Glenn Close comes for London!

Hollywood royalty Glenn Close makes her West End debut in this brand new semi staging of the Andrew Lloyd Webber musical. As part of the same initiative between the ENO and GradeLinnit Company that brought us Emma Thompson's unforgettable turn in Sweeney Todd this year, Sunset Boulevard will receive the concert treatment with backing from the ENO orchestra in this extra special run.

WHAT IS IT ABOUT?

Silent movie star Norma Desmond has locked herself away from the public gaze after the advent of "talkies", believing herself to still be a huge star but also desperate for one last stab at immortal glory. In enters the naive and sturggling screenwriter Joe Gillis, who is taken with the volatile Norma whilst on the run from repo men. Norma has written a rambling script for a new movie, Salome, which she believes will restore her to her former adulation. However, Joe realises that it needs work, and agrees to re-script it in return for room and board.

However, the relationship develops into a sexual one, with Joe becoming Norma's kept man, with jealousy and lies creeping into both parties. The deteriorating relationship heads to a bloody and tragic conclusion when Norma realises Joe has been unfaithful, and that her movie will never be filmed.