Photo Flash: 'Gone With The Wind' Opens On West End
By: BWW News Desk Apr. 08, 2008
Darius Danesh and Jill Paice leads the cast in Trevor Nunn's production of Margaret Mitchell's classic novel, Gone with the Wind, playing the iconic roles of Rhett Butler and Scarlett O'Hara. Joining them are Edward Baker-Duly who will play Ashley Wilkes, Madeleine Worrall who plays Melanie, NaTasha Yvette Williams as Mammy and Jina Burrows as Prissy.
In a new music theatre adaptation of the classic love story with book and lyrics by Margaret Martin adapted by Trevor Nunn and music by Margaret Martin, Gone with the Wind will have its first performance at the New London Theatre on Saturday 5 April, with press night on Tuesday 22 April and is initially booking until 27 September 2008. The production is designed by John Napier, costumes designs are by Andreane Neofitou with lighting design by Neil Austin and sound by Paul Groothuis. Musical Supervisor and Arranger is Gareth Valentine, Movement Director is David Bolger and Orchestrator is William D Brohn. Gone with the Wind is produced by Aldo Scrofani for Columbia Artists Theatricals of New York, London producer Colin Ingram and The Nederlander Organization.
Set in 1860's Atlanta, Georgia, Gone with the Wind follows the story of the seventeen-year-old Scarlett O'Hara, the eldest of three daughters living a life of ease and comfort on their father's plantation until the onset of the Civil War threatens this idyllic existence. Scarlett's incredible journey through both the war and the peace is mirrored in her turbulent relationship with Rhett Butler, whose actions invariably defy prediction. Their story spans ten years and mingles romantic joy with tragic grief, as the life these people once knew disappears, and we are asked if what has 'gone with the wind' is for better or worse.
Gone with the Wind, published in 1936, is one of the best selling novels of the 20th century and won Margaret Mitchell the Pulitzer Prize. Three years later in 1939, the film adaptation made box office history as the highest grossing film of all time and is still regarded as one of the greatest American classics.
Joining the principal cast is a company including Emily Bryant, Gareth Chart, Laura Checkley, Julian Forsyth, Kirsty Hoiles, Chris Jarman, Tober Reilly, David Roberts, Tom Sellwood, Ray Shell, Savannah Stevenson, Gemma Sutton, Susan Jane Tanner, Susan Tracy and Alan Winner. Final casting will be announced shortly.
Glasgow born Darius Danesh (Rhett Butler) is a platinum-selling recording artist, songwriter and actor. He rose to fame on the hit British TV show Pop Idol. In 2006 he ended a second successful West End run in the musical Chicago playing Billy Flynn at the Adelphi Theatre and 2007 saw him star as Sky Masterson in Michael Grandage's Olivier Award-winning production of Guys and Dolls. Danesh's professional stage career began playing a ten-year-old Trojan boy in Scottish Opera's 1990 production of The Trojans and as a teenager he toured with the Company in their critically acclaimed production of Carmen. His first self-penned single Colourblind entered the UK singles chart at number one and his debut album went platinum under the guidance of Grammy award winning U2 producer Steve Lillywhite. Danesh has had five UK Top Ten singles.
Jill Paice returns to the West End to play Scarlett O'Hara, after originating the role of Laura Fairlie in Trevor Nunn's production of The Woman in White both at the Palace Theatre here in London and on Broadway. Her other theatre credits include Nicki Harris in Curtains at the Ahmanson Theatre in
Los Angeles and later on Broadway where she reprised the role to acclaim opposite David Hyde Pierce. She was the original Sophie in the Las Vegas Company of Mamma Mia and also appeared in the US touring company of Les Misérables. Her recording credits include the original cast recording of Curtains, The Woman in White and The Gig and she was a featured artist on the Andrew Lloyd Webber on Broadway album.
Edward Baker-Duly (Ashley) has previously worked with Trevor Nunn playing the role of Lieutenant Cable in Nunn's National Theatre production of South Pacific. His other theatre credits include the West End revival of Salad Days as well as The Lady Vanishes, Dick Barton Special Agent, Singin' In The Rain, Anyone Can Whistle, Side by Side by Sondheim and Twelfth Night. Most recently he has been seen playing Jerry Lukowski in The Full Monty at the Olympia Theatre, Dublin as well as roles in Secretary Bird and September Tide both on tour. His television credits include Joe Fisher in Emmerdale and he is best known for playing Mr Malachay in the BBC's Grange Hill. His film credits include De-Lovely and the leading role in Thirteen, a thriller filmed in Ireland which was released last year.
Madeleine Worrall's (Melanie) theatre credits include Cinderella for the Old Vic, The School for Scandal for Salisbury Playhouse, The Anniversary for Liverpool Playhouse and in the West End, Up on the Roof for Chichester Festival Theatre, The Villain's Opera for The National Theatre, Miranda in The Tempest for Thelma Holt Productions and Irina in Three Sisters for Michael Blakemore at The Playhouse Theatre. Her film and television credits include Stage Beauty, Foyle's War, Judge John Deed and Midsommer Murders.
NaTasha Yvette Williams (Mammy) made her Broadway debut as Sofia in Oprah Winfrey's The Color Purple. She previously starred off-Broadway in Dessa Rose and has toured the US in All Shook Up, Seussical the Musical, Cinderella, Parade and The Goodbye Girl. Playing Mammy in Gone with the Wind will mark her UK stage debut.
Jina Burrows' (Prissy) theatre credits include Boogie Nights, Aladdin, Carmen Jones at the Royal Festival Hall and The Gospel According to Broadway at the Hackney Empire. She has performed with artists such as Mary J Blige, Jamiroquai and Jamelia and is currently touring with Soul 2 Soul for their lives shows on the festival circuit.
For information please visit www.gtwthemusical.com
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