Is it possible to write a screenplay for the biggest movie of all time in only five days?
It’s 1939 and production has already started on possibly the biggest film of the time: Gone with the Wind. Unfortunately, the screenplay is a bit crap, so producer David Selznick wants a rewrite. Ben Hecht steps up but he hasn’t read the 1,000-page novel, and everyone and their mum has read Gone with the Wind. With five days, and a hefty supply of bananas and peanuts, David and director Victor Fleming – who is pulled out of the middle of his work on The Wizard of Oz – have to act the entire book in front of Ben to help him craft his screenplay. Can they possibly survive with their sanity intact?
Despite being a theatrical production, this show has an aesthetic and feel similar to an old-style cinema, which is clear when you first step into the theatre despite the entire show taking place in Selznick’s office. This feel is increased at certain points with dramatic lighting taking you out of the setting and videos of the film (created by Will Simpson) which show parts of the film for some extra nostalgia.
All the actors perform well, but the best was Joe Alessi as Selznick. Some of the best jokes include Hecht trying to call in some cyanide pills during Selznick’s next order of brain food, and Fleming maybe getting a little bit too immersed in performing Scarlet’s pregnancy.
Unfortunately, not every laugh hits a bullseye; there are quite a few comments that haven’t aged well, such as a gag about Hitler, Stalin and Mussolini writing a screenplay. I also felt Selznick’s secretary Miss Poppenghul (played by Hayley Doherty) was under-utilised a little bit often stuck repeatedly taking David’s orders with ‘Yes Mr Selznick’ although she seemed to fare the worst of the all the characters by the time the show concludes.
In conclusion, this was a pretty good show but not the best I’ve seen from the Playhouse (comedy can be difficult) but was still a good night out. In fact, this screenplay could just be considered Oscar-worthy.
By Stuart McComb
Feature image credit: Nottingham Playhouse