The lights dimmed, the music swelled, and Sarah Brightman took the stage as Norma Desmond in Andrew Lloyd Webber’s Sunset Boulevard at the Princess Theatre in Melbourne. As a past voice student from The Victorian College of the Arts, I had long dreamed of seeing Brightman perform live, and let me tell you, she did not disappoint.
From the moment she opened her mouth, it was clear that Brightman’s voice was something special. Her soaring soprano filled the theatre, sending chills down my spine and bringing tears to my eyes. Some may describe her voice as operatic, and indeed, there were moments when it seemed to transcend the boundaries of musical theatre. But for me, that only added to the magic of the performance.
As Norma Desmond, Brightman was a force to be reckoned with. Her stage presence was commanding, her emotions raw and palpable. She truly embodied the character of the faded movie star, capturing both her glamour and her vulnerability with equal grace. It was a performance that will stay with me for years to come.
Speaking with Sarah Brightman at the media call she told me, “it’s been challenging for me to come back in, and to remember the culture of musical theatre from the first time I did it, many things have changed.
It’s been wonderful to come to a different country and to feel the freedom of that, to explore this role and to work with different people. It’s just a great production and I think audiences will really enjoy it.”
As the reviews pour in, I can’t help but feel grateful to have witnessed Brightman’s talent firsthand. Her portrayal of Norma Desmond was a tour de force, a testament to her skill as a performer. To see someone like Brightman, marking her return to the theatre after more than three decades is a testament to the brilliance of her voice and the capabilities, she holds true.
So, to Sarah Brightman, I say thank you. Thank you for sharing your incredible talent with us, for giving us a performance we will never forget.
Written and Reviewed by Melinda Sullivan.
