Ben Elton is putting the final touches to preparations for the announcement of his latest musical project. As the genius behind the musical version of The Brotherhood of Man's life story which he cleverly entitled “Save Figaro’s Kisses For Me”, and which is the current rage of West End, Ben has exclusively revealed to us details of his next project that will be a musical based on the name of ex-Eastenders star Tracey Ann Oberman.
During a lengthy lunch meeting with him at The Ivy, Ben revealed “My inspiration comes from everything that is around me. When I first saw the name “Tracy Ann Oberman” I knew I just had to write a musical about it. I should make it clear however that this musical will be about the name only and will not be about Ms Oberman herself, or any of the characters she has played.”
When pressed for further details Ben was reluctant to give to much away but confided that “This is the biggie. I have had meetings with the foremost theatres in both the West End and Broadway, and to a man, they have all said it is the most exciting project that has been put to them in many years. I have also already signed a multi million dollar movie deal for the film version that will be shot as a trilogy. Most excitingly of all, I have got onboard two of the most influential and progressive songwriters in modern musical history to write the musical score - Sting and Phil Collins”.
Ben Elton begins to reluctantly accept that he is undoubtedly a bona fide genius.
The musical itself will be previewed in July 2007 simultaneously in London and New York, and on advance ticket sales alone, it is completely sold out until February 2008.
When pressed on what the actress Ms Oberman thought of her name being the inspiration for a potential worldwide smash he added “I haven’t thought about it actually, perhaps someone should ask her. I think as long as she has faith in me to do something brilliant with it then I’m sure she will be pleased. Actually my lawyers tell me that due to copyright laws she will no longer have any legal rights to use her name, and she will have to change it by deed poll or face a lawsuit from my holding company.” Ben beams up at me “But hey that’s showbiz, and I’m sure she’ll agree that losing the right to use the name she has had from birth is a price worth paying”.
Tracy's first attempt at pronouncing her new name "Phenanjgejha Kzunotumch". This name was provided to her by Elton's legal team who deemed it sufficiently far enough away from her original name (now owned by The Ben Elton Corporation) as to not constitute a breach of copyright.
Ben is at pains to let us know he hasn’t finished yet. “I’m currently writing a serious stage play - a classical love story based around the themes of the duality of Love and Regret, and Passion and Hatred. The play is wholly based on the typeface font - Poster Bodoni and is set exclusively on a computer keyboard. Musically it is shaping up to be equally exciting as it will feature re-workings of classic songs by both Yazz and the Plastic Population, and The Reynolds Girls.”
“I am in discussion with many of the biggest names in showbiz, and I can let you know at this stage both Mickey Rourke and Dame Judi Dench have agreed to play the respective parts of Sans Script and Italicise.”
WINDYPOPS SAYS: Ben Elton really is a bona fide genius!