Stage and screen icon Glenn Close will star in a semi-staged production of Andrew Lloyd Webber’s Sunset Boulevard at ENO’s London Coliseum.
Close who originated the role of Norma Desmond in the LA and Broadway productions, will make her West End debut as well as her first reprisal of the role for UK audiences. Close previously won a Tony Award, a Drama Desk Award, a Los Angeles Drama Critics Circle Award and a Dramalogue Award for the Broadway production directed by Trevor Nunn.
Sunset Boulevard follows the hugely successful Bryn Terfel and Emma Thompson production of Sweeney Todd and will be the second production in the partnership between English National Opera (ENO) and the GradeLinnit Company.
With music by Andrew Lloyd Webber and book and lyrics by Don Black and Christopher Hampton, Sunset Boulevard is produced by arrangement with The Really Useful Group Ltd and is based on the original Paramount film by Billy Wilder.
Cressida Pollock, ENO, 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.”
Andrew Lloyd Webber said: “I am thrilled that London audiences will at last get a chance to see Glenn’s performance in the role of Norma Desmond which was so hugely acclaimed in the USA.”
The full ENO orchestra will appear on stage alongside the cast in this semi-staged production which will be directed by Lonny Price. Further casting is to be announced shortly.
Sunset Boulevard will play a strictly limited run of 43 performances from 1 April 2016 until 7 May 2016 at the ENO’s London Coliseum.
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