MUSE reveals the inspiration for Christopher Isherwoods Sally Bowles and Jug Productions new musical uncovers a far more complex and talented woman. With green-painted nails and a string of lovers, Jean Ross was indeed 'divinely decadent', but far from the air-headed floozy in the stories. Egypt-born, RADA-trained, allergic to conventionality, Ross became a respected political journalist and single-handedly raised a daughter who herself overturned convention. Ross was also the muse for a Hollywood-bound German pianist, and of the lyricist Eric Maschwitz " his song These Foolish Things, written about Ross, is among the authentic songs featured in the production.