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| Sarah Brightman in "Sunset Boulevard" |
Music by
Andrew Lloyd Webber – Book & Lyrics by Don Black & Christopher Hampton
Directed by
Paul Warwick Griffin – Musical Direction by Paul Christ
Set and
Costumes Designed by Morgan Large – Choreographed by Ashley Wallen
Sound Design
by David Greasley – Lighting Design by Mark Henderson
Presented by
Opera Australia & GWB Entertainment – Sydney Opera House until Nov. I.
Opening
Night Performance on 31st August 2024 reviewed by BILL STEPHENS
The
atmosphere was electric as glammed- up guests arrived at the Sydney Opera House
for the Sydney premiere of Andrew Lloyd Webber’s Sunset Boulevard starring
Webber’s ex-wife, Sarah Brightman.
Brightman
had received mixed reviews for her performance in Melbourne. An injury causing
her to miss performances during the run resulted in a flood of social media
comments from disgruntled patrons unhappy at not being given prior notification
of her non-appearances. Factors that created doubt as to whether she would
actually be onstage for the Sydney opening.
The
thunderous ovation she received on her first entrance was no doubt as much an
expression of relief that she was actually present, as it was a sincere welcome.
Although
Brightman originated the role of Christine Daae in "Phantom of the Opera" on both
the West End and Broadway it was a role especially written for her by Lloyd
Webber to showcase her unique ethereal soprano voice.
Brightman’s
fame as the world’s best-selling soprano is more the result of her subsequent career
as a recording and concert artist, than as a musical theatre performer.
Her choice of
this particular role for only her second Lloyd-Webber musical in 30 years, invests
this production with an intriguing sense life imitating art déjà vu, that many
musical theatre aficionados will find irresistible.
Norma
Desmond is a tour de force role usually performed by musical theatre leading
ladies of different voice types and dramatic abilities to Brightman’s. Until this production, Brightman had never
performed this role.
When she launches
into her interpretation of With One Look, especially on the stage of the Sydney
Opera House, the result comes as something of a surprise to those used to
experiencing the world’s finest operatic sopranos on that very stage.
Brightman’s
soprano is pretty rather than dramatic. She’s a performer more than an actress.
Her skill is interpreting songs, not necessarily within a context, utilising a
variety of idiosyncratic vocal techniques to embellish the lyrics so that they
sound beautiful though not necessarily comprehensible.
Unfortunately,
this creates a bit of a worry in situations where it is important to understand
the lyrics for the information they contain to make sense of the storyline.
But this is
Brightman’s version of Norma Desmond. It’s the one that’s attracted Brightman
admirers happy to pay opera house prices for the intriguing prospect of seeing
her tackle this demanding role. On those criteria, it is not without
merit.
From the
moment Joe Gillis confronts Norma Desmond in her luxurious, crumbling mansion,
Brightman makes obvious that Norma is already mentally unwell and delusional. Her
Norma is needy rather than commanding.
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| Sarah Brightman as Norma Desmond singing "As If We Never Said Goodbye" |
Brightman’s interpretation
of Norma’s response to Joe’s callous treatment of her after she has lavished
him with gifts; is to resort to
self-harm when her attempts at seduction fail, then finally death threats when
all else fails. Both are valid and ultimately moving. Her vocal highlight comes
with the superbly staged, As If We Never Said Goodbye, where her aging voice
provides a layer of pathos to the song which is quite moving.
But Brightman
is not the only reason to see this production. She is showcased in a
spectacularly conceived production, performed by a cast of some of the country’s
best musical theatre artists, led by Tim Draxl who gives a commanding performance as the down-on-his-luck
screenwriter, Joe Gillis, who comes unstuck when he falls in love with his
colleague, Betty Schaefer, stylishly performed by Ashleigh Rubenach.
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| Tim Draxl as Joe Gillis singing the title song "Sunset Boulevard" |
Although
some might have wished for a little more charm in his characterisation, Draxl
deservedly stops the show with his blistering rendition the title song; then
again later when he is joined by
Rubenach for a delightfully giddy staging of the duet, Too Much In Love To Care, during which both
proved themselves much more than competent dancers.
Robert Grubb
invests his role as the mysterious man-servant Max Von Mayerling, with an
affecting sense of dignity, while Paul Hanlon as Cecil B. DeMille, Troy Sussman
as Sheldrake and Jarrod Draper as Artie Green, all make the most of the
opportunities inherent in their roles.
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| Robert Grubb as Max Von Mayerling - Sarah Brightman as Norma Desmond - Tim Draxl as Joe Gillis in "Sunset Boulevard" |
An
outstanding feature of this production is the inventive choreography of Ashley
Wallen. Although quite different to Fosse, Wallen’s choreography is riddled
with clever signature moves which comment on the action, exemplified in his inventive
staging of The Lady’s Paying. Throughout the show, it is brilliantly executed
with precision and attention to choreographic detail by the large ensemble.
Atmospheric
projections by George Reeve enhance Morgan Large’s lavish set and costumes,
superbly lit by Mark Henderson to capture the glamour and extravagance of
1950’s Hollywood; while the icing on the cake was the pleasure of hearing Lloyd
Webber’s stunning score performed in superb Cinerama sound by the Opera
Australia orchestra directed by Paul Christ. Indeed, many of the audience sat on in the
theatre following the thunderous finale ovations to luxuriate in the generous
play-out music.
Please note
that at the performances of Sunset Boulevard on Tuesday nights and the
Wednesday matinee, the role of Norma Desmond is played by Sylvie Paladino.
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| The Company of "Sunset Boulevard. |
All images by Daniel Boud.
This review first published in CANBERRA CITY NEWS on 3rd September 2024