Hilarious Battle of Cons Live on Stage

Words Di Von Essen

Dirty Rotten Scoundrels (The Musical), based on the 1988 film of the same name, starring Michael Caine and Steve Martin, is set to be brought to life by the Metropolitan Players next month in an extended run (12 to 22 July) at St Philip's Christian College Theatre in Waratah.

With music and lyrics written by David Yazbek based on the book by Jeffrey Lane, the show opened on Broadway in March 2005 and received 10 Tony Award Nominations. The original West End production opened at the Savoy Theatre in March 2014, and the Australian show opened in 2013 to rave reviews, dubbed "best musical to hit Sydney this century" by the Sydney Morning Herald.

It's a challenge that local production company Metropolitan Players are happy to take on, and with over 45 years in the industry and successfully staging smash hits like Shrek in 2022 and Priscilla Queen of the Desert in 2021; they're sure to knock it out of the park. This dedicated group of volunteers has developed a reputation for staging musicals of a very high standard.

Dirty Rotten Scoundrels tells the story of two con men, a beautiful woman and the elite of the French Riviera, as they collide in this sexy and irreverent farce. Lawrence Jameson makes his lavish living by talking wealthy ladies out of their money. Freddy Benson more humbly swindles women by waking their compassion with fabricated stories about his grandmother's failing health. After meeting on a train, they attempt to work together, only to find that this small French town isn't big enough for the two of them. Finally, they agree on a settlement: the first one to extract $50,000 from a young female target, heiress Christine Colgate, wins, and the other must leave town. A hilarious battle of cons ensues that will keep audiences laughing, humming to the brilliant music, and guessing to the end!

WHEN: 12 to 22 July (matinee performances 1pm and evening performances 7pm)

WHERE: St Philip's Christian College Theatre –Cnr Station St and Harriot St, Waratah

TIX: For more information and tickets, visit https://spcc.sales.ticketsearch.com/sales