BROADWAY comes to Cornwall this April as Helston Theatre company present the South West premier of Andrew Lloyd Webber's Sunset Boulevard.

The company is just one of a handful of groups across the UK who have been given |permission to stage the smash hit musical.

Sunset Boulevard weaves a magnificent tale of faded glory and unfulfilled ambition.

The musical is narrated by Joe Gillis, a young, out of work screenwriter who, by chance meets Norma Desmond, a former silent movie star, who could captivate cinema audiences all over America “with one look”.

Together they write a script for a new movie that Norma hopes will catapult her back into the limelight. Based on Billy Wilder’s classic movie, Lloyd Webber’s score gives added emotional power to this powerful and haunting story.

Director Paul Blaber says, “I am thrilled to have the opportunity to direct this powerful piece of |musical theatre which is a |challenge to both the performers and the technical crew.

“Luckily I am surrounded by an excellent team of professional quality and the show is already shaping up to be a superb piece of entertainment.”

The role of Norma is played by Helen Hartshorne who returns to Helston Theatre Company having also enjoyed playing roles |throughout Cornwall, Joe Gillis is played by Nathan Hooper, with Gary Hunt taking the part of the mysterious Butler Max, and Stephanie Rosewarne as the charming Betty Schafer.

The musical is famous for being a spectacular show with large set, dazzling costumes, and film sequences and projections. This would ordinarily be an impossible show to pull off but the theatre company have been assisted by Cornish businesses and individuals.

One of the highlights of Sunset Boulevard is a sequence of Norma being chauffeured to Paramount Studios in a Beauford car. A replica of the 1930s Dussenburgh Grand Tourer which was hand built by Paul Hicks, owner of Roaring 30's Automobiles lent the company the car for filming.

It is not just cars on loan, one|private house lent their swimming pool for additional filming, Olivers in Coingehall Street donated timber, while props have also been loaned by Helston Museum.

Sunset Boulevard plays at the Epworth Hall, Helston from April 13 to 18.

Tickets are available from the Cornish Riviera Box Office from www.crbo.co.uk.

For more information visit www.sunsetcornwall.co.uk