Aussie showbiz jack of all trades Eddie Perfect is bringing a touch of French class, philosophical enlightenment and Leonard Bernstein's musical genius to the Opera House.
Based on Voltaire's 18th century satirical novella, Candide, the lavish production follow the young impressionable lad who goes by the same name hungry for knowledge from his tutor Dr Pangloss and craving love from Cunegonde.
He embarks on adventures from Venice to Paris and Lisbon to Buenos Aires where survives earthquakes, his mentor catching syphilis and his lover sold into slavery.
His itinerant wanderings push him to conclude no matter the trials or tribulations, life is still worth living in an inhospitable, catastrophic world.
Perfect, most notably known for his endearing musical of cricketing legend Shane Warne, lends his talent and humour to the roles of both Dr Pangloss and narrator Voltaire in Bernstein's re-imagining which he wrote nearly 70 years ago.
Originally a box office disaster when it hit Broadway its international run has turned around its fortunes.
With colourful costumes, big hair, historical sets, the fast-paced and funny stage production blends operetta and Broadway in a rollicking romp that is set to get audiences laughing and singing along.
Candide opens on Thursday at the Sydney Opera House.
