Late December back in '63.....
Part 2 of The Tinsel Town Trilogy.
All three plays are connected and are based on actual events and written by PT Rose. The story in 'HollyWoodLand' centres around Hedda Hopper the infamous American syndicated gossip columnist and her friendship with a little remembered Welsh actor and Episcopalian padre named Gareth Hughes. Gareth was extraordinary in that had given up life as a rising screen star to follow a spiritual path. He was so fixed on this that he became padre to a Native American tribe, the Paiute of Pyramid Lake Nevada. A positive relationship with Hedda was central to any actor's career prospects. Her relationships with Hollywood's celluloid glitterati were 'interesting'. The play covers her declining years and how she became a little too 'loose' with her accusations and allegations and almost came a cropper through spreading uncertain mischief about Hollywood royalty. At a time when there were no alternative avenues for promotion and publicity (no social media then) Hedda could make or break an actor's career and she broke many. She had alienated many by now but Gareth remained true. On a particularly bad day, she sought refuge in his cottage at the actor's retirement home in Woodland Hills, Los Angeles. That is where our tale unfolds...Her column from the Los Angeles Times dated December 1963 (shown on the right/below) is a very good indication of how well she regarded him and the depth of their friendship. For more information about the play and permission to perform in public you may contact: ptrose@post.com CAST
Ensemble All 1920’s characters The Director: 1920’s Movie director Gareth Hughes: 65+ Silent film acting legend. Hedda Hopper: 65+ Hollywood icon & gossip queen. Jack: 30’s very masculine Mary: Young woman early 20’s Harry: 60ish. Obese former friend of Gareth’s Productions seeking a cast see LINK |
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See below very rare film footage of Gareth Hughes while he worked as a padre on the Paiute Reservation Nixon, Nevada