Gone with the Wind Announces Dates for London World Premiere
By John Nathan
01 Oct 2007
Dates have been announced for the world premiere stage version of Gone with the Wind.
Trevor Nunn's production will open at the West End's New London Theatre on April 22, 2008, following previews that begin April 5.
There is no word yet on who will play Scarlet O'Hara and Rhett Butler, but the creative team is in place, with set and costume design by John Napier and Andreane Neofitu, respectively. Gareth Valentine (Wicked and Sinatra) is musical supervisor and arranger, lighting is by Neil Austin and sound by Paul Groothius.
It is thought that the show will be based more on Margaret Mitchell's Pulitzer-winning epic novel rather than the 1939 movie starring Clark Gable and Vivien Leigh.
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, GA, 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."
The New London Theatre will also host Nunn's RSC productions of King Lear and The Seagull, starring Ian McKellen, which arrive at the venue on Nov. 12.
For more on Gone with the Wind, which is booking until Sept. 27, 2008, call (0)870 890 0141.
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