CAST ANNOUNCEMENT FOR GONE WITH THE WIND

Darius Danesh and Jill Paice will lead the cast in Trevor Nunn's production of Margaret Mitchell's classic novel, Gone with the Wind, playing the iconic roles of Rhett Butler and Scarlett O'Hara. Joining them are Edward Baker-Duly who will play Ashley Wilkes, Madeleine Worrall who plays Melanie, NaTasha Yvette Williams as Mammy and Jina Burrows as Prissy.

In a new music theatre adaptation of the classic love story with book and lyrics by Margaret Martin adapted by Trevor Nunn and music by Margaret Martin, Gone with the Wind will have its first performance at the New London Theatre on Friday 4 April 2008, with press night on Tuesday 22 April and is initially booking until 27 September 2008. The production is designed by John Napier, costumes designs are by Andreane Neofitou with lighting design by Neil Austin and sound by Paul Groothius. Musical Supervisor and Arranger is Gareth Valentine, Movement Director is David Bolger and Orchestrator is William D Brohn. Gone with the Wind is produced by Aldo Scrofani for Columbia Artists Theatricals of New York, London producer Colin Ingram and The Nederlander Organization.

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 ease and comfort on their father's plantation until the onset of the Civil War threatens this idyllic existence. Scarlett's incredible journey through both the war and the peace is mirrored in her turbulent relationship with Rhett Butler, whose actions invariably defy prediction. Their story spans ten years and mingles romantic joy with tragic grief, as the life these people once knew disappears, and we are asked if what has 'Gone with the Wind' is for better or worse.

Gone with the Wind, published in 1936, is one of the best selling novels of the 20th century and won Margaret Mitchell the Pulitzer Prize. Three years later in 1939, the film adaptation made box office history as the highest grossing film of all time and is still regarded as one of the greatest American classics.

Joining the principal cast is a company including Emily Bryant, Gareth Chart, Laura Checkley, Julian Forsyth, Kirsty Hoiles, Chris Jarman, Tober Reilly, David Roberts, Tom Sellwood, Ray Shell, Savannah Stevenson, Gemma Sutton, Sue Jane Tanner, Susan Tracy and Alan Winner. Final casting will be announced shortly.