ARTICLE: Melbourne     Sunset awaits the return of Byrne By GREG BURCHALL The producers of the $15million musical Sunset Boulevard are ``not even willing to speculate'' about what action they will take if their star, Debra Byrne, does not report for work on Monday. Byrne, who plays demented, reclusive former movie star Norma Desmond, has not performed the role since last Saturday. On Thursday, it was revealed she had separated from her husband of three years, actor Neil Melville, and had requested time off. Yesterday, the managing director of the Really Useful Company, Tim McFarlane, said he had been assured Byrne would be ready to resume her duties in the demanding role and that he had ``no reason to believe that this was not true''. He said reports that RUC had approached such former Normas as the US actor Glenn Close to step into the part were unfounded. ``This reminds us again that we're dealing with live theatre and real people,'' he said. ``These things happen in people's lives and you have to be understanding and supportive and the cast has been wonderful. ``Audiences have been disappointed when it's announced that they won't be seeing Debra, but there's been no real backlash. The rest of the show goes on - Hugh Jackman, the set, the effects - and they still get a terrific night at the theatre.'' Norma has been played since Monday by Byrne's understudy, New Zealand-born Suzanne Lee, who is also scheduled to take to the stage for today's two shows. In October, two previews of Sunset had to be cancelled after Byrne fell during a performance, due to an inner-ear infection. At that stage, neither Lee, nor alternate Norma, Maria Mercedes, had rehearsed enough to take over. Lee had her first run as Norma on 4 November when Byrne was again too ill to go on. Mercedes won't be ready to perform the role for another week. Part of the delay has been due to the creation of three sets of elaborate gowns for the various Normas, worth hundreds of thousands of dollars. Having finally finished a set for Lee, the costume-makers are now rushing to complete a wardrobe for Mercedes. The costumes must fit each actor perfectly, or it becomes difficult - and dangerous - for them to negotiate the 700 steps they take around the mansion set every week. McFarlane said the cast had become ``very close through dealing with all the show's trials and tribulations''. These included the hit-and-run death of musical director Brian Stacey, the day before the show's 26 October premiere at the Regent Theatre. Police have still not charged anyone over his death. For Suzanne Lee, it has been a backstage fairytale, albeit an exhausting one. She was working at Melbourne's Channel Nine 9 studio 18 years ago as a video tape editor on the Mike Walsh and Ernie Sigley shows until her brother entered her as a contestant on talent show New Faces - and she won. When Derek Metzger pulled out of the 1983 Prague International Talent Festival, she stepped in to represent NZ - and won. A regular on the cabaret circuit and television, she took to the stage for roles in Oliver!, Pirates of Penzance and Me and My Girl. Auditioning for Sunset early this year, Lee so impressed the casting panel that she was asked to understudy the lead while performing the ensemble role of Heather. ``Norma is a wonderfully complex role,'' she said at the time. ``It's not black and white - if you'll pardon the pun. She's a really interesting character.'' On Monday, after eight performances in six days, Lee is due to return to Heather's shoes which, since Debra Byrne took temporary leave, have been worn by ``swing'' player Amanda Levy.