Warne on Stage

http://www.sport24.co.za/Content/Cricket/245/a1ddace521ca45509ada2e2bd63c09f4//Warney_the_stage_musical

Yep, and it got some good reviews as well.

I eagerly await Warne's opinion backflip (He said a while ago that he was disappointed that the show was going ahead) when he realises that it will be a hit.

Henry wrote:I eagerly await Warne's opinion backflip...

No, that was the slider.

Shane Warne gives his verdict on Warnie: The Musical

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Shane Warne

December 10, 2008 12:00am


I ALWAYS said my life was like a soap opera - and that my script-writer did a great job throughout my cricket career.
But tonight's effort was penned by Eddie Perfect, and it's the premiere of Shane Warne The Musical.
When I first heard about it, I was angry and wondered how anyone could possibly do this - surely people need permission to portray your life as a stage show. But, no, apparently they don't.
It wasn't about the fact that I can't laugh at myself, because I can. I've never taken myself too seriously, and I think that's helped me achieve in cricket and on the commercial side of life.
Off the field, some of the personal stuff was no laughing matter and had a huge impact on my family. But that is water under the bridge, and a long time ago.
So what should I do? See it or not see it?
What has Eddie based his musical on? Would it be incorrect, unauthorised biographies? Or would it be his interpretation of events over 20 years? And how would he know, anyhow?
I have mixed emotions. On one hand, not many people have a musical written about them, so in a way it's flattering.
But I kept asking myself, "What's it like?" and, "Is it full of cheap gags?" Surely they've been done to death.
Or is Eddie a fan and wants to portray my life in a fun and respectful way? What's his slant and take on the way events transpired?
As a musical, I figured there would be some poetic licence there, too - a version of my life; not necessarily the truth.
I was very concerned how he portrayed Simone - the woman whose life was most affected. Simone has endured a lot through the years, but we've moved on since then and are happy, as are our children.
Another concern was how they viewed my mother, Brigitte. I spoke to friends and at length to my manager, James Erskine, who finally persuaded me that the best way to make an informed decision - the only way, really - was to see it.
James organised for this to happen, and as I sit with him in a hotel across the road waiting to be escorted in to see the preview, I am suddenly very nervous. More edgy, even, than facing Pakistani quickie Shoaib Akhtar on a green, seaming deck, I reckon.
I had a couple of nervous VBs in quick time before the moment came.
Producer Kevin Whyte wanders across, introduces himself and tells us it's about to start.
We walk across the road, sit in the back row and watch Eddie, looking like me, welcome everyone to the musical.
Yep, weird.
But even through the opening, I can't help but chuckle at parts, and think back to the time these events happened.
It's hard to explain watching a musical and being entertained when it's your life.
One of the early scenes revolves around my old leg-spin mentor Terry Jenner, when he sat me down for a chat in Adelaide in 1992. Thought it was pretty funny stuff, though let's just say there was some poetic licence taken.
I reach the interval and think this is pretty good - and fair - but I'm getting nervous because the so-called "scandals" are about to happen. Buckle up the seatbelt, I think to myself, and count to 10.
There are a few more chuckles and the odd cringe - but not too many, I must admit. Then, it's over.
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.
Kevin comes over after the show and asks my thoughts.
To my surprise, I tell him it's pretty good. I ask Kevin to see if Eddie wants to join James and me for a snack around the corner.
Almost as soon as we sit down, Eddie joins us. After an awkward "hello" to begin with, I pick his brain for the next few hours as to how and why he wrote the musical.
It is an interesting few hours - and I'm very glad they happened. Great to chew the fat and learn what type of man Eddie is.
I think Eddie and his team have written the musical in a respectful and sympathetic way, and that they have captured my fun, larrikin side.
Eddie's smile is one of a friendly rogue, but intelligent at the same time. And it's great to learn that Eddie and his cast are going to support something very close to my heart -- the Shane Warne Foundation.
I give him my blessing and congratulate him on the way he portrayed not only me, but the people who are important to me - Simone and Mum.
I walk away feeling good and thinking that although it isn't totally accurate, it's a very funny show, extremely entertaining and with some excellent songs that have been well thought out and delivered in a fun way.
The show has a nice, warm feel. It also has passion and lots of emotion.
I think people will be entertained and ride the show with Eddie and his brilliant cast.
Enjoy it, I say. See you tonight.

Henry wrote:I eagerly await Warne's opinion backflip

by now he realized that it was the wrong un.

What did I say?

So predictable- Warney had heard it was getting good reviews, and completely changed his opinion about the whole thing.

Henry wrote:What did I say?

So predictable- Warney had heard it was getting good reviews, and completely changed his opinion about the whole thing.

trev ....he saw the dress rehearsal ....dont think he cared about the reviews ...more about this

TGM wrote:t's great to learn that Eddie and his cast are going to support something very close to my heart -- the Shane Warne Foundation.

I think it's more to do with Sandy being a bitter old queen.

I was very concerned how he portrayed Simone - the woman whose life was most affected. Simone has endured a lot through the years, but we've moved on since then and are happy, as are our children.
Another concern was how they viewed my mother, Brigitte.

Wouldn't want to be anybody who pretended to be her on an internet forum ....

So when does the Warne - The Musical hit the West End ?
Whilst not a challenger to Phantom of the Opera, the show sounds like it could make for a nice evenings entertainment.
Good to see it get his approval too.

Here's a sneak preview of the show-

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/entertainment/7771966.stm

If Warney actually penned that review, I'm a chinaman. Or at least a flipper.

If has "ghost" all over it.

The extracts they had on the radio sounded slightly horrendous. Like a school version of Mamma Mia without the class or wit.

Why couldn't they just have say eighty sets of actors serially recreating The Balls of the Century? John Presott could play one of the Gatts.