Photo Flash: First Look - MACK AND MABEL at Southwark Playhouse

The first photo has been released today of Norman Bowman and Laura Pitt-Pulford as legendary Hollywood movie director Mack Sennett and Mabel Norman, who became one of his biggest stars, for the major London revival of the Jerry Herman/Michael Stewart Hollywood musical, MACK AND MABEL at Southwark Playhouse.

And director Thom Southerland has revealed the extensive changes he has been allowed to make to the eight-times Tony-nominated musical.

“We have been granted permission to alter the script for the show. This has included cutting characters, removing songs and changing the dramatic 'device' in which the story is told. Most importantly, we have been allowed to rewrite the ending.

“The heart of Mack and Mabel lies in the turbulent love story between the two characters and has been previously been hidden behind the glamour of Hollywood and a lavish Broadway musical. By turning Mack's camera around, we are asking the audience to look past the lens and beyond the films he made and focus on the world behind the camera, which shows us the truth, not the musical fantasy, that their tragic story deserves."

Mack and Mabel will run for an 8-week season in The Vault at Southwark Playhouse, from Thursday July 5 - Saturday August 25.

It is directed by Thom Southerland and produced by Danielle Tarento - the same creative team as last year’s critically acclaimed, multi award-nominated Parade in the same venue.

Mack and Mabel, with a Book by Michael Stewart, Music and Lyrics by Jerry Herman, revised by Francine Pascal, based on an idea by Leonard Spigelgass, is set in the early days of motion pictures. It follows the tumultuous, real-life romantic relationship between movie director Mack Sennett and Mabel Normand, who became one of the biggest screen stars in the world. Told in a series of flashbacks, it relates the glory days of the Keystone Studios from 1911, when Mack discovered Mabel and cast her in dozens of his early "two-reelers", through his creation of Sennett's Bathing Beauties and the Keystone Cops to Mabel's death from TB in 1930. The original 1974 Broadway production was nominated for 8 Tony Awards, including Best Musical.

The cast also features

Jessica Martin (Lottie Ames), Stuart Matthew Price (Frank), Richard J Hunt (Fatty Arbuckle), Jody Ellen Robinson (Ella), Steven Serlin (Mr Kessel), Peter Kenworthy (William Desmond Taylor), Anthony Wise (Eddie) and Jessica Buckby, Natalie Kent, Nikki Schofield, Ryan Gover, Paul Hutton, Jonathan Norman.

The creative team

Director Thom Southerland
Musical Director Michael Bradley
Choreographer Lee Proud
Set & Costume Designer Jason Denvir
Lighting Designer Howard Hudson
Sound Designer Andrew Johnson

Mack and Mabel is produced by Danielle Tarento in association with Southwark Playhouse.

Presented by arrangement with Samuel French Ltd.

LISTINGS INFO

Mack and Mabel
Southwark Playhouse
The Vault
Shipwright Yard
(Corner of Tooley St. and
Bermondsey St)
LONDON SE1 2TF

Box Office: 020 7407 0234
www.southwarkplayhouse.co.uk

Nearest Rail/Tube: London Bridge
Northern line/Jubilee line

Thursday 5 July –
Saturday 25 August

Monday - Saturday at 7.30pm
Saturday matinee at 3.00pm

please note that during the Olympics, evening performances from 28th July - 12th August will have a later start time of 8.00pm

Tickets: £10 - £22.50
‘Airline style’ pricing, the earlier you
book the cheaper the tickets