Discover what is being said about Jamie Lloyd’s take on Andrew Lloyd Webber’s musical with our review round up…
Broadway World: ***** “Scherzinger has never sounded better, bringing richness and heart-breaking emotion to Andrew Lloyd Webber’s tracks. Her version of “As If We Never Said Goodbye” is ecstatic, but also hints at the precarious nature of her mind. She visibly shows a mental disintegration, a woman who cannot give up her all-consuming need to be a star, no matter what the cost. It’s a very physical performance and Scherzinger’s stage presence is almost hypnotic. She is also not afraid to balance the melodrama with a large dash of self-deprecating humour.”
British Theatre.com: **** ” At its core (except on Mondays) is the weaponized diva that is Nicole Scherzinger. Even without the considerable ingenuity of the director, the former Pussycat Doll is primed to blow anybody’s socks off. Indeed in a way the tricksy spareness and abrupt closeup face videos of Lloyd’s setting provide the proper frame for this human volcano: black box, smoke, spotlights, occasional walking camera-operators projecting the cast’s 50ft high faces above.”
Time Out.com: ***** “Really, the show is the triumph of Lloyd and his creative team. From a purely technical perspective this is just stunning, making astounding use of live video: shout out to video designers and cinematographers Nathan Amzi and Joe Ransom. From the delicious faux opening movie credits sequence onwards, the monochrome footage relayed onto the back of the set is magnificent: it looks great, like a living film noir, but also they seem to have eliminated the latency between live performance and feed, a genuinely groundbreaking achievement.”
The Arts Desk: ***** “Director Jamie Lloyd at the height of his powers in this stark, sublime reinterpretation.”
Evening Standard: ***** “Lloyd’s monochrome, dressed down production has no set but builds a cinematic atmosphere through spotlights and projected close-ups, with floating handheld cameras circling the action. It’s a tour de force of a show, in love with showbiz and the creation and destruction of illusions. The art deco glamour of the Savoy Theatre makes it the perfect setting.”
London Theatre.co.uk: ***** “Fabian Aloise’s propulsive movement is excitingly realised by the dynamic company, and Jack Knowles’s feverish lighting lends real terror to the climax. Throughout, Lloyd walks a wavering tightrope between postmodern wit (a bravura sequence follows Joe backstage and out onto the street), in concert with the snarky, satirical book, and visceral emotion that makes Lloyd Webber’s gorgeous score, with modified orchestrations, soar afresh. This is a Sunset Boulevard for a new generation.”
The Telegraph: **** “The former X Factor judge was a controversial casting choice but shows the shattering force of a sonic boom in this lush production.”
The Guardian: *** “Even so, it is sure to incite strong reactions. For some, it may be the show of the year. For me it was emotionally empty. Either way, few people will walk out indifferent.”
The Independent: **** “Jamie Lloyd’s dark, kitsch revival of Andrew Lloyd Webber’s 1991 musical about a faded Hollywood star is full of delicious metatheatrical twists.”
The Stage: ***** “Nicole Scherzinger is magnificent in this ingeniously meta reimagining of Andrew Lloyd Webber’s musical of broken Tinseltown dreams.”
Theatre Weekly: “It’s clear Lloyd has gone for a film noir look, and it is very cinematic, a large screen shows most of the action, as well as opening and end credits. It is of course a nod to both the themes of the musical, and its original incarnation as a black and white movie. It looks fantastic, although in the second act a little too much happens off stage leaving us with just the screen to follow what’s happening.”
WhatsOnStage: **** “A Sunset Boulevard like no other, revealing its dark heart and deep grandeur.”
Sunset Boulevard continues to play at the Savoy Theatre until the 6th January 2024. To book tickets click here.