Sunset Boulevard (ENO)

Lol 

put your flameproof jacket on Michael! 

I know, each to their own, but I do wonder how the very same performance can be received that differently and how extremely opinions can differ.

When I saw Sunset last week, I was not only unimpressed by Ms Close's performance but also found it painful to listen to her trying to sing the songs. For me, she was the one weak point in an otherwise brilliant production and it could have been so much better had they gotten someone who can do the songs justice.

I was even joking that Norma committed two murders that night, Joe Gillis and the score.

I wonder what Glenn is doing this morning.....

I imagine she slept in until 0730 (yes that's a lie in for Glenn) and was then kissed awake by some handsome suitor-come-houseboy who doesn't look unlike Mickey X.... A champagne breakfast follows, although she hardly drinks this is a special occasion after all! As she sips, she may flick through her fan mail, smiling wryly at the many different post codes from the four corners of the world. Mickey will interrupt to tell her that Paramount is on the phone again.
"Who at Paramount?" She demands, eyes flashing.
"Head of casting Madame" is Mickey's reply. 
"No!" She hisses. "Only when HE calls! ONLY WHEN ITS HIM!!"
Mickey retreats and Glenn prepares herself for her bath. A turban fashioned from the finest Egyptian cotton and a full face of MAC (water has not touched this visage since 1970 despite a promising swimming career and losing out on the olympics only because of her devotion to her Art). Passing the mirror she looks at herself, framing her face with both hands she hums "all they needed was this face of mine"  before lowering herself into the scented bubbles. 
Mickey knocks...
"Ent-aaah!" She cries. 
"His lordship has arrived Madame, and Mr Black. Zey have ze Broadway contract"
"I'm ready....." She whispers "I'm coming home at last!".....

That's nothing. Sandi Toksvig was there the night I went!

Absolutely loved it last night - Glenn Close put in an extraordinary acting performance and thought her voice was in fine shape, "with One Look" in particular. Yes, I've heard Norma sung better, but I thought she was mesmerising.

Can't understand all the negativity towards Muchael Xavier - for a character that's both trapped and who can't believe his luck, thought he was superb.

And what an atmosphere - didn't think the curtain calls would stop!

It's hard to compare Ms Staunton to Ms Close, but I think Ms Staunton would win as she brought something very new, and less obvious to the part. And I would hazard that Momma is a more demanding role as she is certainly stage for practically the whole evening, and it's a longer evening. Norma is threaded through other major stories, but certainly making the right impact when she is there

Was that Don asking you about problems he is having with his IPhone? In that case yeap it was me.

I was really looking forward to be blown away by this. Sadly I don't think Lonny Price is much of a director. 'Young Norma' did nothing for me, but I wouldn't have minded her presence if she hadn't upstaged such important moments. To have her draw focus from Max's first 'The Greatest Star Of All' and be floating past Norma during the fateful 'Phone Call To Betty was an extraordinary choice - just first-base wrong in my view. Glenn Close is clearly no "me, me, me" diva, but I wish she hadn't allowed it. Also, I was anticipating chills during Hogeye's spotlight moment, but why over the previous 60 seconds weren't the other lights cheated down a notch - I expected a distinct spotlight cutting through the semi-dark, with some haze to really show the light beam. The floating Joe looked daft in photos people had taken in the interval, but I imagined it would be bathed in watery light and back projection - but barely. I can't think how anyone who doesn't know the story would interpret it - certainly not 'body in swimming pool'.

If they do it again, I'd like to see the orchestra casually amble across the stage before the start of the show proper, with violin cases etc. Okay I know the Musician's Union wouldn't stand it (except for more pay) - but the idea of the orchestra striking up as a soundstage orchestra makes sense, and I think sometimes orchestras played 'to picture' in order to match when recording. That would work for overture and entr'acte with a suspended screen above.

I don't know - I feel disappointed that I'm disappointed. Really wanted to feel uplifted and in awe, but it felt like it needed more pre-production time on projections and concepts. I've often thought that a 'skeleton of a studio' could work for Sunset Boulevars' locations, but I think it would need to revolve to become truly exciting, with the staircase snaking round it.

I just wanted more.

I applaud you, londonmzfitz. Don't feel mortified. I'd have done the same. And more... More of us should challenge these arrogant tossers. What an arsehole! 

Ignorant uncouth oiks. 

Don't feel mortified at all. HE should be mortified. And his companion for sniggering. I always call people out for phones being used. It's unacceptable and doing it once is one time too many.

It always depressed me that people can't leave their phones alone for the duration of a show. Sad twats.

Not quite sure why I felt the need to tell him we got up at 4am to book tickets but there we are!

I enjoyed it very much, thank you.  The atmosphere was amazing and I'm going to miss hearing that score played by the fabulous orchestra.