Sunset Boulevard reimagined for Bolton and York
A reimagined, intimate new production of Andrew Lloyd Webber's mega-musical Sunset Boulevard is heading next year for the Octagon Theatre in Bolton (April 2-May1) and York Theatre Royal (June 9-26) .
Rather than the large-scale spectaculars seen in the West End, on Broadway and around the world over the past 33 years, the new version will be performed by a company of actor-musicians in an intimate staging, placing the music, storytelling and audience closer than ever before.
With music by Lloyd Webber and book and lyrics by Don Black and Christopher Hampton, Sunset Boulevard is based on Billy Wilder’s celebrated Paramount Pictures film.
The musical tells the story of silent movies star Norma Desmond, who longs for the spotlight that once made her a legend. When struggling screenwriter Joe Gillis enters her secluded world, hope soon gives way to obsession as their lives become entwined in a tragic search for love, success and belonging.
Andrew Lloyd Webber’s soaring score, rated one of his best, includes With One Look, As If We Never Said Goodbye and Sunset Boulevard.
Directed by the Octagon's Lottie Wakeham, the production will be the first new, professional staging of the show to be created by a theatre in the north of England.
Lotte Wakeham said: “Sunset Boulevard is a story about ambition, reinvention and the price of chasing the spotlight. The score is full of drama and longing, and staging it with actor-musicians gives us the chance to make every musical moment feel immediate and alive.
"I’m excited to create a new production that embraces that intimacy, drawing people into Norma and Joe’s world and allowing them to experience this iconic musical from a fresh perspective, literally in close up.
"It is also a privilege to make the first ever new professional production of Sunset Boulevard created by a theatre in the north, alongside our partners at Royal & Derngate and York Theatre Royal.”
Paul Crewes, Chief Executive of York Theatre Royal, said: "It is very exciting for us to be co-producing this spectacular musical. We will be partners with our friends at the Octagon and Royal & Derngate for the first time. We look forward to bringing this show to our stage in June 2027."
