running at the Theatre Royal Drury Lane, which took home four prizes for Best Musical Revival, Best Choreography, Best Set Design and Best Costume Design – from a total of eight nominations. At a ceremony hosted at the Prince of Wales Theatre […]
Manchester Theatre Awards 2018 nominees announced
Hope Mill Theatre’s acclaimed production of Yank! will battle it out with-high profile hits Funny Girl, Bat Out of Hell and Sunset Boulevard for the title of Best Musical at this year’s Manchester Theatre Awards. Funny Girl’s Sheridan Smith and Sunset Boulevard’s Ria Jones and Danny Mac are also among a number musical theatre stars […]
CD Review – From the Heart – James Meunier
FROM THE HEART (EP) – JAMES MEUNIER (iTunes or direct from www.jamesmeunier.com) James Meunier is currently appearing in the tour of Andrew Lloyd Webber’s Sunset Boulevard doing the rounds of the UK, understudying the role of Joe Gillis. He has also taken part in extensive concert work, including being part of the classical crossover act […]
Sunset Boulevard – Milton Keynes Theatre and Touring
Sunset Boulevard continues at the Milton Keynes Theatre until 2 December and then tours until 28 April 2018. Star rating: four stars ★ ★ ★ ★ ✩ After a highly successful, if headline making, run last year by the English National Opera, this touring production of Sunset Boulevard has arrived at the Milton Keynes Theatre. […]
Sunset Boulevard – Leicester Curve and Touring
Sunset Boulevard was reviewed at Leicester Curve and continues touring until 26 May 2018. Star rating: four stars ★ ★ ★ ★ ✩ The audience loved it. And isn’t that what musicals are for? To tell a lovelorn story that makes hearts ache; to serve up yearning solo songs and explosive ensembles, with some swirling […]
Meredith Braun to release second solo album
West End star Meredith Braun will release her second solo album When Love is Gone on Stage Door Records on 10 November. Taking its title from the Paul Williams’ ballad performed by Braun in the festive favourite movie The Muppet Christmas Carol, the album features a new version of the song performed by Braun for […]
Sunset Boulevard UK and Ireland tour – full casting details
Full casting has been revealed for the forthcoming UK and Ireland tour of Andrew Lloyd Webber’s award-winning musical Sunset Boulevard. Directed by Nikolai Foster, the tour will open at Curve on Saturday 16 September 2017 (press night is Thursday 28 September). Joining the previously announced Ria Jones as Norma Desmond and Danny Mac as Joe […]
Exclusive interview and images – Michael Xavier is ready for his close-up on Broadway
Two-time Olivier Award nominee MICHAEL XAVIER has been enjoying his Broadway debut, playing the character of Joe Gillis opposite Glenn Close in Sunset Boulevard at the Palace Theatre, New York for a limited season (the production closes this weekend). He previously took on the role at the London Coliseum in April 2016. Next he joins […]
Danny Mac to star in Sunset Boulevard tour
Danny Mac is to star as Joe Gillis in the forthcoming UK and Ireland tour of Curve’s production of Andrew Lloyd Webber’s award-winning musical Sunset Boulevard. Ria Jones is to play Norma Desmond and the show is to be directed by Nikolai Foster. Sunset Boulevard will open at Curve on Saturday 16 September 2017 (press […]
Sunset Boulevard – Palace Theatre, New York
Sunset Boulevard continues at the Palace Theatre, New York until 25 June. Star rating: five stars ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ In her latest incarnation, Norma Desmond is totally heart-breaking. The narcissistic ferocity of the queen of silent movies has been softened. Her eccentricities are at times almost endearing rather than frightening. She can be haughty […]
Andrew Lloyd Webber celebrates four musicals on Broadway
Composer Andrew Lloyd Webber celebrated four musicals playing simultaneously on Broadway when Sunset Boulevard opened at the Palace Theatre yesterday (9 February 2017). Three of Lloyd Webber’s musicals rang in 2017 by breaking house records at the Winter Garden (School of Rock – The Musical), Majestic (The Phantom of the Opera) and Neil Simon (Cats) […]
Sunset Boulevard UK and Ireland tour – details of dates
The UK and Ireland tour of the Curve production of Andrew Lloyd Webber’s musical Sunset Boulevard, starring Ria Jones as Norma Desmond and directed by Nikolai Foster, will open at Curve on 16 September 2017 (press night is 28 September) before touring the UK and Ireland. Lloyd Webber’s Tony Award-winning show is based on Billy Wilder’s film, accompanied by Don […]
Ria Jones to star in Sunset Boulevard at the Curve and on tour
It has been revealed that Ria Jones will star in a new homegrown production of Sunset Boulevard as part of Leicester Curve’s autumn/winter 2017 season. Actress and singer Jones stepped into the spotlight in April last year when she took over the leading role in Sunset Boulevard (after Glenn Close was too ill to perform) […]
Broadway Musical Theatre Preview – a starry first half to 2017
Don’t forget sunglasses if you’re headed for New York. Broadway musical marquees will be freshly and blindingly ablaze with a constellation of star names during the first half of the New Year. New productions headed for the Main Stem boast such legendary luminaries as Bette Midler, Glenn Close, Patti LuPone and – yes, even a […]
Evening Standard Theatre Awards 2016 – Glenn Close and Jesus Christ Superstar are big winners
Glenn Close beat fellow countryman Andy Karl and homegrown talent Sheridan Smith for the title of Best Musical Performance at the 2016 London Evening Standard Theatre Awards ceremony. The Sunset Boulevard star was presented with her award by Elton John who co-hosted the star-studded event with Evening Standard owner, Evgeny Lebedev. Another Andrew Lloyd Webber […]
Evening Standard Radio 2 Audience Award For Best Musical – nominations revealed
The voting has opened for the Evening Standard Radio 2 Audience Award for Best Musical in this year’s 2016 London Evening Standard Theatre Awards. Now in their 63rd year, the annual awards celebrate outstanding achievement and performance in London theatre. Listeners will be able to cast their vote by heading to bbc.co.uk/radio2 and will have until 11.59pm on […]
Interview – Michael Xavier on Richard Rodgers tribute, Some Enchanted Evening
This week West End leading man MICHAEL XAVIER will join Ruthie Henshall, Lesley Garrett and Gary Wilmot in Some Enchanted Evening, a series of concerts at Cadogan Hall celebrating the timeless music of Broadway legend Richard Rodgers. Presented by Garrett, the four performances running from 18 August until 20 August will feature the four vocalists […]
Alternate Norma Desmond Ria Jones wins over Sunset Boulevard audience
Actress and singer Ria Jones stepped into the spotlight this week to take over the leading role in Sunset Boulevard and won over an audience angered by the news that award-winning actress Glenn Close was too ill to perform (Pictures: Kevin Wilson). Jones, who had ironically been involved in Andrew Lloyd Webber’s early workshops for […]
Sunset Boulevard – London Coliseum
Sunset Boulevard continues at the London Coliseum until 7 May. Star rating: four stars ★ ★ ★ ★ ✩ The golden age of Hollywood, when silent pictures gave way to ‘talkies’, has been a fertile ground for storytelling in the past. Singin’ in the Rain gave us a comedic take on the screen starlet who […]
Sunset Boulevard starring Glenn Close – first production images
Today (1 April 2016) previews begin for Andrew Lloyd Webber’s Sunset Boulevard at ENO’s London Coliseum. Joining Glenn Close (Norma Desmond), Michael Xavier (Joe Gillis), Siobhan Dillon (Betty Shaefer) and Fred Johanson (Max Von Mayerling) are Anna Woodside as Hedda Hopper, Emily Bull as Hedy Lamarr, Julian Forsyth as Cecil B DeMille, Mark Goldthorp as Sheldrake, Fenton Gray as Manfred, […]
