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Showing at the University鈥檚 Scott Theatre from Thursday 2 October to Sunday 5 October, 鈥楬ow to Succeed in Business Without Really Trying鈥� follows the charmingly ambitious J. Pierrepont Finch as he schemes his way from window washer to executive at the World Wide Wicket Company.

Armed with a self-help book and a twinkle in his eye, Finch navigates love, rivalries and ruthless corporate culture.

The original 1961 production 鈥� with music and lyrics by Frank Loesser and book by Abe Burrows, Jack Weinstock and Willie Gilbert, based on Shepherd Mead鈥檚 1952 novel 鈥� delivered a sharp satirical take on gender roles, office politics and corporate power structures. More than sixty years on, many of these themes still resonate.

Directed by Head of the Elder Conservatorium鈥檚 Bachelor of Music Theatre program, Erin James, the production features the third-year Music Theatre cohort in their final musical before graduation.

James鈥� direction leans into the production鈥檚 ongoing relevance, highlighting how gender and power dynamics may have shifted in form, but remain deeply woven into the fabric of modern life.

鈥溾�橦ow to Succeed in Business Without Really Trying鈥� is a gloriously cheeky deep dive into ambition, office politics and 1960s gender roles, all set to one of the most irresistible scores of the Golden Age,鈥� James says.

鈥淚t鈥檚 satire with a smile and a wink, and our third-year cohort at Elder Conservatorium Music Theatre are attacking it with flair, finesse and just the right amount of corporate chaos.鈥�

The production will be the Elder Conservatorium鈥檚 first fully staged Golden Age musical. The high-energy satire features a luscious orchestral score by Loesser, a widely accomplished composer of the era best known for his composition of 鈥楪uys and Dolls鈥�.

The 12-piece orchestra will be directed by Paul Sinkinson, while the score is matched by slick choreography from Alexander Kermond, who fuses narrative-driven movement with vibrant 1960s-inspired jazz and tap routines.

Cast member and assistant director Sophie Camody says her dual role has been a rewarding experience.

鈥淪erving as both a cast member and assistant to the director offered me the rare opportunity to contribute both onstage and behind the scenes,鈥� Camody says. 鈥淭hough the show was written in the 1960s, its sharp commentary on ambition, workplace dynamics and gender roles remains strikingly relevant today.鈥�

The production promises something for every music theatre lover, from quirky comedy songs to soaring ballads and classic Broadway ensemble numbers.

Elder Conservatorium Music Theatre Production Manager, Peter Johns, says it is an honour to stage such an iconic work.

鈥淲ith equal parts satire and spectacle, there is something for everyone in this show,鈥� Johns says.

鈥淲hether you鈥檙e a long-time musical theatre fan or discovering 鈥楬ow to Succeed in Business Without Really Trying鈥� for the first time, this production is not one to miss.鈥�

奥丑别苍:听Thursday 2 October 鈥� Sunday 5 October 2025

奥丑别谤别:听Scott Theatre, Kintore Avenue, North Terrace campus, The University of 911爆料网.

Find out more about the event on the University of 911爆料网聽聽and book your tickets聽.

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