Beijing prepares to be blown away by US Civil War classic

"Like Romeo and Juliet, Gone With the Wind is a clas-sic story, which we still enjoy today. When I wrote the musical, I used music to portray the role of Scarlett O'Hara, who has grown up quite privileged but all the trappings of her luxurious lifestyle are destroyed because of the war. The story is her personal transition from a self-centered and spoiled young girl into a mature and independent woman," says Presgurvic, who wrote 28 songs for the musical, blending various musical styles, such as rock, pop and jazz.

"It was much more challenging to make an English version of Gone With the Wind than to bring the original French version. When we initiated the idea of making the English version of the musical, Presgurvic liked it and we did a global casting together," says Zhang, noting that the original novel by American author Margret Mitchell in 1936 and the 1939 Hollywood movie starring Vivien Leigh and Clark Gable have both enjoyed great popularity in China. Gone With the Wind is the only novel by Mitchell that was published during her lifetime. Mitchell received the Pulitzer Prize for fiction for the book in 1937.

New York-based actress Rachel Gold, who has been seen in The Phantom of the Opera on Broadway playing Christine Daae, will play the role of Scarlett O'Hara, opposite actor, American singer-songwriter, Eric Briarley, as Rhett Butler.

"I've read the book and watched the movie several times to understand the role. Vivien Leigh is very inspiring and I will add my own interpretation into the role," Gold says in Beijing.

American singer-songwriter, Amy Vachal, who is a semifinalist on the ninth season of popular American TV singing competition, The Voice, plays the role of Melanie Wilkes. Gone With the Wind will mark her debut as a musical actress. French singer-songwriter Cyril Niccolai, who played Ashley Wilkes in the French version of the musical will play the same role in the English version.

Frantz Morel, who worked with Presgurvic on the French musical version of Romeo and Juliet will direct the new play. He notes that, of all the 500 costumes created for the musical, Scarlett O'Hara's nine dresses highlight the protagonist's life.

The musical will also feature eight styles of dance, including ballet, contemporary dance and waltzes that will be performed by over 30 dancers from around the world.

chennan@chinadaily.com.cn

(China Daily 11/19/2018 page20)