Sunset Boulevard

Savoy Theatre

4.6/5 based on 103 reviews (read reviews)

Booking until: Saturday, 6 January 2024
Running time: 2h 30m (incl. interval)

This show is now closed

Couples (80%) Theatregoers (96%) i

Sunset Boulevard photos

Sunset Boulevard description

This wonderful black comedy of a musical is inspired by the original Paramount black comedy, a real Sunday-afternoon-on-the-settee classic. Following on from the ENO's critically acclaimed Sweeney Todd, Sunset is set to thrill audiences all over again.

Prepare for a strictly limited 43 performance run of this very special production, held at the London Coliseum and kicking off on 1st April 2016. And expect a full Monty of a theatrical experience as the splendid ENO orchestra provides breathtaking musical accompaniment.

This is Glenn Close's West End debut. And it's the first time this popular story has been told on stage in Britain. Which makes it an unmissable, epic, double-whammy of an opportunity to see all sorts of sparkling talent in the flesh.

The signs are looking great - Close has already won a Tony Award, a Drama Desk Award, a Los Angeles Drama Critics Circle Award and a Dramalogue Award for the Broadway production of the show, brilliantly directed by Trevor Nunn.

What's the plot? It's 1950s Hollywood and the ex-silent movie star Norma Desmond is past her best. But she'd die rather than admit it, refusing to accept that her days in the glittering limelight are over.

A big come-back seems the only way to hang onto her beloved spotlight. Norma has written a film script and she's certain it'll shoot her back to stardom. She hires a young screenwriter, Joe Gillis, to help her set up a dramatic return to the movies. Only he isn't what he seems – he's on the run from debt collectors, a dodgy character.

Joe thinks he's landed the perfect opportunity to manipulate wealthy Norma for his own financial ends... but he's wrong. They get on well at first – very well – but Joe's chilly attitude to her and fondness for another woman, and her complete refusal to let go of her ambitions, mean they end up mired in violence, followed by madness and death.

Andrew Lloyd Webber is also reportedly thrilled that the show is in theatreland at last, giving British audiences to see Close in action on stage. The rest of the cast will be announced nearer the time.

As Cressida Pollock, the ENO's Chief Executive Officer, said: “We at English National Opera believe that the combination of multiple award-winning Glenn Close, making her West End stage debut, and Andrew Lloyd Webber’s hit musical Sunset Boulevard, will once again pack the London Coliseum with ENO regulars and new audiences for us. We are all looking forward to working on this next thrilling production with the GradeLinnit Company, the team that delivered this year’s hugely successful run of Sweeney Todd.”

Sunset Boulevard tickets – An all-time stage and screen classic

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