Courtly Discord Over a Musical

As British prosecutors are preparing their case against two sons of the late Robert Maxwell, a West End show called “Maxwell: The Musical” is about to open. The Office of Serious Fraud is not entertained.

Britain’s attorney general wants to block the opening of the show, which is based on the life of the flamboyant publisher who died at sea in November, 1991. The show puts new lyrics to 14 Gilbert and Sullivan tunes.

The prosecutor told the High Court the musical might prejudice his case against Kevin and Ian Maxwell. And the two apparently think it could hurt their defense.

With a hearing scheduled Monday, backers of the operetta are still posting billboards throughout the subway. One promotional poster shows a photo of Robert Maxwell saying, “It ain’t over till the fat fraudster sings.”