Sunset Boulevard

Sunset Boulevard Theatre Breaks

A touch of Hollywood glamour came to the glamourous Savoy, London as  Sunset Boulevard Theatre Breaks, “drenched in champagne and cynicism“,  opened at the Savoy Theatre last year to rapturous acclaim.

Plaudits were shared equally between the award-winning  Andrew Lloyd Webber score, Jamie Lloyd’s radical new direction and also for its leading lady, Nicole Scherzinger who “dazzles” (The Guardian) as the immortal Norma Desmond.

Sunset Boulevard London Theatre Breaks
Nicole Scherzinger “dazzles” as Norma Desmond – Photograph: Marc Brenner

This thrillingly atmospheric musical, which takes a look at ambition and the intoxicating need for fame and adoration, feature a mesmerising score including With One Look, The Perfect Year and As If We Never Said Goodbye, was reimagined by visionary director Jamie Lloyd for a new generation.

Sunset Blvd – the movie

Triple Oscar winning film Sunset Boulevard was released in 1950 starring Gloria Swanson and William Holden in the two title roles. Directed (and written) by Billy Wilder, the story revolves around faded silent screen star Norma Desmond who, dreaming of a glorious come-back, moves unsuccessful screen-writer Joe Gilles into her Sunset Boulevard mansion convinced that he will be her ticket to super-stardom. Living in a fantasy world, Norma’s mind slowly unravels towards madness which ultimately ends in… well that would be telling!

Sunset Blvd – The Musical

In 1983, British music maestro Andrew Lloyd Webber turned it into a successful West End musical with book and lyrics by Don Black and Christopher Hampton, which went on to thrill audiences in both Los Angeles and on Broadway where Glenn Close played the role of Norma Desmond.

Award-winning West End star, Rachel Tucker (Wicked, Come from Away etc) guest starred as Norma Desmond on all Monday performances. I love an excuse to take a midweek Theatre Break!

Show Info

Theatre : Savoy Theatre, Savoy Ct, Strand, London, WC2R 0ET
Genre : Musical (age recommendation: 12 and over)
Performance Times: Monday to Saturday 7.30pm, Thursday & Saturday 2.30pm
Opened: September 2023
Closed : 6 January 2024
Nearest underground to the Savoy Theatre: Covent Garden on the Piccadilly line
Closest hotels : 3 star Strand Palace Hotel, 4 star Clermont London Charing Cross, 5 star Savoy

London Theatre Breaks
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About Simon Harding

Simon Harding has grown up in and around London's Theatreland and has been working here ever since he left school: promoting its shows to anyone who will listen!

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