The King of Hollywood

28th & 29th April 2024

Who do you picture when you think of The Mask of Zorro? Chances are, it might be Antonio Banderas, or even Puss in Boots. What about Robin Hood – perhaps Kevin Costner? Well, these characters were originally portrayed in the early-1920s by actor Douglas Fairbanks. 

This swashbuckling star of the silent film era was dubbed ‘The King of Hollywood’. “No-one could buckle a sword like me!” His fame, sadly, floundered with the introduction of ‘the talkies’. 

“It is a charming and well-presented piece of theatre”

We are greeted by a single soul sitting at a dining table laid out in silver service. He is dressed for dinner in a smart white shirt and black trousers, however, we are aware that this is Fairbanks (Gerado Cabal) due to his trademark pencil moustache, bandana and large gold hooped earrings.

Another male character (Simon Lawrence), wearing a black suit, enters the stage to meet this lone diner promising to ‘save him’. “Were you ever loved, Doug?” he asks. “Worshipped by millions and forgotten by everyone,” Fairbanks replies, solemnly. “I chased everyone and anyone away.”

Born in Denver, Colorado in 1883, Fairbanks cut his teeth as an accomplished actor on Broadway in the 1900s before making his film debut in 1915. We learn about the history of his life, through his sometimes sad, sometimes glistening eyes. He delivers a series of captivating anecdotes to the audience, at the same time as reliving his experiences with this other diner, who takes on various characters to act out scenes with him, but mostly just listens to Fairbanks with warmth and empathy throughout. With limited dialogue until the end of the play, this was a challenging part, however Lawrence gave an expressive performance and drew out some nice comedic moments with slapstick along the way.

We hear about Fairbanks’ career, loves, family, regrets: The fact that his mother raised him and his brother single-handedly; the fact that his father was a “a pathetic drunk bigamist” who had a second family and “gave his soul to his new kids”, and the only thing he ever gave Fairbanks was a lifelong loathing of alcohol.

He invented the film classification system and presented the first Academy Awards. His appearance was instrumental in the invention of Batman. He was the first person to sign his name on the now-infamous Hollywood Walk of Fame; it wasn’t planned, but it lead the way for others. He set up home in a “dust bowl” in California called Beverley Hills; you know the rest.

His ‘Queen of Hollywood’, was his second wife – Mary Pickford, a Canadian actress. They had 10 successful years together until jealousy and infidelity reared their ugly heads, and despite trying to make it work, could never move on. “If you break a plate you can glue it back together, but the cracks will still show.” Fairbanks was married a third time to Sylvia who bore his child – a son who they named Douglas Fairbanks Jr. He would advise never to name a child after yourself.

This play could be presented more effectively on a proscenium arch stage, giving the actors more room to move around, as much of the acting (and sword fighting!) was physical. I was also a little confused as to why Fairbanks didn’t have an American accent as this is so key to the character.

The script is very well-written by Paul Stone; the intimate setting and romantic snippets of music from the time transport you to the silent movie era. With shades of ‘Sunset Boulevard’, it is a charming and well-presented piece of theatre and there was good rapport between the two actors. We were genuinely moved, as their story, which was ultimately tinged with sadness, drew to a close.

Rhea Shepherd