Sunset Boulevard at the London Coliseum

Glenn Close makes her West End debut in Andrew Lloyd Webber’s hit musical Sunset Boulevard.

Sunset Boulevard is a compelling story of romance and obsession, based on Billy Wilder’s classic film, with celebrated book and lyrics by Don Black and Christopher Hampton.

Glenn Close, making her West End debut as well as her first reprisal of the role for UK audiences, plays faded silent movie star Norma Desmond, for which she has 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.

With the lush melodies of Andrew Lloyd Webber’s much-loved score (including Sunset Boulevard, With One Look and The Perfect Year) performed by ENO’s acclaimed orchestra, this semi-staged production promises to be a spectacular evening.

Lonny Price (Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street) returns to the London Coliseum to direct the strictly limited run of 43 performances from 1 April 2016 until 7 May 2016.

What’s the Story?

In her mansion on Sunset Boulevard, faded, silent-screen goddess, Norma Desmond, lives in a fantasy world. Impoverished screen writer, Joe Gillis, on the run from debt collectors, stumbles into her reclusive world.

Persuaded to work on Norma’s ‘masterpiece’, a film script that she believes will put her back in front of the cameras, he is seduced by her and her luxurious life-style. Joe becomes entrapped in a claustrophobic world until his love for another woman leads him to try and break free with dramatic consequences.

Who’s in it? Sunset Boulevard Cast

Glenn Close (Norma Desmond) leads the cast alongside Michael Xavier (Joe Gillis), Siobhan Dillon (Betty Schaefer) and Fred Johanson (Max Von Mayerling).

Also starring in Sunset Boulevard is Julian Forsyth (Cecil B DeMille), Mark Goldthorp (Sheldrake), Fenton Gray (Manfred), Haydn Oakley (Artie Green), Anna Woodside (Hedda Hopper), Emily Bull (Hedy Lamarr) and James Paterson (Jonesy).

Further company members include Carly Anderson, Michelle Bishop, Jacob Chapman, Nadeem Crowe, Cornelia Farnsworth, Ria Jones, Katie Kerr, Aaron Lee Lambert, Matthew McKenna, Jo Morris, Tanya Robb, Ashley Robinson, Vicki Lee Taylor, Gary Tushaw, Adam Vaughan and Stuart Winter.

Creative Team

With music by Andrew Lloyd Webber and book and lyrics by Don Black and Christopher Hampton, Sunset Boulevard is directed by Lonny Price.

Orchestrations are by David Cullen and Andrew Lloyd Webber with choreography by Stephen Mear, set designs by James Noone, costume designs by Tracy Christensen, Glenn Close’s costumes designs by Anthony Powell, sound by Mick Potter and lighting by Mark Henderson. Musical Director is Michael Reed who also conducts.

Reviews

★★★★★ Andrew Lloyd Webber’s musical is a glorious, thrill a minute – a triumph – Daily Telegraph
★★★★★ What a star. Glenn Close is mesmerising. Outstanding performances – The Times
★★★★ Glenn Close’s West End debut is a triumph. Majestic, tormented and teasingly seductive. This is a mighty vehicle for a mesmerising star – Evening Standard
★★★★ Glenn Close makes sure the sun once more rises on a glorious Sunset Boulevard – Daily Mail
★★★★ A breath-taking performance from Glenn Close – The Guardian

Show Information

Cast Highlights

Glenn Close

Venue Information

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Glenn Close misses second Sunset Boulevard show due to illness

English National Opera have announced Glenn Close will not perform in Sunset Boulevard for a second night in a row due to illness. A spokesperson stated that Close has ‘a touch of the flu’ and it is hoped she will be well enough to perform from tomorrow (23 April 2016). Close was unable to perform last night and was replaced by understudy Ria Jones. Jones, who originated the role of Norma Desmond in the original production will perform the role tonight. It was reported some audience members ‘booed’ when it was announced that Close would not perform. Sunset Boulevard runs until 7 May 2016 at the London Coliseum. BOOKING Book tickets to Sunset Boulevard

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Reviews round-up: Sunset Boulevard starring Glenn Close

A reviews round-up for Sunset Boulevard at the London Coliseum. The highly anticipated production of Andrew Lloyd Webber’s hit musical Sunset Boulevard starring Glenn Close has now opened to rapturous reviews at the London Coliseum. ★★★★★ ‘Andrew Lloyd Webber’s musical is a glorious, thrill a minute – a triumph’ - Daily Telegraph ★★★★★ ‘What a star. Glenn Close is mesmerising. Outstanding performances’- The Times ★★★★ ‘Glenn Close’s West End debut is a triumph. Majestic, tormented and teasingly seductive. This is a mighty vehicle for a mesmerising star’ - Evening Standard ★★★★ ‘Glenn Close makes sure the sun once more rises on a glorious Sunset Boulevard’ - Daily Mail ★★★★ ‘A breath-taking performance from Glenn Close’ - The Guardian BOOKING Book tickets to Sunset Boulevard

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In Pictures: First Night of Sunset Boulevard

Glenn Close and the cast of Sunset Boulevard have opened to fantastic reviews at the London Coliseum. Andrew Lloyd Webber’s hit musical Sunset Boulevard is stunning audiences at the London Coliseum, with Glenn Close reprising her Tony Award-winning role as Norma Desmond. With the lush melodies of this much-loved score (including Sunset Boulevard, With One Look and The Perfect Year) performed by ENO’s acclaimed orchestra, this semi-staged production, with book & lyrics by Don Black & Christopher Hampton, is a spectacular evening. Glenn Close is joined by a company including Michael Xavier as Joe Gillis, Siobhan Dillon as Betty Shaefer and Fred Johanson as Max Von Mayerling. Lonny Price (Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street) returns to the London Coliseum to direct this strictly limited run of 43 performances. BOOKING Book tickets to Sunset Boulevard

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Full casting announced for Sunset Boulevard starring Glenn Close

Full casting has been announced for Andrew Lloyd Webber’s Sunset Boulevard at the ENO As rehearsals begin for Sunset Boulevard at English National Opera’s rehearsal studios the full cast has been announced. Joining Glenn Close, Michael Xavier, Siobhan Dillon and Fred Johanson in Sunset Boulevard, are Anna Woodside as Hedda Hopper and Emily Bull as Hedy Lamarr who will work alongside the previously announced Julian Forsyth as Cecil B DeMille, Mark Goldthorp as Sheldrake, Fenton Gray as Manfred, Haydn Oakley as Artie Green and James Paterson as Jonesy. Further company members include Carly Anderson, Michelle Bishop, Jacob Chapman, Nadeem Crowe, Cornelia Farnsworth, Ria Jones, Katie Kerr, Aaron Lee Lambert, Matthew McKenna, Jo Morris, Tanya Robb, Ashley Robinson, Vicki Lee Taylor, Gary Tushaw, Adam Vaughan and Stuart Winter. Directed by Lonny Price, Sunset Boulevard is a semi-staged production with the full ENO orchestra appearing alongside the cast. Sunset Boulevard will play a strictly limited run of 43 performances from 1 April 2016 until 7 May 2016 at ENO’s London Coliseum. BOOKING Book tickets to Sunset Boulevard

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Casting update for Sunset Boulevard starring Glenn Close

Further casting has been announced for the semi-staged production of Sunset Boulevard which will star Glenn Close as Norma Desmond. Michael Xavier will join Close as Joe Gillis in Andrew Lloyd Webber's musical. Xavier is currently starring in Sheffield Crucible's hit production of Show Boat, his previous theatre credits include Assassins (Menier Chocolate Factory), The Pajama Game (Shaftesbury Theatre), The Sound of Music and Into The Woods (Regent's Park Open Air Theatre), Love Story (Duchess Theatre) and Oklahoma! (Chichester). Alongside Xavier, Siobhan Dillon will play Betty Schaefer and Fred Johanson will play Max Von Mayerling. Dillon was a finalist on How Do You Solve A Problem Like Maria?. She also played Sandy in Grease at Piccadilly Theatre, Vivienne Kensington in Legally Blonde at the Savoy Theatre, Molly Jensen in Ghost The Musical at the Piccadilly Theatre and Ellen in Miss Saigon at the Prince Edward Theatre . Swedish actor Johanson has played Peron in Evita, Javert in Les Miserables and Reverend Shaw in Footloose. Close, who makes her West End debut playing the fading silent film star Norma Desmond, reprises the role for which she won a Tony Award and Drama Desk Award on Broadway. Also starring in Sunset Boulevard is Julian Forsyth as Cecil B DeMille, Mark Goldthorp as Sheldrake, Fenton Gray as Manfred, Haydn Oakley as Artie Green and James Paterson as Jonesy. Further company members include Carly Anderson, Jacob Chapman, Ria Jones, Katie Kerr, Aaron Lee Lambert, Vicki Lee Taylor, Jo Morris, Ashley Robinson, Gary Tushaw and Adam Vaughan. Directed by Lonny Price, Sunset Boulevard will run from 1 April 2016 until 7 May 2016 at the London Coliseum. BOOKING Book tickets to Sunset Boulevard

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Hollywood icon Glenn Close to star in Sunset Boulevard

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. BOOKING Book tickets to Sunset Boulevard

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Hollywood star Glenn Close considering Sunset Boulevard at the London Coliseum.

Hollywood super-star Glenn Close considering Sunset Boulevard at the London Coliseum. [caption id="attachment_39909" align="alignright" width="240"] Glen Close as Norma Desmond on Broadway[/caption] Andrew Lloyd Webber and Daily Mail columnist Baz Bamigboye report that Glenn Close is seriously considering returning to the role of Norma Desmond in a new staging of Sunset Boulevard at the London Coliseum. Lloyd Webber said “Glenn [Close] wants to do it, and I said to her that if she really wants to, we should get on with it. We’ve got to find a very good Joe Gillis, but I’d love to hear it with that orchestra.” Close originated the role of Norma Desmond in the LA and Broadway productions, which won several Tony’s including for Close - Best Performance by an Actress in a Leading Role. That production was notable for its astronomical running costs and Lloyd Webber reaching a settlement with Patti Lu Pone who had been contracted to open the Broadway production. If they manage to find Glen a suitable Joe, then the production would be part of the ENO’s musical theatre season, that was launched earlier this year with Emma Thompson and Bryn Terfel performing in Stephen Sondheim’s Sweeney Todd, and will most likely happen in the Spring of 2016 or 2017. BOOKING Book tickets to Sunset Boulevard

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