Sunset Boulevard
A musical review by Victor Grynberg
Sarah Brightman Photo: Daniel Boud
It should come as no surprise that Opera Australia, renowned for productions of Classic operas by the likes of Puccini, Donizetti and Verdi, is also capable of producing an excellent version of a modern classic musical .
Sunset Boulevard was written in 1993 as a musical version of the great 1950 movie of the same name, directed by the much loved and community-admired Billy Wilder.
Basically it tells the story of an ageing mega star Norma Desmond, played here by the very famous Sarah Brightman, her possible comeback and a new love affair.
Miss Brightman, internationally acclaimed as the original Christine Daae written by her then husband, Andrew Lloyd Webber in Phantom of the Opera . After the triumphant 1986 West End premiere she then had an even bigger success in that role on Broadway. Strangely, after 1993, she focussed on her beautiful singing voice and has since not performed in a musical . Miss Brightman sang as wonderfully as ever and whether it was her acting and dancing as well, it was all part of an outstanding performance. Clearly she is a star of the highest class , well acknowledged by the enthusiastic Sydney audience. If the show got off to a less than perfect start in Melbourne a few months ago, now the whole production is terrific. Practice makes perfect as they say!
Her co-star is Tim Draxl, who plays Joe Gillis, a struggling screenwriter. I’ve seen Tim in many roles over the years, acting and as a cabaret star. All first-class. This is most probably the most challenging role he’s ever faced and clearly his years of experience have trained him to handle the complexity of the role very well indeed.
Ashleigh Rubenach plays Betty Schaeffer , Joe’s former love. Another excellent piece of casting as she was just perfect in this role.
We even get to see a recreation of Cecil B DeMille by Paul Hanlon. Hollywood history in front of our eyes.
Indeed the whole production was a tribute to an excellent piece of directing by Paul Griffin.
The large supporting cast were just as good, and credit should also go to Choreographer Ashley Wallen and Dance Captain Amy Berrisford. The dancing was an unexpected highlight.
Though Andrew Lloyd Webber’s music is not quite as famous as some of his other scores, it does contain some truly beautiful numbers, and the music is
almost operatic in beauty.
The Opera Australia Orchestra, under the skilled guidance of Paul Christ was superb, and the enlarged orchestral pit of the Joan Sutherland Theatre means the glorious sound is captivating.
The audience clearly loved the show , as did this writer. Bravo OA
SUNSET BOULEVARD
Joan Sutherland Theatre
Sydney Opera House
September 4 2024
