Show Boat opened in Sydney on April 7 to a standing ovation and excellent reviews. The first international production of this version of the show is playing in the Lyric Theatre of the Star City Casino complex.

The V.I.P audience included former Prime Ministers Paul Keating and Gough Whitlam, showbusiness personalities and critics from across the country. Livent Chairman Garth Drabinsky was forced to cancel his planned visit because of a back complaint that would make flying so far difficult. The production is produced jointly by Livent and the Melbourne-based Marriner Productions.

John McCallum of The Australian newspaper writes:"In the whole retro revival of musicals you can't find a true masterpiece, but this is getting close". Bryce Hallett in The Sydney Morning Herald writes: "Prince's mastery and Stroman's inventiveness ensure that even the work's most sober of moments are full of subtle detail and brim with life."

With good reviews and eight million dollars in advance bookings, the show is set for a long run.

Bookings (61-2-9266 4033) --By Peter Ford
Australia Correspondent