Sunset Boulevard

Based on the Billy Wilder film, this musical is a curiously compelling story wit some powerful songs. Struggling Hollywood writer Joe Gillis finds himself in the home of faded silent movie star Norma Desmond while trying to escape the repossion of his car by the finance company.

Norma, a product of the studio system with only a faint grasp or reality, lives in her faded mansion with just her devoted butler Max and her dreams of making a comeback. Suckered into helping rewrite her dreadful script by the chance to lie low and earn some money, Joe finds himself drawn into a desrtuctive, mutually dependent relationship.

To reveal anymore would spoil the show for anyone seeing it for the first time - and if you haven't seen it I would urge you to try ... this is as far from a sweet girl-meets-boy plot as you will find, more opera than musical in its drama and with a depth of characterisation that makes you truly care for these (mostly awful) people, each locked into their own personal prison.

Ria Jones (Norma Desmond), Danny Mac (Joe) and Adam Pearch (Max) all put in powerful and commanding performances ably assisted by the other character performers, a large chorus and an unusually large (especially for a touring production) orchestra. The staging and production in general are really impressive - I adored the set and found it flexible, fascinating and full of interest with its mix and cross-over of film set and "reality" working particularly well.

A great night out seeing remarkable performances in a powerful musical - what more could you want!