[1] The production was directed by Nunn and featured sets by John Napier and costumes by Andreane Neofitu.

A musical adaptation by Harold Rome played a year at the Drury Lane Theatre in 1972, starring June Ritchie as Scarlett, and featuring Bonnie Langford.

[4] With the support of the Mitchell Trust and producer Aldo Scrofani of Columbia Artists Theatricals, plans began forming for the West End production.

[6] Producer Scrofani said in interviews that their hope was that "this theatrical adaptation will cause our audiences to rediscover this timeless and rich story, while also providing each of them a meaningful and memorable experience".

[citation needed] Nunn said that "having now worked on adapting two vast novels for the stage, Nicholas Nickleby and Les Misérables, I am drawn to the challenge of telling Margaret Mitchell's epic story through words, music and the imaginative resources of the theatre.

"[8] In 1861 Atlanta, Georgia, 16-year-old Scarlett is the eldest of three daughters living a life of luxury on their father's plantation, Tara.

The slaves are working ("Born to be Free"), and Scarlett discovers that Ashley Wilkes, who she secretly loves, is to marry his cousin, Melly Hamilton.

Charles Hamilton, Melly's brother, falls in love with Scarlett, while the women pass judgement on her ("She's No Lady").

Scarlett is upset to be a widow with a baby, and her family send her to Atlanta to the home of Aunt Pittypat.

Rhett arrives ("I'm Your Man"), and Dr. Meade proposes an auction, with the men bidding to lead the dances with the lady of their choice.

In 1863, Rhett brings news from the War and gives out the casualty lists; there are many men dead, and the women of the city lament ("Can This Be All?")

Scarlett makes her way back to Tara, but discovers that her mother has died, and her father is mad with grief.

She shoots and kills a Yankee thief at Tara before ransacking his belongings with Melly ("Desperate Times").

In Atlanta, Scarlett visits Rhett in gaol and tries to pretend that all is well, but he sees her rough hands and realises that she wants money.

Scarlett and Rhett return from their honeymoon with gifts, including a petticoat for Mammy, who declares she won't wear it as she does not like Captain Butler.

In his grief, he refuses to bury her as she was afraid of the dark, and it takes kind words from Melly to comfort him.

Scarlett decides to return to Tara, knowing that she will win Rhett back somehow as tomorrow is another day ("Gone With The Wind" (reprise)).

The slaves have a greater voice, especially Prissy, whose character is different from the film or novel, as she sings of finding her own way in the world and teaching others.

When the musical opened, it contained two additional songs in Act II: "Abundantly Present" and "This Time".

Critics found fault with the work's structure and score, stating "the large ensemble combines dialogue with passages of narration from the novel.

"[9][10] However, Paul Taylor of The Independent noted that "the score is enriched with spirituals, blues and gospel music, spine-tinglingly well-sung by such cast members as Natasha Yvette Williams's loveably sassy Mammy and Jina Burrows' Prissy.

If Jill Paice hasn't quite nailed the comic, outrageously feline wiliness of Scarlett, she boasts the bright, soaring vocal quality to convey the heroine's indomitable survivor's drive.

"[11] Christopher Hart of The Sunday Times wrote, "Frankly, I fear, you won't give a damn.