True story of William Haines, the silent screen star who was fired by Louis B Mayer of MGM Studios because he was gay and refused to marry and give up his lifelong partner Jimmy Shields. In 1930, William 'Billy' Haines was one of MGM's most idolised male stars, second only to John Gilbert. On screen he was tailor-made to get the girl in the last reel. On the back lot he cruised every bit player and stagehand in sight. Billy lived openly with his lover and former stand-in Jimmy Shields. This was tolerated by the studio until rumours started to seep out into the wider world. Louis B Mayer ordered him to marry the sultry silent screen vamp Pola Negri. Billy refused and so Louis B Mayer fired him. Billy's defiance of the studio led to his second and even more successful career as an interior designer to the stars. The Tailor-Made Man is a story about Hollywood and its system and hypocrisy, but above all it is the story of Billy and Jimmy's turbulent, passionate love affair that survived and lasted over 50 years.T01505623477Director Bryan Hodgson. Performer Paul Hunter (Napoleon). Performer Peter Dewhurst (Irving). Performer Henry Felix (Victor Darro). Performer Edwin Flay (Howard). Performer Dean Harris (Louis B Mayer). Performer Rachel Knowles (Carole Lombard / Pola Negri). Performer Yvonne Lawlor (Marion). Performer Mitchell Hunt. Performer Tom Berkley. | |
| 7 Nov 17 to 25 Nov 17 | White Bear, Inner London :: V256 listing details L1843845653 |
T1155790910Producer Stephen McGill. Director Claudio Macor. Design Sophia Simensky. Lighting Humphrey McDermott. Choreographer Nathan M Wright. Sound Tom Marshall. Musical Director Duncan Walsh Atkins. Performer Faye Tozer (Marion Davies). Performer Dylan Turner (William Haines). Performer Mike McShane (Louis B Mayer). Performer Bradley Clarkson (Jimmy Shields). Performer Michael Cotton. Performer Kay Murphy. Performer Matt Wilman. Performer Lauren Grant. Performer Vivien Carter. Performer Holly Easterbrook. Performer Edward French. | |
| 14 Feb 13 to 6 Apr 13 | Arts Theatre, West End :: V167 listing details L0449083504 |
