Mike McShane to Play Hollywood Mogul Louis B. Mayer in London's The Tailor-Made Man

Mike McShane will play legendary MGM studio head Louis B. Mayer in the new London musical The Tailor-Made Man. As previously reported, the show stars Dylan Turner as gay screen icon William Haines and Faye Tozer as Marion Davies. The musical will run February 13 through April 6 at the Arts Theatre. Opening night is set for February 21.

Set In 1930, The Tailor-Made Man follows William “Billy” Haines, one of MGM’s most idolized male stars. On screen he was tailor-made to get the girl in the last reel, but on the back lot he cruised every bit player and stagehand in sight. Billy lived openly with his lover and former stand-in Jimmy Shields. Their relationship was tolerated by the studio until rumors started to seep out into the wider world. Studio head Louis B. Mayer ordered him to marry the sultry silent screen vamp Pola Negri, and when Billy refused, he was fired by Mayer.

McShane last appeared on the West End as the voice of Audrey II in Little Shop of Horrors at the Duke of York’s Theatre. McShane is best known for his appearances on the British version of Whose Line Is It Anyway?, and he also played Kramer’s nemesis, Franklin Delano Romanowski, on Seinfeld.