Opening: Sunset Boulevard, Tricycle Loot & Cordelia

Amongst the major openings in London this week are:

OPENING TONIGHT, Monday 15 December 2008 (previews from 5 December), the Watermill’s actor-musician revival of Andrew Lloyd Webber’s Sunset Boulevard, starring Kathryn Evans as Norma Desmond and directed by Craig Revel Horwood, transfers to the Comedy Theatre (See News, 12 Nov 2008), where it’s currently booking until 18 April 2009.

It marks the first time the musical has had a major London outing since it finished its premiere run at the Adelphi theatre in 1996. Ben Goddard reprises his Watermill role as Joe Gillis, with West End veteran Dave Willetts joining the cast Desmond’s servant, Max von Meyerling.

** Don’t miss the chance to see Sunset Boulevard for only £29.50! – offer ends 20 December 2008 – click here for more details! **

ALSO TONIGHT (previews from 11 December), Sean Holmes directs David Haig, Javone Prince, Doon Mackichan and EastEnders’ Matt Di Angelo in the Tricycle Theatre’s revival of Joe Orton’s Loot, which centres on ne’er-do-wells Hal (Di Angelo) and Dennis (Prince) who stage a bungled bank heist. Until 31 January 2009.

OPENING TUESDAY, 16 December 2008 (previews from 11 December), the Royal Shakespeare Company’s season of new writing at Wilton’s Music Hall continues with Irish playwright Marina Carr’s The Cordelia Dream, directed by Selina Cartmell and starring Michelle Gomez and David Hargreaves. Until 10 January 2009

OPENING THURSDAY, 18 December 2008 (previews from 16 December), the New End in Hampstead plays host to Noel at Noel, a seasonal cabaret romp through the “acidulous words and music“ of Noel Coward. Until 25 January 2009.

ALSO ON THURSDAY (previews from 16 December), Edinburgh Fringe hit Boys of the Empire opens at the King’s Head theatre, a comedy inspired by the Boys Own comics of the 1920s, looking at war, globilisation and the chums of St. Ethelred’s. Until 11 Janaury 2009.

– By Theo Bosanquet