From the underdog understudy to critical acclaim: has a new star risen on Sunset Boulevard?

Ria Jones' recieves a 'six-minute standing ovation' following 'phenomenal' stage debut

The audience were on their feet for newcomer Ria Jones (Kevin Wilson)

For some understudies getting called to perform in the limelight is a lifelong dream, which can quickly turn into a nightmare when faced with a booing crowd.

That was the reception which initially greeted Ria Jones, who stepped into Glenn Close’s shoes to play the role of Norma Desmond in Sunset Boulevard.

The London Coliseum was packed with eager fans, some of whom had paid £150 to see Emmy Award-winner Close reprise her role as Norma.

But they were met with disappointment when it was announced the 69-year-old had been taken ill, and Welsh singer Jones was to step in.

Struck down on Thursday, Close was barred from performing under doctor’s orders, with a statement on the English National Opera’s website confirming she was ‘indisposed’.

A sign posted in the Coliseum foyer prompted irate audience members to descend to the box office en masse, demanding refunds or replacement tickets.

With a strictly limited run of 43 performances of Andrew Lloyd-Webber’s musical, many felt cheated that they would not get to see the Hollywood star back in her iconic role after two decades.

According to audience members, when the news was broken on stage by a brave staff member, even they were met with catcalls and boos, with one heckler shouting: “Give us our money back.”

Some did walk out, but it turns out they missed a show-stopping performance, with Jones’s stage debut as the flame-haired actress receiving rave reviews.

Drama student at the American Musical Theatre Academy, Jordan Castle, described the show as: “Phenomenal. You couldn’t fault what she did.

“There five curtain calls, and a six-minute standing ovation.”

The 22-year-old, from Putney, added: “When the show started, someone from ENO announced Glenn wouldn’t be on and there was booing, it was bad.

“There were people around who were giving away their £120 tickets. There was a guy behind me who got his ticket from a woman who said I’m not going to see it as Glenn Close isn’t in it.

“Eventually everyone was won round, even people who booed at the beginning.

“It was a beautiful thing to see, as soon as she sang ‘With One Look’ everyone was in tears, I was in tears. It was a pleasure to be able to witness something like that.

“She was the original Norma Desmond.”

The 49-year-old, who had never sung with the 51-piece orchestra before, played the role in Lloyd-Webber’s original 1991 workshop, but was too young to portray her on the stage.

Jones told The Telegraph: “I did say to Andrew, 'maybe one day I'll do the revival'. 25 years later, that's exactly what I'm doing.

"I was very nervous. I knew there were going to be many disappointed fans out there, but after the first song their response gave me the confidence to go on.”

Sick with nerves, she turned the tannoy off in her dressing room so she did not have to hear the dejected crowd.

Jones added: “I’d have been disappointed if I'd turned up and found Glenn Close wasn't singing.”

But the reaction stunned her, adding she was “gob smacked, just gob smacked”.

And as word spread of her electric performance, with Close ‘indisposed’ for both Friday’s performances as well, people began buying tickets specifically to see her.

Mark Smith, who runs blog Musicast Musings reviewing musicals, immediately bought a £75 ticket to see Close in her pivotal role earlier in April.

But after hearing Jones would be filling in, he hastily bought another seat for £57.50, specifically to see the understudy on Friday.

He said: “It was a piece of musical theatre history because Ria sort of originated the role of Norma in the first workshops Andrew Lloyd-Webber did 20 years ago.

“She must have known the people would be disappointed, but I don’t know how anybody could have been disappointed after.”

Mr Smith, who travelled from Cardiff for both shows, said: “Compared with Closes’ show, the entire cast got a standing ovation, but Jones’ performance received its own acclaim.

“It was interesting; the standing ovation was saved for Ria Jones right at the end.”