I know that Darius is better known but shouldn't Jill be getting more of the media pie or do you think that she's got more than enough to do with a 4 hour performance and rehearsals too?

 

 

in the articles I have read she has been called "unknown" or perhaps they reckon GWTW is a woman sort of story, and Rhett would have more pull.

If we could, we'd be able to join the modern day "freak show" circuit - heat, OK, star,sun etc. and live in luxury on the proceeds.

well - the menopause is creeping up on me..so perhaps

 

Rogues and vagabonds theatre site

 

There are always rumours surrounding projects such as the musical version of Gone with the Wind, which is already in preview and opens on Tuesday 22 April at the New London Theatre.

 

 

One recent rumour, recounted by Baz Bamigboye in the Daily Mail, was that Darius Danesh, playing Rhett Butler, had been sacked two weeks into rehearsals. He was not, as Bamigboye pointed out.

 

 

The first rumours last summer were about casting, that Hugh Jackman or John Barrowman would be playing Rhett. Whatever actually went on, I do wonder about director Trevor Nunn's eventual casting of Darius Danesh. It's not that I have any particular doubts about the acting or singing skills of this former Pop Idol contestant – I don't know his work well enough to comment – but I do believe he's far too smooth, too lightweight to inhabit the charming, roguish character of Rhett. This impression of mine has not been helped by reading the interview the actor gave to Frances Hubbard of the Daily Mail. Hubbard has a problem with Danesh because '…despite Darius's graciousness and undoubted ability; despite his melting brown-eyed gaze and his broad hairy chest, glimpsed between costume changes, he has bored me stupid before we're 15 minutes into the interview'. Hmm.

 

 

The latest publicity shot has Danesh looking suitably macho while re-creating, along with his relatively unknown co-star Jill Paice, the famous pose struck by Clark Gable and Vivien Leigh for the original film poster. But the portrait of Danesh accompanying the Mail article makes him look more like a dead-eyed, black market spiv. In fact, he looks as if he's still playing dodgy lawyer Billy Flynn in Chicago, one of his more recent stage credits, along with taking over as Sky Masterson in Guys and Dolls. I only hope that Nunn knows what he's doing. He usually does. Not always, but enough to give one hope.

 

 

Sarah Vernon © 2008

 

I have to agree the picture the Mail used was no indication of Darius as Rhett, my sister pointed out that it wasnt best look for rhett! I told her it was the same old story that if there is a good picture around - they will go for the worst every time! How much better it would have been to use the photos now up on view! or perhaps they are getting people used to him in character gradually to avoid heart attacks!

 

where these sacking rumours came from I have no idea..didnt read them online for sure during all my searches

 

I really dont want to see Rhett played by barrowman

Edited April 9, 200817 yr by prettyinpink

If we could, we'd be able to join the modern day "freak show" circuit - heat, OK, star,sun etc. and live in luxury on the proceeds.

 

This was in response to a post by megham.

 

Fair enough, I'd say. Doesn't know so will give him a chance.

Maybe we should send that person the Telegraph interview. One from a not 'determined to dislike him' journalist.

yes, I wonder if the rogues blog would hav been different if the writer had read the telegraph interivew and not the Mail??

It'd help without her bias being involved

Until people have seen him or until enough people who write articles or blogs have seen him perform and given a thumbs up however tentatively, Darius is at the mercy of whether journalists have pre-conceptions and whether they let those colour what they write.

 

Writing about him being a smooth lightweight may make people think twice about booking initially, but if Darius is great, as I suspect he will be, word of mouth will get round and more and more people will want to see the show.

 

I also think Darius did himself a lot of good on Paul O'Grady - he looked the part and he'd made an effort to research the character and his times to prepare for the role. Chewing tobacco! Yeugh! Best of all he was able to launch confidently into his Southern accent without missing a beat.

 

To me that was the most impressive thing. Lots of actors would have said "It's not bad."and then quoted some lines from the show. By answering Paul in that accent , he proved he's mastered the accent and not just the lines he has to say.

 

I do hope Trevor Nunn doesn't ask him to jump off a building.

I hate my husband.

Strong words from you, megham.

I'm thinking of not feeding him for at least a week - then I'll decide whether to feed him to the lions or tigers. He's avoiding me at the moment - no idea at all why.

There is an article in thestate.com which is mainly about Margaret Martin - I found the following line of interest ;)

 

But, if successful, Martin said the production would move to New York within 18 to 24 months.

But not necessarily with Darius.

Darius has only signed on for 6 months. There's a possibility he might extend but I can't see him giving up years to one show, no matter how great it is. Now if they'd like to open it in LA he might be keener to do a longer run.

 

In the future if the show is on Broadway and there's an opening for taking over in a short run as Rhett, I could see him doing that, just as he revisited Billy Flynn.

Edited April 10, 200817 yr by Baytree

Yes, I can see him doing that. I want the album but would still love him to do Broadway.

it would be nice - I have a horrid feeling they may use Hugh Jackman - would it be too evil to wish him ill for around the time it transfers...

They don't usually take both leads - so if they take Jill, whio is known, the probably wont take Darius. I am hoping they do though.

Whatever happens, I think Darius will not disappear for long when he finishes in GWTW. he'll either come back with the album or an announcement of a new acting part.

The album is next.