Madfabulous – The Extraordinary Life of Henry Paget, the ‘Dancing Marquess’
Published on 14 Oct 2024 by Amy GreenwoodA new film depicting the extraordinary life of the 5th Marquess of Anglesey, Henry Cyril Paget, has recently been shot at various locations across North Wales. Madfabulous is a ‘fantastical reimagining’ of the life of this exuberant aristocrat, who was known for his extravagant lifestyle and eccentric behaviour.
In 1898, at the age of 21, Paget inherited his title, a vast fortune, and several family estates which generated the equivalent of approx 15 million a year. He moved to Plas Newydd on Anglesey, where he lived a lavish lifestyle, hosting extravagant parties and spending his fortune on jewellery and entertaining. Described as ‘ahead of his time’ Paget has been compared to icons like Freddie Mercury and Ziggy Stardust. He had passion for performing, and converted Plas Newydd’s chapel into the ‘The Gaiety’ theatre, where he staged variety performances and plays in which he took leading roles.
Dubbed the ‘Dancing Marquess’, Paget was famous for his opulent lifestyle, flamboyant fashions, and eccentric performances, including his ‘Butterfly Dancing’, which he performed in a voluminous outfit made of transparent silk to resemble butterfly wings.
While his controversial lifestyle raised eyebrows within the aristocracy, Paget was much loved by the local community. However by 1904, just six years after inheriting his title and estates, he had squandered the family fortune and amassed debts of approximately 70 million in today’s money. He was declared bankrupt and died impoverished the following year, at just 29.
Though his life was tragically short, Henry Cyril Paget is remembered as a social rebel who defied convention and lived entirely on his own terms. Madfabulous aims to capture his larger-than-life persona, reimagining the Marquess’s extraordinary story. Welsh actor Callum Scott Howells, known for Channel 4’s It’s a Sin, stars as Lord Paget, with Bridgerton’s Ruby Stokes portraying Paget’s cousin, and later wife, Lillian Chetwynd. The cast also includes Rupert Everett, Louis Hynes, Siobhán McSweeney and Paul Rhys.

Filming began earlier this year on Anglesey, with recent scenes shot in Pwllheli, Caernarfon, and the Glynllifon estate. While most filming locations are closed to the public, scenes shot in Pwllheli gave passersby a glimpse of the production, with Market Square transformed into a bustling Victorian street, complete with a hardware store, a tailor’s, greengrocers, and even a flower cart and milk stall.
Plas Newydd, which Paget whimsically renamed ‘Anglesey Castle’, is now in the care of the National Trust. Visitors can explore the house and grounds, and learn more about the fascinating life of the ‘Dancing Marquess.’