Internationally recognised art and literary critic, writer and cultural producer. Published in ELLE, Glamour, Esquire and Cosmopolitan; member of the Union of Writers.
Sunset Boulevard is a classic musical that tells the tragic story of Norma Desmond, a former silent movie star who lives in a fantasy world in her mansion on Sunset Boulevard, and Joe Gillis, a struggling screenwriter who becomes her lover and her victim. Based on the 1950 film noir by Billy Wilder, the musical features a score by Andrew Lloyd Webber and a book and lyrics by Don Black and Christopher Hampton. The musical premiered in London in 1993, starring Patti LuPone and Kevin Anderson, and later transferred to Broadway, where it won seven Tony Awards, including Best Musical. The musical has been revived several times, with notable actresses such as Glenn Close, Elaine Paige, and Petula Clark playing the role of Norma.
But the latest revival of Sunset Boulevard, which is now playing at the Savoy Theatre in London until January 6, is unlike any other. Directed by Jamie Lloyd, the acclaimed and innovative director who has given a fresh and edgy twist to musicals such as Evita and The Threepenny Opera, this production features Nicole Scherzinger, the former Pussycat Doll and X Factor judge, as Norma Desmond. Scherzinger, who made her West End debut in 2014 as Grizabella in Cats, delivers a stunning and captivating performance, proving that she is not only a pop star, but also a musical theatre star. Scherzinger brings a new dimension to the role of Norma, portraying her as a complex and sympathetic character, who is both monstrous and vulnerable, glamorous and pathetic, powerful and fragile. Scherzinger also showcases her impressive vocal range and versatility, singing the iconic songs such as “With One Look”, “As If We Never Said Goodbye”, and “Sunset Boulevard” with passion and emotion.
But Scherzinger is not the only star of this production. Lloyd has created a radical and revolutionary vision of Sunset Boulevard, which transforms the musical into a cinematic and psychological thriller. Using cameras, projections, and a minimalist set, Lloyd creates a striking and immersive visual experience, which blurs the boundaries between reality and illusion, and between theatre and film. Lloyd also uses a 16-piece orchestra on stage, which adds to the drama and intensity of the musical. Lloyd also draws out the themes and the relevance of Sunset Boulevard, such as the obsession with fame, the exploitation of women, and the cruelty of Hollywood. Lloyd also makes clever references to Scherzinger’s own celebrity status, and to the current issues and events of the day, such as the Me Too movement and the climate crisis.
Sunset Boulevard is a masterpiece of theatre, and a must-see for any musical lover. It is a musical that combines the best of both worlds: the classic and the contemporary, the musical and the cinematic, the tragic and the comic. It is a musical that features a stellar cast, led by the sensational Scherzinger, and a brilliant creative team, led by the visionary Lloyd. It is a musical that reinvents and reinvigorates a classic musical, and makes it more relevant and resonant than ever.
