Let's get to the point here - for the most part I find actor musician productions slightly poncey and a little bit confusing. My pre-conceived ideas along with my distinct lack of money had put me off going to see the new revival of ALW'S "Sunset Boulevard". However last night I swallowed my pride and spent my last £20 on a ticket, front row as always. I got to the Comedy theatre to be greeted with a small piece of A5 paper stating that "Due to the indisposition of Ms Katherine Evans, the role of Norma Desmond would be played by none other than Ms Jessica Martin". Yup! I squeaked and squealed and finally called Abi who joined me in no less than 7 minutes!
The set is an extremely strong point in this production as it stays the same throughout with the occasional projection onto a gold silk curtain.
Ben Goddard as Joe was phenomenal, his flute playing, his diction and his ass were all extremely tight and impressive.
I LOVED the ensemble*ness*, Tomm Coles sax playing made it for me (still see him in Fiddler though)
Then there was Jess. Her "With one look" gave the audience a mighty poke and suddenly the theatre came alive. Her characterisation was first class although she could have been nastier- a little more deep. She blew me away anyway!
I must also mention Jess' "As if we never said goodbye" my tears didn't stop they just kept coming, it was madness.
Also ALW stole the riff from Sunset for Woman in White. The opening scene in Sunset sounds like "You see I am no ghost" in Woman in White. HA! Nothing is original anymore, everything is recycled.
It was a fantastic night and I WILL be back - MANY times! Just have to make up my mind about Katherine Evans now!
We may not have seen Jess as Marguerite but her Norma was just as good !
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