The Stage

Sunset Boulevard

Published Wednesday 16 July 2008 at 13:15 by Julie Watterston

You may well ask how a Hollywood mansion of epic proportions with its own swimming pool, shot originally on the silver screen, could even contemplate fitting onto the tiny, intimate stage of the Watermill Theatre. Look no further than set designer Diego Pitarch to reduce it all down to a revolving central spiral staircase, glitzy, golden movie set palm trees and a black and white photographic backdrop of a young silent screen star, Norma Desmond. A huge double bass propped against the staircase takes pride of place and dramatically sets the scene for this actor-musician production.

Andrew Lloyd Webber’s score is so powerful in this muggy, almost claustrophic environment and the cast produce such strong, emotive characterisations that we cannot help but believe that we are enveloped in a glamorous but stuffy stately home devoid of true happiness. The sadness of Desmond’s demise and her deranged obsession for a comeback fill the acting space of the Watermill with a fluidity and passion that carries this production through to its tragic conclusion.

Kathryn Evans gives a performance of diva proportions as Norma Desmond, poignantly pathetic yet with a strength of character that makes her larger than life. Her show-stopping numbers are overwhelmingly powerful, with a voice that encompasses the soul and sends it soaring to heady heights.

Ben Goddard gives a strong and balanced performance playing Joe Gillis, never an easy role against a character as dominant as Norma. Gillis’ desperation for writing work lets him fall into Desmond’s clutches until he is in a no-win situation, under which Goddard ably allows Gillis to slowly and metaphorically suffocate.

Laura Pitt-Pulford is the young and eager Betty Schaeffer, with Tomm Coles as Artie Green and Edward York as the slightly menacing Max von Meyerling, who is determined to protect Desmond at all costs.

With a cast of 12, a host of musical instruments to accommodate and a confined space, it is a real credit to director Craig Revel Horwood that this blockbuster musical enjoys a giant’s share of uplifting choreography and tightly controlled direction.