Eastbourne theatregoers are having a preview of a West End musical this week: Mack and Mabel, which opens at the Criterion Theatre in two weeks' time.
Directed by John Doyle, it tells the heart-wrenching love story of two of the legendary figures from the silent movie era, Mack Sennett, creator of the Keystone Cops, and his leading lady, comedienne Mabel Normand.
This is a scaled-down version of the Broadway musical and it works perfectly on the Devonshire Park stage.
With a simple set designed by Mark Bailey, the talented cast of nine (excluding the leads) recreate the heady heights of Hollywood in the Twenties, when the company had to do everything - they play instruments, sing and tap dance.
David Soul gives a superb performance as the cynical Mack, as does Royal National Theatre actress Janie Dee as Mabel.
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