PREVIEW: Bill Clinton Hercules
Clinton, perhaps the most loved of American presidents especially on this side of the water, yet whose tenure was clouded in controversy, is the subject of a well received bio-play from Guy Masters and playwright Rachel Mariner.
So how did this bio-play come about? In 2009, artistic director Guy Masterson mentioned to his old roommate, American actor Bob Paisley that he would be a perfect fit to play Bill Clinton, and so the journey began to create a play based around Paisley.
As Masterson says “Clinton makes a perfect subject for a bio-play, here you have a genuine rags-to-riches story with hugely charismatic, flawed genius at its heart. But what makes Clinton even more compelling is that his story is not over: he could still have a huge part to play in our lives and this play explores all that.”
Rachel Mariner, lawyer turned playwright, became involved after mentioning to Masterson that she had been on Clinton’s legal team during the Paula Jones litigation of the 90’s. A case in which Jones had filed a sexual harassment suit against Clinton when in 1991, as Governor of Arkansas, he crudely propositioned her. Mariner had even been to the White House a few times during her stint on his legal team. So with insider knowledge of the man in question, Mariner’s experience was invaluable.
Masterson was adamant that the play was not to be a tribute or Clinton’s life story “Bill Clinton Hercules takes us to the core of Clinton; his influences, his passions, his dreams and aspirations, but also his regrets. More importantly, it postulates what he might do if and when he becomes the first, ‘First Gentleman’.” He wanted to also look at what would happen if Hilary Clinton became President, as he says “When you’re called Mr. President until you die, how is it going to work across the White House breakfast table if Hillary wins? They will be the first Mr. and Mrs. President.” And with Hillary confirming that she will in fact run for the presidency next year, America could actually have the first Mr and Mrs President.
The play is a TED talk format, a one man show from Bob Paisley which has earned rave reviews for both the writing and also Paisley’s portrayal of the 42nd President of the United States. As Masterson said, Paisley was perfect for the role, “Apart from being a truly gifted actor, he possesses the right looks, size, voice and accent, plus he oozes that same Southern charm.”
Theatre Tours International presents: Bill Clinton Hercules by Rachel Mariner, at the Playhouse on
Saturday 11th April at 8pm. Tickets: £11/ £9.
