23/04/2008

Wind Of Approval For West End TV Star

Reality TV star Darius Danesh received a standing ovation for his portrayal of the dashing Rhett Butler in the West End Opening of 'Gone With The Wind'.

Danesh, 27, starred alongside US actress Jill Paice in the adaption by acclaimed director Trevor Nunn.

The show ran to three and a half hours despite cuts.

Despite pleasing the crowds, Danesh's performance received mixed views from critics. The Telegraph described his portrayal of the role made famous by Clark Gable as 'stilted'.

However, the Daily Express said "only his performance" saved the show from "crumbling into mediocrity".

It is reported that the production, written by Margaret Martin, cost £4.5 million to stage.

Danesh said after the show that he "had a blast". He has also played roles of Sky Masterson in Guys and Dolls and Billy Flynn in Chicago.

Gone With The Wind originally released in 1940 also starred Vivien Leigh and Thomas Mitchell. The iconic film, which won eight Oscars, is set in the American south during the Civil War and Reconstruction.

(DS)

Related UK National News Stories
Click here for the latest headlines.

26 April 2004
Chat show veteran Parkinson moves to ITV
ITV has signed up BBC chat show veteran Michael Parkinson on a two-year deal, it has emerged today. Mr Parkinson, who has hosted his eponymously-titled programme for 18 years, said that he decided to move to commercial broadcaster ITV after his Saturday night primetime slot was threatened by the return of Match of the Day.
09 February 2005
Public 'concern' at film portrayal of suicide and self-harm
The portrayal of suicide and self-harm in movies has been highlighted as a 'classification concern' by movie-goers in a new survey by the British Board of Film Classification (BBFC).
11 July 2012
Chris Moyles Leaves Radio 1 Breakfast Show
Radio 1 breakfast show host, Chris Moyles, has announced he will leave the show at the end of September. Presenting the show since 2004 the now 38-year-old became the stations longest serving breakfast show host in 2009. Announcing the news, he said: "We're off. I wanted to let you know. A couple more months of us, then it's someone else's turn.
07 December 2012
Amnesty Raise Concerns Over Police Taser Use
Amnesty International has raised concerns over police use of Tasers, saying that your chances of having the weapon used against you could depend more on where you live as forces are interpreting the rules differently.
13 January 2015
Woman Dies After Shop Sign Falls In Blackpool
A woman has died after a shop sign fell on top of her in Blackpool on Monday. At around 5.30pm police were alerted that a sign had fallen from the front of the Waterstones Bookseller's store on Bank Hey Street. The woman, believed to be in her 70s, received serious injuries and died at the scene. Police are currently carrying out an investigation.