Performing Arts Students Excel with Andrew Lloyd Webber’s Sunset Boulevard
The Centre of Excellence for Performing Arts at Cronton Sixth Form delivered stunning performances at the Cronton Playhouse theatre with their rendition of Andrew Lloyd Webber’s hit musical, Sunset Boulevard.
Based on the 1950 Billy Wilder film of the same name, Sunset Boulevard tells the story of faded silent movie star Norma Desmond and young Hollywood screenwriter Joe Gillis who become involved in a dangerous relationship while Norma attempts to make her return to the big screen.
Over two exciting nights, the Centre of Excellence performed the impressive production which starred talented students Emily McDonnell as former silent movie star Norma Desmond, Alfie Rourke as struggling screenwriter Joe Gillis, Issy Woodruff as young script editor Betty Schaefer, and Jack Wright as Norma’s devoted butler Max Von Mayerling.
Matt Plant, Creative Director of the Centre of Excellence for Performing Arts, said, “Andrew Lloyd Webber’s Sunset Boulevard is a hugely demanding show, but we were overjoyed to see the students excelling once again in what has been an enormous undertaking, but also an indictment of where we are as a Centre of Excellence.
“We are, as always, most grateful for the time and tenacity of our exceptional students who, throughout these challenging times, have pulled off possibly our biggest show yet!”
CAST
- Emily McDonnell as Norma Desmond
- Alfie Rourke as Joe Gillis
- Issy Woodruff as Betty Schaefer
- Jack Wright as Max Von Mayerling
- Tyler Delaney as Artie Green
- AJ Howell as Myron, Sheldrake
- Charleigh McIntosh as Mary
- Sophia Lee-Jones as Johanna, Analyst
- Charlotte Hudd as Finance man #1
- Mqhele Simango as Finance man #2
- Maisie Clayton as Sammy
- Samuel Pennington as Wunderkind, Cecil B Demille
- Elie Chadwick as Secretary, masseur #1
- Lucy English as Lisa
- Olivia Hebden as Beautician #1
- Libi Dougan as Beautician #2, Waitress
- Holly Pethybridge as Astrologer
- Rhianna McEwen as Masseur #2
- Szanella Terhes as Beautician #2
- Daniel Coxhead as Manfred
- Krystina as Godfrey Doctor
ENSEMBLE
Katie Evans, Libby Marshall, Billie Steggles, Lucy Geraghty, Leah Burns, Esther Higgins McVey, Kayleigh Roberts, Emily Hobson, Grace Owen, Lu Ashcroft, Alix Dixon, Hannah Fowler, Molly Seddon
BAND
- BAND MD: Chris Burridge
- VIOLIN: Abigail Oliver, Ellie Harrison, Danell Hughes
- CELLO: Samara Oliver
- FLUTE: Izzy Harrison, Gill Stuart
- CLARINET: Matthew Brown
- SAX/GUITAR: John Lewis
- EUPHONIUM: Matthew Bibby
- TROMBONE: Stuart Brown
- TRUMPET: Amelia Stuart, Chloe Shaw
- KEYS: Daniel Ireland, Lucy Myers
- DRUMS/PERCUSSION: Charlie Knowles
CREW
- DIRECTOR: Matt Plant
- MD & SOUND: James Himsworth
- STAGE MANAGER: Adam Bradley
- COSTUMES: Molly Limpet’s Theatrical Costume Emporium
- HAIR & MAKEUP: HNC/HND Performing Arts (Technical Arts) Riverside College
- PROPS: BrassNeck Theatre Co
- SET: Proscenium UK
- PROJECTIONS: Paul Shacksmyth
- CREW: Emma Murtagh-Davies, Holly Smith, Phoebe Brennan, Jessica Morris, Lucy English, Darcie Hanmer and Katie Evans
- SPECIAL THANKS TO: Katie Hallard, Penny Cunningham, Estates, Finance and our Front of House Team