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

 

This is a huge musical both in terms of the music and its staging. Ruairidh was back at the helm as Director and strove to get the right balance of drama, humour and pathos from the script. His first challenge was of course taking the show to two very different venues. His concept of using huge light boxes allowed different scenes and moods to be created without any drop in pace. Like a film, it was vital to keep up interest in the action. By doing away with the need for an elaborate set depicting the famous staircase,  the action was paired back to what was important, the melodrama in front of us. A seasoned Concept director, Ruairidh worked with the cast and production team, led by the redoubtable Paul, to pull together a production that held the audiences attention from start to finish like any good film blockbuster.

It was lovely to welcome back Richard Jackson as our musical director for this show. His thoroughness and good humour is a great combination that got us through the tricky score - particularly the difficult "Let's Have Lunch" number in the first act. The band were cohesive and delivered that big "Hollywood sound" every night.

The cast was headed up by a Concept newbie, Joe Green, who is no stranger to the stage having performed many leading roles across the stages of South Wales and he brought a professionalism as well as his fantastic voice and sophistication to the role of Joe Gillis. He barely leaves the stage in this show and played the part to perfection.

Ellie Hoare shone as the fading film star Norma Desmond. A part made for her at this point in her drama career. Strong, believable, pathetic and melodramatic - she had the whole gamut of emotions (all demonstrated - sometimes at once - in every scene!). She was dressed to the nines every night and her delivery of the famous one-liners got the reactions they deserved from the rapt audiences.

Zoe Phillpott as the love interest, brought a wonderful brightness and lightness of touch to her role as Betty. Ensuring that our Betty was feisty and no push over for the cynical Joe. She sang the role beautifully, her duet with Joe being a highlight of the second act. Her fiancé, Artie, played by James Perons, was a suitably upbeat character, with a great presence in his scenes with her.

The butler Max is a daunting role, a pivotal role played to perfection by Steve Hopkins who sang his torch songs about the memories of days gone by so well you could hear a pin drop in the theatre (if it wasn't for the applause!).

The principal players were supported by an ever strong ensemble which covered all the other parts. They played the myriad of other roles which was no mean feat, portraying movie moguls, screenwriters, hopeful actors, dancers, tea ladies, security guards and cameramen to name but a few.

Thanks to a strong lighting and sound team, the show hung together very well. Made more technically challenging by the use of video, expertly spliced together by Lawrence. The chase video scenes in particular combined all technical disciplines both back stage and front; where sound effects, video, lighting, scenery and live music from the pit, all came together perfectly in concert.

Finally, a word about costume. Laura and Paul with help from Fiona, made the show look amazing. In particular Norma's outfits, bespoke made for the diva herself, glittered and got gasps every night. Well done team.

This is a show which is a powerhouse of emotions from start to finish. Like a film in combines so many technical elements and the whole is a tour-de-force of acting, music and spectacle.  A fun rehearsal period followed by a great two week run - we think we did Norma proud.