New Writing
Helen Niland Presents
Villain in Tinseltown
by David Harrold
An Oscar-winning icon of Hollywood’s Golden Age. Off-screen, a humorous intellect with a sensitive soul. On screen, a type-cast legend in deliciously wicked roles as a villainous cad, a god, a devil, a critic, a tiger - a persona which becomes his mask. “On screen I am invariably a son-of-a-bitch, in life I am a dear, dear boy.”
He yearns for a simple life, yet stars alongside legends and
marries an infamous and extravagant socialite actress, Zsa Zsa Gabor. A debonair, out-spoken rebel of great insight -“Acting occupies such a tiny portion of my brain” - he paves the way for later mavericks. Everyone wants what he has: why doesn’t he?
In a back-stage confession of the absurdity of Hollywood as
it really is, Sanders delivers cutting anecdotes and chilling truths without anger or apology. His witty compassion to those on the receiving end of his acid tongue gradually unveils a warning - to avoid alienating ourselves from what is real, and rather to consider the pure“Art of Living”. It’s a universal message for 21st century performers, influencers, wannabes and social media users alike - little has changed in 70 years of celebrity!
There’s gossip of Marilyn Monroe and Yul Brynner, his own
legendary reputation lands him elegant, devilish roles: Lord
Henry Wootton in The Picture of Dorian Gray (1945), Addison DeWitt in All About Eve (1950) and Shere Khan in Disney’s Jungle Book (1967).
His cynicism is highly amusing but the machine is controlling a world-weary man hidden inside his layers of success and charming frivolity. Feeling uninspired and jaded by his existence he descends into self-destructive alcoholism: “Dear World, I am leaving because I am bored. I feel I have lived long enough.”
Adapted from Sanders’ own “Memoirs of a Cad”, these
re-posted insights from a vanished age are skilfully brought
to the stage by David Harrold, and revealed just as relevant
today. Not to allow our own humanity to be eaten-away
by fame-worship and social media culture.To become who
we truly are.To fulfil our potential with a simple authentic
approach to life - or else suffer the consequences.
Performances 18th-22nd, 25th-29th May, 7pm
Saturday 22nd Matinee 2pm
Tickets
£16 Full Price
£12 Concessions
Concessions Notice
Concessions are only accepted for pensioners, unemployed, students and under16s.
Please Note:
This performance runs for 1 hr 15 mins without an interval
