Sunset Boulevard – Review – Bradford Alhambra Theatre

By Christine Goode, September 2026

Sunset Boulevard is one of Andrew Lloyd Webber’s finest musical scores. I remember seeing it in its full glory for the first time in Bradford in 2018 and completely falling in love with it. The intoxicating score, costumes and story were breathtaking. Diva Productions, a Yorkshire-based company, have now taken on this iconic story and brought us a newly reimagined contemporary version. So, having the chance to see it again, I head to the Bradford Alhambra once more, with my guest, who is a newbie to the story.

The plot follows Norma Desmond, a faded star of the silent-screen era, living in her decaying mansion on Sunset Boulevard in 1949 Los Angeles. When young screenwriter Joe Gillis accidentally crosses her path, she sees an opportunity to make her return to the big screen, with romance and tragedy to follow. The story is harsh at times and is probably even more relevant today, as up-and-coming stars of stage and screen are constantly battling to make it big in a society swamped with media.

The lead characters are well developed. Joe Gillis, played by James Banks, is great. He brings an edgy, modern twist to his character, while the tension in his interactions with Norma, played by Alison George, is palpable. Betty Schaefer, played by Meg Riley, gives a standout performance, and her chemistry with Joe as she falls in love with him is very believable.

The large ensemble cast perform explosive contemporary dance numbers dressed entirely in black. The black leather trousers represent the heavy burden of life, in contrast to the black mesh, see-through tops covering only specific parts of the body and exposing only what we, as humans, want others to see. In today’s society, this is very much like social media, allowing others to see only what we want them to see by using filters and apps to enhance the appearance of our daily lives.

“Ambitious”

This version has been totally stripped back from the original. It focuses on the darker side of the story, with no scenery, only a few chairs scattered around and occasionally brought on and off stage by the cast when needed. Modern metal lighting rigs with blindingly bright lights are visible at each stage entrance, while a huge video screen dominates the back of the stage.

One of the most interesting ideas in the show is the use of a mobile video camera, which gives the production a real cinematic feel and works perfectly with the world of Sunset Boulevard. The black-and-white footage shows Norma’s memories and the way she still sees herself, while the colour footage brings us back to what is happening in the present. It is a clever way of showing the difference between her glamorous past and the reality of her life now.

The camera works especially well when it follows Joe and Betty backstage as their relationship starts to grow. Seeing moments that would normally happen away from the main stage makes their scenes feel more personal and adds excitement and suspense to the romance. Overall, the live filming gives the production extra depth and atmosphere. However, there were times when I found myself watching the camera operators instead of focusing on the actors or the screen, so the effect could occasionally be a little distracting.

This ambitious production stays true to the story and includes classic songs such as ‘With One Look’, ‘The Perfect Year’ and ‘As If We Never Said Goodbye’. However, the minimal staging and black costumes against a black backdrop may make the story harder for newcomers to follow and can leave the visuals feeling repetitive. Even so, the audience clearly enjoyed the show, with many rising to their feet to clap and cheer at the end.

Sunset Boulevard is at Bradford Alhambra Theatre until 12th September

Christine Goode( Writer )

Christine Goode founded her own dance school – The May School of Dance & Theatre Arts over three decades ago. Her dedication to teaching and love of dance, has created many successful artists in the industry, and she is delighted that many of her former students have now returned with their children, allowing them to also discover this beautiful art. She has choreographed, produced and directed shows over the last 36 years, and is devoted to all live theatre and music. Now in her third year of writing about her obsession with the arts, Christine loves to encourage everyone to see as much live theatre as possible.
maydanceschool.co.uk

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