Moonlight and Magnolias by Ron Hutchinson

Directed by Yvonne Patterson

PRODUCTION DATES – QMT STUDIO  ​30^th June to 4th July 2026

PLOT

Hollywood 1939: Legendary producer David O. Selznick has shut down production of his new epic, a film adaptation of Margaret Mitchell’s novel, GONE WITH THE WIND. He has scrapped the original screenplay and fired the director! Selznick brings in famed screenwriter Ben Hecht and pulls formidable director Victor Fleming from the set of Wizard of Oz. Summoning both to his office, and with his reputation and money on the line, he locks the doors, and on a diet of bananas and peanuts, the three men labour over five days to produce the perfect screenplay for one of the most successful and beloved films of all time. Based on real life events, this is a great comedic play with moments of deep drama!

CAST (Four) 

• David O Selznick                    
  Legendary Hollywood Producer – (30s-40s)
• Ben Hecht                              
  Screenwriter and Playwright – (40s)
• Victor Fleming                          
  Hollywood Movie Director – (40s-50s)
• Miss Poppenguhl                      
  Selznick’s secretary – (any age from early 20s)

Accent – American 

AUDITION PIECES

• Act One, Scene 1                                            
  pages 7 – 13 (from beginning to ‘You’re not the only one with deadlines’)
• Act One, Scene 1                                            
  pages 28 – 32 (from ‘If I could get a screenplay out of this …’ to end of page 32)
• Act One, Scene 1                                            
  pages 37 (from ‘…you want to belong so badly?’  to end of scene 1.)
• Act One, Scene 2                                            
  pages 43 to 50 (from beginning of Scene 2 to Selznick: ‘Write it.‘)

Scripts and audition pieces will be available at the theatre by the evening of Friday 27^th March. If you borrow one, please make sure to return it within the week, so that others can see it.

REVIEWS

“Ron Hutchinson’s hilarious comedy Moonlight and Magnolias is a sheer joy. It’s years since I’ve laughed out loud so much at a play in what was a wonderful evening’s entertainment that the audience absolutely loved.”

“A  gossipy homage to Hollywood”

AUDITION REGISTRATION

For any questions regarding auditions and to register your interest, please contact Yvonne Patterson on yvonne_singer@hotmail.co.uk    

Audition Dates

Rehearsals

Twice a week (TBC) - plus others as needed and discussed with the director.