First broadcast on BBC Radio 2 in 1994 and recorded at Cork Opera House in Ireland, you can now listen to Andrew Lloyd Webber‘s musical Sunset Boulevard – live in concert on BBC iPlayer.
Starring Petula Clark as Norma Desmond and Michael Ball as Joe Gillis, plus Michael Bauer as Max Von Mayerling, Emma Williams as Betty Schaefer, Michael Xavier as Artie Green, Ian Burford as Cecil B De Mille, Melanie Marshall as Lisa, Sophia Thierens as Katharine, Theresa Kartell as Mary, Amanda Minihan as Joanna, Rohan Tickell as Sheldrake, Mark McKerracher as Myron, Matt Dempsey as John, Colin Zammit as Morino, Rebecca Louis as Harlem Girl, Poppy Tierney as Harlem Girl, Lee Ormsby as Finance Man, Roy Litvin as Finance Man and Graham Howes as Jonesy.
Norma Desmond is a faded silent film star who didn’t quite manage to transition into the talkies (films with dialogue). The eccentric diva lives in her palatial mansion on Sunset Boulevard, believing she is still just as famous as she always was. When Joe, a struggling film writer, lands on her door step when his car breaks down, Norma takes him on to edit her amazing new film script which is going to be her big come back movie! At least that’s what the deluded star thinks. The truth is that her script is awful. But with a short temper and several previous suicide attempts to her name, will Joe tell her the truth that she is a washed up has-been or play along with her story to save her life?
Sunset Boulevard made it’s return to London’s West End in 2016 at the London Coliseum in a semi-staged production, starring Glenn Close and Michael Xavier in the leading roles. The show then transferred to Broadway and a new fully staged show is now touring the UK starring Ria Jones and Danny Mac.
Check out this archive recording on BBC iPlayer now!
______________________________________________________________
