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Dominic Serland as Joe Gillis and Sophia Ford as
Norma Desmond.
Sunset Boulevard
Lichfield Garrick
****
LICHFIELD
Garrick Youth Theatre have delivered up a classy performance of
Sunset Boulevard,
the life of the faded movie star, Norma Desmond.
Her dream of making a spectacular return to the
silver screen with the help of Joe Gillis, a would be screenwriter, is
the basic scenario of this well-known Andrew Lloyd Webber musical, with
book and lyrics by Don Black & Christopher Hampton.
But twists and turns of fate thwart the plans of
the ageing actres s,
who is convinced she still has talent, beauty and screen appeal. ("I AM
big! It's the pictures that got smaller!)
Sophia Ford as Norma
Desmond gives a strong performance both with her acting and singing, her
powerful voice delivering emotional renditions, especially the number
With One Look
in act I.
Dominic Sterland convincingly creates the
character of Joe Gillis, a lovely performance, with a beautiful voice,
full of expression.
Supporting leads, Nathan De Giorgi as Max von
Mayerling, Emma Charnock as Betty Schaefer, Will Stevenson as Artie
Green, Hudson Mitchell as Sheldrake, Ollie Willett as Manfred and Alfie
Kentesber as Cecil B DeMille all added to the professional presentation.
Well done you guys!
The delightful ensemble with excellent singing,
choreography and enthusiastic punch gave the show lots of pizazz. Clever
use of back projection and revolves on stage sides, moved the scenes
along at a smooth pace.
What a talented company! They certainly deserved
the warm applause from the appreciative audience and if you want to
enjoy the show, directed by Richard Poynton, choreographed by Jessica
Lambert and with Musical Director, Oliver Rowe - it runs to 08-10-16
Elizabeth M Smith
05-10-16
www.lichfieldyouththeatre.co.uk
And down the street
*****
BY a remarkable
coincidence two former members of the Garrick Youth Theatre had been
appearing in a West End professional version of
Sunset Boulevard
as the latest crop of talented youngsters were ready to open at the
Garrick.
Katie Kerr and Siobhan Dillon appeared alongside
Glenn Close in the English National Opera Company’s revival of the
Andrew Lloyd Webber musical at the Coliseum – just as so many others
have moved into show business careers in the past 30 years.
Judging by the quality of the 40-strong cast in
the youth theatre’s latest production, some of the current players will
surely make it on to the professional stage, too. This is not an easy
show to stage, but the youngsters coped with remarkable confidence and
considerable skill.
The tale is set in 1949 Hollywood where
struggling script writer Joe Gillis fails to get work at Paramount
Studios and, desperate to escape car possession agents, drives into a
garage at the palatial but dilapidated mansion of former silent movie
star Norma Desmond.
He strikes up a friendship with the ageing woman
who couldn’t make it into the talkies yet still believes the public want
her and she can return to the big screen . . . a dream that ends in
tragedy.
Sophia Ford is
magnificent as the deluded Desmond, singing the big number,
With One Look,
superbly, and she receives great support from Dominic Sterland,
excellent as Gillis who grasps the opportunity for a comfortable life
helping the old star, though destined to pay a high price.
Outstanding performances, too, from Nathan De
Giorgi, playing Max, Desmond’s loyal butler with a big secret, and Emma
Charnock (Betty Schaefer, a young script writer who gets close to Joe).
And full marks to an outstanding orchestra under
musical director Oliver Rowe who contribute immensely to the success of
this musical.
Directed by Richard Poynton, with Jessica
Lambert’s choreography, Sunset Boulevard continues to shine until
08.10.16.
*Pity the behaviour of a tiny minority of
teenagers in the Wednesday night audience didn’t match that of their
peers on stage.
Paul Marston
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