Review by Michelle Sutton
Based on Billy Wilder’s 1950 film by the same name, Sunset Boulevard is a gothic horror and black comedy all rolled into one. It is Hollywood telling a shiny, brutal story about Hollywood with no holds barred. Considered one of the most important American films of the 20th Century and winning 2 Oscars, the film inspired a musical version by Andrew Lloyd Webber, premiering on The West End in 1993. Director Paul Warwick Griffin brings a glitzy and gory rendition of the story to the Joan Sutherland Stage at the Sydney Opera House.
This production presented by Opera Australia and GWB Productions stars Sarah Brightman in the iconic role of volatile fading silent-film star Norma Desmond. Rapturous applause broke out in the audience as Brightman descended the grand staircase for the first time, signalling people’s eager anticipation to see her in her first musical theatre role in three decades. Tim Draxl is captivating as the cynical screen-writer Joe Gillis and Robert Grubb delivers an understatedly ominous performance as Max Von Mayerling, with some of the most strikingly clear and beautiful vocals of the show. The production design of the show is a feat in of itself and worth the price of admission. Set and costume designer Morgan Large creates a spooky world of luxury, delusion and dread with the gothic mansion that Norma haunts. The complementary projection design by George Reeve is evocative and melancholy. Lighting and sound design come together to powerfully portray the crumbling world and tragic destiny of the characters.
The first act slightly overstays its welcome, dragging on another 10 minutes or so when the audience would already have had more than enough time to enter the world of the characters and marvel at the production without. Some of the tension and drama begins to fizzle out as it crawls towards intermission. However, the second act is nothing short of breathtaking from beginning to end, opening with Draxl’s rendition of the titular song ‘Sunset Boulevard’ which is one of, if not the, high point of the show. Draxl’s characterisation of Gillis transformation is excellent, as he slowly resigns himself to to Norma’s world of darkness and shadows. Draxl’s voice is dynamic, emotive and beautiful to listen to across a range of styles. Ashleigh Rubenach does the best she can with an underwritten, two-dimensional love interest role, creating chemistry with Draxl and bringing warmth and optimism to her role as Betty Schaefer. Draxl and Rubenach under, the expertise of choreographer Ashley Wallen, are responsible for one of the most arresting moments of the show: a dizzying spin across the floor of the stage during their (otherwise disappointingly underwhelming) duet. It is a small addition that captures the beauty of both cinema and theatre.
Musical supervisor Kristen Blodgette and musical director Paul Christ have created pure magic with the music in this production. You could not find a more impeccable orchestra in Australia or a more perfectly executed score. The music swells at all the right moments and often ends up being the real star of the show. As supremely talented as the cast are, they are often out-done by the music. Different styles of music juxtapose each other, opera for Norma, clinging on to relics of a by-gone world, and more contemporary and upbeat 1940s and 1950s music for the young guns at the studio. The theme of clashing worlds is carried across production, with Norma wearing sequinned art-deco inspired gowns, and the studio scenes featuring more contemporary, simple and understated clothing for the time period.
Sunset Boulevard at the Opera House is a show of the highest calibre you are likely to see in Australia. It is clear that no expense has been sparred in the set, the lighting design, the costumes and it was worth every penny it seems. This production will enthral fans of the original movie and lovers of film-noir, and new audiences alike. Even true skeptics of grandiose productions and melodramatic storylines will find even they cannot resist being moved by Andrew Lloyd Webber’s stunning music. Sunset Boulevard is a beautiful, tragic, glittery triumph of a show, providing an opportunity for Sydneysiders to see world class theatre and to be reminded of the timeless story told of Hollywood.
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