Gone with the Wind - Darius Danesh is Rhett Butler
Preview by Lizzie Guilfoyle
DARIUS Danesh will play Rhett Butler in Trevor Nunn’s musical adaptation of Margaret Mitchell’s Pulitzer Prize-winning novel, Gone With The Wind, which receives its world premiere at the New London Theatre on April 22, 2008 (previews from April 4).
He will be joining American actress Jill Paice as Scarlett O’Hara and British actors Madeleine Worrall and Edward Baker-Duly as Melanie and Ashley Wilkes, the key characters round whom the plot revolves. Also newly announced are NaTasha Yvette Williams as Mammy and Jina Burrows as Prissy.
Set in 1860’s Atlanta, Georgia, Gone with the Wind is the story of seventeen-year-old Scarlett O’Hara, the eldest of three daughters living a life of ease and comfort on their father’s plantation. However, 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.
The new music theatre adaptation has book and lyrics by Margaret Martin adapted by Trevor Nunn and music by Margaret Martin.
Danesh, a recording artist, songwriter and actor, rose to fame on the hit British TV show Pop Idol. 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. In total, he has had five UK Top Ten singles.
His theatre credits include two successful runs as lawyer Billy Flynn in the West End production of Chicago, and the touring production of Michael Grandage’s Guys and Dolls in which he played Sky Masterson.
Williams’ theatre credits include Dessa Rose (off-Broadway); All Shook Up, Seussical the Musical, Cinderella, Parade and The Goodbye Girl (US touring productions); and Oprah Winfrey’s The Color Purple in which she made her Broadway debut as Sofia. Gone with the Wind will mark her UK stage debut.
Burrows’ theatre credits include Boogie Nights, Aladdin, Carmen Jones (Royal Festival Hall) and The Gospel According to Broadway (Hackney Empire). She has performed with artists such as Mary J Blige, Jamiroquai and Jamelia and is currently touring with Soul 2 Soul.
The company of Gone with the Wind also includes Emily Bryant, Gareth Chart, Laura Checkley, Julian Forsyth, Kirsty Hoiles, Chris Jarman, Tober Reilly, David Roberts, Tom Sellwood, Ray Shell, Savannah Stevenson, Gemma Sutton, Sue Jane Tanner, Susan Tracy and Alan Winner. Final casting will be announced shortly.
The production is designed by John Napier, with costume designs by Andreane Neofitou, lighting design by Neil Austin and sound by Paul Groothius. 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.
Gone with the Wind is currently booking until September 27, 2008.
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