Tailor Made Man

THE TAILOR-MADE MAN is the true story of William Haines, the silent screen star who was fired by Louis B Mayer of MGM Studios because he was gay and refused to marry and give up his lifelong partner Jimmy Shields. The new musical will receive its world premiere at the Arts Theatre in London opening on Thursday 21 February 2013, following previews from 13 February, for a limited eight-week season ending on 6 April. It will star Faye Tozer as Marion Davies and Dylan Turner as William Haines.

In 1930, William “Billy” Haines was one of MGM’s most idolised male stars, second only to John Gilbert. On screen he was tailor-made to get the girl in the last reel. On the back lot he cruised every bit player and stagehand in sight. Billy lived openly with his lover and former stand-in Jimmy Shields. This was tolerated by the studio until rumours started to seep out into the wider world. Louis B Mayer ordered him to marry the sultry silent screen vamp Pola Negri. Billy refused and so Louis B Mayer fired him. Billy’s defiance of the studio led to his second and even more successful career as an interior designer to the stars.

THE TAILOR-MADE MAN is a powerful story about Hollywood and its system and hypocrisy, but above all it is the story of Billy and Jimmy’s turbulent, passionate love affair that survived and lasted over 50 years.

Faye Tozer is a member of Brit award-winning pop group Steps, who have recently successfully reformed with a number 1 album, sell-out tour and a hit television show. When Steps originally split up in 2001, Faye went on to have a top 10 hit with Russell Watson, Someone Like You, which led to an arena tour in the UK and New Zealand. She made her musical theatre debut in the tour of Tell Me on a Sunday. Subsequent theatre tours have included Love Shack, Me and My Girl, Dial M for Murder and Over the Rainbow. She made her West End theatre debut in Saucy Jack and the Space Vixens. Dylan Turner’s West End theatre includes Chariots of Fire, Rock of Ages, Life is a Dream, Mamma Mia! and Grease, as well as the UK tours of Chicago and Footloose.