At 64, Sarah Brightman feels she is ‘age-appropriate’ to play Sunset Boulevard’s faded star

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SINGAPORE – Acclaimed English composer Andrew Lloyd Webber had former wife Sarah Brightman’s voice in mind when he created the music for Sunset Boulevard some 30 years ago.

However, it was only in 2023 that the renowned English singer-actress was ready for her close-up to play washed-up silent film star Norma Desmond.

The award-winning musical, based on the 1950 film of the same name, follows the turbulent and tragic relationship between delusional Norma and struggling screenwriter Joe Gillis.

Discarded by Hollywood, which went on to embrace “talking pictures”, Norma yearns to return to the limelight. A chance encounter with Joe raises her hopes, but he has his own agenda. 

Brightman tells The Straits Times via the phone from Bournemouth, England, that she is the right age to play Norma.

She takes the lead in Sunset Boulevard’s Asia premiere at the Sands Theatre in Marina Bay Sands from Feb 7 to 23.

It marks her first musical theatre production in Singapore, which is part of the Australian season that opened in Melbourne in May 2024.

“It is age-appropriate for me,” says the 64-year-old soprano, whose claim to global stardom was originating the iconic role of protagonist Christine Daae in Lloyd Webber’s hit musical, The Phantom Of The Opera, in 1986. 

“It also came at the time of my life when I felt more open to performing every night again,” adds Brightman, who is making her comeback after three decades. She bowed out of the scene with Lloyd Webber’s Aspects Of Love in 1993.

She also received reassurance from Lloyd Webber – the former power couple married in 1984 and divorced in 1990 – that her voice is “strong, yet has that vulnerable quality” to portray Norma.

“As it was written for my voice, the songs (in Sunset Boulevard) feel incredibly familiar to the way I sing,” says Brightman. 

Sunset Boulevard premiered in London in July 1993 with American singer-actress Patti LuPone playing Norma, before moving to Los Angeles where American actress Glenn Close took over the leading role. It went on to win seven Tony Awards in 1995, including for Best Musical, Best Original Score and Best Book.

The musical enjoyed a West End revival in 2023 starring American singer-host Nicole Scherzinger, and featured a modern and minimal set. It won seven awards at the 2024 Laurence Olivier Awards, including for Best Musical Revival, Best Actress for Scherzinger and Best Director for Ll...

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