Nineties gender-politics thriller Indecent Proposal gets a modern #MeToo makeover in a brand-new British musical – with book and lyrics by Michael Conley, music by Dylan Schlosberg – at London’s Southwark Playhouse in June.

“Everyone has their price, Jonny. I think a million dollars is yours”

Atlantic City. 1988: Jonny and Rebecca are very much in love and very much in debt. He’s a struggling singer-songwriter (who spends most of his time playing backup for Annie, a singer at the Oasis Casino Hotel Resort) she works part-time at the casino and for a local charity. They struggle to make ends meet but they’re happy and that’s enough. Or is it?

When wealthy stranger Larry Harris arrives in town and offers Rebecca a million dollars to spend a night with him, will the lure of money outweigh the promise of fidelity? Will Rebecca accept Larry’s indecent proposal? Will her marriage survive if she doesn’t? Will Jonny stick around if she does?

Based on Jack Engelhard’s 1988 novel, which sparked a worldwide debate when it was made into the hit 1993 film starring Robert Redford, Demi Moore and Woody Harrelson, Indecent Proposal is a chamber musical with a dynamic and fast-paced narrative and a moving and exciting score.

While staying true to book’s setting of Atlantic City in the 1980s, it reimagines the work through the lens of the current, post #MeToo social and political climate, allowing audiences to consider what they would do in a similar situation, while they watch this couple grapple with the fallout from a stranger’s proposition.

This musical brings a story to the stage that, over 30 years after the book was published, is still painfully relevant. Speaking of the piece and its exploration of power, fidelity, gender politics and a woman’s sexual autonomy, director Charlotte Westenra says:

“I am so excited to share this beautiful, important story that is of its time but also painfully relevant today. Like in the show, people with influence still use it to take more than we’re sometimes willing to give. The fact that it happens all the time doesn’t make it right, even if you agree to give it. We can’t wait for audiences to come and contribute to the conversation and ask themselves what they would do if they were to receive an indecent proposal.”

Following the 7.30pm performance on Monday 15 June 2020, I’ll talk to cast and creatives about the 21st-century perspective on Indecent Proposal and its themes. Any questions? Join us!