I'm so pleased Jacqui is doing well. No idea, I only know my way to the theatre's Darius has appeared in.

Not sure if this has been posted anywhere, delete if it has. I've been drinking wine and can't think straight.

 

Danesh excited about "breakthrough" production

First published 14 Feb 2008

 

Co-stars Paice and Danesh

enjoy a break from rehearsals

It is somewhat fitting that the musical adaptation of one of the world’s most famous romantic novels, Gone With The Wind, should start rehearsals in the same week as St Valentine’s Day. And there was a lot of love in the room at the Jerwood Space yesterday, when leads Darius Danesh and Jill Paice discussed the project with select members of the press, releasing titbits of information to keep the anticipating public guessing.

 

“If you can imagine all the most creative people in show business and theatre in one room; the best creative team of stage, the most incredible musicians and music directors and one of the greatest living stage directors of all time, all in one room, meeting for the first time with a cast of over 30 – it was an incredibly exciting and very moving first day of a journey that began 10 years ago when Margaret [Martin]originally sat down to writing the stage adaptation.” So said Danesh, in his softened Glaswegian tones that will be transformed into the twang of the Deep South of America when he takes to the New London stage as Rhett Butler in April.

 

Danesh, who will be creating a musical character for the first time, having previously stepped into the roles of Billy Flynn in Chicago and Sky Masterson in Guys And Dolls, is clearly excited about the project and has put his third pop album on hold while he prepares for the new production: “It’s a great challenge as an actor to take on a role that’s so well known. However I do it with the good grace of the direction and the belief of an incredible man like [director] Trevor Nunn.”

 

On stage he is joined by Paice, who returns to London where she previously originated the role of Laura Fairlie in Andrew Lloyd Webber’s The Woman In White, which was also directed by Nunn. Paice also took the Lloyd Webber show to Broadway where, more recently, she has been starring opposite David Hyde Pierce in Curtains. Her stage experience will, no doubt, be drawn upon by Danesh, who is already taken by his co-star. “It’s a great joy to be able to work with an accomplished and inspiring and wonderfully humble and very gorgeous actress,” he commented, “who has had the fortune of success not just in the West End but on Broadway.”

 

The production is based on Margaret Mitchell’s Pulitzer Prize-winning novel, rather than the multi-Oscar winning film. Margaret Martin has provided the book and lyrics, with adaptation by Nunn, as well as the music. The famous tale is set in 1860s Georgia at the start of the American Civil War. On an idyllic farm the perfect lives of the O’Hara family, and eldest daughter Scarlett, are smashed by the fighting. Over a decade of American history the relationship of Scarlett with Rhett Butler mirrors the peace and conflict of a nation, as an entire way of life is changed forever.

 

Though the cast have only just met to begin rehearsals, the creative process to bring the musical to the stage is nearing completion. The pair were keeping tight-lipped about what audiences can expect, but Danesh promised a unique “breakthrough” in terms of staging that is currently being constructed at the New London, and Paice hinted at a reserved set design: “I think what’s great about our production is it is sort of scaled down. It is an epic story but a lot of it’s going to be left to the imagination, but a wonderful imagination, and we’re going to help you along the way. I can guarantee you that it is going to be a fabulous evening of theatre.”

 

Gone With The Wind opens at the New London on 22 April following previews from 4 April.

 

 

I've just added it to Darius is Rhett Butler. Still, twice is better than none. I should have looked first.

Sometimes it's hard to know which thread to post in and we make mistakes. Isn't that why mods have magic wands?

I easily get very confused. Good thing mods have magic wands. Shame they can't magic me a new brain.

I don't think it matters that it is in 2 threads....it's relevant in each

Thanks Pam

I agree, Pam - I did look at the post and consider where it should be, but at present its a bit confusing, as we have press snippets, whihc should I suppose be non gwtw ..

then the darius is rhett, which has articles from the press in it..then we have news articles about gwtw..

I didnt know quite where to begin the shuffle,

I'd leave them - I think it's all a part of the excitement. This time next year we'll all be calm waiting for the next thing. What a shame the album is delayed again. I'm not surprised though as I just don't see how he can fit it in. I'd like a few samples though, to keep me going.

thats the conclusion I cam to, Meg - lets just revel in it :yahoo:

Sings "Life is a rollercoaster."

 

Whee! no Hands!

I like the coming down fast but no keen on the going up slow. I'm useless at waiting and it seems to be all I do at the moment.

I don't mind the wait from now. Darius is here and he's staying here at the very least until the end of September.

 

By my reckoning that's the longest time he's spent continuously in the UK since 2002.

 

Hard to believe, isn't it?

I hope he doesn't find it too hard.

An interview with Natasha posted on .net mentions a possible film to be filmed in Barcelona. I do hope it's not the one they were thinking would be filmed here.

 

Still Barcelona's a lot nearer to London than LA, I suppose.

That'll be better for them - although not as good as London would have been

Does Darius have Mondays off like Chicago and Guys and Dolls?

He's got Sunday's off like 'Chicago' and 'Guys and Dolls' They only had Mondays of in G&D when they moved to a new venue. It's 8 shows a week again. Luckily for me he's doing the mid week matinee - my Mum would be so disappointed.

Photo of Darius and Natasha on page 49, 'The Week in Pictures', in Heat this week.

...and this...

 

Who's that holding hands with his film-star fiancee at a fancy fashion show in New York?

Oh yes, it's Darius. Darius of Pop Idol.....baby One More Time/long-hair fame.

Yes, the boy has come a long way since his Reality TV days and has quite a few reasons to be cheerful.

Not only is he living with gorgeous actress Natasha Henstridge, but he's just landed a role in a new West End version of Gone With The Wind.

Looks like someone can definitely feel the love in the room.

 

 

Same old, same old. Must look at the picture when I go to Tesco later.