You're having a laugh
Visitors to Melbourne can now enjoy an unlikely show in which the life of the notorious Aussie star is set to music in Shane Warne: The Musical...
Like him or loathe him, one has to admit that Aussie cricketer, Shane Warne,
has led an eventful life, now epitomised through the unlikely medium of song
and dance!
Described as "A new breed of Aussie music theatre that smokes, drink, carries a
few extra kilos and still brings home the Ashes" - just like Mr. Warne himself
- Shane Warne: The Musical has just opened in the Athenaeum theatre, Melbourne -
where it promises to lure sports fans to the theatre and initiate theatre buffs
into the lifestyle of the sporting star people love to hate.
It has been surprisingly successful, meeting with excellent reviews from
hitherto dubious critics, 'bowled over' by the show.
The show's author and star Eddie Perfect never met Warne while writing the
musical, but says that during two years spent researching his life, he grew to
like the man.
"I wasn't interested in spending my time slating a public figure and as I
went through the research I found I liked him a lot," Perfect told AAP.
"We're all human and we all make mistakes and if you take judgment out of
it, I think it's been a wonderful life."
Recently the reluctant sportsman, who at first voiced his disapproval of the show, was persuaded into a packed premiere audience. Luckily, the spin bowler saw the funny side.
"There are a few more chuckles and the odd cringe - but
not too many, I must admit. Then it's over," Warne explained afterwards.
"My life in two hours has just flashed before my eyes. Again I felt weird
but, in a strange way, proud of what I'd just witnessed. Enjoy it, I say."
The musical traces Warne's life from his humble beginnings as mullet-headed St
Kilda fan, to his meeting with wife Simone when she was a promotional girl for
a beer company, through to the ball of the century that befuddled Mike Gatting
in the 1993 Ashes and onto the SMS escapades that got the star into so much hot
water.
Whether he's lazing on a bean bag, texting at the supermarket or dancing with a giant cigarette, star and composer/lyricist Eddie Perfect is perfect as the bleached-blonde, gelled-up Warne.
Shane
Warne The Musical will play out its innings in Melbourne
before hitting the road and heading for Perth
and Sydney.
Brits heading to Australian can catch the show, playing from the 4th
to 21st December, at Melbourne's Athenaeum.
For further dates see www.shanewarnethemusical.com.au.
Source: www.thewest.com and The
Independent