Shane Warne The Musical

If you don’t know Eddie Perfect you might look at the credits and think he is a megalomaniac, especially when you add the fact that he is also the star. The simpler, but less convenient, truth is that Perfect is the most incredibly talented Australian artist of the 21^st Century, and the Gods of creativity must have chosen for him to be born with the genuine surname Perfect. He is to the Australian Arts what Noel Coward was to Britain in the thirties…..we need to cherish that talent, and never take it for granted. Why does he do so many things? Because he can!

Shane Warne The Musical is now in a new incarnation. Yes, it’s still biting and satirical and full of the vernacular - language which may offend some. But now it is a fully fledged musical (even in concert version) that can hold its own on any stage. I’ve heard some complain that it has lost some of its viciousness and bite. Well, good! That widens the demographic and increases audience reach. What was once a peculiarly Australian alternative piece of theatre now has Main Stage presence without any real compromise, just a softer wicket. Make no mistake, the show now could go to the West End of London and run for a year or more. The Poms would adore it. And you really don’t need to know a thing about cricket.

Simon Phillips’ direction gives new strength to story and through-line and more clearly defines the book. Geoff Cobham’s lighting design is sensational and Ian Grandage’s arrangements and musical direction take the show to a whole new level.

Eddie himself gives a dazzling performance, but he also surrounds Shane with a brilliant cast, all consummate performers with great musical sensibilities. Lisa McCune (another insanely versatile performer) gives us a sympathetic if ditsy blonde Simone, a simple girl/woman who falls totally for Warnie’s charm until the last humiliating straw breaks their love. Her rendition of the simple “Is The Sun The Moon?” is as poignant as it is hilarious. She’s terrific. Shane Jacobson is marvellous as Terry Jenner and brought tears to my eyes with the touching “Pick Up Shane”. The wonderful Jolyon James as Indian John pulls out all the stops in the Bollywood style “My Name Is John” and the amazing Mike McLeish gives his best performance(s) since Keating The Musical. The rest of the cast are exemplary, and each has a number in which to shine. Then there is Christie Whelan Browne, beautiful, talented, funny…she is a triple threat whose Liz Hurley vignette and song  “It’s Love” almost steal the show.  If Eddie is Perfect, she is Flawless.

And here’s a lesson for that “other” recently opened musical. Every song, every lyric comes from character and story and advances both. There are no stand alone pop songs here…just marvellous extensions of dialogue and thought…”What An S-M- Mess I’m In” is a prime example. The show is full of witty lyrics and great melodies, all courtesy of Mr P…an integrated score to be proud of. No state of the art tech specs, no giant puppets, no huge sets or special effects; just pure unadulterated talent. This is a must see.

Coral Drouyn

Photographer: Meredith O'Shea