Darius Danesh is Rhett Butler in Gone With the Wind

Darius Danesh has been cast as 'Rhett Butler' in Trevor Nunn’s musical production of Margaret Mitchell’s classic novel, Gone With The Wind, which opens at the New London Theatre 22 April 2008, following previews from 4 April - booking to 27 Sep 2008.

He joins previously mentioned Jill Paice (Scarlett O'Hara), Madeleine Worrall (Melanie), and Edward Baker-Duly (Ashley Wilkes).

The cast also includes NaTasha Yvette Williams (Mammy), Jina Burrows (Prissy), 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, Alan Winner.

Glasgow born Darius Danesh is a platinum-selling recording artist, songwriter and actor. He rose to fame on the British TV show Pop Idol. In 2006 he ended a second West End run in the musical Chicago playing Billy Flynn at the Adelphi Theatre and 2007 saw him star as Sky Masterson in Michael Grandage’s production of Guys and Dolls.

Jill Paice's theatre credits include 'Laura Fairlie' in Trevor Nunn's production of "The Woman in White" both at the Palace Theatre here in London and on Broadway. Her other theatre credits include 'Nicki Harris' in "Curtains" at the Ahmanson Theatre in Los Angeles and later on Broadway.

Madeleine Worrall's theatre credits include "Cinderella" at the Old Vic. Her other London stage credits include "The Anniversary" at the Garrick in 2005, "Three Sisters" at the Playhouse in 2003, and The Villains Opera" at the Olivier, NT in 2000.

Edward Baker-Duly's London stage credits include "South Pacific" at the Olivier, NT in 2001 and "West Side Story" at the Prince of Wales in 1999.

NaTasha Yvette Williams made her Broadway debut as Sofia in Oprah Winfrey’s The Color Purple. She previously starred off-Broadway in Dessa Rose and has toured the US in All Shook Up, Seussical the Musical, Cinderella, Parade and The Goodbye Girl. Playing Mammy in Gone with the Wind will mark her UK stage debut.

Jina Burrows’ theatre credits include Boogie Nights, Aladdin, Carmen Jones at the Royal Festival Hall and The Gospel According to Broadway at the Hackney Empire.

Gone With The Wind has book and lyrics by Margaret Martin adapted by Trevor Nunn, and music by Margaret Martin.

It is directed by Trevor Nunn, designed by John Napier, lighting by Neil Austin, costumes by Andreane Neofitou, sound by Paul Groothius, Musical supervisor and arranger is Gareth Valentine and movement director is David Bolger. It is produced by Columbia Artists Theatricals & Colin Ingram.

Set in 1860’s Atlanta, Georgia, Gone with the Wind follows the story of the seventeen-year-old Scarlett O’Hara, the eldest of three daughters living a life of luxury on their father’s plantation. But then President Lincoln demands the end of slavery in the South and the Civil War begins. Scarlett’s incredible journey through both the war and the peace is mirrored in her turbulent relationship with Rhett Butler, whose actions always defy prediction. Their story spans ten years and mingles romantic ecstasy with tragic grief, as the life these people once knew disappears, for better or worse: gone with the wind.