Gone With the Wind closes early - 14 June 2008

Gone With the Wind closes early - 14 June 2008

Trevor Nunn's musical production of Margaret Mitchell's classic novel, Gone With The Wind, has posted early closing notices for 14 June 2008, after a run of only 2 months at the New London Theatre. (The show was booking to 27 Sep 2008)

Aldo Scrofani, Producer, 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 musical, received very poor reviews when it opened 22 April 2008, following previews from 4 April: THE EVENING STANDARD says, "Is a small, well-placed tornado in the vicinity of the theatre too much to hope for?" THE INDEPENDENT says, "The show is neither as bad as one feared nor as good as one has a right to expect." THE GUARDIAN says, "There is something extravagantly pointless about the whole enterprise." THE DAILY TELEGRAPH says, "Soullessly efficient show."

The cast includes Darius Danesh (Rhett Butler), Jill Paice (Scarlett O'Hara), Madeleine Worrall (Melanie), and Edward Baker-Duly (Ashley Wilkes).

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.