Beautiful and Damned

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Beautiful and Damned: A Jazz Age Tragedy on the West End

"Beautiful and Damned" lit up the West End in 2004, bringing the tumultuous lives of F. Scott Fitzgerald and Zelda Fitzgerald to the Lyric Theatre stage from April 28 to August 14. This musical, with a book by Kit Hesketh-Harvey and music and lyrics by Les Reed and Roger Cook, plunged audiences into the glittering yet doomed world of the Jazz Age. Directed and choreographed by Craig Revel Horwood, it starred Michael Praed as Scott and Helen Anker as Zelda, running for 16 weeks after a successful pre-West End trial. As of March 23, 2025, it remains a poignant snapshot of a bygone era’s excess and heartbreak, preserved through its original cast recording and free online streams.

A Tale Born from Literature

The musical draws its name and inspiration from F. Scott Fitzgerald’s 1922 novel The Beautiful and Damned, weaving a bio-musical narrative around the real-life couple. Conceived by Roger Cook, the project took shape after he read the novel in 1991, partnering with Les Reed to craft a score that captured the Roaring ‘20s’ vibrancy. After years of development, a 2003 premiere at Guildford’s Yvonne Arnaud Theatre—starring John Barrowman and Helen Anker—broke box-office records over a 14-day run, paving the way for its West End transfer. Don Black’s mentorship and Laurence Myers’ production expertise brought the vision to life, with Hesketh-Harvey’s book framing the Fitzgeralds’ story through Zelda’s institutionalized memories in 1938.

Love, Glamour, and Collapse

The story opens in 1938 at a mental hospital, where a delusional Zelda unlocks her past under a doctor’s coaxing. Flashbacks whisk audiences to 1918 Montgomery, Alabama, where 18-year-old Zelda Sayre meets aspiring writer Scott Fitzgerald at a dance. Their whirlwind romance culminates in a 1920 wedding, followed by a high-flying life of parties, fame, and excess in New York and the French Riviera. Songs like “Tomorrow Won’t Happen Till Tomorrow” and “There Isn’t Anybody Here” pulse with Jazz Age energy, but darker tones emerge as Scott’s alcoholism and Zelda’s unraveling mental state fracture their world. The musical ends with a tender garden reunion in 1940, their love enduring despite tragedy, set against a score blending catchy melodies with haunting ballads.

A West End Whirlwind

Opening at the Lyric Theatre after previews on April 28, 2004, "Beautiful and Damned" ran through August 14, totaling around 120 performances. Michael Praed and Helen Anker led a cast featuring David Burt as Judge Sayre and Susannah Fellows as Minnie Sayre, with Horwood’s direction infusing the staging with Charleston flair. Critics were mixed: The Guardian found it lackluster, dubbing it “the boring ‘20s,” while The Daily Mirror praised Anker’s sparkling presence. Though it didn’t match the longevity of West End giants like Les Misérables, its 16-week run drew fans of the Fitzgeralds’ legend, bolstered by lavish sets and a BBC-filmed archive now streaming free online.

Echoes of the Roaring ‘20s

Though it hasn’t seen a major West End revival since 2004, "Beautiful and Damned" lives on through its concept album—featuring Reed and Cook’s demos—and bonus tracks with Praed and Anker from the Lyric run. Its Guildford triumph hinted at untapped potential, yet its American-centric story may find its truest home across the Atlantic. As of March 23, 2025, it stands as a bold West End experiment, marrying literary depth with musical spectacle. For theatre buffs and Jazz Age enthusiasts, it’s a flawed but fascinating relic—beautiful in its ambition, damned by its fleeting stay in London’s spotlight.