Bowman & Pitt-Pulford star in Mack & Mabel at Southwark

Directed by Thom Southerland and starring Norman Bowman as Mack and Laura Pitt-Pulford as Mabel, the production will run in The Vault at Southwark Playhouse from 11 July to 25 August (previews from 5 July).

Out of the silent movie era and the heady heights of 1920s Hollywood, Mack and Mabel tells the love story of two of director Mack Sennett, “the king of comedy”, and his star, comedienne Mabel Normand. Together they bring magic to the silver screen. Yet ambition, dalliance and the impending threat of changing times make for a tempestuous relationship.

The score includes “Look What Happened to Mabel”, “I Won’t Send Roses”, “Time Heals Everything”, “Hundreds of Girls” and “Tap Your Troubles Away”.

The original 1974 Broadway production of Mack and Mabel was nominated for eight Tony Awards, including Best Musical.

Norman Bowman (Mack) played Micky Deans in the UK tour of Over the Rainbow. His major musical roles include Sky Masterson in Michael Grandage’s West End production of Guys and Dolls, Tom Watson in the Donmar’s Parade, Marius in Les Miserables, Sam in Mamma Mia!, Jack in George and Ira Gershwin’s Lady Be Good at the Open Air Theatre, Regent’s Park, and Dany Zuko in Grease.

Laura Pitt-Pulford (Mabel) is currently starring as Charity in Sweet Charity (MAC, Belfast). Her other major roles include Snake in Nick Lloyd Webber’s The Little Prince (Lyric, Belfast), Lucille Frank in Parade (Southwark Playhouse), Sarah Brown in Guys and Dolls (Theatre Clwyd), Lola in Copacabana (Watermill) and Betty Schaefer in Sunset Boulevard (Watermill and West End).

Director Thom Southerland was longlisted Best Newcomer in the 2011 Evening Standard Awards for Parade. He was named Best Director at the 2011 The Offies – Off West End Theatre Awards – for Me and Juliet at the Finborough. His other credits include I Sing!, Divorce Me, Darling!, Annie Get Your Gun, The Pajama Game and the all-male adaptations of Gilbert and Sullivan’s HMS Pinafore and The Mikado (Union).

Mack and Mabel is produced by Danielle Tarento, with musical direction by Michael Bradley, choreography by Lee Proud, set and costumes by Jason Denvir, lighting by Howard Hudson and sound by Andrew Johnson.