Final casting is announced today for 25th anniversary production in London of The Tailor-Made Man, the powerful true story about the Hollywood studio system and its hypocrisy and the star who gave up everything for the man he loved.
William “Billy” Haines was a popular silent screen MGM movie star who was fired by Louis B Mayer because he was gay and refused to give up his lifelong partner, Jimmie Shields, and marry the silent screen vamp Pola Negri. As punishment, his films were removed from release and sealed in the MGM vaults never to be seen again, and his studio photographs destroyed. It was an attempt to erase him completely from movie history. But Billy and Jimmy’s turbulent, passionate love affair was to survive and lasted over 50 years…this is their story.
Joining the previously announced Mitchell Hunt (Mr Selfridge, Hollyoaks) as William “Billy” Haines and Tom Berkeley as Jimmie Shields, are:
Peter Dewhurst (Irving) His recent roles include Jack in The Importance of Being Earnest (Pleasance, Edinburgh Fringe) and Adam, in AI Love You (Theatre N16).
Henry Felix (Victor Darro) is a recent graduate from the Royal Central School of Drama. He recently finished filming a role for ITV and appeared in The Devils at (Embassy Theatre),
Edwin Flay (Howard) recently appeared in a revival of The House (Bread and Roses, Clapham) and as Lefroy in The Brighton Killers.
Dean Harris (Louis B. Mayer) was Kemp in Entertaining Mr Sloane (Theatre Royal, Bath , UK tour and Arts Theatre, West End), McFee, Jumpers, (National Theatre), Judas in Godspell (West End).
Rachel Knowles (Carole Lombard/ Pola Negri) was first cover and played Lady of the Lake in Spamalot (no1 UK tour & Playhouse Theatre, West End), Mrs Lockwood, Mrs Lester, under studied and played Joyce Chilvers in Betty Blue Eyes (UK Tour), Anne in Target Practice (Old Red Lion).
Yvonne Lawlor (Marion) is a recent graduate of Rose Bruford College. She has just appeared in Catch (Camden Fringe).
The Tailor-Made Man, by Claudio Macor, directed by Bryan Hodgson, will run at the White Bear Theatre, 138 Kennington Park Road, London, SE11 from Tuesday 7 November to Saturday 25 November.
