HIS life has had more twists and sub-plots than many a stage show.

If it was not a sex scandal, it is has been a drug ban or his record-breaking achievements on the pitch that have kept Hampshire cricket captain Shane Warne firmly in the public eye.

Now his amazing life is set to make him a theatrical star.

Shane Warne The Musical premieres tomorrow at the Dunstan Playhouse, as part of the Adelaide Cabaret Festival, in South Australia.

The show has been written by comedian and composer Eddie Perfect, noted for his satirical lyrics. He is from Melbourne, Victoria, Warne's home city.

Eddie, who confesses he is not a cricket or a musical fan, developed the concept with Sydney actor and playwright Toby Schmitz.

Eddie said: "I came up with the idea while touring a show in Australia. In each new city, newspaper headlines screamed the latest Warne escapade.

"As a joke, I mentioned to my manager that Warne's life would make an epic piece of opera. Being a massive Warne fan, he told me the idea had merit.

"It only took a little research to turn me around and realise Warne's life is epic, that it's the free-flowing result of a prodigious talent and incredible determination."

Shane Warne The Musical will feature well-known incidents from the controversial cricketer's career including the Aussie legend's fondness for sending sexy text messages.

The 90-minute show will cost theatre-goers at the 620 seat auditorium the equivalent of about £12 a ticket.

When Eddie began writing the script last year, he didn't notify Warne of his plans, and it's anyone's guess what Test cricket's greatest wicket-taker will make of the production.

Eddie said: "The musical is about the issues of success and failure, the pressure of public scrutiny, over-indulgence, being an Australian male and the heartbreak that comes with falling short of getting everything one wants.

"I'm really drawn to the Warne story because I identify with him.

"Most people would probably be horrified to think they identify with someone who is so morally ambiguous but if I didn't have massive respect for him the piece wouldn't work."

Eddie insists he had no intention of embarrassing Warne.

He said: "I would love him to see the show, tough as that would be, and have a good laugh."