Brought over from Rachel's site by Claire

 

http://www.playbill.com/news/article/118266.html

 

Gone with the Wind, the new musical version of Margaret Mitchell's epic novel, will play its final performance at the New London Theatre June 14.

 

Directed by Trevor Nunn, the musical — which began previews April 5 and opened April 22 — will have played 79 performances.

 

In a statement producer Aldo Scrofani said, "From the beginning of our journey we have all worked hard to achieve the realisation of putting Margaret Mitchell's classic novel, 'Gone with the Wind,' on stage at the New London Theatre. Despite the critical response the Company have enjoyed much praise from audience members during our run and for that we are grateful, nevertheless we have made the difficult decision to close the production. Plans for a New York production are currently on hold but in the meantime we are pursuing various options that have been presented to us from interested parties worldwide."

 

The new musical co-stars Guys and Dolls' Darius Danesh as Rhett Butler and Curtains' Jill Paice as Scarlet O'Hara.

 

Gone with the Wind has been plagued with problems since performances began. An April 15 preview was canceled to accommodate extra technical and rehearsal time, actress Paice was sidelined for several performances due to a throat infection, and reviews were less than kind. Despite a reported overhaul — to trim the show's three-and-a-half-hour running time — the musical failed to catch on with audiences.

 

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

 

The ensemble comprises 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.

 

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

 

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 Coilin Ingram for the West End premiere.

 

 

thanks I was just about bring that over,(claire from .net)

I feel so gutted for Darius! he was really enjoying himself in that role!

GUTTED!!!!!!!

 

I'm shocked and disappointed for everyone involved. I'm sure Aldo Scrofani will not have taken the decision lightly.

 

The demise of the show is no reflection on the cast. I don't think I've ever seen such a talented group of performers in one show before. I hope they all get new work very quickly.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

I can't believe it......all the shows I've been to have been full or almost full and it always is well received.

 

The actors are so good in their parts....I can't believe it's to go...I keep hoping it's a huge mistake.

 

I did wonder when Darius was talking about his ablum with gusto but still expected it to go to September :cry:

....all that work that's been put into the production....all the changes....I'm gutted for them all.... :cry:

 

Thank goodness I have tickets to see it again before it closes

That is such a shame, after all the work the cast put into it and all the changes they had to remember each time. So disappointing.

I guess as far as theatre goes that "no publicity is bad publicity" thing doesn't apply.

I am gutted, was hoping to fit in another visit but expect it wsill be hard now.

Me too.

 

 

I hope to go again before it closes. Maybe this is why I dreamt about my bedroom walls collapsing on top of me last night.

 

I cannot believe this has happened. I feel gutted. Years of preparation, weeks of rehearsals, now this.

I feel so sorry for them all, not only the actors and the back-room boys, but also for the all the other people

involved in the chain, from the sponsors to the programme sellers and theatre cleaning staff. So many jobs

lost. And the cast have worked so hard. I too was planning to go again but this seems impossible now.

 

10 of us went to see the show last night and IT WAS ABSOLUTELY AMAZING!! I have never experienced so much emotion during a show before!! The theatre was full and again there was a standing ovation!! We saw Darius before the show - he was late!! :D but still made time for us and he said he would see us again afterwards. We waited for him after the show - the cast had been told the show would have to close in 2 weeks time because they just weren't making enough money to cover the costs!! :( We spoke to most of them as they came out - they were gutted!! :cry: Pork seemed to think that if there was a sudden upsurge of advance tickets then things could change but if people are already being told to claim refunds for advance bookings then I should think there is not much chance of a reprieve! We spoke to Jill - she was lovely and thanked us for our support. Of course, Darius was last to come out :D - he was obviously very upset but his usual optimistic self - 'the album will be next' :cheer:

 

Julie

How ironic - full house, standing ovation and then wham...... they're told the show's closing not in months, but in weeks. I'm glad you and others were at the stage door for the cast as they came out.

 

How lovely is Jill, even in those circumstances ?

 

 

 

 

double post

Edited May 31, 200817 yr by Baytree

And it is the best musical I've ever seen. The critics should be put in stocks and pelted with rotten eggs. Even those wondering about going because of the reviews seemed to love it. What a waste. It's a show I'd go and see even with out Darius in it.

 

June 14th is probably the last time I'll ever see it. Thank goodness we have tickets.

No hope now of a cast CD.

 

Once again Darius has wowed audiences and all we've got are programmes which don't even include a list of songs or scenes, some memorabilia maybe and our memories.

 

Sadly my memories are going to be considerably more sketchy of GWTW than of either Chicago or Guys and Dolls.

 

 

I am so gutted, I was hoping to go again if Paul could have found another job no chance so soon. :(

And how sad for all the cast they do such a wonderful job they do not deserve this.

I am gutted, I so wante a cast CD! why does nothing go smoothly where daiurs is concerned, no fault of his own, his reivews have been so good, I realy hope he eother gets the album out soon, or goes into another musical - I am going next week, thank god I booked for an earlier rather than later perofrmance!!

 

The show was so enjoyable, its a kick in the teeth for the writer and Trevor more than anyone, the cast has ben praised in spite of the medias harsh reviews(unfounded imo) of the actual production

I feel so sorry for all of the cast!

I wonder if Natasha is still coming over with the boys to support Darius, he will need right now.

 

I wonder when school closes, that may determine when they come over.

 

Hopefully they may be over shortly....unless he just returns to LA on 15th