Poor Boy

Tim Finn has always excelled at mournful songs that make the hairs on the back of the neck stand up. Now the antipodean rock'n'roll great lends immortal ballads such as 'I Hope I Never', 'In a Minor Key' and 'Poor Boy' to a new supernatural-themed play written with Matt Cameron.

Poor Boy is about two families whose fates collide through an inexplicable occurrence. The Priors have never been able to move on from the death of eldest son Danny (Matthew Newton) seven years ago. Danny's young widow Clare (Abi Tucker) has not left her dead husband's family home since the day they returned from the funeral. Across town, another family prepares to celebrate the birthday of their seven-year-old son when he suddenly announces that he is in fact the dead, adult Danny.

Finn's songs are sung live by the cast and accompanied by a five-piece onstage band. The music is integral to the show as the lyrics take on different interpretations and contexts. The play is directed by Melbourne Theatre Company's artistic director, Simon Phillips (Priscilla Queen of the Desert The Musical, The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee).
 
Tim Finn has been acclaimed as a singer and songwriter for three decades both as a solo artist and with bands including as leader of the legendary 1970s group Split Enz, briefly with Crowded House and with younger brother Neil Finn as the Finn Brothers.