THE LEGEND OF KING O'MALLEY Plays at La Mama Theatre, Now thru 20 April

From Phil Rouse and the team at Don't Look Away comes 'The Legend of King O'Malley', one of Australia's greatest stories flush with modern day rivals, gaudy cultural references, pictures from 20th century cinema, and the err...opinions of those outside this sunburnt country of our Australian politics - all presented to you through musical theatre.

Don't Look Away are a company dedicated to mounting invigorating, imaginative and exploratory reactions to classic Australian plays and 'The Legend of King O'Malley' is a fine example of the way they resuscitate quality Australian theatre with their full palette of performance colours.

Once upon a time, there was a Texan with the unlikely name King. King sold his soul to the devil, ended up shipwrecked and stranded on a desolate desert Island: Australia. He walked from Rockhampton to Adelaide, opposing charlatanism, conscription, alcohol, and even Death itself.

King O'Malley wrote his own way into the pages of Australian history. (Kind of) based on a (mostly) true story, 'The Legend of King O'Malley' is a wild romp of epic storytelling and melodrama.

Plunge into the plight of King O'Malley at La Mama Theatre during the Melbourne International Comedy Festival to hear a story so grand it couldn't possibly be the whole truth.

Director - Phil Rouse; Producer - Amber Hart; Musical Director - Tom Pitts; Lighting Designer - Sian James-Holland; Designers - Daniel Harvey and Zoe Rouse; Cast - James Cook, Alex Duncan, Matt Hickey, Tara Rankine, Oliver Coleman, Brianagh Curren, Jess Tanner, Andrew Iles.

The Legend of King O'Malley plays Wednesdays-Sundays, April 9-20, at La Mama Theatre (La Mama Courthouse 349 Drummond Street Carlton). Showtimes: Thurs, Fri & Sat 7:30pm, Wed & Sun 6:30pm. Tickets are $25 (full) or $15 (concession) and can be booked up until 4pm on the day of the performance or at the door. For information and tickets go to http://lamama.com.au/summer-2014/the-legend-of-king-omalley/ or call 03 9347 6142.