YORK THEATRE ROYAL TO CO-PRODUCE NEW ACTOR-MUSICIAN PRODUCTION OF SUNSET BOULEVARD IN 2027
- Andrew Lloyd Webber’s iconic musical is reimagined in an intimate new production
- A company of actor-musicians will bring audiences closer than ever to the music and storytelling
- The production is a co-production by York Theatre Royal with Octagon Theatre Bolton and Royal & Derngate Northampton and will be directed by Octagon Artistic Director Lotte Wakeham
A powerful new production of Andrew Lloyd Webber’s Sunset Boulevard has just been announced, as part of Royal & Derngate’s Made in Northampton season for 2027. After opening at Octagon Theatre Bolton in April, the show takes to Northampton’s Royal stage from Wednesday 5 May to Saturday 22 May, before finally transferring to York Theatre Royal to end its run.
Directed by Lotte Wakeham, Artistic Director of Octagon Theatre Bolton, the musical will be performed by a company of actor-musicians in an intimate staging that places the music, storytelling and audience closer than ever before. The production celebrates Andrew Lloyd Webber’s iconic score, including With One Look, As If We Never Said Goodbye and Sunset Boulevard.
The production is the first new professional staging of Sunset Boulevard to be created by a theatre in the North of England. It is a co-production between York Theatre Royal, Octagon Theatre Bolton and Royal & Derngate Northampton. The show will open in Bolton (02 Apr – 01 May), before its run in Northampton (05 May – 22 May) with the final performances in York (09 Jun – 26 Jun.)
Silent film star Norma Desmond longs for the spotlight that once made her a legend. When struggling screenwriter Joe Gillis enters her secluded world, hope soon gives way to obsession as their lives become entwined in a tragic search for love, success and belonging.
With music by Andrew Lloyd Webber and book and lyrics by Don Black and Christopher Hampton, Sunset Boulevard is based on Billy Wilder’s celebrated Paramount Pictures film. This new production brings one of musical theatre’s greatest works to York Theatre Royal, putting its characters and score at the heart of the experience.
Lotte Wakeham, Director said: “Sunset Boulevard is a story about ambition, reinvention and the price of chasing the spotlight. Andrew Lloyd Webber’s extraordinary score is full of drama and longing, and staging the show with actor-musicians gives us the chance to make every musical moment feel immediate and alive.
I’m excited to create a brand-new production which embraces that intimacy, drawing people into Norma and Joe’s world and allowing them to experience this iconic musical from a fresh perspective – literally in ‘close up’. It is also a privilege to make the first ever new professional production of Sunset Boulevard created by a theatre in the North of England, alongside our brilliant partners at Royal & Derngate and York Theatre Royal.”
Paul Crewes, Chief Executive of York Theatre Royal said: “It is very exciting for us to be co-producing the spectacular musical Sunset Boulevard by Andrew Lloyd Webber. We will be partnering with our friends at Octagon Theatre and Royal & Derngate for the first time to create a reimagined production of this classic story. We look forward to bringing this show to our stage in June 2027.”
Priority booking opens for YTR members from 1pm on 29 Sep, with general onsale on 06 Oct at 1pm. Find out more: www.yorktheatreroyal.co.uk/show/sunset-boulevard
A DREAM THAT REFUSES TO DIE
Andrew Lloyd Webber’s Sunset Boulevard comes to York Theatre Royal in a bold new production directed by Octagon Theatre Bolton’s Artistic Director Lotte Wakeham.
Silent film star Norma Desmond longs for the spotlight that once made her a legend. When struggling screenwriter Joe Gillis enters her secluded world, hope soon gives way to obsession as their lives become entwined in a tragic search for love, success and belonging.
Performed by a company of actor-musicians, this intimate new production places music, storytelling and audience closer together than ever before, revealing fresh depths in Andrew Lloyd Webber’s score, including With One Look, The Perfect Year and As If We Never Said Goodbye.
A powerful reimagining of one of musical theatre’s greatest works.
Music by Andrew Lloyd Webber. Book and Lyrics by Don Black and Christopher Hampton. Based on the Billy Wilder film. Orchestrations by David Cullen & Andrew Lloyd Webber. Original production by The Really Useful Group Limited. LW Entertainment Limited gratefully acknowledges the role of Amy Powers in the lyric development of “Sunset Boulevard”. A production by arrangement with LW Entertainment Limited.
Age Guidance 11+
Tickets from £15. This show is included in our 16-30 Membership scheme which offers discounted £15 tickets to those aged 16-30.
LISTINGS
Octagon Theatre Bolton
Howell Croft South, Bolton BL1 1SB
Performances: Friday 2 April – Saturday 1 May 2027. Daytime performances 2pm; evening performances 7.30pm. Please see the theatre website for the full schedule.
Age guide: 11+. Audio Described performance: Saturday 17 April, 2pm. Captioned and BSL-interpreted performance: Wednesday 28 April, 7.30pm.
Booking: octagonbolton.co.uk | Box Office 01204 520661 | Tickets from £17
Royal & Derngate Northampton
19–21 Guildhall Road, Northampton NN1 1DP
Performances: Wednesday 5 May – Saturday 22 May 2027. Evening performances 7.30pm; midweek & Sat matinees 2.30pm; Sundays 3pm. Please see the theatre website for full schedule.
Audio Described performance: Wednesday 12 October, 7.30pm. BSL-interpreted performance: Thursday 13 May, 7.30pm.
Booking: royalandderngate.co.uk | Box Office 01604 624811 | Tickets from £15
York Theatre Royal
St Leonard’s Place, York YO1 7HD
Performances: Wed 9 – Sat 26 June 2027
Booking: yorktheatreroyal.co.uk | Box Office 01904 623568 | Tickets from £15