Paice Will Be Scarlett O'Hara in London's "Gone With The Wind"

"Gone With the Wind director Trevor Nunn has found his Scarlett O'Hara in the form of American performer Jill Paice, who is currently starring on Broadway in Curtains at the Al Hirschfeld Theatre.

The world premiere of the new musical based on Margaret Mitchell's epic novel will open in the West End at the New London Theatre on April 22, 2008, following previews that begin April 2.

Paice created the role of Laura Fairlie in Nunn's production of The Woman in White both at the Palace Theatre in London and on Broadway..."

http://www.playbill.com/news/article/113734.html

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I wonder how it will compare to the Harold Rome version.

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But in The Woman in White we got to see her be gritty and a little nasty. I have full faith in her.

Interesting rumor... on one of the British theatre boards, it was mentioned that John Barrowman is being considered for Rhett Butler. It's one of those "friend who's in the business and told me" rumors, so I don't know how accurate it is or isn't.

>When is she leaving Curtains!?<

Her final performance is Sunday, February 3.

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I thought she was fantastic in 'Woman in White' and generally is just a wonderful performer, however I just don't see her as Scarlett. The only performer who I could ever consider to play Scarlett is Haviland Stillwell...she IS Scarlett! In my opinion, Paice would be better suited to play Melanie.

I'm somewhat amazed when people start to categorize a young performer and say "I can't see her doing this or that". The only perception one can have is based upon seeing her in Curtains or Woman in White, or perhaps Mamma Mia in Las Vegas. How can anyone make a judgment at this point as to what she can and cannot do?

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Smaxie: I was not doubting her ability to do the role. I'm sure many actress could/will be able to do the role. I have no idea how the role will be onstage and all of that. Honestly the thought of musicalizing a 1000+ historical novel is very daunting, I have no idea how the actual CONCEPT is gonna work, but that's for another thread. Type-wise I don't personally see her in the role. My opinion is moot of course because obviously the director did see something and since she's originating it, well then the role will be formed specifically to what she brings to the table. My criticism has nothing to do with how good she is as a performer, it's that as far as the type of ingenue she automatically portrays the moment she steps onstage, Scarlett is not a type that immediately comes to mind. I hope she surprises me and I wish her luck with the role. Hopefully the show will actually transfer because I am interested in seeing it.

It's not that I can't "see" her in the role of Scarlett....my concern is whether she'll be just as bland and charisma-free as she was in Curtains and Woman in White. In both of those performances, she gave, in my opinion, very dull, uninspired performances. It was especially noticeable in Curtains, because everyone else in that cast is so good.

http://www.daytondailynews.com/e/content/oh/story/entertainment/theater/2008/01/17/ddn011808lifepaiceweb.html

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