Saw the first preview of http://www.gwtwthemusical.com/ on Saturday in advance of world premiere in a few weeks.
Rather ominously it was prefaced by a slightly weary looking Stage Manager coming on stage to announce that "to tell this epic story which spans ten years is currently taking us three and three quarter hours and we hope it to make it shorter.. if you need to leave early please do so with consideration for the cast and other audience members...".
After a heavy sigh the production commenced. With much giggling on my part. Several times such wonderful lines came up in the book including "will we be out of here by midnight?" and "this is a story without an end". Ha ha.
In fact, the initial estimate didn't include the interval... so we didn't hear those famous lines "frankly my dear..." (followed by ovation), "tomorrow is another day" and the profound title number "[all those things are now] gone... gone with the wind" until four and a quarter hours after the lights initially went down. And suffice to say the house lights were up and the audience was off with the briefest and most apologetic of bows I've experienced.
Scarkett O'Hara (Jill Paice) spent too much time running on and off the blandly designed stage and barking through the songs to create any lasting impression. Darius Danesh, it turns out, is more than an irritating reality TV contestant, rather a tall and handsome character with a baritone reminiscent of Bing Crosby. Only the "negros" managed to save anything from the burning ashes of this disaster, with some fantastic ensemble numbers.
At least it had memorable music... oh hang on. In fact what tunes there were were variously swiped from Andrew Lloyd Webber, Oliver, My Fair Lady etc. Can't wait for the reviews. And, not long after I predict, the closing notices.
How can anyone have thought this would be any good? Just a brief glance at the biography in the programme of Margaret Martin, the lady credited with book, music and lyrics should have caused alarm bells to sound. It begins "Margaret Martin earned a doctorate in public health from UCLA..." and continues "She... is the author and illustrator of Pregnancy and Childbirth: The Basic Illustrated Guide". Erm. Oh hang on. Music is mentioned first just after the half way point... "She is the founder of... a non-profit organisation... that provides musical instruments... to 400 children from low-income LA families". Well, brava Margaret. But how the hell did you manage to find yourself as the main creative force behind a West End show?
Tosh. For a more interesting interpretation of the South, stick to Parade or Caroline Or Change instead.
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As predicted.
http://www.playbill.com/news/article/118266.html
London Musical Gone with the Wind to Close
Playbill.com
30 May 2008
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."
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