The musical adaptation of the 1987 film will make a stop at the Lena Horne Theatre on Broadway starting this winter, as part of its national tour. The show will play the theater from Feb. 12 through Sept. 5.
The musical features a new book by Eleanor Bergstein, the original screenwriter of the film, direction by Lonny Price (who played Neil Kellerman in the film) and choreography by Darrell Grand Moultrie (Fat Ham).
The tour launched in St. Paul, Minnesota, in August and will continue this fall in Detroit, West Palm Beach, Boston, Toronto and more cities before the Broadway engagement. The musical will resume its national run after Broadway.
Annalese Starzec, who plays Frances “Baby” Houseman, and Blake Zelesnikar, who plays Johnny Castle, will both make their Broadway debuts in the roles, alongside a company that will see 19 additional Broadway debuts.
This is the latest stage adaptation from Lionsgate, which is also bringing the illusionist show Now You See Me Live to Broadway this fall, and premiered The Hunger Games: On Stage in London. Lionsgate is also developing a musical production of the studio’s six-time Academy Award-winning film La La Land from producer Marc Platt, and has a stage adaptation of the $400-million hit film The Housemaid in the works.
The studio is also developing a Dirty Dancing film sequel, from The Hunger Games producers Nina Jacobson and Brad Simpson, starring the film’s original “Baby” Jennifer Grey.
Dirty Dancing: The Musical is produced by The Path Entertainment Group, Lionsgate and LD Entertainment and co-produced by Magic Hour Productions, Nederlander Presentations and John Gore Organization.
A man who hit ‘rock bottom’ after being hospitalised because of his weight has revealed how four years of blood sweat and tears helped him to a staggering 130kg weight loss.
Bryce Gledhill thought he was going to die when he ended up in hospital but the fear of death inspired him to make a significant change in his life.
In a world that’s becoming increasingly dependent on weight loss injections or pills for losing weight, Bryce showed how it was possible to turn his life around without the need of the GLP-1 drugs.
After four years of hard work, the influencer’s journey is far from done, but he has gotten to a place where he’s learned to support himself instead of constantly tearing himself down.
Speaking to LADbible, he recounted the moment where his life changed for the better, even if it was when he was in his worst place.
Bryce says that hitting rock bottom was one of his biggest inspirations to make a change (Supplied)
He said: “I hit rock bottom and ended up in hospital. I thought I was going to die, and that scared the crap out of me.
“I’ve always had big dreams and things I wanted to achieve with my life. Growing up, those dreams actually got me through a lot of the abuse I experienced from my stepfather.
“So the thought of never getting the chance to reach my full potential became the wake-up call I needed.
“Lying in that hospital bed, I made a promise to God and to my eight year old self that I was going to change my life. And I haven’t looked back.”
We often talk about the rise before the fall but in Bryce’s case it was the other way around, as he suggested that hitting rock bottom was one of the biggest helps in his weight loss journey.
Progress was slow at times but Bryce stuck to his task (Supplied)
Bryce faced a lot of challenges over the last four years, losing his mother and his dog, as well as bringing an end to a nine-year relationship, but his commitment to bettering himself never wavered.
He added: “This journey hasn’t been easy. Over the last four years, I’ve faced some huge challenges. I lost my mother, my nine year relationship ended, I lost my dog, and I lost my business.
“But one of the biggest challenges was dealing with my childhood trauma and forgiving my stepfather for the abuse I experienced.
“I realised that a lot of my issues with food and my weight stemmed from that trauma. Food had become a coping mechanism for me from a very young age.
“Forgiving my stepfather wasn’t about saying what happened was okay. It was about releasing the poison I had carried for so many years and deciding that I wasn’t going to let my past control the rest of my life.”
Although many might feel tempted to turn towards medications such as Ozempic or Mounjaro if they’re struggling to lose weight, Bryce has some handy tips which have served him well over the past four years and allowed him to lose weight naturally, without the fear of severe side effects.
He’s now feeling more confident than ever (Supplied)
He said: “Start small, start today. That’s my secret sauce.
“You don’t have to change everything overnight. I didn’t. Just start with one small change and build from there.
“Keep it really simple. Find a routine you can actually stick to.
“Don’t worry about being perfect. Just be consistent and keep showing up. And if you have a bad day, don’t beat yourself up. One bad day doesn’t undo all your hard work. Just get back on track the next day.”
He also cited a popular method created by Mel Robbins, where you count down from five and start moving once you reach one, which helped him to show up and feel motivated on the days where he didn’t feel like it.
Bryce’s plan now is to undergo surgeries to get rid of some excess skin, with the fitness buff sharing his journey on his social media page @fluffynoiz, where he has amassed 160k followers.
Apart from just the physical change in his body, Bryce has noticed a huge difference in his own confidence.
He concluded: “I smile more. I’m willing to try new things that the old me would never have dared to do.
“I look in the mirror now and feel proud of the person I’m becoming. I don’t have anxiety clothes shopping, eating at restaurants, or boarding a plane.
Creatine is everywhere right now. Hardly a week goes by without a new study on what the powder can do for your muscles, you brain and your ageing joints.
Just this week claims have been made by Harvard Health, that the sports supplement may even help build muscle without having to exercise.
Bold claims of course, and for many gym-goers it doesn’t matter, because creatine is the go-to for helping achieve successful gains after a tough workout.
If you’ve been thinking about trying out creatine, Amazon’s Big Deal Days has knocked down the very popular Optimum Nutrition.
Optimum Nutrition Creatine is on offer in Amazon Prime Big Deal Days
Who should take creatine?
Nutritionist Bethan Crouse told The Guardian there was ‘really substantial evidence of creatine being effective’ and that there’s been plenty of research into the impact the supplement can have.
She said: “I think saying ‘everybody should take creatine’ is a jump too far at this stage. If you’re serious about your sport, or you’ve already got the basics of your nutrition nailed and you’re looking to improve performance, then it’s definitely worth considering. But for the general population, it’s not a necessity.”
The nutritionist explained that many of the benefits of creatine could be provided through a healthier diet anyway, chowing down on oily fish such as salmon or mackerel and scoffing flaxseed and chia seeds for better nutrition.
It makes most sense if you train regularly and already have the basics of your diet sorted. That applies whether you lift, run or do classes.
How much creatine should you take?
An adult dose of 3 to 5 grams of creatine daily is generally safe for most people, according to Harvard, though those with kidney disease should consult their doctor first.
More isn’t better, so there’s no need to load up. If you have kidney problems, are pregnant or are breastfeeding, speak to your GP before you start.
What is creatine?
Creatine is produced from amino acids in organs such as the kidneys, liver, and pancreas.
It is primarily stored in the muscles to provide rapid energy during high-intensity exercise, meaning it is the ideal pre-workout supplement for those looking to push themselves to the max.
It has been proven that most creatine comes from a balanced diet, as it can be found in protein-heavy food such as meat and dairy products, but an additional amount can help people go the extra mile.
The two-day event is an excuse to buy something you’ve had your eye on for ages, grab a gift for your mate’s birthday or even make a start on Christmas shopping.
Who’d have thought Amazon could make us feel this organised?
If the bloke you’re buying for lives and breathes sport or spends every waking minute in the gym, then getting him a themed gift is always going to be an easy win.
From fitness gadgets to bestselling creatine powders, there are loads of deals to browse on Amazon this Big Deal Days.
Having said that, these unmissable offers won’t be around for long, so you’ll need to move quickly.
To help you narrow down the options, we’ve rounded up some of the best Prime Big Deal Days offers available right now – that will make a great gift.
Shop some of our top picks below.
Target Darts TOR Dartboard
If they’re always banging on about wanting an at-home dartboard, then you can win them over with the Target TOR Dartboard.
Now 30 percent off in the Amazon sale, this is definitely a gift to impress any darts enthusiast without having to spend a small fortune.
Under Armour Men’s Mens Tech 2.0 1/2 Zip Sweatshirt, Amazon
You can never really go wrong with Under Armour, especially the brand’s sports jackets.
Whether they throw it on for a run or wear for the day to day, they’ll get plenty of wear out of it. Currently 33 percent off, this gift is a safe bet.
Pekrews Pool Cue Case, Amazon
For the mate who’s serious about their pool game, this cue case is a handy bit of kit.
Designed to keep their cues protected when they’re heading to the snooker hall, this one is a practical gift that they’ll actually use.
These AD333 Golf Balls will go down well if your mate loves to get a round of golf in.
Designed to offer plenty of distance without compromising on feel, reviews say they allow you to “get further on your shots.” Might as well pick them up for less during Big Deal Days.
Under Armour UA Undeniable 5.0 Duffle, Amazon
Is their old gym bag looking a bit tired? Give them an upgrade with this Under Armour duffle. At 42 percent off, it’s an absolute steal. The highly popular deal is currently selling fast, with only the medium sized bag left in stock. Still, it should have more than enough room for all of their gym essentials.
Fitbit Google Charge 6 Activity Tracker, Amazon
A Fitbit might have your mate constantly banging on about their step count, but if it keeps them happy then it’s probably worth it.
The Google Charge 6 allows them to keep track of all of their activity, including their heart rate, cardio fitness level, workout intensity map and more.
Even better, it’s a massive 40 percent off in the sale.
As one of the biggest sellers of day one of Prime Big Deal Days, it only makes sense to include Optimum Nutrition’s Creatine Powder.
If they’re serious about the gym and are known to take pre-workout supplements, this might help them achieve successful gains at 38 percent off.
Is Prime Big Deal Days just for Amazon Prime members?
Deals are exclusively for active Amazon Prime members, so be sure to sign up for a membership before you shop.
You can access a Prime membership on a free trial which lasts for 30 days and can be cancelled free of charge within that timeframe. After that, the membership will cost £8.99 for a month.
It seems like everyone is suddenly obsessed with creatine, a naturally occurring compound used as a sports supplement.
Gym bros vow that the dissolvable substance can help your muscles swell and get fuller; track and field specialists claim it will help enhance athletic performance by releasing glucose, which Harvard Health described as ‘one of the best sources of instant energy’.
Well, experts from the United States have concluded that it may be the case—but the results may have you reaching for the dumbbells anyways.
Sedendatry vs active adults: the creatine test
Researchers at Texas A&M University (TAMU) recently collected a 64-strong cohort of test subjects aged 45-65 to see whether the white powder could help sedentary adults pack on lean mass.
Experts have studied if you need to exercise to feel the benefits of creatine (Getty Stock Image)
The study, published in the Journal of the International Society of Sports Nutrition, detailed how 38 participants opted to work out as part of a three-day supervised training program. On non-training days, the candidates were instructed to walk at least 10,000 steps.
The remaining 26 subjects chose not to exercise for the duration of the 12-week trial.
Each participant was also instructed to take either a creatine supplement or a replacement placebo twice per day and advised to follow an American Heart Association–guided diet.
The study suggested subjects eat in a 300-500 calorie deficit while consuming around 55 percent carbs, 15 percent protein, and 30 percent fat every day.
Creatine worked with or without the gym
At the end of the study, experts found that those who remained sedentary and took creatine gained about 2.4 pounds of lean tissue, as stated by Medical News Today.
Those who worked out with creatine added around 3lbs of lean mass (Getty Stock Image)
Not only that, but they also had greater strength on bench presses and leg presses after the 12-week mark.
Naturally, those who completed the study, exercised three times per week, and walked 10,000 steps built more muscle—but not much.
The study suggested that those who took creatine and completed the exercise program gained around three pounds of lean tissue.
They, too, had greater bench and leg press strength. The participants also improved their time to exhaustion, meaning they could exericse at their highest intensity for longer.
Other benefits included losing body fat mass, reducing their body fat percentage, and ‘favourable changes’ in certain blood fats, cognitive function, and glucose control.
Experts weigh in on positive creatine study
Speaking about the surprising creatine results, lead author of the study, Richard Kreider, professor and director of the Exercise and Sport Nutrition Lab at Texas A&M, told the publication that creatine ‘increases energy in the muscle’.
“Non-exercise physical activity and functional activities may increase correspondingly. If you feel better and daily activities are less demanding, you are more apt to do physical activity.”
Be aware of creatine’s side effects (LADbible)
He added that after the study, he and his team are convinced that creatine scoops may have ‘important implications for middle-aged and older individuals seeking to reduce body fat while maintaining muscle mass and cognitive function’.
“I think this study adds useful evidence for creatine as part of a healthy aging strategy, particularly because improvements in lean mass were seen even without structured exercise,” explained Sebnem Ünlüişler, a genetic engineer and chief longevity officer at the London Regenerative Institute.
“However, the participants were middle-aged rather than elderly, the sample was relatively small, and DXA measured lean tissue rather than muscle directly.”
She added to Medical News Today that a further study with a ‘more controlled or focused approach to diet’ would be of interest.
Researchers at Texas A&M added that they would also like to explore creatine’s metabolic and cognitive impacts further.
For now, it’s something to think about during your next wellness-oriented splurge, right?
A family who spent £20,000 to move to the other side of the world and live in New Zealand say it was ‘worth it’ and they’re living in a home that reminds them of the way the UK was ‘in the nineties’.
Sean Purdy, 36, and his wife Tania, 40, had travelled around South America for nine months last year with eight-year-old son Atticus and seven-year-old daughter Aurelia.
Though they both worked while they travelled, Tania as a teacher and Sean in marketing, their life on the move wasn’t sustainable and in May they moved back to the UK.
Tania had been applying for teaching roles in New Zealand and the day after they landed back in Britain she had a job interview for one of them, a week later she was told the position was hers and the Purdy family were looking at their next big move.
They put their house up for sale but deals don’t happen quickly and they had to borrow £15,000 then get another £5,000 from family to afford the move across the world.
The family travelled around South America last year before returning to the UK, then Tania got a job offer from New Zealand (Sean Purdy / SWNS)
Last month they flew out to Katikati, Bay of Plenty, and moved into their new rented home in New Zealand with Tania teaching at a secondary school and Sean becoming a labourer to help make ends meet.
The Derbyshire man said that ‘things happened quick’ and after Tania was offered the job they mulled it over for 10 days before deciding to move to the other side of the world.
It’s still early days but they’re enjoying a better work life balance and while they’ve not really noticed things are cheaper they do like the lifestyle more, with them still spending around £1,800 a month in various costs of living.
He said: “Initially the reason we wanted to move out of the was the cost of living, but in New Zealand it’s pretty much on par with back home.
“For us, it’s the work life balance. We still work in New Zealand but everything is a bit more slower paced and not so much like the nine to five rat race the UK seems to have.”
The family flew out to New Zealand to start their new life there and they say it’s ‘just like the nineties’ (Sean Purdy / SWNS)
He said that he felt the UK was lacking in ‘culture and connectivity with big friend groups’, saying that being in New Zealand ‘reminds me of how the UK was in the nineties’ where ‘people just seem to want to help out complete strangers’.
“It threw us off a bit as our experience in the UK, people are helpful but you are more into yourself and what you need to do,” Sean said.
“The Kiwis seem to be more out of their selves and happy to help random strangers at a whim.”
Sean said that while he’d ‘never been invited to anything school wise in the UK’, three days into living in New Zealand and the family was invited to a traditional Māori greeting called mihi whakatau.
He said: “We were full on greeted and sang and got a hongi – where you put your head on their nose and do a deep breath.”
It cost them around £20,000 to move over to New Zealand, but they plan to stay there for the rest of their lives (Sean Purdy / SWNS)
Breaking down the costs of moving to New Zealand, the family had to spend £3,000 on straight to residence visas, while health checks for the family cost £800, while he and Tania had to undergo a police check which cost £300, and flights across the world cost the family £3,000.
There were ‘a bunch of other bits and bobs’ which piled on the costs, and then the family had to deal with the ‘unexpected things’ like finding a place to rent and buying a car so they could drive around once they’d migrated.
Even though they had to borrow money to afford the move the family think it’s been ‘100 percent worth it’, with beaches and mountains both within easy reach of their new home.
“The trade off at the moment is the first one to two years costs will be harder and things will be harder as we’re in a completely new country,” he said.
“It’s still a trade off of having an outdoors lifestyle, community and a bit more freedom. That’s the trade off we’re happy with.”
They’re planning on buying a house pretty soon, though they need to sort out selling their old one first (Sean Purdy / SWNS)
Their plan is to complete the sale of their house back in the UK so they can afford to get a mortgage over in New Zealand.
Sean added that since changing career he’s spoken to ‘people who were managers or doctors who took a big step down’ in their careers after the move to New Zealand and said the important thing was ‘the Kiwi experience’.
The former marketer is on £31,942.50 a year as a labourer while Tania is earning around £42,590 as a secondary school teacher, and the working day is slightly shorter in New Zealand.
They’re planning to live there for the rest of their lives, but said that since some of the younger New Zealanders leave the country ‘as they say there is not much to do’ they might move away again if they own children decide to go.
You might not have heard of Cremo, but the bestselling fragrance has earned thousands of five-star reviews online, with shoppers claiming the aftershave smells far more expensive than its price tag.
It’s ideal for autumn too, as the aftershave has been described as a ‘masculine’ scent with top notes of cardamom, tobacco and black vanilla.
And if the reviews are anything to go by, it could be just the thing to have in your bathroom cupboard as we head into the cosier months.
“I can’t even begin to count how many compliments I’ve received while wearing this cologne,” one customer raved.
“Friends, colleagues, and even strangers have approached me to inquire about the irresistible fragrance I’m wearing. It’s an instant conversation starter and leaves a lasting impression on everyone I meet.”
Another review reads, “After trying this cologne on a date with a girl, she would always lean in and hug me or get close to me and said she loves how good I smell and couldn’t get off me!”
“This is by far the most complimented and asked about cologne I have ever worn,” a third said. “No other cologne even comes close regardless of expense. Both men and women consistently ask me what I’m wearing every time I put it on.”
A third shared, “What a find… I’d never heard of the brand, so had no expectations, but I was blown away at the fragrance which is hard to define but hits all the right notes.
“I was going to use it just casually but now I’m putting aside as a preferred fragrance along with my other much more expensive colognes! Very expensive designer brands could learn a thing or two from Cremo!”
Cremo’s luxury scents and body washes are currently on offer (Cremo)
At the time of writing, there are huge discounts to be had across Cremo aftershaves and grooming products in the 2026 Amazon Big Deal Days sale here.
Whether you’ve got a big event coming up or want to impress a date, shop our top deals below.
Shop our top picks in the 2026 Amazon Big Deal Days sale below:
The perfect winter scent, Cremo’s Bourbon and Oak Eau De Toilette boasts dark notes of bourbon and oak.
One customer review reads, “Been using this brand Cremo Bourbon and Oak scent for years now. It’s been my girlfriend’s favourite since we started dating three years ago. That’s good enough for me. I do recommend it, it’s nice and clean yet has a manly wooden smell with a nice after scent as well.”
If you have been in desperate need of a new razor for a while, this is your sign.
Designed to look good on the sink, the brand’s cult razor comes with a stylish tortoiseshell handle for maximum grip and control.
Each cartridge features five durable blades, three layers of comfort coating, a coated guard bar and lubricating pools to fight razor burn, nicks and irritation.
For those finishing touches before date night, it also comes with a pull-back trimmer, which offers precise edging and shaping of facial (and nose) hair.
If you purchase an independently reviewed product or service through a link on our website, The Hollywood Reporter may receive an affiliate commission.
Nothing fails to roll off the tongue quite like Prime Big Deal Days. Regardless, Prime Day‘s clunkier sibling has a solid list of savings worth snapping up.
The 48-hour shopping holiday, kicking off Oct. 6 at 12:01 a.m. PT, is Amazon‘s second and final Prime member-exclusive savings event of the year — and for those not yet subscribed, the e-tailer offers a 30-day Prime free trial.
Even better, students and young adults ages 18 to 24 can get a six-month free trial to Amazon Prime. The plan will then auto-renew at $7.49 per month, half the price of a regular monthly Prime membership.
Amazon Prime Big Deal Days 2026 Dates
Amazon Prime Big Deal Days kicks off on Tuesday, Oct. 6 at 12:01 a.m. PT and concludes the following day, Wednesday, Oct. 7 at 11:59 p.m. PT. Amazon unveiled an assortment of early deals in the hours leading up to the event’s official start time.
Prime Big Deal Days 2026: What to Buy
As someone who’s been covering Prime Day since 2018, I have found a few key categories that consistently deliver the most significant (and timely) savings. These include:
One of our readers’ most purchased items every Prime Day.
shop early
Amazon Fire TV Stick 4K Max
Newest model.
Prime Big Deal Days 2026: What to Skip
As for the savings worth skipping, it really comes down to what’s going to see even further reductions during Black Friday and Cyber Monday. While it’s never a guarantee, we’d generally say to deprioritize TVs, laptops and other big-ticket electronics (not including Amazon-branded devices) along with major household appliances. In addition to the deeper discounts expected during the months ahead, competitor retailers (like The Home Depot and Best Buy) offer a wider selection of standout brands and models in said categories.
It’s been three years since Amber Heard disappeared from Hollywood but she’s now given a rare update on her life away from the silver screen.
The American actress was at the centre of perhaps the biggest celebrity court case in history when she accused her ex-husband Johnny Depp of multiple instances of domestic abuse and sexual assault during their relationship.
However, it would be the Pirates of the Caribbeanactor who won the legal battle, successfully suing his ex-wife of defamation in the process and claiming over $10 million in damages, after a jury found that Heard’s op-ed in the Washington Post about domestic violence contained statements that were false, defamatory, and made with malice, following the intense six-week court case in 2022.
Although it meant that Heard’s career on the screen seemed to be over, with her last, admittedly brief, appearance coming in the second Aquaman film, it seems for all intents and purposes that the 40-year-old is loving her new life in Europe.
Heard is rarely spotted by the media these days (Francisco Guerra/Europa Press via Getty Images)
She sold her California home months after Depp triumphed in the defamation trial and headed to Spain and turned her back on fame, even reportedly changing her name to Martha Jane Cannary in an attempt to cut ties with her past.
While she was already a mother to Oonah Paige, in 2025 she announced she had welcomed twins – daughter Agnes and son Ocean, and it seems that she and her three kids are living a beautiful life in the Spanish capital of Madrid.
Her Instagram posts don’t come with the same regularity as other celebrities but she does provide updates on her life, and the latest saw her complete a half-marathon in San Sebastian, following in the footsteps of nearly everyone else who is obsessed with running these days.
She’s certainly committed herself to Spanish culture as well, as she used the notoriously difficult basque language in her Instagram post, writing: “Eskerrik asko Donosti!” This translates as ‘thank you very much San Sebastian’.
Although we haven’t seen her on our TV screens in a while, Heard hasn’t lost her love of acting either, with reports suggesting that she starred as Genevieve in a theatre production of Spirit of the People, written by Jeremy O. Harris.
Considering Heard actually took home over $2 million in damages from the defamation trial of her own, despite losing, it’s unlikely that she’s going to be struggling for money and it seems as if she’s spent it wisely so far.
Perhaps more Hollywood actors will follow suit and opt for the quieter life away from the spotlight, because although we can’t judge a whole life from social media, everything we’ve seen from the Texas-born actress in the last few years suggests that she’s certainly doing something right.
When Sofia Coppola was granted access to the Château de Versailles’ hallowed halls for her 2006 film, Marie Antoinette, their collaboration was unprecedented. Though the film initially received criticism for its unconventional portrayal of the young French queen (intentionally opting for an anachronistically stylish over stuffily period-appropriate approach), 20 years later, its legacy is undeniable. This fall the anniversary is being fêted with a new documentary on the movie’s making (directed by Coppola’s late mother, Eleanor), a book featuring behind-the-scenes photographs by Andrew Durham, who also produced her first short movie, Lick the Star (1998), as well as a theatrical re-release in the United States. Now the palace itself is joining in on the fun, too.
Conceived in collaboration with Coppola and sponsored by Cartier, the Château de Versailles is staging an exhibition about the film’s fascinating origin, painstaking production and cultural impact. On view through January 24, 2027, the show is situated in the Petit Trianon, where Marie Antoinette would seek refuge from the demands of court life and spend time with her closest friends in and among its surrounding gardens. “The strength of the film is how it remains so modern; it seems as if it has been shot yesterday,” Laurent Salomé, Director of the National Museum of the Châteaux de Versailles and Trianon, told The Hollywood Reporter at the exhibition’s press preview last month. Salomé, who co-curated the exhibition with Hélène Delalex, Chief Heritage Curator in Charge of Marie Antoinette’s Apartments, believes much of the film’s timelessness and relatability stems from Coppola’s unique point of view: “Her style is to focus on facial expression and silent moments. It’s about being, suffering, and hoping.”
The Billiards Room focuses on the film’s hair and makeup
Stephanie Sporn
Delalex also praised Coppola’s interpretation of the tragic figure, who was just 14 when she arrived at Versailles and 18 when crowned queen: “As a specialist, I think Sofia Coppola’s intimate portrait of the queen is very accurate in many aspects, for example, her youthful spirit, grace, sincerity, and légèreté, meaning frivolity.” In one of the exhibition’s introductory wall texts, Coppola explains how much of her coming-of-age portrayal of the young dauphine and later queen can be owed to Antonia Fraser’s 2001 biography, Marie Antoinette: The Journey, which offered a more human, sympathetic perspective on its often misunderstood, villainized protagonist. However, the film’s candy-colored palette (derived from a box of macarons), New Romantic–heavy soundtrack, and countless contemporary winks (eagle-eyed fans will spot those lilac Converse sneakers in the exhibition) are singlehandedly Sofia.
“I didn’t think it was so far out to put modern music in that period, and [it’s] cool to see that’s totally accepted by an audience today, and also that a female point of view is accepted as something not unusual,” Coppola told THR. The director added it’s been “fun and gratifying” to see how the film’s legacy endures (even garnering a new generation of fans, including her daughters’ friends). It was also “moving” for her to return to Versailles with leads Kirsten Dunst and Jason Schwartzman on the occasion of this exhibition. “People had been hard on Kirsten when the film came out, and she felt bad that she had let me down. I always loved her performance, so it’s nice to hear people expressing that too.”
Coppola had a strong hand in realizing the Versailles exhibition. “At the beginning we had imagined a more classical scenography, but Sofia and [production designer] Scott Dougan wanted it to feel like a teenager took over,” said Delalex, calling Coppola’s working style “delicate, natural, and intuitive.” At the same time, the collaborators sought to reveal the great lengths Coppola’s team went to make the movie possible. The nearly six months of negotiating with Versailles resulted in a major logistical operation. From January to April 2005, the film was shot over 57 days, including 20 days at Versailles. As filming was only allowed on Mondays under strict restrictions, Coppola’s team reconstructed some of the château’s key interiors, such as the Queen’s Grand Chamber and the Royal Opera, in nearby châteaux, such as Millemont.
The Main Dining Room recreates the film’s lengthy feasts
Stephanie Sporn
“I hope [the exhibition] gives an impression a little of what it was like on set and the work that went into it from all the departments,” said Coppola, who provided the curators with original references, mood boards, scene sketches, annotated scripts, casting sheets, hair and makeup test photos, and more. “The curators really wanted to show the film making process, which I thought was so unusual to do at Versailles.”
The curators additionally tapped the vast collections of Marie Antoinette’s production designer, K. K. Barrett, and Supervising Art Director, Anne Seibel. “We discovered hundreds and hundreds of boxes full of memories, papers, and objects [from research binders and sketches to scale models and fabric samples] that are testimonials of the way that almost everything in this film was crafted by hand,” recalled Delalex. Even if it was only featured “for a second and a half,” no detail was overlooked in order to maintain continuity between the real and reconstructed châteaux. The exhibition also introduces audiences to the French artisans and consultants, from cabinetmakers to food historians, that brought Coppola’s decadent vision to life.
Of course, the exhibition would be incomplete without Milena Canonero’s Oscar-winning costumes and Manolo Blahnik’s dazzling heels, brought together from all corners of the world. These frothy confections, worn on mannequins bearing Dunst’s and Schwartzman’s uncanny visages, are complemented by Durham’s amusing candid film snaps, often picturing the cast’s behind-the-scenes antics, whether listening to music with headphones or taking a cigarette break.
Ultimately Delalex believes no one at Versailles could have predicted that Coppola’s film “would have such a remarkable life.”
“Its visual language continues to inspire interior design, photography, fashion, and even pastry,” said the curator, noting, perhaps, the movie’s greatest influence has been on Versailles itself. “For many people today, the Marie-Antoinette style has become synonymous with Sofia Coppola’s style — many visitors come here hoping to see the Versailles of the film. Her aesthetic is so strong, it’s like a work of art.”
In the Bedchamber, a gossamer gown reflects Marie Antoinette’s stylistic shift towards more naturalistic attire at the end of the film
Stephanie Sporn
The Movable Mirrors Boudoir features a recreation of one of the film’s most iconic scenes in which the queen is surrounded by sweets
Stephanie Sporn
The Reception Room features mannequins engaging in the popular 18th-century pastimes that fueled some of the film’s most riotous scenes
Stephanie Sporn
Several display cases are dedicated to images and sample materials used to craft the queen’s Grand Chamber, reconstructed in a nearby château to exacting detail
Stephanie Sporn
Marie Antoinette’s (Kirsten Dunst) and Louis XVI’s (Jason Schwartzman) wedding ensembles are displayed in the Chapel
