Raymond Gill, The Age, 28 October 1996
Kindly donated by Mat of Sunset Boulevard Melbourne

SUNSET BOULEVARD is a triumph of adaptation. Anyone who admires the acerbic 1950 Billy Wilder film on which it is based may think it sacrilegious to hand it over for the Lloyd Webber treatment, but the strength and style of its story of a hack screenwriter who sells his soul to an ageing, twisted screen goddess carries the show to its bitter, histrionic end.

The story even survives Lloyd Webber's music, which swells, dips and congeals into one emotive, and pretty forgettable, blancmange.

Fans need not worry about too many liberties being taken. Although its adaptation to music (just about every line is sung) loses much of the original's archness, it slavishly follows the film - even mimics it.

Although at Saturday's premiere Debra Byrne seemed to mimic Gloria Swanson's Desmond in the film, she will undoubtedly make the part hers as the season progresses. Hugh Jackman as Joe Gillis might lack the dark, edgy cynicism that William Holden had in the film, but is so likeable on stage that a bright future is assured.

Sunset Boulevard is in another league to Beauty and the Beast. If you are going to see one musical in the next year, this is undoubtedly it.

By RAYMOND GILL of The Age 28 October 1996

SUNSET BOULEVARD is a triumph of adaptation. Anyone who admires the acerbic 1950 Billy Wilder film on which it is based may think it sacrilegious to hand it over for the Lloyd Webber treatment, but the strength and style of its story of a hack screenwriter who sells his soul to an ageing, twisted screen goddess carries the show to its bitter, histrionic end.

The story even survives Lloyd Webber's music, which swells, dips and congeals into one emotive, and pretty forgettable, blancmange.

Fans need not worry about too many liberties being taken. Although its adaptation to music (just about every line is sung) loses much of the original's archness, it slavishly follows the film - even mimics it.

Although at Saturday's premiere Debra Byrne seemed to mimic Gloria Swanson's Desmond in the film, she will undoubtedly make the part hers as the season progresses. Hugh Jackman as Joe Gillis might lack the dark, edgy cynicism that William Holden had in the film, but is so likeable on stage that a bright future is assured.

Sunset Boulevard is in another league to Beauty and the Beast. If you are going to see one musical in the next year, this is undoubtedly it.

What the audience thought

compiled by Sonia Harford

Lisa Mulcahy: "It was a good night and the atmosphere was incredible. Max the butler should get a special mention - he had a magnificent voice. The sets were unbelievable."

Rhonda Killeen: "I thought it was brilliant. Debra was brilliant and I thought the whole company was extraordinary."

John Zapris: "Top performances, top night. I thoroughly enjoyed it. Debra Byrne was, surprisingly, outstanding and Jackman was better than I anticipated. Wonderful cast and theatre."

The Prime Minister, John Howard: "Wonderful night, we enjoyed it immensely. It tells you what talent Australia has. This theatre is terrific. I thought the blended scene at the New Year's Eve party was terrific."

Lorica Clark: "I thought it was absolutely fabulous. That someone would bead such a magnificent costume was amazing. After the tragedy that's been, it was fantastic."

John Zabiegala: "It was fabulous. Debra was great. The sets and the costumes were fabulous, and the use of the film was a great concept."