Music by Andrew Lloyd Webber
Book and Lyrics by Don Black and Christopher Hampton
Based on the Billy Wilder film

 
 
Ellie Hoare Norma Desmond
Joe Green Joe Gillis
Steve Hopkins Max
Zoe Phillpott Betty Schaefer
James Perons Artie, Salesman
Julie Axtell Heather the Studio Secretary
Paul Buckle Finance Man, Morino, Sammy, Adam, Guard, Manfred, Cecil B DeMille
Laurence Clarke Finance Man, Cliff, Hogeye, Jonesy
Andrew Corbett Sheldrake, Undertaker, John
Chris Dimbleby Myron
Gareth Hurman Dirk, Salesman
Helen Mussell Mary, Astrologer
Josh Neal Bob the Choreographer, Salesman
Emma Pead Katherine, Sandy, Lisa, Jean, Psychiatrist
Jess Player Ambulance Nurse, Dawn, Larissa, Beautician
Kate Smith Anita, Beautician
Fiona Thomas Jane, Waitress, Beautician
Hayley Toms Joanna, Doctor, Reporter

 

 

Synopsis

The story is a haunting exploration of faded glory, obsession, and the dark side of Hollywood. Set in 1949, the musical follows Joe Gillis, a struggling screenwriter desperate to make ends meet. While fleeing from repossession agents, he stumbles into the mansion of Norma Desmond, a once-great silent film star who lives in self-imposed exile, clinging to dreams of a triumphant return to the screen. Norma hires Joe to help edit her rambling script for a film she believes will be her grand comeback. As Joe becomes entangled in her web of delusion, he is seduced by her wealth and luxury but soon finds himself trapped in a toxic relationship. Meanwhile, Joe falls for Betty Schaefer, an ambitious young script reader, offering him a glimpse of a future outside Norma’s world. But Norma, fueled by madness and possessiveness, refuses to let him go. As reality and illusion collide, the story spirals toward its tragic conclusion—culminating in one of the most iconic and chilling finales in musical theatre history.