From Hull to Hollywood: Life of ‘forgotten’ 1920s film star Dorothy Mackaill celebrated in new musical

STELLAR CAREER: Dorothy Mackaill

By Simon Bristow

The amazing story of “forgotten” Hull film star Dorothy Mackaill is being brought to life in a new musical at East Riding Theatre later this month.

Written by Elizabeth Godber and produced by the John Godber Company, The Remarkable Tale of Dorothy Mackaill features music from the 1920s and 1930s and an East Yorkshire cast – including West End actress and singing powerhouse May Tether.

It tells the story of someone who went from performing as a child in the dancehalls of Hull to become one of the most recognisable and bankable stars of Hollywood’s silent film era. Such was her fame that crowds lined the streets as she was paraded in an open-top car on her return to Hull. She has since been largely forgotten.

BOX OFFICE: Dorothy Mackaill became one of the most bankable stars of 1920s Hollywood

The new musical explores Dorothy’s life, her fame, her struggles, and questions why the city of her birth has been so slow to celebrate her.

After performing in Hull at a young age, Dorothy moved to London to seek a performance career. She was talent-spotted in London and taken to the USA to become a part of the famous Zeigfield Follies. Yet she found herself drawn to cinema, and after some initial smaller parts, slowly started to get leading roles and became one of the stars of 1920s Hollywood.

AMAZING JOURNEY: Caitlin Townend as Dorothy Mackaill, pictured at Hull’s Streetlife Museum. Picture credit: Liam Foster

The play has been written with help from Dorothy’s surviving family who still live in Hull, and focuses on not just her amazing achievements but also how she was, in many regards, ahead of her time.

The cast also features Caitlin Townend and Phoebe Richardson.

Playwright Elizabeth Godber most recently adapted The Comedy of Errors for Shakespeare North Playhouse and the Stephen Joseph Theatre in Scarborough to rave reviews.

ICON: Dorothy Mackaill

• The Remarkable Tale of Dorothy Mackaill runs from September 27 to October 14 (Tuesdays to Saturdays) at East Riding Theatre in Lord Roberts Road, Beverley. Performances start at 7.30pm, with 2.30pm matinees on Wednesdays and Saturdays.

• Tickets cost £20 or £15 for students and can be bought at the box office or online here.