It's another good report.

thanks, BT looking forward to reading it.

I could only find the front page online but there's a nice little caption there

 

http://www.sundaypost.com/index.htm

I'd type it out but I'm having migraine problems and I just can't face it at the moment.

Hope your migraine's better today Meg.

Still there. Three weeks now and I wouldn't be surprised if it lasted another 3

Pictures were the leaning one, the dancing one and what looks like one of the Rex Feature portraits.

 

Banner across the double page - He's the scot who went from talent-show flop to chart topper. Now he's set to wow the West end crowds.

 

 

Headline is quite predictable

 

 

Frankly, my dears, for Darius I do give a damn.

 

 

The Margaret Clayton interview.

 

 

 

 

Darius Danesh knows how to make an entrance. He'd just finished a rehearsal for the glamorous new production of Gone With The Wind, which opens in London's West End on Tuesday.

 

The glossy black hair was swept back from his forehead, pencil-thin moustache perfectly neat. Designer black trousers and crisp white shirt open to the throat.

 

Here was six feet four inches of fit, toned masculinity wearing an enigmatic smile on his tanned face. Rhett Butler eat your heart out.

For a minute I thought I needed oxygen. "What kind of air do you breathe up there?" I wanted to ask Darius when I met him at the New London theatre last week.

 

We sat at a table and sipped orange juice. After a strenuous rehearsal he looked cool and immaculate. After battling through the Covent Garden crowds I felt hot and dishevelled.

 

But Rhett is a hero and I'm no Scarlett O'Hara.

 

I read Gone with the Wind as a teenager. I saw the film and wept buckets. All I ever wanted was a 19 inch waist, to live in a Southern mansion called tara and be swept into the arms of the dashing Rhett.

 

So could this 27-year-old Scot who grew up just a few miles away from where I live even begin to convince me that he was the real Rhett.

 

Can you imagine Clark Gable on Pop Idol? I don't think so.

 

So how did Darius leap from his embarrassing performance six years ago singing Britney Spears's Baby One More Time to bestriding a London stage as the Southern gentleman capable of setting a million female hearts a-flutter ?

" I was very nervous auditioning for the part," he told me. "I wante novel by Maragret Mitchelld it so much. The opportunity of working with theatre director Sir trevor Nunn in such a historic production thrilled me. He gets so much out of every actor in the show.

 

"When I gotthe part, I was over the moon. This is the biggest challenge of my career. My family are so happy for me and they'll all be in the audience on tuesday, willing me to do my best."

 

The 3 hour musical is based more closely on the best-selling 1937 novel by Margaret Mitchell rather than the Oscar-winning movie starring Clark Gable and Vivien Leigh.

 

 

So when cames the timeless line "Frankly, my dear, I don't give a damn."?

 

"It slowly builds to a climax and when it comes there's an inevitability about it. It's at the heart of everything"

 

Yetr to my surprise I learn that the much-quoted line isn't even in the book, The show's producer, Aldo Scrofani, told me he had to buy the rights to use it from Warner Bros who own the copyright. For how much, I asked? "Too much," he replied. "But worth it."

 

This production - the first musical version of Gone With The Wind is costing 4.5 million pounds and has 36 actors playing more than 90 parts. Actress Jill paice plays Scarlett O'Hara.

 

What's the chemistry like between you and Scarlett, I asked Darius.

 

"Jill is wonderful as Scarlett," he says. "There'sgreat depth to her character."

 

Does it sizzle between you? "Mmm..........." he replies in that deep chocolate-brown voice.

 

The most disconcerting thing about interviewing this hero is that he has ridiculously long eyelashes, like a doll's. But the Danesh lashes are the real deal and he uses them with devastating effect.

 

With looks like these life must have been easy.

 

"I've been very lucky," he admitted. "My child hood was wonderful and my parents gave me and my two brothers Aria924) and Cyrus (13), the best possible start in life. they encouraged all of us to fulfil our potential and follow our dreams."

 

His Iranian born father, booth, is a consultant gastroenterologist, his mother, Avril, a scottish GP. Darius grew up and went to school in the comfotable Glasgow suburb of Bearsden.

 

As a little boy Darius loved to sing. At the age of ten he played a Trojan boy in the Scottish Opera production at the Theatre Royal, Glasgow. He went on tour with the opers Carmen which played at Covent Garden and he dreamed of a career on stage.

 

But he was also bright and his parents wanted him to follow them into medicine.

 

"I knew it wasn't for me," he said. "We compromised and i did a degree in English literature at Edinburgh University."

 

During that time he appeared on the TV show Popstars. he was 20, had a goatee and sang that Britney song. it wasn't his finest hour.

The following year he had the courage to come back and this time finished in thrid place on Pop Idol,behind Will Young and Gareth Gates.

 

he then went on to record Colourblind which went to No. 1. his first album went platinum.

 

Clearly Darius is determined .

 

"Anything I've achieved is because my father inspired me to have the confidence and drive to believe in myself. He is my moral compass. He gave me a set of rules by which to live."

 

"The past few years have been very hard for our family since my father was diagnosed withcancer. At one point we were sure we were going to lose him." "Thankfully he's recovered and that means more to me than any career success I could ever have."

 

There's warmth and sincerity when he speaks of his parents.

 

"We're in contact almost every day wherever I am in the world, either a phone conversation or a message. It's just the way our family works."

 

Darius has homes in Los Angeles, London and New York. He lives with beautiful blonde Canadian actress Natasha Henstridge(34), whom he met in LA four years ago when he was recording his second album. Natasha has two sons, Tristan (9) and Asher(6).

 

"I love those boys," darius told me. "It's so much fungoing home to play with them, read to them, be part of their lives. It's a privilage to be part of the responsibility of looking after children.

 

"One day I'd love to marry and have my own children. I'd want to create the same environment for them asmy parents did for me and my brothers.

 

"But for now the show is all I'm focused on. With eight shows a week it's a marathon and I've had to work at keeping fit. I'm in the gym every day working out because this is a very physically and emotionally demanding role.

 

"I've put myself on a strict regime. I've cut out dairy and wheat from my diet and I go for a midnight run around Hyde park after every show."

 

So Rhett climbs out of the smoking jacket and into shorts and trainers?

 

"Absolutely. I need to be strong and fit. This is the biggest role of my career. It's an epic production and I need to give it my best. I'm a perfectionist. it's the only way I can work."

 

Darius has immersed himself the story of Gone With The Wind. He'sread the book several times, analysed the characters and he thinks the message of life in the American South around the time of the Civil War has much to say tomodern audiences.

 

"I find it interesting that in the forthcoming US elections a woman and a black man are running for President at the same time.

 

"Gone With The Wind forces us to look at black issues, slavery and the power of a strong woman in a way which is relevant to the 21st century."

 

He then smiles that practiced Rhett Butler smile.

 

"Do you know sometimes I have to pinch myself to believe it will be me playing Rhett."

 

And you can put your money on it that when he strides on to the stage, white shirt open to the waist, there will frankly br many women in the audience giving a damn.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Edited April 21, 200817 yr by Baytree

tut, sadly she like me will probably be disappointed that the shirt isnt open to the waist as in the book!

 

silly boy - dont run round hyde park at midnight...I hope to god he doesnt do that,

 

lovely interview

" I'm a perfectionist." I think we know that very well, waiting for him to be happy with his new album!

Edited April 21, 200817 yr by Baytree

Delayed by acting lessons and stage shows.

 

 

 

IMAGES

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Photos by Catherine Ashmore are used with permission.

Gone with the Wind Musical Sweeps London's West End with Meyer Sound M'elodie

 

 

"The technology in M'elodie allows us to point at a well-defined coverage area, 'stabbing' the sound at a point, so to speak. So if Trevor puts somebody right at the edge of the stage, or in front of it, I can compensate at that one spot. It's like having one loudspeaker that acts as a single system, yet with three full-bandwidth horns that can be turned on and off independently."

 

 

- Paul Groothuis

Sound Designer, Gone with the Wind

 

Premiering in London this April, the highly anticipated Gone with the Wind musical condenses the tumultuous passions and broad historical scope of Margaret Mitchell's classic novel onto a 60-foot wide stage. The production is directed by the formidable Trevor Nunn (Cats and Starlight Express), with sound design handled by his long-time collaborator Paul Groothuis (Sweeney Todd and Guys and Dolls). To carry the dialog and key instruments with undiminished clarity and impact, despite obstacles presented by the staging and architecture, Groothuis ventured an unorthodox deployment of Meyer Sound's petite yet potent M'elodie line array loudspeakers.

 

Gone with the Wind is playing in the 900-seat New London Theatre, which was home to Cats for its 21-year run and features quasi in-the-round staging. "Seating wraps more than 180 degrees around the stage," notes Groothuis. "And since there is no proscenium, we can't use the typical towers. Further complicating matters, Trevor has actors moving everywhere, including in front of the stage and in the audience."

 

To maintain the uncompromised vocal clarity demanded by Nunn, while minimizing feedback, Groothuis implemented a novel concept suggested by his associate, John Owens. Provided by London-based Autograph Sound Recording, the vocal system utilizes a total of 27 self-powered M'elodies, flown in ten discrete arrays of two to five cabinets each. Timed with pinpoint delays handled with a Galileo loudspeaker management system, the ten arrays form a single virtual point source over the stage, yet with each M'elodie covering a distinct area.

 

The combination of the M'elodie loudspeaker and Galileo system has proven to be invaluable. "The technology in M'elodie allows us to point at a well-defined coverage area, 'stabbing' the sound at a point, so to speak," says Groothuis. "So if Trevor puts somebody right at the edge of the stage, or in front of it, I can compensate at that one spot. It's like having one loudspeaker that acts as a single system, yet with three full-bandwidth horns that can be turned on and off independently."

 

"The unusual application works out very well," adds Groothuis. "We are using them in what some might consider a ridiculous arrangement, but the result is very clear and convincingly powerful."

 

The M'elodies are used for the vocals, as well as for key instruments including strings and keyboard. Another 58 Meyer Sound loudspeakers, which include legacy MSL-2 cabinets and 650-R2 subwoofers, support the 14-piece band. Sub-systems for delay, sound effects and fill rely on self-powered UPJ-1P VariO loudspeakers and legacy UPM-1 and UPA-1 loudspeakers.

 

Principal Sound Designer Groothuis has collaborated with director Nunn on more than a dozen shows, including acclaimed West End revivals of Oklahoma and My Fair Lady. Groothuis was a member of the Sound Department of the Royal National Theatre for more than two decades, and has designed sound systems for over 120 productions.

 

 

April, 2008

 

 

 

A bit of a different piece. It explains why the sound is so good though.

interesting stuff

found this, not sure ofthe 4th at the top..it seems to have been the first preview whihc was the 5th? not sure though..and therefore things can only have improved!

 

 

 

russells-theatre-reviews-blog

 

scroll down to gone with the wind review

 

there are some interesting things there

Edited April 22, 200817 yr by prettyinpink

IMAGES

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Photos by Catherine Ashmore are used with permission.

Gone with the Wind Musical Sweeps London's West End with Meyer Sound M'elodie

 

 

"The technology in M'elodie allows us to point at a well-defined coverage area, 'stabbing' the sound at a point, so to speak. So if Trevor puts somebody right at the edge of the stage, or in front of it, I can compensate at that one spot. It's like having one loudspeaker that acts as a single system, yet with three full-bandwidth horns that can be turned on and off independently."

- Paul Groothuis

Sound Designer, Gone with the Wind

 

Premiering in London this April, the highly anticipated Gone with the Wind musical condenses the tumultuous passions and broad historical scope of Margaret Mitchell's classic novel onto a 60-foot wide stage. The production is directed by the formidable Trevor Nunn (Cats and Starlight Express), with sound design handled by his long-time collaborator Paul Groothuis (Sweeney Todd and Guys and Dolls). To carry the dialog and key instruments with undiminished clarity and impact, despite obstacles presented by the staging and architecture, Groothuis ventured an unorthodox deployment of Meyer Sound's petite yet potent M'elodie line array loudspeakers.

 

Gone with the Wind is playing in the 900-seat New London Theatre, which was home to Cats for its 21-year run and features quasi in-the-round staging. "Seating wraps more than 180 degrees around the stage," notes Groothuis. "And since there is no proscenium, we can't use the typical towers. Further complicating matters, Trevor has actors moving everywhere, including in front of the stage and in the audience."

 

To maintain the uncompromised vocal clarity demanded by Nunn, while minimizing feedback, Groothuis implemented a novel concept suggested by his associate, John Owens. Provided by London-based Autograph Sound Recording, the vocal system utilizes a total of 27 self-powered M'elodies, flown in ten discrete arrays of two to five cabinets each. Timed with pinpoint delays handled with a Galileo loudspeaker management system, the ten arrays form a single virtual point source over the stage, yet with each M'elodie covering a distinct area.

 

The combination of the M'elodie loudspeaker and Galileo system has proven to be invaluable. "The technology in M'elodie allows us to point at a well-defined coverage area, 'stabbing' the sound at a point, so to speak," says Groothuis. "So if Trevor puts somebody right at the edge of the stage, or in front of it, I can compensate at that one spot. It's like having one loudspeaker that acts as a single system, yet with three full-bandwidth horns that can be turned on and off independently."

 

"The unusual application works out very well," adds Groothuis. "We are using them in what some might consider a ridiculous arrangement, but the result is very clear and convincingly powerful."

 

The M'elodies are used for the vocals, as well as for key instruments including strings and keyboard. Another 58 Meyer Sound loudspeakers, which include legacy MSL-2 cabinets and 650-R2 subwoofers, support the 14-piece band. Sub-systems for delay, sound effects and fill rely on self-powered UPJ-1P VariO loudspeakers and legacy UPM-1 and UPA-1 loudspeakers.

 

Principal Sound Designer Groothuis has collaborated with director Nunn on more than a dozen shows, including acclaimed West End revivals of Oklahoma and My Fair Lady. Groothuis was a member of the Sound Department of the Royal National Theatre for more than two decades, and has designed sound systems for over 120 productions.

April, 2008

 

A bit of a different piece. It explains why the sound is so good though.

 

 

I'll just take his word for it. It's all double dutch to me. I hadn'tthought about the difficulties of making sure the sound was the same and not patchy with all the different people in so many different places.

If you are in the circle, your seats bounce up and down slightly as the cast run by. And the sound is equally good there.

Even though Darius hasn't really been mauled the Daily Mirror managed to come out with this little jem.

 

Former Pop Idol Darius gets critical mauling for Gone With The Wind

By Jody Thompson, Mirror.co.uk 23/04/2008

 

Darius Danesh (Pic:mrpaparazzi.com)

 

darius, darius danesh, gone with the wind, music, musical, pop idol, pop stars, theatre

 

 

(What's this?)Former Pop Idol star Darius Danesh got a critical slating for his performance as Rhett Butler in the new production of Gone With The Wind last night - despite a standing ovation from the theatre audience.

 

The 27-year-old Glasgow-born singer plays the role made famous by Clark Gable opposite US performer Jill Paice as Scarlett O'Hara in the new Trevor Nunn £4.5million musical version of the 1939 classic film.

 

Reviews for the US civil war epic were unanimously hostile this morning, with most saying it was over long at three hours and 40 minutes, while others moaned about the music.

 

But despite the production being branded "extravagantly pointless" by one writer, the star-studded audience at the opening night still included Joan Collins, Barbara Windsor, Michelle Collins, David Frost, Ben Elton, Twiggy and Duncan James,

 

Advertisement

Darius said afterwards: "I had a blast, it was my first opening night and it was great to cut my teeth with the inimitable Trevor Nunn," and defended the sheer length of the production, by arguing: "We're still shorter than the film."

 

It's not the first time the pop singer's come in for a critical savaging though, having been blasted for his version of Britney Spears' Baby One More Time in the first series of Popstars.However, he didn't give up and became one of the public's favourites in the series of Pop Idol the following year, where he came third.

 

It's not Darius's first time on stage either. He's previously been in the West End productions of both Guys and Dolls and Chicago.

 

 

 

Fancy Darius making it too long for those poor critics? This is a good lesson on negative reporting. Don't watch the show, miss read others critiques and then go back to something that happened many years ago. How can having played as male lead in two other productions as well be a minus? I hope their readers let them know that The Mirror non reporter is an idiot.

 

I go with the audience anyway. Loved it.

 

Even though Darius hasn't really been mauled the Daily Mirror managed to come out with this little jem.

 

Former Pop Idol Darius gets critical mauling for Gone With The Wind

By Jody Thompson, Mirror.co.uk 23/04/2008

 

Darius Danesh (Pic:mrpaparazzi.com)

 

darius, darius danesh, gone with the wind, music, musical, pop idol, pop stars, theatre

(What's this?)Former Pop Idol star Darius Danesh got a critical slating for his performance as Rhett Butler in the new production of Gone With The Wind last night - despite a standing ovation from the theatre audience.

 

The 27-year-old Glasgow-born singer plays the role made famous by Clark Gable opposite US performer Jill Paice as Scarlett O'Hara in the new Trevor Nunn £4.5million musical version of the 1939 classic film.

 

Reviews for the US civil war epic were unanimously hostile this morning, with most saying it was over long at three hours and 40 minutes, while others moaned about the music.

 

But despite the production being branded "extravagantly pointless" by one writer, the star-studded audience at the opening night still included Joan Collins, Barbara Windsor, Michelle Collins, David Frost, Ben Elton, Twiggy and Duncan James,

 

Advertisement

Darius said afterwards: "I had a blast, it was my first opening night and it was great to cut my teeth with the inimitable Trevor Nunn," and defended the sheer length of the production, by arguing: "We're still shorter than the film."

 

It's not the first time the pop singer's come in for a critical savaging though, having been blasted for his version of Britney Spears' Baby One More Time in the first series of Popstars.However, he didn't give up and became one of the public's favourites in the series of Pop Idol the following year, where he came third.

 

It's not Darius's first time on stage either. He's previously been in the West End productions of both Guys and Dolls and Chicago.

Fancy Darius making it too long for those poor critics? This is a good lesson on negative reporting. Don't watch the show, miss read others critiques and then go back to something that happened many years ago. How can having played as male lead in two other productions as well be a minus? I hope their readers let them know that The Mirror non reporter is an idiot.

 

I go with the audience anyway. Loved it.

 

My signature is my answer to this one!

 

I am getting very worried when I read that jill paice is out tonite with a throat infection. I am going saturday evening and I know a number are going to saturday matinee, really worried that Darius may pull out. I shall be gutted if that happened as this is an expensive long weekend for me and really looking forward to it. I see Natasha has her premiere of her latest film this friday in LA wont she want him there.