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  • Sunset Boulevard recreated in West End

    18 Nov 2008

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    The Watermill Theatre production of Andrew Lloyd Webber’s musical Sunset Boulevard transfers to the West End in time for Christmas, opening at the Comedy theatre on 15 December, after previews from 4 December. Read more


Sunset Boulevard

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Showing at: Comedy Theatre

Box Office: 0870 060 6637

Download (pdf format): Seating plan

Age: General

Genre: Musical

Sub Genre: Musical (Drama)

The Watermill Theatre, Newbury, production of Sunset Boulevard transfers to the West End's Comedy theatre.

Based on Billy Wilder's 1950 film of the same name, Sunset Boulevard tells the story of faded silent movie star Norma Desmond, who lives in a house on the famous Los Angeles street of the title. Desperate to be back in the limelight, Norma sees her chance when fate brings a young screenwriter, Joe, to her door. But her relationship with the younger man is destined to end in disaster.

Sunset Boulevard has music by composer and producer Andrew Lloyd Webber and lyrics by Don Black and award-winning playwright and screenwriter Christopher Hampton.

The show premiered in London at the Adelphi theatre in 1993, with Patti LuPone in the role of Norma. Both the show and its leading lady received nominations at the Laurence Olivier Awards the following year and the musical ran in London for four years, with Elaine Paige, Petula Clark and Rita Moreno all playing Norma. A US production of Sunset Boulevard, starring Glenn Close, opened in Los Angeles in 1993 and went to Broadway the following year.

This new production by the Watermill Theatre follows the venue's tradition of creating intimate productions using a cast of actor/musicians. It received four nominations for the 2009 Laurence Olivier Awards, in the categories of Best Company Performance, Best Musical Revival, Best Actress in a Musical and Best Performance in a Supporting Role in a Musical.

Sunset Boulevard is directed and choreographed by Craig Revel Horwood, who has twice been Laurence Olivier Award-nominated for his work in the West End, for Spend Spend Spend and My One And Only. His recent work includes Flamenco Flamen'ka and Six Dance Lessons In Six Weeks, though he is best known for being the 'nasty' judge on BBC celebrity dance competition Strictly Come Dancing.

For more about Sunset Boulevard at the Comedy theatre read our First Night Feature or Big Interview with director Craig Revel-Horwood.

Performance Details

  • previews from: 04 Dec 2008
  • opening night: 15 Dec 2008
  • closing: 30 May 2009

show times: Mon-Sat 19:30, Wed & Sat 14:30

ticket prices: £10-£55

duration: 2h25

Assisted Performances

audio described performance: By Irene Richards on Sat 14 Mar at 14:30 T: 0871 297 5477 E: ticketcentre@theambassadors.com

sign language interpreted performance: By Paul Whittaker on Sat 28 Mar at 14:30 T: 0871 297 5477 E: ticketcentre@theambassadors.com

cast: Kathryn Evans, Dave Willetts, Ben Goddard, Elisa Boyd, Tomm Coles, Alexander Evans, Kate Feldschreiber, Sam Kenyon, Nick Lashbrook, Tarek Merchant, Craig Pinder, Laura Pitt-Pulford, Helen Power

director: Craig Revel Horwood

music by: Andrew Lloyd Webber

lyrics by: Don Black and Christopher Hampton

book By: Don Black and Christopher Hampton

sound: Gary Dixon

lighting designer: Richard G Jones

choreographer: Craig Revel Horwood

designer: Diego Pitarch

producer: Howard Panter for the Ambassador Theatre Group Ltd, Tulchin/Bertner Productions and Bill Kenwrights Ltd

map: View Map

Access Enabled Map (pdf format):
View The Comedy Theatre Access Enabled Map

address: Panton Street, London, United Kingdom, SW1Y 4DN

nearest tube: Piccadilly Circus (225m)

nearest bus: 3, 6, 9, 12, 14, 15, 19, 22, 23, 24, 29, 38, 88, 91, 94, 139, 159, 176, 453

parking: Westminter City Council car park at Whitcomb Street. NCP at Denman Street.

air conditioned: Yes

Assisted Performance Booking Information

Access Booking: Tel: 0871 297 5477 Fax: 020 8544 7488

Accessible Facilities Venue Information

discounts: Discounts vary according to production. Concessions may be available (Please enquire at time of booking).

limited mobility: Row A and seats N1, N21, L1, L21, D1, D22 in the stalls and Boxes C & D have the most leg room.

access description: Level access from street to Dress circle via ramp at the entrance and level platform to seats.2 steps up to double doors opening into the foyer. All stairs are highlighted and have handrails on both sides. No steps from the foyer to the back of the Dress Circle (2 steps between rows). 24 steps down from the foyer to the Stalls, 23 steps up from the foyer to the Royal Circle (with 2 steep steps between rows) and 50 steps up to the Balcony.

hearing impaired: Infra-red system with 6 headsets. Headsets available from the Duty Manager. You will be asked to leave a credit card or a £10 deposit. Portable loop available in Box Office.

guide dogs policy: Guide dogs and hearing dogs are welcome at the Comedy Theatre. They can stay with you during the performances, however, you must inform the Box Office when booking your tickets and a seat on the aisle can be reserved for you. Alternatively, a member of staff will care for your dog during the performance.

wheelchairs: 4 wheelchair spaces in Dress Circle. 2 transfer seats in E5 and E17

toilets: There is no adapted toilet. It may be possible to use the toilet on the left-hand side of the auditorium, down 6 steps via a ramp and through 2 doorways, approx. 64cm wide. Women’s and men’s at Stalls, Royal Circle and Balcony. Please note, the men's toilet on the Royal Circle level is only accessible via 13 steps up from the Royal Circle Bar.

disabled toilets: No adapted toilet.

bars: 3 licensed bars. No steps from the back of the Dress Circle to the foyer bar (no seating). Drinks brought to disabled customers in the auditorium. More bars at the rear of the Stalls, at Royal Circle and at Balcony.

Kathryn Evans as Norma Desmond in Sunset Boulevard (Photo: Robert Day)

Kathryn Evans as Norma Desmond in Sunset Boulevard (Photo: Robert Day)

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