Interview: Eddie Perfect

Emma McGowan talks to Eddie Perfect, the composer of the shiny new musical about our very own spin-bowling blond bombshell.

Editorial Review

CitySearch (CS): What on earth inspired you to write a musical about Shane Warne?

Eddie Perfect (EP): I was on tour around Australia with Max Gillies and every city I went to there was a new story on Shane. I mentioned it jokingly to my manager and he thought I should research it seriously.

CS: You normally write politically - what interested you in this change of direction?

EP: Everyone has some kind of opinion about Shane and I was like, "Where does that come from?" He keeps re-creating career triumphs against all odds and I think people are really inspired by that, but it's kind of countered by his tumultuous life off the field. I just thought this is really fertile ground for a musical, not just about an Australian sportsman but about Australia's obsession with sport and celebrities.

CS: Does Warne know anything about the musical?

EP: He knows about it... I think he's unsure what kind of a spin (for want of a better word) we're going to put on it. We're certainly not making the show for Shane Warne but I'd be disappointed if he didn't like it. My goal in writing it was to try and get past the sensationalist tabloid headlines and find out what it is that makes this guy tick.

Shane Warne the musical opens in Melbourne on 10 December 2008.

Emma McGowan