Details

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.

Cast/Performers

Paul Hunter (Napoleon), Peter Dewhurst (Irving), Henry Felix (Victor Darro), Edwin Flay (Howard), Dean Harris (Louis B Mayer), Rachel Knowles (Carole Lombard / Pola Negri), Yvonne Lawlor (Marion), Mitchell Hunt, Tom Berkley

Creatives/Company

Author: Claudio Macor (original play)
Adapted by: Amy Rosenthal (musical adaptation)
Music(s): Duncan Walsh, Adam Meggido
Lyrics: Adam Meggido
Director: Bryan Hodgson