This rock opera , based on the ancient legend of Troy.was written by Jon English in conjunction with UK/Australian producer David Mackay, the late '80s, and was produced on cd in 1990.

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'Paris' is based on the Trojan War. Although poetic licence has been taken with this mythical story, but this is not unusual, as many versions have been created over the years, this version is a simple love story surrounding and including Paris's participation in the Trojan War and some other characters.

'Paris' is about the struggle to maintain some balance between passion and order, law and chaos, or if you like the head and the heart. Each character is flawed by his or her, own, imbalance between these two forces, and the resulting struggle is reflected both internally and externally. It is no surprise that a war started through greed, lust and anger, was resolved by cold cunning logic.

'Paris' also gives an opportunity to explore the darker sides of love; it's obsessive and all consuming passion regardless of the consequences.

Performers:

The Trojans
John Parr	Paris
Jon English	Hector
Sheryl Parker	Cassandra
Terence Donovan	Priam
Mariette Rups-Donnelly	Hecuba
Trevor White	Aenaes
Gareth Mortimer	Laocoen
Michael-John Hurnley	Helsman
"Paul Johnstone	Soldier
Elfed Hayes	Soldier
Steve Kidd	Soldier
Christopher Fairbanks	Opening Narration
The Greeks
Sheila Parker	Helen
Philip Quast	Patroclus
Joe Fagan	Menelaus
John Waters	Agamemnon
Harry Neilsson	Ulysses
Bernard "Doc" Neson	Achilles
Barry Humphries	JSinon
Francis Rossi	Thersites
Demis Roussos	Talthybius
David Atkins	Ajax
Angela Ayes	Handmaiden
Adrian Payne	Fisherman
Simon Burke	Diamede
Keith Kerwin	Herald
London Symphony Orchestra
London Philharmonia Choir

Musical Numbers:

Act I

Overture
Prelude
Head Without A Heart	Helen & Laocoen
Straight Ahead	Paris
What Could Go Wrong	Aenaes & Paris
Perfect Stranger	Helen & Paris
Long Time Coming	Helen
Business	Menelaus, Agamemnon, Ulysses, Patroclus, & Ajax
The Leader	Achilles
Any Fool Can See	Helen, Paris, Menelaus & Agamemnon
A Thief in the Night	Menelaus
Trust in Your Heart	Paris
Welcome Home	Various
Come Hell or High Water	Paris & Helen

Act II

No Turning Back	Hector
For Better or Worse	Helen & Paris
Ten Years On	London Symphony Orchestra
What Price A Friend	Patroclus
Love has Power	Hector
The Begger	Ulysses & Helen
Ylysses Prayer	Ulysses
A Horse With No Rider	Ulysses & Agamemnon
Inside Outside	Sinon, Thersites & Talthybius
The Balance Shifts	Various
Oh Paris	Helen & Ulysses
Finale	Various

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"Business" Click on button to hear wave.

Menelaus:

"Well gentlemen you were asked here for a matter of grave import,

I suggest we leave our differences outside my court.

We all share wealth and power, & many troops in our employ.

And I'm told we share a common enemy, known as Troy........"

Ulysses:

"Well good Menelaus, may I remind you, we are not here by choice.

But more by lies and tricks of your brother who still hides behind your voice.

But now I'm here you have my ear, but you'll remain in my debt.....

For I'm a wordly man, an intelligent man,

But I never forget........ Agamemnon??"

Agamemnon:

"Ha Ha!! I'm talking about business, Ulysses, the same thing we're all here for,

Profit, gain, call it what you will, I'm talking about the spoils of war."

Menelaus:

That's right,

It's business, Gentlemen, while we squabble amoungst ourselves we find no future,

We're being left behind in business,

That's all, Nothing but business.

Agamemnon:

That's right Menelaus - (Business) Let's wipe the slate clean,

With the greatest army the world has seen for business -

Nothing but business.

Agamemnon & Menelaus:

It's business, nothing but business, we hold the world in the palm of our hand

Unite the world into our own lands with business,

Nothing but Business.

Agamemnon:

We need a leader!

Diamede:

Well then, who shall we choose?

Patroclus:

When does this so called business begin?

Ulysses:

Gentlemen, there's always a chance we could lose!!

Menelaus:

As he's the richest, my brother Agamemnon, I nominate him as the warlord.

Patroclus:

Ah!! Blood's thicker than water.

Ajax:

I vote for Ulysses.

Ulysses:

Oh no, I'm still not sure what we are fighting for.

Agamemnon:

It's business, nothing but business, we can reach out and take the lot,

It we just strike now while the iron is hot for business, in the name of business.

Ulysses:

Well, you know I'm not one to whimper and cry

No weak-kneed pacifist an I, but there are things in life you cannot buy

Through business, only business.

Now I agree it's good that we should try to forget our quarrels and unify,

But i need a better reason to die than business, purely business.

Patroclus:

All this talk of profit, and unity, and greed,

Sounds like idle gossip, like someone's crazy dream,

This so called council of war is sadley incomplete,

You forget my friend Achilles could lay the best of you at his feet.

Agamemnon:

It's business Patroclus, there's no need to rant and Shout!

Patroclus:

Who's shouting?

Agamemnon:

If Achilles is late - he misses out, that's business, nothing but business!

Patroclus:

But was he told?!!

Menelaus:

So nominate your leader!

Diamede:

I choose Ajax

Ajax:

I vote for Patroclus

Patroclus:

I say we wait for Achilles!!

Agamemnon:

I stand for myself!

Menelaus:

Then let the dice call the trick, higest roll will decide,

Let the gods take their pick......

Down to business, gentlemen

First throw Ajax

Ajax:

Menelaus

Menelaus:

Ten

Ajax:

My Luck........ Ha Ha!!

Menelaus:

Second throw Patroclus

Patroclus:

It I must.........

Menelaus:

Three........ Unlucky,

Patroclus:

Well it's better than two!

Menelaus:

Your dice, Agamemnon.

Agamemnon:

Eleven!!!

Menelaus:

Eleven?

Agamemnon:

Eleven

Menelaus:

The gods have choosen........ So be it!!

Agamemnon:

Ha Ha Ha!! That's business, gentlemen,

The gods dont want some horn-blowing lout he's to late, Patroclus,

He misses out,

Patroclus:

We'll see,

Agamemnon:

The gods know their business,

All:

It's business, nothing but business,

Menelaus:

Fear not we'll all get our share,

Agamemnon:

So let every trojan dog beware it's business and we mean business........

All:

It's business, nothing but business,

Nothing but business, we hold the world in the palm of our hands,

Unite the world into our own lands with business,

Nothing but business,

Business, nothing but business,

We hold the world in the palm of our hands,

Unite the world into our own lands with business,

Nothing but business,

Agamemnon:

So, it's decided gentlemen, let it commence.

"What Price a Friend" Click on button to hear wave.

Patroclus:

"Agememnon, You divide us all, with your bitching and brooding,

You fest on power and fortune, and seem to relish petty feuding,

Menelaus, I indulge your grief, your dignity and your pain,

Yet in your grieving bitterness, has your vengeance kost its aim.

What price a friend? What Price a friend?

(Patroclus is pacing around collecting pieces of Achilles armour)

Oh Achilles, the blood stained killer,

With your strength comes your wounded pride,

Well I know your dacade, for I have heard,

The child that weeps inside,

Am I a part of you? Are you a part of me?

My sometimes father, my sometimes son,

Your word is my bond to the end,

What price a friend? what price a friend?

Well it's this price my friend..........."

(Patroclus puts on Achilles armour and rallies the greeks and spearheads the Trojans back towards Troy. He comes face to face with Hector and do battle.)

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