Sunset Boulevard… sounds dreamy, doesn’t it? Imagine, the protagonists riding off into the sunset with their lover… Well, there’s none of that here! Instead, strap in for a tragedy filled with twists, turns, manipulation, greed and disillusionment. With Sarah Brightman leading this lavish new production of the musical as the eccentric Norma Desmond, immerse yourself in a night of Hollywood glamour and retro vibes from the 50s!
I’ll admit, I went in blind for this musical. Unlike SIX the Musical in 2024, I had no prior knowledge before heading into the theatre, other than the vague recollection of its synopsis I read off of Wikipedia. Right away you are thrust into a darkened hall as gunshots rang from the stage followed by police sirens. What a way to start a musical! To say I was confused and intrigued would be an understatement.
But before we get into all of that, what’s the story of Sunset Boulevard even about?
Essentially, the musical tells a tale of unfulfilled ambition and long-forgotten fame. Discarded and left behind by Hollywood in favour of “talkies”, legendary silent movie star Norma Desmond yearns to return to the limelight. Told through the perspective of Joe Gillis, a struggling Hollywood screenwriter, find out what happens when he stumbles upon her opulent but dilapidated mansion on Sunset Boulevard, setting off a chain of events steeped in manipulation, passion and unpredictability.
Highlights From Sunset Boulevard
It’s no fun to tell you the entire musical play-by-play, you’ll just have to watch it yourself! But I will share my highlights of the musical. The visuals and vibes of Sunset Boulevard were on point! From the sets to the costumes to the music, Sunset Boulevard brought its different themes to life, be it through haunting numbers or grand performances.
Norma’s Mansion
Hands down, my favourite set of the musical has to be Norma’s mansion. Throughout the musical, you can see subtle changes in the elegant mansion backdrop. Hauntingly beautiful, as though trapped and frozen in time, her mansion is tightly linked to her current state of mind and reflects her very being.
Sarah Brightman certainly brings Norma Desmond to life right from her first song Surrender. However, I find the song, With One Look, encompasses her unyielding ambition the best. Backed by her mansion that’s as elegant as she is, it is dimly lit and glittering with candles as Norma revels in the legacy she has left behind, confident that she will return to the screen again.
The development and change of the mansion as linked to Norma’s state of mind is most prevalent towards the end of the musical. As she reveals what Joe’s been up to at her mansion to Betty Schaefer, her makeup is running and she looks terrifying and crazed.
Reflecting this, the mansion is swamped in darkness, with only the thunderstorm outside the house casting light through the windows and blowing open the curtains. This visceral picture not only creates a tense atmosphere as the musical builds towards the climax but also the shattering of the elegance she possessed at the start of the musical.
This scene paints her character for what it is – eerie, obsessive and manipulative, which is mirrored in the darkened dreariness of her mansion. These subtle changes and the eventual development of her mansion made me even more immersed in the entirety of Sunset Boulevard and her story. The set of her mansion was not only just for aesthetic purposes but also a deeper reflection of who she is, making it one of my favourite aspects of the musical.
Max von Mayerling
Another aspect of the musical that left a deep impression was the character Max von Mayerling, Norma’s chauffeur, and butler and later revealed as (spoiler alert!) her first husband. Showcased through The Greatest Star Of All, Robert Grubb embodies the loyalty that Max von Mayerling holds for Norma Desmond. Despite this scene staying mostly static, its lack of dynamic movement allows audiences to hear how deeply his devotion runs.
In the musical, Max goes to the end and beyond for her, steadfastly staying by her side while vehemently preventing anyone from revealing the reality of her fall from fame to Norma, even being dubbed her ‘German shepherd’.
New Ways To Dream (Reprise) reveals the depth and reasoning behind Max’s actions. While Norma’s toxicity and manipulative nature were blatantly clear — aspects that definitely made me dislike her — I could also understand Max’s depth of devotion. As someone who has been part of her life from the very start, it’s easy to see why his devotion runs so deep for her. His consistency and dedication to her are definitely something to admire — characteristics that Robert Grubb encompassed and presented perfectly.
Sunset Boulevard
Performed right after intermission ended, Sunset Boulevard was perfect for hooking audiences back in for the second act. While many might be left mesmerised by soprano Sarah Brightman’s hits in the musical, this was the song that sent chills down my spine. Performed by Tim Draxl as Joe Gillis, this song exposes what lies beneath the glitz and glamour of Hollywood – all the inauthenticity, desperation and disappointment.
A simple set-up: we are met with Joe Gillis on stage by an umbrella and a lounge chair, a complete 180 to the struggling screenwriter running from car repossession agents at the beginning. A number that encapsulates the internal conflict of staying and chasing your dreams or surviving in the industry, Sunset Boulevard showcases the core of the musical beyond Norma’s story. While this performance exposes Joe Gillis’s shallow reasons for staying with Norma, you also can’t help but get why he did – to be able to secure his future, at least for the time being.
A bittersweet performance, Sunset Boulevard forces the harsh truth to the front for everyone to see: you cannot survive just by chasing your dreams. This is a dilemma that is relatable even up until the present day, which was personally why this performance was particularly outstanding and visceral for me.
Sunset Boulevard In Singapore
From a production that I knew nothing about to a musical that absolutely enraptured me, it’s easy to see why it got a standing ovation. While some parts and twists were a little abrupt to me, Sunset Boulevard is a dramatically beautiful tragedy that skillfully tells the story of overwhelming ambition and forgotten fame.
Despite its tragic tale, the musical was also filled with visually stunning dance numbers complemented by amazing choreography. With how every actor and actress had their part to play, watching it from afar was like seeing a well-oiled machine!
Packed with dramatic numbers dripping with emotion and energy, safe to say that the cast of this production is absolutely stellar. While the experience was a tad bit soured by some nearby audience members’ lack of theatre etiquette, Sunset Boulevard is certainly a musical to catch. So if you’ve been persuaded, be sure to grab your tickets from SISTIC and Marina Bay Sands Ticketing! Don’t hesitate for too long as Sunset Boulevard is only here until 23 February!
🗓️ Date: Now until 23 February
📍Location: Sands Theatre, 2 Bayfront Ave, B1-69/70 The Shoppes, Marina Bay Sands, Singapore 018971
⏰Time:
- Tuesday to Saturday: 8pm
- Sun: 1pm
💲Price: S$88 – S$258
Visuals courtesy of Base Entertainment Asia
