The portrayal of Ava Gardner’s story in this performance is a pivotal example of how women are far more interesting than just being partners and wives to the men they are associated with; despite how society views them. Gaby Dellal’s and Elizabeth McGovern’s adaptation of this story stays true to the key points of Peter Evans’ 2013 novel: ‘Ava Gardner, The Secret Conversations’. Both the original novel and the newly written play expose the reality behind the glamour and success, conflicts within marriage, and the lack of consistency between male and female actors within the film industry. After all, Ava herself says ‘Men would win awards for the life that I live.’
This powerful one-act play delivers an in-depth exploration of a fading star of Hollywood’s golden age. From the safety of her London home in the 1980s, Ava Gardner hires journalist Peter Evans to write her biography in order to bring her a greater income. While Evan’s is set on his idea to create a classic ‘rags to riches’ novel, Ava is determined to tell her story in her own way; not to be skewed by the way the film industry has shaped her to be since she was 18 years of age. Ava then exploits the reality of her marriages with her three ex-husbands: Mickey Rooney, Artie Shaw and Frank Sinatra.
