Australia prides itself on presenting theatre and operas in the many parks and gardens around the country, such as the Opera Australia Parks Concert in Melbourne, in the Royal Botanic Gardens where The Wind in the Willows and Twelfth Night have been running successfully for years. Also we have seen Dame Kiri Ti Kanawa at Mitchellton Vineyard.

Werribee Park, just 30 minutes from Melbourne's Central Business District, is the latest outdoor venue for the concert version of My Fair Lady.

The 19th century mansion and grounds of Werribee Park provide the ideal setting for the Lerner and Loewe musical. Leading the players are two of Australia's best known singers, Anthony Warlow and Suzanne Johnston. They are joined by Joan Sidney, Sheila Bradley, David Ravenswood and Ron Haddrick with a chorus of twenty and a 36 piece orchestra. This special concert will include an extended interval of 75 minutes, in which patrons are invited to partake of corporate hospitality in marquees, where they can enjoy gourmet hampers or sample food and wine. The evening will serve as the prelude to an annual festival to be held at Werribee Park, featuring a series of concerts starring Australian and international stars.

The gates open at 4 PM. February 27, and the performance commences at 7.30 PM. Limited Reserve Seating and Picnic Area tickets available. Picnic hampers may be ordered when purchasing tickets. Corporate hospitality includes pre-performance cocktails, and silver service dinner during interval in a marquee situated on the Mansion grounds, with premium seating and car park.

Bookings: Ticketmaster 11 566 Corporate Hospitality Inquiries phone International Management Group. International Booking Number 61 3 9639 2333 or 61 2 9261 1777. In Australia call (03) 9639 2333 or (02) 9261 1777.

--By Peter Kemp
Australia Correspondent