Podcast Summary: "What's going on with SUNSET BOULEVARD in Australia? | The Sarah Brightman Led Revival Review Roundup"

Podcast Information:

• Title: MickeyJoTheatre
• Host: MickeyJoTheatre (Mickey-Jo)
• Episode Title: What's going on with SUNSET BOULEVARD in Australia? | The Sarah Brightman Led Revival Review Roundup
• Release Date: June 14, 2024

Introduction

Mickey-Jo, the passionate host of MickeyJoTheatre, delves into the recent developments surrounding the Australian revival of Andrew Lloyd Webber's Sunset Boulevard, particularly focusing on the casting of renowned soprano Sarah Brightman. With a substantial following on YouTube, Mickey-Jo brings his expertise as a leading voice in theatre criticism to dissect the intricacies of this high-profile production.

Context: Sunset Boulevard and Sarah Brightman

Mickey-Jo begins by providing historical context to Sunset Boulevard, highlighting its origins from the iconic 1950 Billy Wilder film and its subsequent adaptation into a musical by Andrew Lloyd Webber. He recounts Sarah Brightman's significant contributions to musical theatre, including her roles in The Phantom of the Opera and Cats. Notably, Brightman's casting in the Australian revival marks her first return to the musical theatre stage in 34 years.

Notable Quote:

"Musical theatre is still big. It's the demand for tickets amidst a financially challenging atmosphere that got smaller." (00:00)

The Melbourne Production and Critical Reception

The focus shifts to the Melbourne opening of Sunset Boulevard, which has garnered mixed reviews. Mickey-Jo references several Australian critics, including Tim Burns from The Guardian, who rated the show two out of five stars, critiquing Brightman's performance as "wooden and superficial" and her vocals as "breathy and haltingly phrased" (15:30). In contrast, other reviews from JWire.com and Noise11.com offer praise for the production's visual elements and ensemble performances, noting Brightman's "melodramatic" presence and operatic vocals (25:45, 30:10).

Notable Quotes:

"Sarah Brightman disappoints in Andrew Lloyd Webber's mawkish musical." - Tim Burns, The Guardian (15:30)

"Soprano Brightman, who is noted for her wide vocal range, is suitably melodramatic with perfect diction." - JWire.com (25:45)

Challenges and Performance Scaling Back

Mickey-Jo discusses the recent news that Opera Australia has decided to scale back performances of Sunset Boulevard in Melbourne due to lower-than-expected ticket sales. Citing an article from The Age, he explains that all Tuesday performances from June 18 onwards have been canceled, along with all Sunday shows starting July 1 and the final week of the production (35:20). The cancellation is attributed to "current market conditions," though specifics remain undisclosed.

Notable Quote:

"The performance schedule for Sunset Boulevard's Melbourne season is being adjusted to reflect the current market conditions." - Opera Australia (35:20)

Comparative Analysis: West End and Broadway

Mickey-Jo contrasts the Australian production with the highly successful Jamie Lloyd-directed revival in London's West End, starring Nicole Scherzinger. He notes that while the West End production received stellar reviews and enjoyed a robust ticket sale leading to a Broadway transfer, the Australian version has struggled despite similar high-profile casting. This dichotomy raises questions about regional audience preferences and the impact of critical reception on a show's commercial performance.

Notable Quote:

"It's interesting that you could have one production of Sunset Boulevard being a fantastic, smash, sellout hit in the West End... and then a very different production... struggling to sell as many tickets in a different location." (10:45)

Audience Reception and Ticket Sales

Examining ticket availability, Mickey-Jo observes that Sydney performances remain largely unsold, especially on weekdays, suggesting a lack of local interest or potential issues with the show's marketing. He speculates that the high booking fees and mixed critical reviews may have dampened audience enthusiasm. Additionally, he highlights the shared role of Norma Desmond between Sarah Brightman and Australian actress Sylvie Palladino, questioning whether the alternation between performers affects ticket sales.

Notable Quote:

"Doesn't seem to be the case, and here is why... it's the weekend shows that are going to sell better." (40:50)

Implications for the Australian Theatre Scene

Mickey-Jo reflects on what the struggles of Sunset Boulevard reveal about the broader Australian theatre landscape. He points out that unlike major markets like London and New York, Australia's fragmented theatre scene means productions often travel across multiple cities without a single, dominant hub. This decentralization may contribute to inconsistent ticket sales and varying audience receptions.

Notable Quote:

"Everything seems to be getting more expensive for people everywhere right now." (05:20)

Conclusion and Future Prospects

In conclusion, Mickey-Jo suggests that the Australian production of Sunset Boulevard faces significant challenges due to a combination of high expectations, vocal performance criticisms, and possibly mismatched audience preferences. He remains hopeful for future performances and encourages Australian listeners to share their experiences and insights. Additionally, he looks forward to the Broadway transfer of the West End revival, offering a comparative study for theatre enthusiasts and industry observers alike.

Notable Quote:

"There's a lot to learn from the parallels between these two shows, from their artistic approaches and their comparative success." (55:10)

Call to Action

Mickey-Jo invites Australian listeners who have attended the production to share their thoughts in the comments, emphasizing the value of regular theatre-goers' opinions alongside professional criticism. He also encourages subscribers to stay tuned for more in-depth theatre content.

Notable Quote:

"If you have seen this already, let us know your thoughts in the comments section down below." (08:15)

Timestamps Reference:

• 00:00 – Introduction and overview of the episode.
• 05:20 – Discussion on the financial challenges impacting theatre productions.
• 08:15 – Encouragement for audience interaction and feedback.
• 10:45 – Comparative analysis between different regional productions.
• 15:30 – Critique from The Guardian's Tim Burns.
• 25:45 – Positive feedback from JWire.com.
• 30:10 – Additional praises from Noise11.com.
• 35:20 – Announcement of performance cancellations in Melbourne.
• 40:50 – Analysis of ticket sales and audience reception.
• 55:10 – Concluding thoughts on the implications for the theatre industry.

Final Thoughts: Mickey-Jo's thorough analysis provides listeners with a comprehensive understanding of the Sunset Boulevard revival in Australia, shedding light on both its artistic elements and commercial challenges. By incorporating diverse critical perspectives and engaging directly with his audience, MickeyJoTheatre continues to be a pivotal source for informed and passionate theatre criticism.