Sunset Boulevard – Savoy Theatre 2023/24

[jaybird89]

Jan 5, 2024 23:50:14 GMT toomasj said:

Would have been a great idea for an original piece though. A forgotten/cancelled/past it YouTuber or TikTokker in her 50’s still doing the finger snapping and “slaaaaaay” and all that business long past everyone growing out of it. Her friends are all settled down living normal lives, and they’re still on Twitch to the remaining 80 people left behind, begging for donations and avoiding debt collectors as they live beyond their means.

It just didn’t need to be Sunset Boulevard, which has a definitive setting, themes and grandeur which Lloyd set aside to fit in his vision.

I don't know for me by it being Sunset Boulevard it spoke to me of how nothing has really changed despite what we may think and it's a way of relating current themes to a story from another time.

[Deleted]

Jan 6, 2024 0:05:25 GMT jaybird89 said:

Jan 5, 2024 23:50:14 GMT toomasj said:

Would have been a great idea for an original piece though. A forgotten/cancelled/past it YouTuber or TikTokker in her 50’s still doing the finger snapping and “slaaaaaay” and all that business long past everyone growing out of it. Her friends are all settled down living normal lives, and they’re still on Twitch to the remaining 80 people left behind, begging for donations and avoiding debt collectors as they live beyond their means.

It just didn’t need to be Sunset Boulevard, which has a definitive setting, themes and grandeur which Lloyd set aside to fit in his vision.

I don't know for me by it being Sunset Boulevard it spoke to me of how nothing has really changed despite what we may think and it's a way of relating current themes to a story from another time.

Very much agreed. Though in-universe it's set in a specific era, I felt these modernisms helped better frame it in a way that's perhaps more relatable re: how we STILL treat women in the industry.

If you came away feeling Norma was self-indulgent, peacocking, out of touch and 'cringe', then GOOD, that's exactly how you SHOULD be feeling. Modern Norma would TOTALLY twerk thinking it was still something 'in'.

Reducing it to 'yas, kween, hunty, slay' just doesn't sit well with me.

[steve10086]

Jan 5, 2024 23:50:14 GMT toomasj said:

Would have been a great idea for an original piece though. A forgotten/cancelled/past it YouTuber or TikTokker in her 50’s still doing the finger snapping and “slaaaaaay” and all that business long past everyone growing out of it. Her friends are all settled down living normal lives, and they’re still on Twitch to the remaining 80 people left behind, begging for donations and avoiding debt collectors as they live beyond their means.

It just didn’t need to be Sunset Boulevard, which has a definitive setting, themes and grandeur which Lloyd set aside to fit in his vision.

Yes, I feel Lloyd really wanted to make a modern adaptation of Sunset Boulevard, but was stuck with the ALW version. He removed as many references to silent movie stars as he could, cut some numbers, ditched the costumes and set that the show is famous for, but the story is still too deeply embedded in there for his new version to really make sense.

[ceebee]

I think the beauty of art is that it needs to resonate and echo in order to carry impact across different generations. This production has achieved that. Imagine if this production had been a rehashed revival of the original... I doubt it would have been as well received. Also, it is so refreshing to have an original Norma that has moved forward from the cliches and caricatures of past performances.

[mrbarnaby]

Whichever way you look at it- this is probably the most talked about production of last year. Quite a feat.

I’ve also found that every American I know who’s seen it here , has absolutely raved about it. That hardly ever happens. It’s going to be a sensation in NYC at the end of the year.

I think if it had opened in the same season as Cabaret- it would really have stolen the limelight from that show- this is in another league IMO.

[nick99]

Thanks for approving me admin. Seen this show before and it is brilliant and I've got a free day today so was thinking about trying for one last ticket -

Has anybody had any luck with the returns line for this show please? I assume any luck might be markedly reduced on the last day Or is checking online going to tell me the same thing the box office would? Many thanks

[danb]

Jan 6, 2024 12:01:26 GMT nick99 said:

Thanks for approving me admin. Seen this show before and it is brilliant and I've got a free day today so was thinking about trying for one last ticket -

Has anybody had any luck with the returns line for this show please? I assume any luck might be markedly reduced on the last day Or is checking online going to tell me the same thing the box office would? Many thanks

Single tickets have been appearing sporadically across the week so who knows? I think you are probably better just checking Today Tix & ATG throughout the day.

Edit: theres a grand circle matinee ticket on Today tix right now

[nick99]

Thanks Dan - indeed there is, I've have tried to book that ticket on TodayTix a couple of times over the past hour and keeps saying it isn't available! Bit of a shame.

I live not too far from the Strand so I'm tempted to go down but a friend told me they reckon availability at the Savoy box office and the TKTS booth mirrors what they have on their websites. They are quite the theatre goer so I wouldn't be surprised if they are on the money with that

[alece10]

Jan 6, 2024 12:21:23 GMT nick99 said:

Thanks Dan - indeed there is, I've have tried to book that ticket on TodayTix a couple of times over the past hour and keeps saying it isn't available! Bit of a shame.

I live not too far from the Strand so I'm tempted to go down but a friend told me they reckon availability at the Savoy box office and the TKTS booth mirrors what they have on their websites. They are quite the theatre goer so I wouldn't be surprised if they are on the money with that

If you live near always worth a try. There maybe someone there who has a spare ticket if one of their party can't go and probably be happy to sell it.

[ceebee]

Jan 6, 2024 12:01:26 GMT nick99 said:

Thanks for approving me admin. Seen this show before and it is brilliant and I've got a free day today so was thinking about trying for one last ticket -

Has anybody had any luck with the returns line for this show please? I assume any luck might be markedly reduced on the last day Or is checking online going to tell me the same thing the box office would? Many thanks

Go to box office in person and be prepared to queue. There might be the odd spare or comp, though you might find a queue ahead of you.

[BurlyBeaR]

The single ticket for the matinee was showing on TT for £380 a few hours ago. It’s showing as £113 now.

But if it doesn’t let you buy it it’s irrelevant anyway 🤪

[BVM]

Jan 6, 2024 11:16:17 GMT mrbarnaby said:

Whichever way you look at it- this is probably the most talked about production of last year. Quite a feat.

I’ve also found that every American I know who’s seen it here , has absolutely raved about it. That hardly ever happens. It’s going to be a sensation in NYC at the end of the year.

I think if it had opened in the same season as Cabaret- it would really have stolen the limelight from that show- this is in another league IMO.

It certainly is.

Also whichever way you look at it - don't think I've known a musicals thread on here where the director's name is mentioned so much - so he's certainly made an impression. 

Not that bothered by awards but this did have me wondering - who do best revival awards usually go to - directors or writers? Or do they all get one? As if this were to win in that category, much as I am a huge ALW fan, it feels as if it should absolutely go to JL. 

[BVM]

Jan 6, 2024 9:30:34 GMT ceebee said:

I think the beauty of art is that it needs to resonate and echo in order to carry impact across different generations. This production has achieved that. Imagine if this production had been a rehashed revival of the original... I doubt it would have been as well received. Also, it is so refreshing to have an original Norma that has moved forward from the cliches and caricatures of past performances.

I really think that too. And when I compare it to the Miss Saigon Prince Edward revival (which I adored) what that really didn't do was find a new, next generation audience. It flagged as soon as all the fans of the original such as myself had been (repeatedly in my case lol).

I totally take on board that this version's departure from the source material has in many ways been extreme (and even as a fan agree it's a stretch to say Nicole could be depicting Norma as per that time and place) but if it gives the material a new life that can only be a good thing. I agree with steve10086 that Lloyd did wanna move away from the source material, certainly in terms of when it's set. (As an aside they project a tiny Hollywood sign at the start sometimes at the top of the stage, sometimes over the pit, but very strangely several times I've been it doesn't happen at all - no idea why the lack of consistency). 

Also worth saying I think that nothing this production does takes away the incredible memories and how insanely wonderful The Adelphi original was. To be there was a privilege and the holy trinity of LuPone, Buckley and Paige remains ingrained in my brain as one of the best formative theatrical experiences a teenager could get! Ultimately the Nunn and Lloyd versions are by far and away my favourites and after tonight will sit complementing each other in my memory.

Whichever version is your favourite though, I think almost everyone on here can agree it's a pretty epic musical!

[distantcousin]

Some lovely behind the scenes images posted by the lovely Tom Francis today

http://instagram.com/p/C1wtFgzItx-

[kyvai]

So excited to be going tonight!!

Are there likely to be any speeches or anything? Was there any fun at the matinee today?

[richey]

Jan 6, 2024 17:27:25 GMT kyvai said:

So excited to be going tonight!!

Are there likely to be any speeches or anything? Was there any fun at the matinee today?

I read elsewhere there were lots of fans outside for the Act 2 walk around so would be interested to see if that had any impact

[darvsplanet]

Jan 6, 2024 17:33:00 GMT richey said:

Jan 6, 2024 17:27:25 GMT kyvai said:

So excited to be going tonight!!

Are there likely to be any speeches or anything? Was there any fun at the matinee today?

I read elsewhere there were lots of fans outside for the Act 2 walk around so would be interested to see if that had any impact

x.com/if_u_c_katie/status/1743675850627678551?s=46&t=uMzYYh8-5kkE3EcZ9ivnFA
I’m guessing this was from the matinee today, looks pretty chaotic, they brought out a barrier that was carried along with Tom and a lot more security than normal.

[ceebee]

Watched that clip above... I'm sorry, but what a bunch of freaks following him with their phones like some kind of cult. What an absolute professional he is to get on with the job, and well done to security and crew for protecting him.

[Being Alive]

Jan 6, 2024 18:02:08 GMT ceebee said:

Watched that clip above... I'm sorry, but what a bunch of freaks following him with their phones like some kind of cult. What an absolute professional he is to get on with the job, and well done to security and crew for protecting him.

As someone who went this afternoon out of curiosity, I totally resent the freaks anology here thanks.
Everyone was super respectful, the security and front of house staff chatted to everyone in the lead up to it happening.
The team at the Savoy love that it's developed a following - everyone followed the (very simple) instructions we were given in advance - so I see no issue with this and don't appreciate the unnecessary name calling.

[ceebee]

Jan 6, 2024 18:08:22 GMT Being Alive said:

Jan 6, 2024 18:02:08 GMT ceebee said:

Watched that clip above... I'm sorry, but what a bunch of freaks following him with their phones like some kind of cult. What an absolute professional he is to get on with the job, and well done to security and crew for protecting him.

As someone who went this afternoon out of curiosity, I totally resent the freaks anology here thanks.
Everyone was super respectful, the security and front of house staff chatted to everyone in the lead up to it happening.
The team at the Savoy love that it's developed a following - everyone followed the (very simple) instructions we were given in advance - so I see no issue with this and don't appreciate the unnecessary name calling.

Looks like chaos to me, but each to their own. It's the guy at the end with the white top totally breaching the cordon that did it for me. Just needs one idiot with a knife or a thirst for notoriety...

[steve10086]

Jan 6, 2024 18:21:19 GMT ceebee said:

Jan 6, 2024 18:08:22 GMT Being Alive said:

As someone who went this afternoon out of curiosity, I totally resent the freaks anology here thanks.
Everyone was super respectful, the security and front of house staff chatted to everyone in the lead up to it happening.
The team at the Savoy love that it's developed a following - everyone followed the (very simple) instructions we were given in advance - so I see no issue with this and don't appreciate the unnecessary name calling.

Looks like chaos to me, but each to their own. It's the guy at the end with the white top totally breaching the cordon that did it for me. Just needs one idiot with a knife or a thirst for notoriety...

Yep, health and safety nightmare! 😱 If only there was some solution… like not performing a musical live on a public pavement perhaps 🤷‍♂️

[theatrelover123]

Jan 6, 2024 18:02:08 GMT ceebee said:

Watched that clip above... I'm sorry, but what a bunch of freaks following him with their phones like some kind of cult. What an absolute professional he is to get on with the job, and well done to security and crew for protecting him.

Unnecessarily rude

[hadeswasking]

Judging from the video, it looked like they had plenty of staff on-hand. Making it look like there's much more people than there probably were. Someone who was there can probably confirm but I really don't get why its a big issue.

[richey]

It all seems pretty orderly and well planned in that clip. Calling people freaks for being there seems rather harsh, they all seem pretty respectful of the boundaries.

[Being Alive]

Plenty of staff on hand, all well organised, no issues at all.