Well done Darius :cheer:

 

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 follows 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.

What's on Stage

 

Darius Danesh Is Gone with the Wind Rhett Butler

Date: 1st February 2008

 

Former reality TV star Darius Danesh (pictured) will play Rhett Butler, the role immortalised on screen by Clark Gable, in Trevor Nunn’s musical adaptation of Gone with the Wind. He will star opposite, as previously reported (See News, 21 Dec 2007), Jill Paice as Scarlett O’Hara in the musical, which receives its world premiere on 22 April 2008 (previews from 5 April) at the West End’s New London theatre, where it’s initially booking through to 27 September 2008.

 

After coming to public attention as a contestant on reality TV shows Pop Stars and Pop Idol, Glasgow-born Danesh made his West End debut in 2005 playing Billy Blynn in Chicago (See News, 19 Oct 2005). He went on to play Sky Masterson in Michael Grandage’s revival of Guys and Dolls on tour. His other stage credits include, as a child, The Trojans and Carmen. In the pop sphere, Danesh has had five UK top ten singles, including his self-penned “Colourblind”.

 

 

Set in Georgia in the 1860s, Margaret Mitchell’s Pulitzer Prize-winning 1936 novel follows Scarlett’s journey from a life of luxury on her father’s plantation through the Civil War and the hardships it heaps on her and her family to the rocky post-war peace, with her love for Ashley Wilkes and the renegade Rhett Butler adding fuel to the fire.

 

The cast also features Edward Baker-Duly as Ashley Wilkes and Madeleine Worrall as his wife Melanie (See News, 21 Dec 2007), as well as Broadway’s NaTasha Yvette Williams (Mammy) and Jina Burrows (Prissy). Others in the company include 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.

 

 

In development for more than three years, Gone with the Wind has music and lyrics by Margaret Martin. The premiere production is directed by Nunn and designed by John Napier, who worked with Nunn on blockbuster page-to-stage adaptations of Les Miserables and Cats, the latter finishing its 21-year run at the New London in May 2002. It’s produced by Aldo Scrofani and Colin Ingram.

 

 

One of the best-selling novels of the 20th century (the only book that's sold more, apparently is The Bible), Gone with the Wind was in 1939 made into one of Hollywood’s highest-grossing films, a winner of ten Oscars. Directed by Victor Fleming, it starred Vivien Leigh and Clark Gable, whose final line – “Frankly, my dear, I don’t give a damn” – has gone down in cinematic history. According to a list recently compiled by the British Film Institute (BFI), the film has been seen by more cinemagoers (35 million) than any other in UK movie history.

 

 

 

 

- by Terri Paddock

 

 

Darius is back with the wind

By Louise Jury, Evening Standard 01.02.08

Add your view

 

 

Brute force: Clark Gable as Rhett Butler the part Darius Danesh will take on stage

 

Look here too

Frankly, she does give a damn

Nunn stages tale of Scarlett O'Hara

Trevor Nunn has chosen Pop Idol star Darius Danesh to play Rhett Butler in his new production of Gone With The Wind.

 

The 27-year-old singer is stepping into the role made famous by Clark Gable in the 1939 film. The stage version is one of the most eagerly anticipated shows in London this year.

 

Danesh previously appeared as Billy Flynn in Chicago and Sky Masterson in Guys And Dolls. But this will be his biggest role to date.

 

"It doesn't seem real - I'm over the moon," he told the Standard from Los Angeles, where he lives with actress and model Natasha Henstridge, star of Species.

 

"Just being asked to audition for Trevor Nunn was such a privilege. He's a master of Shakespeare and of musicals and of all that he touches. I knew he had at his disposal the cream of the crop to open his show.

 

"It was an ambition of mine to work with him and I can't believe that ambition is being fulfilled at the age of 27. I'm very excited." Memories of Gable were the biggest challenge, he admitted.

 

"It's such a loved work of art in celluloid and one of the greatest love stories of all time," said Darius. "Rhett is such a wonderful and funny and charming alpha male, as well as a bit of a brute and rough diamond."

 

Nunn, former director of the National Theatre, said: "I don't get time to watch a great deal of television so when I first saw Darius at a casting session he was new to me. He came through the most rigorous audition process I have ever conducted."

 

• Gone With The Wind previews at the New London Theatre, Drury Lane, from 4 April.

 

+ a lovely photo...

 

which I can't upload onto photobucket :(

 

Can now :D

 

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v78/1PamP/darius_clarkGable.jpg

 

Edited February 1, 200817 yr by SpamFritter

This is great news :yahoo:

 

Director Nunn Finds His Rhett for London Gone With the Wind

By John Nathan

01 Feb 2008

 

 

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v78/1PamP/RhettButler.jpg

Darius Danesh

 

 

Darius Danesh will be Rhett Butler in Trevor Nunn's upcoming London production of the stage musical Gone With the Wind.

 

The world premiere musical version of Maragaret Mitchell's epic novel opens at the West End's New London Theatre April 27 following previews that begin April 5.

 

Singer and songwriter Danesh, who rose to fame in the British TV show "Pop Idol," will join the previously announced Jill Paice, who plays Scarlet O'Hara.

 

Onstage Danesh has twice played Billy Flynn in the London production of Chicago and last year starred as Sky in Michael Grandage's London revival of Guys and Dolls.

 

Joining Paice and Danesh onstage will be Edward Baker-Duly (South Pacific); Madeleine Worall (Cinderella at the Old Vic); American NaTasha Yvette Williams (The Color Purple) in her West End debut; and Jina Burrows (Boogie Nights and Carmen Jones at the Royal Festival Hall).

 

The creative team for Nunn's production inlcudes set and costume designers John Napier and Andreane Neofitu, respectively. Gareth Valentine (Wicked and Sinatra) is musical supervisor and arranger with lighting by Neil Austin and sound by Paul Groothius.

 

Paice created the role of Laura Fairlie in Nunn's production of The Woman in White both at the Palace Theatre in London and on Broadway. Her other theatre credits include Nicki Harris in Curtains at the Ahmanson Theatre in Los Angeles and currently on Broadway where she reprises the role opposite David Hyde Pierce. She was also the original Sophie in the Las Vegas company of Mamma Mia! and appeared in the U.S. touring company of Les Misérables. Her recording credits include the original cast recordings of Curtains, The Woman in White and The Gig as well as a featured artist on the Andrew Lloyd Webber on Broadway album.

 

It is thought that Gone With the Wind will be based more on Margaret Mitchell's Pulitzer-winning epic novel rather than the 1939 movie starring Clark Gable and Vivien Leigh movie.

 

With music and lyrics by sociologist-turned-composer Margaret Martin, Gone With the Wind has been in development for three years with Nunn, Martin and producer Aldo Scrofani of Columbia Artists, who has teamed up with London producer Colin Ingram for the West End premiere.

 

Set in 1860's Atlanta, Georgia, Gone With the Wind takes in America's Civil War and the Reconstruction Period that followed. Mitchell's heroine is 17-year-old Scarlett who lives a life of luxury on her father's plantation and embarks on a turbulent relationship with the dashing and dangerous Rhett.

 

In an earlier statement, Nunn said "Having now worked on adapting two vast novels for the stage, Nicholas Nickleby and Les Misérables I am drawn to the challenge of telling Margaret Mitchell's epic story through words, music and the imaginative resources of the theatre. The major turning point of American history is conveyed through Mitchell's extraordinary cast of characters, black and white, as they pursue their different ideas of the future, and of the past."

Copyright © 2008 Playbill, Inc. All Rights Reserved.

Official London Theatre Guide

 

Frankly my dear, I don’t give a Dan(esh)

First published 01 Feb 2008

 

Darius Danesh

Darius Danesh, former Pop Idol contestant and Chicago resident, is to play the role of Rhett Butler in Trevor Nunn’s new musical production of iconic novel Gone With The Wind, which opens at the New London in April.

 

Danesh joins the already announced Jill Paice as Scarlett O’Hara, Edward Baker-Duly as Ashley Wilkes and Madeleine Worrall as Melanie. Also confirmed in the cast are NaTasha Yvette Williams as Mammy and Jina Burrows as Prissy.

 

Danesh first came into the public eye for his unusual rendition of Britney Spears’s Hit Me Baby One More Time in the auditions for TV talent contest Popstars. Returning for more in the subsequent Pop Idol, he came third in the competition and went on to release the single Colourblind, which became number one in the UK singles chart. He made his West End debut in 2005 playing sleazy lawyer Billy Flynn in Chicago, a role he reprised the following year. He also appeared in the UK tour for Michael Grandage’s production of Guys And Dolls last year.

 

Williams makes her UK stage debut in Gone With The Wind, having previously appeared on Broadway in The Color Purple. Burrows has performed at the Royal Festival Hall and Hackney Empire and has toured with UK recording artists including Jamiroquai and Jamelia.

 

Margaret Mitchell’s 1936 best-selling novel Gone With The Wind was made into an iconic film in 1939 with Vivien Leigh and Clark Gable in the roles of Scarlett and Rhett. Set in 1860s Atlanta, Georgia, the epic story follows young Scarlett O’Hara, who is ripped from an easy existence on her father’s plantation by the onset of Civil War. Over a 10-year period the turbulence in her life is mirrored by her volatile relationship with the unpredictable Rhett Butler.

 

The story has been adapted into this new stage musical production by Margaret Martin and Nunn, who also directs.

 

Joining the principal cast are: 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.

 

Gone With The Wind opens at the New London on 22 April after previews from 4 April and is currently booking until 27 September.

 

 

I find this amusing...

 

 

Friday, 1 February 2008

Darius reaches a new stage

 

Many many years ago, when Celebritish were little more than children, a man called Darius Danesh entered a TV talent show. In fact, he entered two so he could fight the injustice of not winning the first one. What an ego, what a guy!

 

Anyway, Celebritish remember many a conversation at the time running something like this:

 

Celebritish: Darius has total charisma, he's going to be huge.

Various Friends: Haha, no he's not he's a total idiot and an embarrassment to humanity.

 

To be fair, both viewpoints are correct in their way, but we've just read

this and we'd like to say a big 'I told you so' to the haters!

 

We'd also like to start a campaign to make Darius the next James Bond. He's perfect for the role, and would beat Gritty Craig into a cocked hat (which we'd like to see, incidentally).

 

Posted by Celebritish at 5:02 AM

This just shows they have never seen him on stage...

 

Daruis Danesh is Rhett Butler

February 1st, 2008 by Laura West

We were left saying huh? when we heard this latest piece of theatre gossip, the pony-tailed, Britney Spears singing pop idol - Darius Danesh- has been cast as Rhett Butler in the up coming stage version of Gone with the Wind!

Ok he has been in Chicago and Guys and Dolls, but Rhett Butler - really? Personally I see Rhett Butler as suave and charming, someone who’d own the stage - however all I remember of Darius Danesh is a smarmy egotistical popstar wannabe!

Hats off to Danesh though as it would seem he’s been working on his ego, director Trevour Nunn hand picked Danesh from all the other hopefuls and wasn’t aware of his previous so called “fame”, he claims “I don’t get time to watch a great deal of television so when I first saw Darius at a casting session he was new to me”.

Once again theatre lovers, we will have to wait and see how this one will pan out. Will the Scotsman charm us? Or will he kill Rhett Butler like he did Britney Spear’s song?

Stay tuned to find out!

 

 

 

 

 

Pop Idol Darius Danesh Lands West End Role

Tags: Darius Danesh

How weird! Just last week I was talking to a friend about whatever happened to the delectable Darius Danesh, and today I find out he has landed a West End role!

 

Darius will play Rhett Butler in a production of Gone With The Wind, and will star alongside Jill Paice, Madeleine Worrall and Edward Baker-Duly.

 

The show opens on April 22 and is currently taking bookings until September 27. All you hardened Darius fans can book tickets here!

 

 

 

 

 

More West End Gone with the Wind Casting: Danesh is Rhett, Williams is Mammy

by Broadway.com Staff

 

British pop and stage star Darius Danesh will play Rhett Butler and The Color Purple veteran NaTasha Yvette Williams will play Mammy in Trevor Nunn's West End production of Margaret Mitchell's classic novel, Gone with the Wind. They join the previously announced Jill Paice as Scarlett O'Hara, Edward Baker-Duly as Ashley Wilkes and Madeleine Worrall as Melanie. Also newly announced for the cast is Jina Burrows as Prissy.

Danesh 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 10-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 U.K. singles chart at number one and his debut album went Danesh has had five U.K. Top 10 singles.

 

I love this part...

 

Nunn, former director of the National Theatre, said: "I don't get time to watch a great deal of television so when I first saw Darius at a casting session he was new to me. He came through the most rigorous audition process I have ever conducted."

 

Well done D.....good on you.

 

He's also told Rachel - .net that

'It's still his plan for the album to be released this year, he'll be recording it whilst he's in the show.

 

:cheer: x 3

Great write-ups. Looking forward to seeing Darius in the role :)

thanks spam fritter for all the reports. I think it is fantastic that D has got this role especially as he has wanted to work with Trevor Nunn the director, former director of the Shakespeare company. It will be great experience for him and it was a rigerous audition if it lasted over three months. As one of the reports above says, James Bond next!!! I was quite amazed as I was late on the computer yesterday and went on WOS first and was stunned to see the headline especially as we had been discussing it. Dont know if Baytree knows she hasnt been on lately.

Its great to see the american and other press have picked it up.

thanks, Spam - thought it would be great to see all the press over here!

 

 

I am bursting with pride this morning - well odne Dairus, and bahoo to all those who still cant get past one clip over 7 years ago, Darius must have impressed Trevor Nunn to get the part, and after seeing him play Billy, I can see him on the role of Rhette - well couldnt we all as we have been discussing it on here for some time! he even has that eyebrow that Clark Gable used to wryly lift LOL - yes I can see the likeness so well, although I wonder if any facial hair will be making an appearance. I cant wait to see the photo shots of him in character,

This is great news for Darius. I think this role will suit him down to the ground.

 

Hats off to Danesh though as it would seem he’s been working on his ego, director Trevour Nunn hand picked Danesh from all the other hopefuls and wasn’t aware of his previous so called “fame”, he claims “I don’t get time to watch a great deal of television so when I first saw Darius at a casting session he was new to me”.

 

Very nice to see he has been chosen on ability and that Trevor Nunn wasn't influenced by anything from 6 years ago. Just shows if people are able to get past PI, they are able to see the real person and their actual talents.

 

Good luck to Darius. I hope everything goes swimmingly for him, not that I have any doubts that it won't

This is great. I hope the have the original cast album ready for when the previews start.

This is great. I hope the have the original cast album ready for when the previews start.

:yahoo: yes please

 

 

Love to see the American press interested:

 

http://www.pittsburghlive.com/x/pittsburghtrib/s_550374.html

 

Not sure if this is in the paper or just online:

 

The Daily Record

 

Darius Danesh To Star As Rhett Butler

Feb 2 2008 By Beverley Lyons

 

SCOTS heart-throb Darius Danesh is to play rugged Rhett Butler in a new stage musical of Gone With The Wind.

 

The singer, who shot to fame on TV talent show Popstars, will star in Sir Trevor Nunn's West End production of the 30s movie classic.

 

Darius, who lives in LA with his actress fiancee Natasha Henstridge, got the part after flying to London to meet directors of the first musical version of the epic novel.

 

And Darius, who grew up in Bearsden, near Glasgow, is hoping to keep the starring role when Nunn takes the stage version to New York.

 

Darius, 27, who previously played Billy Flynn in a stage production of Chicago, said: "The idea is to revisit the book and to examine the themes in a gritty but romantic way.

 

"Rhett's a strong man who experiences great tragedy and we explore his grief in greater detail than in the film."

 

Darius's dad Booth believes filling the shoes of screen legend Clark Gable and uttering immortal lines such as "Frankly, my dear, I don't give a damn'" to Scarlett O'Hara will lead to greater success for his son.

 

He said: "We are absolutely delighted to have Darius back in London, especially being the first Rhett Butler to do this.

 

"He received offers of films in America but we are very happy he accepted this project. Sir Trevor Nunn is a very eminent and highly respected man.

 

"I know the person who wrote the script only wanted to do it in London and I believe Sir Trevor may take it to New York."

 

Rhett's lover Scarlett O'Hara, immortalised in the American Civil War film by Vivien Leigh, will be played by American theatre actress Jill Paice.

 

Booth added: "It's one of Darius's favourite films. We can't wait to go to the world premiere in London."

 

It is believed the stage production will be based more on Margaret Mitchell's Pulitzer-winning epic novel rather than the 1939 movie.

 

 

 

Has anyone seen anything in the papers?

I've only got the online reports.

 

no spam I Have the mirror and the mail and have looked on line at the sun, cant find anything, no doubt they havent been able to think up something disparaging yet. Thrilled withe comment about films, james bond yeT.

I think we've always seen him as a James Bond....but reluctant to lose his music

 

Ooopps sorry, thanks for the paper info....save me searching at the shops.

Edited February 2, 200817 yr by SpamFritter