Review: The Tailor-Made Man, Stage Door Theatre

Review: The Tailor-Made Man, Stage Door Theatre

Summary

Rating

60

Good

An enjoyable and funny two hours about Hollywood actor Billy Haines, his career, and long term relationship with partner Jimmie Shields: described by Joan Crawford as ‘the happiest married couple in Hollywood’.

Set at the height of Hollywood’s so call ‘golden age’, film star Billy Haines (Hugo Pilcher) has won the ‘New Faces of 1922’ contest and been signed up by Goldwyn Pictures (later MGM).  He has appeared in several successful films, managed the transition into ‘talkies’ and is a popular box office draw. He is also openly gay, living with long term partner Jimmie Shields (Gwithian Evans) as well as having many casual encounters.

The background to Haines’ story suggests he was quite predatory and very annoying on set with his constant ‘goosing’ and propositioning of male members of staff. The studio kept everything out of the press until he was arrested ‘in flagrante’ with a sailor in 1933. Louis B Mayer (played here by Dereck Walker) took particular exception to this and, when Haines refused to enter into a sham marriage, terminated his contract with MGM and set upon a vindictive course of behaviour trying to eradicate all references to him.

There is a really good strong cast of six, some playing multiple roles. Pilcher is the epitome of a young Hollywood hopeful with fresh face, floppy hair and cheeky grin. He plays Haines with some sympathy, but a sense of entitlement and disregard for others is still apparent.  Peter Rae is particularly good as PR man Howard Strickling and then the completely contrasting character of writer Victor Darro, whilst Olivia Ruggiero’s portrayal of OTT actress Pola Negri is a joy to behold. There is a lot of humour throughout, such as really bitchy quips between ‘friends’, some cleverly done overacting in a script read-through/rehearsal, and an unorthodox but time saving way of judging whether or not a script is too long. 

The performance is in the middle of the room with seating either side so wherever you choose to sit there may well be some small aspect that you might miss. All of the chairs are close to the action though and Robert McWhir’s direction ensures a decent pace, making good use of the space available. A shout out to Janet Huckle for the costumes, especially the women’s. They wear some pretty fabulous vamp outfits which, coupled with the wigs, props and music, really help to evoke the era. 

Despite seemingly being all about Haines the real hero of this piece is Jimmie Shields who remains loyal despite everything he has to put with. Portrayed by Evans as steadfast and self-aware, the character matures over the two hours (unlike Haines).

Yes, there was widespread homophobia but the sexuality of the ‘stars’ seems to have been an open secret within the industry. There were also some blatant double standards, with the casting couch being one, and referenced here another – the really intrusive and somewhat disturbing detailed knowledge of the women’s menstrual cycles. With the many scandals within the film industry reported over the past few years the events portrayed here are still relevant and make you wonder just how much has changed.

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Written by: Claudio Macor
Directed by: Robert McWhir
Produced by: LAMBCO Production Company
Costume Design by: Janet Huckle

The Tailor-Made Man plays at Stage Door Theatre until 31 July. Further information and bookings can be found here.