Review: Sunset Boulevard: In Concert at Home, at the Leicester Curve

It always amazes me that during this crazy time, how creative people up and down the country are rolling up their sleeves thinking "What can we do?" This one also asks " What can we do that no-one has ever seen before?"

That's what the Curve in Leicester have done. 

I haven't been to the Curve in a LONG time. In fact going to see anything there feels like another lifetime ago. But after this, I cannot wait to be back in this special space. 

They took their production of Sunset Boulevard and turned it into a In Concert At Home like any other. 

I did get to see their 2017 production when it stopped off in Manchester and from what I remember of it (apart from being late and getting cheeky autograph), it was good, but I wouldn't say it was my favourite ALW show. 

Three years later, it may still not be my favourite... but it's moved up a bit. Because this production is an example when you take the your previous work, tweak it, go into it deeper and then turn up the epic. 

Source: Curve Theatre / Sunset Boulevard (curveonline.co.uk)

This may be a concert production but it feels more semi-staged to me, the only things missing are props and an audience... move on before the tears start, MOVE ON BEFORE THE TEARS START!

Instead they transformed the entire auditorium (even the seats) into a giant in-the-round space (or the Curve into a Circle, hehe puns!), feeling like an amphitheatre. Top that with the direction of Nikolai Foster and the camera panning, this Sunset is going back to its cinema roots. This also comes in from the video projections from Douglas O'Connell: from the rolling titles in the Overture just as if it was a classic Paramount film; the streets of Hollywood whizzing by; the water effects of Norma's pool. 

One other thing that makes it more cinematic is the score. I'm not talking about the songs here - but the background score in-between. Such as the car chase scene, when Norma makes her first entrance, or when Betty is driving over to the mansion. We knew it was grand anyway, but the 16-piece orchestra has managed to turn it up to the max and makes your hairs stand on end like the scores of John Williams do!

It doesn't hurt as well that the Curve have brought back their original "main 4" for this concert version: Ria Jones (Gypsy), Danny Mac (Amelie), Molly Lynch (The Last Five Years) and Adam Pearce all return. Not that we could imagine anyone else here to be honest. 

Source: Curve Theatre / Sunset Boulevard (curveonline.co.uk)

Jones singing As If We Never Said Goodbye is still ... well... WOW. And Mac is EVEN better than I remember him being. Now being able to see his story all the way through (no **** to block my drive and make me late THIS time!), he becomes even more relatable than he did before. And looking gorgeous while doing it... 😉

As I was watching this, Boris' Lockdown 3.0 announcement was happening... (urgh!). Far more drama and emotion in this (well the kind you want) - it was a perfect distraction from all that was happening yes; but also one that kept me invested from start to finish. Not just because of the story, not just because of Danny Mac's dreamy voice (....)

But because of the creativity and vision that the Curve team have done to put this altogether. 

Sunset Boulevard: In Concert at Home finishes its performances on the 9th January - and I cannot recommend it enough. It's no wonder that this has been getting so much praise since it came out. Because it deserves it!!

You can get tickets here, where you'll also find a digital programme, and an interviews with Jones. 

I cannot wait to go back to Curve when the restrictions are lifted. A visit to them is long overdue. And if they're not able to go ahead with it as planned, I hope they have something in store like this for their concert of The Colour Purple - because they can do it!