Sunset Boulevard – Savoy Theatre 2023/24

Saw this last night knowing Rachel was on and she was phenomenal, she had the right mix of playing Norma as that scary, vulnerable, has-been star who becomes obsessed with Joe. Her singing was standing ovation worthy and she got a big round of applause for many moments including: "As If We Never Said Goodbye". My only gripe would be the young Norma looked more like Nicole so wondered if they could have hired a young Norma for Rachel's shows? I liked the little fourth wall breaking with the line about "sharing a role" and a wink to the camera!

Having seen Tom Francis in the fluffy pop musical "& Juliet" I was blown away by his voice and take on Joe, the number in the second part backstage was just as fabulous as people have said, there was a tourist as he came up by The Coal Hole who was taking photos! I am tempted to hang around one evening to see it happen live!

The supporting cast were all fantastic and the dancing sublime, loved the choreography for "Let's Have Lunch" as I was up in the Dress Circle, it was a great place to see the mix of camera and live action and the lighting. This is a totally different take on the musical and having been lucky to see Glenn Close at the ENO when the show was last on in London you cannot compare as this is Sunset Boulevard - The Jamie remix! I did like the strip backed, black and white movie, no prop style but did think if you hadn't seen it before would you know Norma was performing to the police not cameras at the end?

I overheard a woman complaining in the interval that Rachel Tucker was on and she hadn't been informed when booking and looked like her party and her left, what a mistake to leave! The show is worth seeing and I am glad I got a chance. Would be great if they do a cast recording they do include Rachel's versions too!

Yeah I know quite a number of gays who booked on a Monday expecting to see Nicole, and then left at the interval

Imagine having no taste

embarrassing 

Any chance of a cinema broadcast at some point?

I don't blame people for getting confused to be honest - I agree they DO make an effort to inform people as best they can but I can easily see why people might not realise. This is why I think, if I was ever a producer, I would re-consider whether it's even a good idea to have this kind of alternate situation or make it even clearer in the marketing. For example, every billboard that says Nicole Sunset says Rachel Tucker Monday nights somewhere on it too.

Thank you for posting the link, great to read a few more details about the production and her life in London.

I was surprised this wasn't a problem when I went to see the show in early November. There were some passersbuy that ignored the security staff but no fans at all. How are they dealing with it? You can't tell people to leave public spaces...

Lucky you! I wish I could go that often!

I think this is the worst time of year for the crowds! January goes quiet and he woulda been OK.  

I don't think Mr Thaxton has been on any recordings, no. He's been replacement cast in all the big shows that would be likely to get a recording. 

Yes I've certainly been very lucky to see it that number of times, both financially and logistically!

Agree very much the worst time of year and plenty of "revellers" on The Strand.

Thought so re Thaxton - all the more reason I hope he gets to record this! Vocally one of the strongest Max's I have ever seen.

To my eye they had more security. As they came up the stairs from The Cole Hole onto The Strand itself, the fangirl contingent were respectfully waiting there, cameras at the ready in a sort of L-shape. The photo bombers came just after them and I guess there is nothing they can do about them; public space as you say.

Tom total pro and doesn't flinch at all but he must feel relieved when he turns off The Strand and into the run up to the theatre! 

I do wonder if this will be a nightmare on Broadway where the fans and photo hungry tourists will make London look like small fry. Either way, the atmosphere of this scene we had when this first opened and nobody was expecting it will remain a special moment in time that alas we won't see again.

I got chatting to one of the security while waiting by the stage door to see the walk-around a couple of weeks ago, they were very nice and didn't seem to have any issue with people waiting around to watch (was more concerned that I didn’t have a coat) but I’m sure that will change very quickly if people stop being respectful. As long as you listen to the staff if they ask you to move and don’t try to disturb the proceedings, they don’t seem to be too bothered.

I agree!

Also we have so many shows that open in an (almost) sold out hyped fanfare and then gradually tail off that it's been so nice to see something opening with middling/good sales, catching on, growing exponentially and now being more or less sold out. A real word of mouth, people buying it cos it's GOOD, success story.

It's like the old days when singles could be new entires in the 20's and 30's before climbing to number one!