Laura Pitt-Pulford: “I am quite similar to the role of Betty Schaefer”

Last December 4th a new production of SUNSET BOULEVARD began performances at West End Comedy Theatre. This new production played a sold-out season at The Watermill Theatre, Newbury. It follows in the innovative and emotionally direct tradition of intimate productions using actor/musicians that has resulted in previous enormously successful transfers from the Watermill, including John Doyle’s multi-award winning SWEENEY TODD. The musical arranger of SWEENEY TODD, Sarah Travis, is also the musical arranger for this production of SUNSET BOULEVARD, which is directed and choreographed by Craig Revel Horwood.

Taking on the part of ‘Norma Desmond’, one of the greatest female roles in musical theatre, is Kathryn Evans, with Dave Willetts as ‘Max Von Meyerling’ and Ben Goddard as ‘Joe Gillis’. Also in the cast is Laura Pitt-Pulford performing Betty Schaefer.

Laura played the role of Betty at the Watermill Theatre in Newbury and now is reprising this role, which marks her West End debut. Laura tells us more details about her work in this compelling and inventive new production.

HOW ARE YOU LIVING YOUR WEST END DEBUT? WHAT DOES IT MEAN TO YOU TO WORK IN THIS PRODUCTION OF ‘SUNSET BOULEVARD’?
I am so proud to be part of a production which has just grown and grown. I have been lucky enough to be part of this production from the very beginning at the Watermill Theatre. To think that last summer we were performing this in such a small intimate theatre and to now be on a West End stage, all seems slightly surreal but incredibly rewarding. It’s a joy to perform this show every evening.

WHAT DO YOU LIKE MOST OF PERFORMING BETTY SCHAEFER?
I guess you could say I am quite similar to the role of Betty. We are both very ambitious and slightly stubborn. I can definitely connect to her. Every night I get to throw myself into a character who experiences such a roller-coaster of emotions and it is very satisfying to be able to have such dramatic material to get my teeth into. Of course, I also get to kiss the lovely Ben Goddard and Tom Coles every night which is always a joy!

‘SUNSET BOULEVARD’ OPENED LAST SUMMER AT WATERMILL THEATRE. HAS THE SHOW CHANGE IN ANY ASPECT FOR THE WEST END OPENING?
Not really. A few things were adapted to work in the new space, but overall it has pretty much stayed the same. The Comedy Theatre is also quite an intimate space so it has transferred very well.

THIS PRODUCTION OF ‘SUNSET BOULEVARD’ IS AN ACTOR-MUSICIAN SHOW. WHY DO YOU THINK THAT THIS KIND OF SHOWS ARE SO SUCCESSFUL LATELY? WHAT DO YOU THINK IS THE MAIN CONTRIBUTION OF THIS KIND OF SHOWS?
They are becoming more and more popular. You get to watch these performers do everything (sing/act/dance/play). We find a reason and a meaning within our characters to play every note. We never hide the instruments from the audience. We choose to use the instruments to heighten our performance. I find it quite interesting when I have friends come to watch the show and they say to me afterwards – “After a while I forgot the instruments were even there”. They don’t end up distracting from the piece at all. Actor-musician shows are also very convenient when working in a small theatre, such as the Watermill, where space for an orchestra pit is non-existent.

WHICH ARE THE MAIN DIFFICULTIES OF YOUR CHARACTER AS A PERFORMER/MUSICIAN?
There are moments in the show where we are all playing and running around the stage at the same time. This, of course, could be very dangerous if we bumped into each other. Therefore, it means we must always be focused and aware of all other cast members. We never leave the stage and are constantly playing our instruments throughout the show. We have to constantly listen to each other in order to keep in time musically and this requires a lot of concentration – although, as musicians, we are now so connected to each other that this happens very naturally.

HAD YOU SEEN THE ORIGINAL PRODUCTION OF ‘SUNSET BOULEVARD’? WHAT WAS YOUR OPINION ABOUT THE MUSICAL PRIOR TO BE ON IT?
I saw this production on tour when I was about 17 years old. I remember absolutely loving it. I have always loved the score to Sunset. It was a much larger-scale show than ours is. It’s great that this production is so very different to how I originally remember it.

‘SUNSET BOULEVARD’ HAS BEEN DIRECTED BY CRAIG REVEL HORWOOD. HOW HAS IT BEEN WORKING WITH HIM?
Unforgettable! He is an absolute joy to work with. Putting on an actor-musician show is not the easiest task but he somehow manages to make it work. Everything just seems to fit together like a jigsaw. Of course, as a director he comes across many problems, but nothing panics him and he keeps a very cool head throughout rehearsals. Along with the hard-work comes a lot of laughter though. He never fails to put a smile on everyone’s face.

YOUR CHARACTER, BETTY SCHAEFER, HAS A DUET WITH JOE GILLIS: "TOO MUCH IN LOVE TO CARE" THAT ALWAYS HAS BEEN SUNG AS A LOVE SONG, A ROMANTIC THEME. BUT ON THIS PRODUCTION, IT IS REALLY A DESPERATE SONG, PERFORMED BY TWO PEOPLE WHO FEEL ANGUISH ABOUT THEIR FEELINGS. DO YOU LIKE THIS DIFFERENT WAY OF STAGING THE SONG?
I couldn’t imagine it any other way. You have two characters who are just about to deceive their fiancée and best friend. They have tried so hard to fight their feelings for each other and are literally torn between what they know they shouldn’t do and what feels so right to them. They are both throwing away the life they currently live and sacrificing an awful lot. This would naturally come with a feeling of anguish.

KATHRYN EVANS PERFORMS NORMA DESMOND SINCE THE OPENING OF ‘SUNSET BOULEVARD’ AT THE WATERMILL. WHAT DO YOU LIKE MOST OF HER PERFORMANCE?
Kathryn is so wonderful to work with. She absolutely petrifies me as Norma Desmond. I look into her eyes and really do see a deluded faded star before me. Everything Kathryn does comes from her core. Every movement, every word, every gesture. Norma Desmond has a line in ‘With One Look’ where she says “when I speak it’s with my soul” – and that is exactly how it is with Kathryn. I never get bored of watching her night after night.

IN LONDON YOU CAN FIND A LOT OF DIFFERENT SHOWS, SO IT IS PLENTY OF JOB OPPORTUNITIES, BUT THERE ARE ALSO MANY GOOD ACTORS WITH A GREAT TRAINING. DO YOU THINK THAT IT’S DIFFICULT TO GET A ROLE ON A WEST END MUSICAL?
It is hard to get any acting job, whether it be West End or not. It takes a lot of hard work and usually comes with a lot of rejection. But when the work comes it is highly rewarding. As an actor, you never stop learning.

Ben Goddard (Joe Gillis) and Laura Pitt-Pulford (Betty Schaefer)