"Sunset Boulevard", Billy Wilder's classic study of obsession in Hollywood appeared in 1950 with Gloria Swanson in the greatest role of the career, as Norma Desmond, a star of the silent screen, attempting to use a young, failed, screenwriter, played by William Holden, as the means to make her return to the movies. The film offers a cynical view of the Hollywood dream factory and is acknowledged by critics as a great example of film noir in its own right. Andrew Lloyd Webber's musical brilliantly aims to translate the atmosphere of romance, decadence and obsession of the original story and recreate it in his musical score, with lyrics by Don Black and Christopher Hampton. This book attempts to capture the excitement of the inception of this new show. Perry has followed in detail the Lloyd Webber version from its beginnings in performance at the Sydmonton festival and has interviewed those associated with its staging, including Trevor Nunn, the director, the lyricists, the actors and Lloyd Webber. George Perry is the film editor of "The Sunday Times".