Sunset Boulevard – Savoy Theatre 2023/24

"this isn't that hard to take around" - The most hilarious thing I've read in a long time.

And why's that?

You don't think the recognition and status of the "brand" has been elevated since the Savoy production?

I’m the first one to moan when people underestimate regional audiences but even I would doubt this would do well on tour without a very big name attached. I actually can’t think of someone who could sell it. It’s just a bit too art house/ niche. And yes, by the time the Curve production came to Manchester inexplicably for the second time, it was on its backside sales wise.

takes a lot of money and manpower to make something so sleek and simple set-wise. plus not worth the hassle to design and rehearse a new walkabout for each venue only for half the audience to come out saying 'I highly doubt that was live', 'where was the staircase??', and 'the twerking was so self-indulgent'

Her character in Opening Night was (on page anyway) not a million miles away from Norma D!

I was thinking Christina Aguilera…

These are the names we need for this show moving forward

Thing GAGA, Aguilera, Rita Ora, Jessy J, Dua Lipa, Lana Del Rey, Miley Cyrus etc - not theatre names like Joanna Riding sadly. 

Hannah Waddingham would work perhaps? 

Of course even on 50-100k a week most of these names would refuse offers. Producers also need profit.

The thing about Sherzinger isn't her wonderful talent as such - there are dozens of B+ list well known celebs (A list meaning Madonna, Kylie, Beyonce here) who can sing the role. But can they act it?

Another issue is the broader appeal and timing in their career. Sherzinger had her pop career and has been on major TV competition shows in the UK and US and this gives her broad appeal to all ages and most demographics. Singers like Dua Lipa and Rita Ora would only be known by younger generations. My older relatives wouldn't know who they are!

Sherzinger is unique because she ticks many boxes and is a step above any MT, UK TV star or reality show talent. Who else apart from A list names has this? It's a difficult one! The only person i can think of is Hannah Waddingham.

Who else?

You “popped off, Sis”?

Hannah Waddingham is a a funny one for me. I have almost forgotten what she is like as an MT performer since her media persona has become stratospheric. I did really enjoy her in The Beautiful Game, Spamalot and Wizard of Oz.

But now I wonder if she's at that point where you would struggle to see her in character is she herself is just so "big." Gonna sound like a typical Brit now, but she's also kinda become for me, a bit too, I dunno, American? I sometimes feel a slight phoney-ness, performative-ness and she does market herself at the "YES QUEEN" brigade. The Olivier's photographer incident felt very show-y for the (whooping appreciative) crowd.

Perhaps I am being unfair. As I said, I've loved her in shows previously and she is undeniably talented. I am just not sure if she can act vulnerable, deluded and broken..... I'd love to hear her belt out the big songs though. And of the names mentioned she's one of the closest that could give it a go.

No way would Dua Lipa or Rita Ora be remotely suitable.

Joanna Lumley for Norma please. Thanks.