The musical traces the rise to fame of Tilly Devine from London prostitute at the end of World War I to reigning “Bordello Queen” of Sydney’s underground, during the Depression and World War II. Tilly at her fiftieth birthday party, once again the centre of scandalous headlines, looks back to her “rise to infamy”, the two great loves of her life, Digger Devine and Mike, her outrageous history and her remarkable ability to survive.
This energetic, colourful, gutsy, risque romp is also the poignant and human story of this woman’s battle to “keep her head above water” and to hold on to some semblance of love and life. She turns every opportunity to her advantage. Her methods are unorthodox. Her manner is brash. She is the “rough diamond” the newspapers call “THE QUEEN OF CRIME” – She is Tilly Devine.
Cast Requirements: Tilly, Young Tilly, Digger, Mike, Charlie, Tools, Bandages, Dulcie, Gloria, Melba, Flo & Chorus (Policemen, reporters, socialites, life-savers, prostitutes, recruiting officer, Salvos etc).
Set Requirements: Sydney Street, London Street, London Pub, Sydney Pub, Bondi Beach, Tilly's House, Tilly's Darlinghurst Brothel.
Time frame from London 1918 - Sydney in the 1930's and 1950's.
Genre / Style: Australian Musical Drama
Rehearsal / Orchestral Material: Intrumentation: Piano, Bass, Trumpets I&II, Trombone I&II, Alto Sax, Tenor Sax, Drums, Percussion, Timpani and piano conductor's score.
Musical Numbers: Front Page News, Something'll Turn Up, This Time It's Gonna Be Different, Blue Sky, Sharing The Load, The First Time In My Life.