Tom McCamus (12/12 Gone with the Wind)
Excerpt from MTC 12/19/12: Tom McCamus | Picture on The Charlebois Post
Gone With the Wind
WINNIPEG, December 19, 2012
Adapted by Niki Landau|Based on the Novel by Margaret Mitchell
WORLD PREMIERE JANUARY 10-FEBRUARY 2 John Hirsch Mainstage - A non-‐musical adaptation of the classic novel by a fresh new voice, GONE WITH THE WIND will sweep you off your feet. GONE WITH THE WIND stars Bethany Jillard as Scarlett O’Hara and Tom McCamus as Rhett Butler and features Miche Braden as Mammy, Sarah Constible as Melanie Hamilton Wilkes and Daniel Briere as Ashley Wilkes.
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Tickets for GONE WITH THE WIND start at $29 plus GST. For showtimes and ticket info, call the MTC Box Office at 204-‐942-‐6537, toll-‐free at 1-‐877-‐446-‐4500 or visit www.mtc.mb.ca. Under 30? A limited number of $19 rush tickets are available beginning at noon on the day of performances. For more information, visit www.mtc.mb.ca.
CBC 1/2/13: Tom McCamus
Tom McCamus tackles role of Rhett Butler in "Gone With the Wind"
Posted by Andrea Ratuski | Wednesday January 2, 2013
Actor Tom McCamus is pretty nonchalant for a guy who's getting ready to tackle the first stage role of Rhett Butler in Gone With the Wind. One might even think he would be reluctant to take it on, given that the movie version of the Pulitzer Prize-winning novel is considered such a classic. "In one sense, yes, it's a large undertaking, but at the same time if someone asks you to play Rhett Butler you can't say no," he said.
The iconic novel was adapted by Niki Landau for the Royal Manitoba Theatre Centre and director Steven Schipper asked McCamus to participate in a reading of the play in Toronto. He then immediately asked him to do the Winnipeg production. But isn't it intimidating to play a role that Clark Gable made famous? "Clark Gable isn't so far off from what's written in the book," says the Winnipeg-born actor, "so if you play that part then you're going to KIND of end up doing what Clark Gable did."
He is growing the mustache, for example, so he will have the same kind of look. "You don't want to do something that's totally different," he says.
And what a juicy role it is -- that of this self-proclaimed 'varmint.' "The thing that's interesting about him is that he moves on the outside of that whole society and he's always trying to stir things up, which is a lot of fun to play."
There are definitely some big lines to deliver. "'Frankly, my dear, I don't give a damn' is kind of hard -- well, not hard, it's just that everyone has an expectation of it," he admits. "The other one, 'You should be kissed, and often. And by someone who knows how' -- that's another big one. All you can do is just do the line the way it's written and hopefully they will accept it."
McCamus is also matter-of-fact when he describes how he develops the character. "You simply play it as you play any other role," he says. "You play the part that's written. You read the book and take the character and try to do it to the best of your ability.
"And that's what rehearsal's about. You find out what's needed in the scene, what's happening between the two people, Scarlett and me. We don't have a lot of time. It's a very large piece and we have maybe 3 1/2 weeks to rehearse it. So we just build it as we go, layer by layer, and rely on the story, rely on the costumes. But mostly it's about the relationship between the two."
McCamus says the biggest challenge of the production is dealing with the passage of time, because the play covers a span of 15 years, so in a short period of time on stage he has to age considerably. The best part? "The greatest pleasure is just being in this play, actually. Just seeing what Steven's going to do with it and how Niki's captured it. I mean it's a 1000 page book. To do it in two hours and to watch everyone come together and create the story, that's always the best pleasure."
Gone With the Wind plays at MTC's John Hirsch Mainstage January 10 - February 2.
© CBC
MTC 1/3/13: Tom McCamus
PLAY ON WORDS
MTC is pleased to announce Play on Words, a partnership with the Winnipeg Public Library which will bring you even more opportunities to enrich your theatre experience! Check out our librarian-recommended resources to better connect with the stories on our stages, public presentations by actors and behind-the-scenes artists, playwrighting workshops and more!
FROM PAGE TO STAGE
Starting with our production of Gone With the Wind, Actors, writers and behind the scenes artists show you how a story moves from book to script and then to the stage. Bring your lunch. 40 min. There will be prize draws to win tickets to the show!
Millennium Library, Carol Shields Auditorium
Tuesday, January 8 at 12:10pm: Niki Landau, playwright of Gone With the Wind, will discuss adapting the novel
Tuesday, January 15 at 12:10pm: Bethany Jillard (Scarlett O’Hara) and Tom McCamus (Rhett Butler) will talk about playing their iconic roles
Tuesday, January 22 at 12:10pm: Members of MTC’s Wardrobe department will share the details of creating the beautiful costumes seen on stage
© MTC
Excerpts from Winnipeg Free Press 1/12/13: Tom McCamus
Harried RMTC adaptation throws caution to the Wind
By: Kevin Prokosh Posted: 01/12/2013 1:00 AM
That places all the weight on the tempestuous relationship between Scarlett and Rhett, and the mercurial Jillard and Tom McCamus shoulder the burden with Southern comfort. Their fiery repartee is a highlight, reminiscent of '30s screwball comedies in which the better the banter, the more convincing the two were made for each other.
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Almost as good as renegade Rhett is Tom McCamus, who creates palpable chemistry with Jillard. His Rhett is entirely likable, effortlessly foiling the often predictable Scarlett, knowing what she thinks before she does. His languid delivery and pinpoint comic timing make their exchanges delicious to witness.
© Winnipeg Free Press
Excerpt from The Charlebois Post 1/16/13: Tom McCamus
Review: (Winnipeg) Gone With the Wind
Wednesday, January 16, 2013
Those differences which do filter through are mostly in performance and tone. Bethany Jillard manages to find a take on Scarlett O'Hara that keeps the character's charm while steering away from Vivien Leigh's smoldering Southern belle; while Tom McCamus portrays a darker, more mercenary version of Rhett Butler than Clark Gable's carefree rogue.
© The Charlebois Post
Excerpt from Excerpt from 2/28/13: Tom McCamus
Merry about Poppins: U of M grad gets title role in Rainbow Stage production
By: Kevin Prokosh Posted: 02/28/2013 1:00 AM
The Nikki Landau adaptation based on the bestselling novel by Margaret Mitchell drew 88 percent of capacity, exceeding management's aggressive revenue targets. Bethany Jillard, as the feisty Scarlett O'Hara, proved a big favourite with RMTC audiences, as did Tom McCamus as the roguish Rhett Butler.
© Winnipeg Free Press
Excerpt from CBC 3/1/13: Tom McCamus
Winnipeg arts groups mark successful season
Posted by Anna Lazowski, SCENE Producer | Friday March 1, 2013
Tom McCamus and Bethany Jillard star in RMTC's "Gone With the Wind" (Bruce Monk)
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Royal Manitoba Theatre Centre general manager Camilla Holland says although Gone With the Wind was one of their most expensive productions in recent years, a large number of subscribers and healthy walk-up traffic helped them exceed expectations for ticket sales. "I think we had hoped we would sell a total of 80% of the seats available including subscribers and we were close to 90%."
© CBC
Excerpt from MTC Annual Report 5/13: Tom McCamus
Message from the Artistic Director
Steven Schipper
THIS WAS THE SEASON WE launched Gone With the Wind, a project as audacious (the first non-musical stage adaptation of this seminal novel) as it was successful (selling more casual tickets than any production in the past nine years), but it was just one play in a season of theatrical delights.
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Despite those charms, it was Gone With the Wind at the centre of the season that caused the biggest stir. Variety and The Los Angeles Times trumpeted the premiere, and the editor of The Scarlett Letter flew from Virginia for opening night. Like many in the audience, he was impressed with Niki Landau’s adaptation, John Lee Beatty and Judith Bowden’s set and costume designs, and the performances of Bethany Jillard and Tom McCamus as Scarlett O’Hara and Rhett Butler. Both Jillard and McCamus have been captivating audiences at Stratford and, when we cast them to work with talented local actors to bring this well-loved story to life, we were reminded of our old nickname, Stratford West.
© MTC