Beautiful and Damned musical - Tender is the Night

Beautiful and Damned, an evocative and glittering musical based on the lives of 1920s icons Zelda and F. Scott Fitzgerald, was staged at the Lyric Theatre, Shaftesbury Avenue, London in 2004.

Starring Michael Praed as F. Scott Fitzgerald and Helen Anker as Zelda Fitzgerald, the show was directed and choreographed by Graig Revel Horwood. Words and music were by Les Reed and Roger Cook. The book was written by Kit Hesketh Harvey. Set and costumes by Christopher Woods.

Background...
1918: When 21 year old author-to-be Lieutenant F. Scott Fitzgerald met 18 year old Zelda Sayre at a mid-summer night's dance in Montgomery, Alabama, he "fell in love with a whirlwind". She wrote "I want you to wear me, like a buttonhole bouquet to the world".
In under two years Zelda was Scott's bride, and fuelled by the success of his first novel, the couple propelled themselves onto the world stage and into a life of high living, big spending and party going. It was the Roaring 20s. Scott christened it the Jazz Age, and Zelda was its High Priestess.
Riding the waves between America and Europe in a never-ending search for excitement, Scott was the novelist, Zelda was the novelty. But behind the glittering façade lay a tragedy of epic proportions.

This clip, set in 1934, depicts 38 year old Scott in the depths of alcoholism. His 4th novel, Tender is the Night, had just been published. Scott's author 'friend' Ernest Hemingway (David Burt) drops into one of his drinking haunts and starts to berate Scott about both his excessive drinking and Zelda.

Read about the lives of Zelda and F. Scott Fitzgerald in Zelda: A Biography by Nancy Milford.

For more information on the show, visit http://www.BeautifulandDamned.com

Category:

Entertainment

Tags:

• Michael Praed
• Helen Anker
• David Burt
• F Scott Fitzgerald
• Zelda Fitzgerald
• Craig Revel Horwood
• Les Reed
• Roger Cook
• Kit Hesketh Harvey
• Christopher Woods
• FitzAngels

[samsagitarias]

Keep popping back to have another look at this footage. The whole scene is amazing, Michael gives such an amazing performance, keeps me glued to my screen, and i always flinch when he hits the floor . and as for the singing - well, simply simply very magical

[aggy0578]

Whenever I listen to Michael sing 'Tender is the Night' I drift away... I close my eyes and sink into his beautiful, tender and warm voice. ADORABLE!

Thank you for sharing it!

[Mattbrain]

David Burt played Ernest Hemingway? Cool!

[samsagitarias]

Have to say that even though i didnt get the chance to see this live, have seen , (when it was available to download ), this in full, and out of everything that i have seen Michael in, be it TV and more recently stage, I love B&D the best. I think that its because its a recording of a live stage performance, and it just captures that whole atmosphere, Michael it has to be said, has the most amazing stage presence ,and in the Sound of Music he is stunning, but I love him in this more.

[bronwynwaiting]

Thanks SO much for this...Michael is truly MESMERIZING in everything I've ever seen him perform in. There's no better word to describe the effect he has on an audience! Dramas, musicals, you name it, Michael nails them all & SHINES like the star he is!

[undermilkwoods]

This is amazing. I wish I could see this musical.

[witchytwo]

You are so right Samsagitarias, this is well worth repeated viewings. Michael's performance is indeed magical.

I am so looking forward to seeing him as Cpt. Von Trapp in "The Sound of Music" in October

[missbabyice]

Was dubious when I heard some of the dialogue but the song was really moving.

[samsagitarias]

Found my headphones and had another listen to this wonderful vid again. Sounded even better this time , Michaels wonderful singing - right into my ears, just shut my eyes, and listened - no distractions, - just Michaels voice, nothing else, talk about loosing yourself - brilliant - if you have some headphones, just plug in and listen , shut your eyes and just listen.

[moishouki]

Yes a great voice for an extraordinary man. i like that part of the show.  I wish i could see him perform on a stage.

Thank you very much to share.