On March 27^th, the musical commission Sunset Boulevard, composed by Andrew Lloyd Webber and starring Sarah Brightman, made a spectacular debut at the Beijing Performing Arts Centre. This classic musical, carrying the memory of Hollywood’s Golden Age, captivated audiences with its fresh production, delivering an immersive audio-visual feast.

As one of Webber’s most iconic leading ladies, Sarah Brightman amazed the world as Christine in The Phantom of the Opera, winning an honourary title, “The Legend of Musical”.

From the resonant soliloquy in With One Look to her poignant monologue in As If We Never Said Goodbye and finally to her madness as “Salome”, Sarah Brightman’s nuanced and dramatical performance vividly conveyed Norma’s struggle and isolation amid the tides of time. Her velvety voice carried profound tragic intensity, making Norma’s songs irresistibly moving.

Tim Draxl, who performed the male lead Joe Gillis, delivered a powerful audiovisual impact. Whether performing the theme song Sunset Boulevard or portraying Joe’s inner conflict between reality and ambition, Draxl offered a mesmerizing interpretation.

The butler Max, portrayed by Michael Cormick, is like a mysterious polyhedron—stoic and devoted to Norma, yet concealing fiery passion beneath his icy exterior.

Betty, acted by Mary McCorry, is young, beautiful, aspiring and vigourous. Her sweet vocals and radiant smile brought brightness to the stage. Jarrod Draper (Artie Green) and Philips Lowe (Cecil B. DeMille), along with the entire cast, collectively recreated the glamour and grandeur of Hollywood’s Golden Age.

 

This production of Sunset Boulevard is licensed by Webber’s Really Useful Group, newly produced by GWB, and co-presented by Opera Australia. After its 2024 Australian premiere, its China tour is exclusively organized by the Beijing Poly Theatre Management Co., Ltd. The stage design retains the original’s opulence while blending film noir aesthetics with cutting-edge technology, juxtaposing Hollywood’s extravagance and decay. Norma’s mansion at 10086 comes alive onstage, with grand Gothic Revival-style arches evoking the timeless mystique of 1920s Los Angeles. Dark backdrops, intricate spiral staircases, lavish vintage furniture, and flickering lights weave a haunting dream of faded glory. Every detail from Paramount’s studio equipment to retro neon signs at the Hollywood bar transports audiences to that distant yet enchanting era.

The musical commission Sunset Boulevard will continue its run at the Beijing Performing Arts Centre until April 13. During the performances, the BPAC will offer exclusive shuttle services and themed cultural peripheral products, ensuring audiences a richly immersive musical experience.

Photos by WANG Xiaojing, NIU Xiaobei, GONG Xuedong, XIAO Yi