Sunset Boulevard star Sarah Brightman missing from stage for more than two weeks

Her character may be ready for her close up but Sarah Brightman,the star of Sunset Boulevard, has been missing from the spotlight for more than two weeks.

Her character, Norma Desmond, may be ready for her close up, but Sarah Brightman the star of the stage production of Sunset Boulevard, has been missing from the spotlight for more than two weeks.

Brightman is the star casting in Opera Australia’s production of Sunset Boulevard, which opened at the Princess Theatre on May 29.

While Brightman is the box office drawcard as the show’s celebrity leading lady – and is the promotional face of the show – a calf injury has seen her sidelined for more than a fortnight.

While the injury is unfortunate given the number of stairs Brightman has to dash up and down as Norma, it is becoming Melbourne theatre’s biggest guessing game as to when she might return to centre stage.

Fans are openly voicing their discontent on social media about Brightman’s absence while also celebrating the excellent work of Melbourne’s Silvie Paladino, who was cast as the alternate Norma and promoted as playing the role in Wednesday matinee shows.

Sarah Brightman has been missing from the stage for more than two weeks. Picture: Jason Edwards

Paladino has performed as the fragile yet beguiling faded silent movie star for 20 shows in a row, including the matinee performance on Saturday.

At the time of writing it was unknown if Brightman would make her return for the Saturday evening performance.

Brightman was thought to be playing Norma last Saturday night and was in the theatre and in costume, but according to sources, as show time neared it was decided to rest her again.

Ticket sales for the production have been slow, with a juicy but rare $72 per ticket for 72 hours deal going on sale last week.

Silvie Paladino has been wowing audiences with her performance. Picture: Jason Edwards

Brightman, 63, received some savage reviews for her opening night performance. Sunset Boulevard marked the British soprano’s return to musical theatre for the first time in 34 years.

Sadly, Paladino has not been getting the public credit she deserves for her performance as Norma.

Theatre fans have celebrated her work leading the show. Everyone in Melbourne knows Paladino is gifted with a magnificent voice and she has showcased her gift in the role.

A statement regarding the Brightman situation was posted on the Sunset Boulevard Instagram account reading: “Sarah Brightman is recovering from a calf injury which is currently preventing her from performing in Sunset Boulevard as scheduled. Sarah is being monitored and assessed daily and undergoing every treatment to ensure her healthy return as soon as possible.”

Brightman said in the statement: “I am so disappointed to not be on stage alongside the incredible Australian company of Sunset Boulevard. I am doing everything possible to recover quickly. Unfortunately, it is taking longer than anticipated. This wonderful production continues to delight Melbourne audiences each night and I can’t wait to be back to perform as soon as I’m able.”