Dirty Rotten Scoundrels make a song and dance

One of the most iconic movie comedies of the 1980s will be brought to life on stage by the Hills Musical Company next month

Rod Schultz, Megan Davidson and Sebastian Cooper in the Hills Musical Company production of Dirty Rotten Scoundrels. Picture: Daniel Salmond

Suave swindling and sophisticated scandal from one of the most iconic movie comedies of the 1980s, Dirty Rotten Scoundrels, will be brought to life on stage in an all-singing, all-dancing production by the Hills Musical Company next month.

The 1988 film – which starred Steve Martin and Michael Caine as two conmen competing to steal an heiress’s fortune – has actually had many different incarnations, including this 2005 Broadway musical adaptation.

It was first made as the 1964 film Bedtime Story, starring Marlon Brando and David Niven. The screenplay by Stanley Shapiro and Paul Henning was then rewritten for Dirty Rotten Scoundrels and again for another screen remake as The Hustle, starring Anne Hathaway and Australia’s Rebel Wilson, in 2019.

Hills Musical Company director Michael Butler says the number of remakes is testament to the story’s timeless appeal.

“This is a sexy and irreverent farce, an opportunity for audiences to escape to the frothy

French Riviera for high jinks and hilarity,” Butler says.

“In classic Broadway musical style, Dirty Rotten Scoundrels is sophisticated and suave with a good dash of mischief.”

Hills Musical Company production of Dirty Rotten Scoundrels. Rod Schultz (as Laurence), Megan Davidson (Christine) and Sebastian Cooper (Freddy). Picture: Daniel Salmond, supplied,

Rod Schultz will play British con artist Lawrence Jameson and Sebastian Cooper his American competitor Freddy Benson, with Megan Davidson as their intended victim, soap heiress Christine Colgate.

“The cast features some of Adelaide’s most dedicated and talented performers, with sharp comedic timing,” Butler says.

“Audiences will be kept laughing, humming and guessing to the very end.”

The stage version adheres most closely to the 1988 film, with a jazzy score by David Yazbek (of The Full Monty acclaim) and book by Jeffrey Lane. It received 11 Tony Awards nominations – although its only win was for Leading Actor in a Musical (Norbert Leo Butz, who was nominated alongside co-star John Lithgow).

The Hills production’s musical director Ben Stefanoff says Yazbek’s score has all the hallmarks of a Broadway classic and will be performed a 14-piece live orchestra.

“Whilst the musical adaptation of Dirty Rotten Scoundrels is relatively new, its score pays homage to the composers of the golden age musicals,” Stefanoff says

“The lyrics are witty and funny, whilst the orchestrations are lush and full.”

Dirty Rotten Scoundrels, Stirling Community Theatre, May 6-21.

Book at hillsmusical.org.au/DRS