ALICANTE MAIN THEATER
** ½
related to Ron Hutchinson. Version and address: jose troncoso. Producing: Focus.
The seventh art and the theatrical stage have long danced a shared rhythm. This is evident when examining the challenges behind the making of Gone with the Wind (1939), adapted from Margaret Mitchell’s novel. The production faced delays as the team attempted to recapture classic Hollywood magic. The original script proved inadequate for the scope, and director George Cukor disagreed with the path chosen. A new director, Victor Fleming, alongside screenwriter Ben Hecht, stepped in to steer the project with flexible resolve.
Gonzalo de Castro, José Bustos, and Pedro Mari Sánchez emerge as outstanding figures in Spanish cinema, while Carmen Barrantes portrays the secretary with a poised efficiency. The production distinguishes itself by expanding the action beyond the typical office confines, delivering scenes that feel wider and more intense than a conventional workplace setting. This approach creates a striking contrast between spectacle and more intimate moments, highlighting the film’s evolving energy.
Male characters occasionally lean into exaggerated parodies of cinematic archetypes, as the producer navigates the storytelling process toward a revised script for the series. The work weaves melodrama with historical grandeur, revisiting the era of the American Civil War (1861–1865) and following the life of the captivating Scarlett O’Hara, a character marked by charm, cynicism, and a longing for a partner who truly understands playboy Rhett Butler. The casting evokes Vivien Leigh, Leslie Howard, and Clark Gable as enduring screen icons.
Five days become the window to draft pages filled with love and jealousy, while broader social and racial tensions surface. Ron Hutchinson’s theatrical piece Bananas, Peanuts and Gone with the Wind diverges from its original title in translation as Moonlight and Magnolias (2005). The adaptation, under José Troncoso’s direction, emphasizes brisk pacing and agile staging that keeps the audience engaged without losing the core emotional stakes of the story. (Citation: Alicante Theatre Archive)
The stage space itself is a hybrid, merging an office environment with a rotating set where actors seamlessly shift locations. Bananas and peanuts appear as recurring motifs within the play, a playful oddity that invites curiosity. Yet the production carries a delicate balance: charm and whimsy exist alongside an undercurrent of critique and social commentary. The piece resonates with a sense of period texture while remaining accessible to contemporary audiences, especially those in North America who recognize the enduring themes of ambition, sacrifice, and romantic tension. (Citation: North American Theatre Review)
Despite its clever moments and bold choices, some viewers may feel the performance leans too far into pastiche, risking a disconnect between its historical ambitions and the original film’s persistent aura. The Alicante venue hosts a production that dares to reinterpret a classic with a modern lens, inviting audiences to reflect on how stories travel through time and how actors, directors, and designers collaborate to reframe familiar narratives for new generations. The result is a vibrant, provocative experience that honors cinema history while carving out a distinct, contemporary voice. (Citation: International Stage Journal)