Musical theatre stars Michael Xavier, Siobhan Dillon and Fred Johanson are to join Hollywood’s Glenn Close when she stars in Sunset Boulevard at the London Coliseum later this year.
The Fatal Attraction star returns to the role of Norma Desmond in the Andrew Lloyd Webber hit from 1 April, playing 43 performances. She previously played the role in the US more than 20 years ago.
Though the tale of a faded silent movie star marks Close’s West End debut, Xavier and Dillon are regulars on the London stage.
Xavier, who is currently starring in Show Boat at the Sheffield Crucible, has twice been nominated for an Olivier Award for his performances in Love Story and Into The Woods. Dillon rose to fame in Lloyd Webber casting TV show How Do You Solve A Problem Like Maria?, going on to appear in Grease, Legally Blonde The Musical and most recently Miss Saigon.
Johanson boasts credits both in London and in his native Sweden, having led casts of Evita, Les Misérables, Cats and, helpfully, Sunset Boulevard.
The quartet is joined in the company by Julian Forsyth, Mark Goldthorp, Fenton Gray, Haydn Oakley and James Paterson.
Lloyd Webber’s musical, which features a book and lyrics by Don Black and Christopher Hampton, tells the story of reclusive former star Norma Desmond. When debt-ridden script writer Joe Gillis (Xavier) stumbles into her life, he’s persuaded to work on a film that will make her a star again. But the seduction of luxury soon leads him to become trapped. His attempt to break free has dramatic consequences.