They call it Xanadu

Xanadu The Musical made its debut at the purpose-built ‘Grand Xanadu Marquee’ at Docklands last week, with a star-studded opening including the presence of Olivia Newton-John herself.

The roller-skating musical even managed to get Newton-John on

stage during the curtain call for a duet of the famous title song with standout lead performer, Christie Whelan. Christopher Ashley, the US director behind the surprise Broadway hit, also directed the Australian production and Kelley Abbey headed up the choreography.

Almost more a spoof of the original film than a direct adaptation, Xanadu follows the journey of Greek muse Kira, who descends from Mt Olympus to Venice Beach, California, in 1980 on a quest to inspire a struggling artist to achieve the creation of a roller disco.

The music contains much of the original hit film score composed by the Electric Light Orchestra’s Jeff Lynne and John Farrar, who was also responsible for most of the hits Newton-John performed in the 1970s.

The show will now play for a limited season in Melbourne, before moving on to Sydney, Brisbane and then all other states and territories in 2011 and 2012.

info: For bookings, visit www.xanaduthemusical.com.au