Assembly George Square Studios, Two, 14:00
Dates: 31 July, 1 – 24 August. Previews 31 July, 1 August. No show Mon 11, 18, 25 August.
Tickets: Previews 31 July & 1 August £8; 10 & 11, 16-18, 22-24 & 29 August £13 (£12); 6-9, 12-14, 19-21, 25-28 August £14 (£13)
In 2009, the man known as the King of the Fringe -Guy Masterson- told his old roommate, the American actor Bob Paisley, that he was just perfect to play Bill Clinton. All they needed was a play. Enter Rachel Mariner, lawyer turned playwright, who, while meeting Masterson about a courtroom drama, let slip that she’s been on Bill Clinton’s legal team during the Paula Jones litigation.
She had worked down the street from the White House, even went in a couple of times. She lived, like everyone else in DC in the 90’s, in Clinton’s world.
“Clinton makes a perfect subject for a bio-play…” says Masterson – who has been involved in more than his fair share (playing Burton, Adolf, Goering’s Defence, Morecambe etc.). “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.”
Mariner and Masterson were adamant that this would not be just a simple re-telling of Clinton’s life story or some kind of tribute. Indeed, with his wife about to run for the Presidency, Clinton’s final chapters are yet to be written. “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’.” Masterson quips “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.”
Kansas City’s eminent actor/manager Bob Paisley, at EdFringe last year directing Bedtime Solos also at Assembly, is just about 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.”
Masterson says. “We were flat-mates in Hollywood back in the eighties at the start of our careers and the girls would ogle him! But it’s wonderful when things come full circle like this.”
Web: www.billclintonhercules.com Web: theatretoursinternational.com Web: assemblyfestival.com
Twitter: @ClintonHercules Facebook: www.facebook.com/GuyMastersonTTI
John graduated from Telford College in 2010 with an HNC in Practical Journalism and since then he worked for the North Edinburgh News, The Southern Reporter, the Irish News Review and The Edinburgh Reporter. In addition he has been published in the Edinburgh Evening News and the Hibernian FC Programme.
