AN EXCITING new musical, fresh from the pen of Artemis Fowl author Eoin Colfer, is set to have its world premiere in Wexford Opera House in May.

'The Lords of Love' is the title of the newly written musical, which is a collaborative work between Eoin and co-composers, Cyril Murphy and Liam Bates.

The musical, which has just been completed, will be viewed by top London producers during it's four night run in Wexford, with the hope that it will transfer to Edinburgh, London or further afield.

The show tells the tale of two showband legends who were 'big in the sixties' and reunite for a one night comeback performance.

Laden with witticisms - a trademark of Colfer's writing style - the show examines the back stories of the two crooners, whose careers ended over a woman.

Creating one of the lead roles for the show, that of Tony Rocksborough, is Wexford's own Tony Carty, while Waterford performer, Andrew Holden plays the part of Jack Raymond. The cast is completed by Gorey singer and actress Aileen Mythen.

This is the second collaborative work between Colfer, Murphy and Bates, their previous musical being an epic Irish legend tale called 'Balor'.

While a concept album for 'Balor' was created the show never got off the ground, mainly due to cost of a large scale production.

'We wrote 'Balor' about five years ago, and things were looking good for it for a while. But it was far too expensive to stage. We were talking $20 million. It has a cast of fifty. And then the Pirate Queen came along, and any niche for an Irish Legend Musical was filled,' said Eoin.

This new offering however is on the opposite end of the spectrum in terms of production costs.

'It's got one set, a cast of three, a small band. You could pack up the whole show into a minibus,' said Eoin.

This approach will greatly appeal to potential West End producers, as musicals are currently trending towards smaller scale, cheaply staged, productions.

This has been a busy 12 months for the Artemis author who not only wrote another sequel for his childrens book, but also penned a new instalment of the late Douglas Adams Hitchhikers Guide to the Galaxy.

'I wrote Hitchhikers and I had to do another Artemis book. Writing the musical was like my time off. I couldn't wait to get the other books finished so I could work on it. It wasn't something I was doing for money. If I wanted money I'd just write another Artemis book,' he said But getting his work living and breathing on stage is what Eoin desires.

'I started out in the theatre, and I have wanted for a long time to get back into it,' he said. He's already done a one man show in the West End last year, now he hopes that 'Lords of Love' will take will successfully transfer to Edinburgh or London. 'If it's any good it might get a little life,' said Eoin.

For the performers, who have just embarked on rehearsals for the show, it's also an exciting endeavour.

They will get to create the roles, and make their own mark on the characters.

'It's exciting stuff. It's great to be part of the creation process. You get to make the role. You're not copying something you've seen someone else do before,' said Tony Carty.

Describing the script as 'very funny, very sharp', Tony and his fellow actor Andrew Holden will be on stage for the duration of the show and will sing over 20 numbers, written by Cyril Murphy and Liam Bates.

'Myself and Liam and Cyril are very close friends, and this musical was a perfect vehicle for us. There are some serious songs, but some very funny ones too. The songs really suit their personalities,' said Eoin.

'The Lords of Love' will be staged in the Jerome Hynes Theatre of Wexford Opera House from Tuesday May 25, to

- Anne Marie O'CONNOR