Diva Productions brings a cinematic Sunset Boulevard to the Alhambra Theatre, Bradford
Diva Productions is preparing to bring Andrew Lloyd Webber’s iconic musical to the Alhambra Theatre, Bradford for five performances from Thu 10 – Sat 12 September 2026.
Dark, intoxicating and fiercely theatrical, Sunset Boulevard tells the story of Norma Desmond, a legendary silent-screen star who refuses to accept that Hollywood has moved on without her. Living in isolation and still dreaming of a triumphant return to the screen, Norma’s world collides with that of struggling young screenwriter Joe Gillis. What begins as an opportunity for them both soon becomes something far more dangerous, as ambition, obsession and illusion become increasingly impossible to separate.
Featuring one of Andrew Lloyd Webber’s most celebrated scores, including With One Look, The Perfect Year, Sunset Boulevard and As If We Never Said Goodbye, the musical explores fame, ageing, ambition and the intoxicating pull of the spotlight.
Leading the cast as Norma Desmond is Alison George, alongside James Banks as Joe Gillis, Meg Riley as Betty Schaefer and Henry Etherington as Max von Mayerling.
The production is directed by Andrew Ashley, with choreography by Charlotte Wallis and musical direction by Ben Frampton. Audiences can expect a distinctly Diva take on the musical, placing cinematic storytelling at the heart of the production. Live performance, video and multimedia will combine to blur the boundaries between theatre and film, reflecting a story in which the characters themselves are constantly caught between reality and the images they create.
The production will also feature dynamic choreography from Charlotte Wallis and the full power of a 24-piece live orchestra, conducted by Musical Director Ben Frampton, bringing Lloyd Webber’s sweeping score to life within the extraordinary surroundings of the Alhambra Theatre.
For Director and Diva Productions co-founder Andrew Ashley, Sunset Boulevard represents another major step forward for the company: “Sunset Boulevard is one of those shows we have wanted to tackle for a very long time. It demands incredible performances, a huge musical sound and a real sense of cinematic scale, and the Alhambra is the perfect theatre in which to bring that world to life.
Our production really explores the relationship between theatre and cinema. Multimedia is embedded into the storytelling rather than simply sitting behind it, allowing us to move between the live world on stage and the heightened, cinematic world that exists inside Norma’s head.
Then you have Andrew Lloyd Webber’s incredible score played by a 24-piece orchestra, Charlotte’s choreography and a fantastic company of performers. Bringing all of those elements together on the Alhambra stage is hugely exciting.”
Founded by Andrew Ashley and Andy Fretwell, Yorkshire-based Diva Productions has built a reputation for bold, contemporary and visually dynamic productions of some of theatre’s best-known musicals and plays.
Its previous productions include Everybody’s Talking About Jamie, We Will Rock You, Elf: The Musical, Grease, Ghost, Legally Blonde, Calendar Girls and Sweeney Todd, with the company increasingly developing its use of multimedia and cinematic theatrical storytelling.
Diva’s work has also extended beyond Yorkshire. Its production of Rita, Sue and Bob Too toured the UK before reaching the West End, marking Ashley’s West End directing debut. Now Sunset Boulevard sees the company taking on one of the biggest stages in the region.
At its centre is a story that feels strikingly contemporary. Long before social media and the 24-hour celebrity cycle, Sunset Boulevard explored what happens when fame becomes identity and what remains when the world stops watching.
Music by Andrew Lloyd Webber.
Book and Lyrics by Don Black and Christopher Hampton.
Based on the Billy Wilder film
Orchestrations by David Cullen & Andrew Lloyd Webber.
Principal Cast: Norma Desmond – Alison George, Joe Gillis – James Banks, Betty Schaefer – Meg Riley, Max von Mayerling – Henry Etherington.
Creative Team: Director – Andrew Ashley, Choreographer – Charlotte Wallis, Musical Director – Ben Frampton.
