Set between 1911 and 1938 “Mack and Mabel” is based on real characters working in the movies during that time in America. The main emphasis of the plot is based around the tumultuous relationship between the title characters Hollywood comic Director, Mack Sennett, and the silent screen star he discovered, Mabel Normand.

The musical begins with Mack reminisces about his career it is 1938 and the days of the silent film are over, and so too is Mack’s career. In a series of flashbacks Sennett relays the glory days of his first studio in which Mabel is discovered and goes on to star in his early “two-reelers”. Then he recounts his invention of the Bathing Beauties, moves onto the creation of the Keystone Cops and ends with Mabel returning to star in his first full length feature.

In the centre of this musical is a romance, but this is surrounded by slapstick comics, great dance routines, pathos, a fabulous score and a tinge of sadness. Mabel falls helplessly in love with Mack (who is historically 14 years her senior) and works tirelessly to please him. Mack also falls for Mabel’s quirky charm but his stubborn and aggressive personality prevents him from ever openly declaring the love he feels for her, although they do embark on an affair. Mack is a workaholic and is always trying to think of the next gimmick to make the audiences laugh. As Mabel is pushed to work on several movies at a time she becomes hooked on pills to enable her to continue at Mack’s relentless pace. As Sennett becomes more successful Mabel realizes that much of this is down to her and attempts to get Mack to acknowledge this by giving her more artistic integrity. Mack humiliates Mabel by sleeping with another woman and as a result she leaves not only the Studios but also him. Mabel is swept up by serious director W.D. Taylor who values her acting and on the surface treats her with kindness and consideration, however it is Taylor that is responsible for getting Mabel hooked on hard drugs and alcohol to sustain their party life style. Although Mabel makes a go of things with Taylor and stars in his films she never falls out of love with Mack. Although Sennett goes onto to create further box office smashes with his keystone cops he too never forgets Mabel. Sadly Taylor is murdered in Mabel’s presence and the ensuing scandal wrecks her career. In an attempt to help her make a clean start, Sennett agrees to make her the star of a romantic drama, “Molly O”, which he goes on to direct. However, the odium still attached to Mabel’s name means the film is never screened before her death of some say a heroin overdose other tuberculosis aged only 35. Not your usually “happily ever after” musical ending!

A flyer for this production giving full booking details is available from the link at http://rdg.org/flyers/mack-and-mabel.pdf