City Hub 4 April 2019

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Trans Power: The call for inclusivity

BY Michael HITCH “We’re here. We’re queer. We’re fabulous, don’t f*ck with us!” the crowd shouted as it proceeded down King Street.

The student-led “Trans Day of Visibility” rally, held in the centre of Newtown last Sunday, was awash with pink and blue flags, six-inch high heels and tears of both joy and sorrow.

The rally, organised on the International Transgender Day of Visibility by Trans Action Warrang, in association with Queer student collectives from Macquarie University, UNSW, USYD and UTS, kicked off at 1pm in “The Hub” of Newtown.

The event featured talks from trans speakers, live performances and a march up King street, ending at Hollis Park.

The speakers at the event came from all walks of life and included First Nations peoples, sex workers and people with disabilities. They shared personal stories about their lives, with each person stressing the importance of fighting for acceptance and inclusivity.

Speakers and performers were accompanied by an Auslan signlinguist, a subtle testament to the event’s inclusive nature.

Homelessness and suicide Wiradjuri brother-boy, legally blind Irish-dancer and Trans activist Hayden Moon, shared stories about two critical issues facing Trans people – homelessness and suicide. Hayden has been touched by both.

“I’ve been homeless multiple times and last year I lost one of my friends, a Trans woman, to suicide,” he said.

“Four years ago, I left an unaccepting home. I can never go back. I was alone,

Aunty Lil than called for a minute of silence for her sisters who had been murdered in police custody.

Aunty Lil paused occasionally to compose herself as tears ran down her face.

“I was locked up when I was 18.

They put me in a man’s jail as a woman. I’ve done about ten years all up and I haven’t seen a jail cell since 2003. I’ve been clean off heroine for 15 years.

The Trans Rally begins at the heart of Newtown. Photo: Michael Hitch

I had no family, I was homeless, I had no money. This resulted in me couchsurfing, sleeping in the local park, sleeping in abandoned properties, and at one point, I spent the night in the tunnel at Central Station.

“While other students spent the summer holidays relaxing and enjoying themselves, I spent every day focussing on my survival.”

Nervously holding the microphone, Hayden talked about suicide. He wrote an open letter to his friend, Lydia, a Trans woman who took her own life in April 2018. There wasn’t one dry eye in the whole crowd as he spoke.

“We were supposed to have coffee

that weekend. How could you be gone?” he said.

“I have thought so many times that I would end up just like you. Some of us [their friends] are just pissed off at you for doing what you did… because we loved you and we needed you.

We’re here. We’re queer.

We’re fabulous, don’t f*ck with us! “Dear Lydia, you were such an amazing and beautiful person. I know you never believed that, but it’s true.

I wish you weren’t dead, I wish you

didn’t die and I hope I can prevent people like you and me from dying,” Hayden said.

Other speakers included Lismore’s Lily or Aunty Lil, who shared stories about police brutality, addiction and sexual assault as an Aboriginal Trans woman.

“I was one of the first Transgender girls in the world to be accepted into a straight girl’s school… after being savagely raped at a boy’s home in Sydney,” she said.

“Later in life my voice was still not heard. So, I kept my fight up, I stayed strong because I’m a powerful black woman… and I wouldn’t lay down and die for no c*nt!”

A tragic story “The day my sister [Paris] died, I was in the cell next to her. That night we were yarning and I told her I loved her, and she told me she loved me. The next day I saw my sister Paris strung at the end of the bed, strung like she was trash, lifeless, nothing in her. I ran in the room and I put my arms around her and told her I loved her, what a fucking awful way to go,” Aunty Lil said.

When Aunty Lil had finished, attendees were treated to a drag show by Miss First Nation Finalist, Felicia Foxx, who lip synced while undressing to reveal a home-made Australian Aboriginal Flag bra.

She and Aunty Lil then fronted the March up King Street.

As the march proceeded, chants about safe schools, Trans rights and “Sco-Mo has got to go!” were shouted through loud speakers. Onlookers on the streets cheered, laughed or joined the march, while others in rooftop bars blew kisses and waved.

Squealing and waving a Trans pride flag high above her head, a toddler on her parent’s shoulders at the front of the march seemed to show that the battle for inclusivity isn’t over, and it’s a battle worth fighting for.

Opinion

Labor’s war on the Greens Published weekly and freely available Sydney-wide.

Copies are also distributed to serviced apartments, hotels, convenience stores and newsagents throughout the city.

Distribution enquiries call 9212 5677.

Published by Altmedia Pty Ltd. While every effort is made to ensure accuracy of content, takes no responsibility for inadvertent errors or omissions.

ABN 52 600 903 348 Group Editor & Publisher: Lawrence Gibbons Production Manager: Michael Hitch Contributors: Michael Hitch, Colin Hesse, Allison Hore, Luke Daykin, Alana Levene Arts Editor: Jamie Apps Advertising Manager: Georgina Pengelly Cover Photo: Supplied. Belinda Davids Designer: Nadia Kalinitcheva Advertising: sales@altmedia.net.au Mail: PO Box 843 Broadway 2007 Email: news@altmedia.net.au, arts@altmedia.net.au Ph: 9212 5677, Fax: 9212 5633 Website: altmedia.net.au If you have a story, or any comments you’d like to share with us: news@altmedia.net.au altmediagroup

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BY COLIN HESSE* Since the inception of the Greens, the Labor Party has felt both angry and threatened; angry because some of the founding Greens were exLabor Party members, and threatened because the Labor machine felt “our” votes were being “stolen” by the new party.

The new Inner West Council has become the new battleground for Labor against the Greens. With its Liberal and conservative allies, Labor seeks to push through a Labor/Liberal/ conservative platform and marginalise the Greens progressive agenda.

And, of all things, sport is where Labor wants to take on the Greens.

Much of Inner West Council Mayor Darcy Byrne’s man of the people image is built around his media focus on sport, in particular his advocacy for the Balmain Leagues Club and the importance he places on the return of the club to its Balmain heartland.

But as sport is used to paint many a male politician as a man of people (hello Scott Morrison), it’s also used to distract us from the many important issues that are ignored by government.

In the case of the Labor/Liberal/conservative majority on the Inner West Council, those issues are the impact of WestConnex, Metrorail and the council amalgamation.

In each case, Labor opposes spending to support community opposition to the WestConnex and Metrorail, and refuses thus far to support a citizen referendum on the amalgamation. Despite the enormous impact of the WestConnex construction on residents in both St Peters and Haberfield, the Mayor has

meetings in Ashfield, the most remote and conservative part of the new LGA.

Inner West Councillor Colin Hesse.

Photo: Supplied

said and done very little. He’d rather talk sport.

Recent survey work calls into question the long-term damage of both WestConnex and Metrorail tunneling, and again Labor is quiet.

With forced Council amalgamations, Labor talked a good game, but when push came to shove Labor refused to take the legal action that even some Liberal-dominated councils took to successfully stop forced amalgamations.

Labor and its allies have already voted against a number of Greens motions calling for a referendum of the community on the issue.

The gap between words and actions is large.

The new Council itself is struggling to meet the standards of the councils it replaced, and rather than connect with the community, Labor and its allies have chosen to hold

Community discussion restricted Labor and the Liberals have aggressively wound back community input, restricting community discussion to the beginning of the meeting only, and the mayor then often encourages community members to go home without hearing the debate. Labor and Liberals have also resolutely opposed precinct committees for this now enormous LGA, and residents of many suburbs feel alienated and ignored.

The Labor/Liberal/conservative alliance has resulted in an elected body that is about exclusion, not inclusion; which wants power but uses it badly; which has failed to use its size and reach to pressure the NSW Government to ameliorate the worst abuses of the State Government’s projects in the inner west; and which has set up structures that effectively shut the community out of the decision-making processes of council.

Local government Labor and Liberal style is not a level playing field for the community When it comes to the culture wars, the Labor Party and its conservative allies know only one thing: total control. Local government Labor and Liberal style is definitely not a level playing field for the community. * Colin Hesse is Greens Councillor for Marrickville Ward of Inner West Council city hub 4 APRIL 2019

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ANZ to shutter Oxford St branch

BY ALANA LEVENE In 2014, 10 glammed-up “GAYTMS” sprouted up across Sydney as part of the ANZ Bank’s campaign for Sydney Gay and Lesbian Mardi Gras. ATMs adorned with dazzling rainbow rhinestones and sequin-studded patterns lit up social media and showcased ANZ’s commitment to the LGBTQIA community.

Next month, the bank will shutter its branch on Oxford Street, the one-time epicentre of gay Australia.

The closure, slated for May 7, is due to an increased demand for online and ATM services and a continuing decline in transactions at the Darlinghurst branch, according to Amanda Heath-Ogden, ANZ’s General Manager for Greater Sydney and ACT.

Bank’s commitment questioned But some local business owners say the decision undermines the bank’s commitment to the area and the gay community.

ANZ has partnered with Mardi Gras since 2007.

Since then, they’ve donated more than $100,000 through their ANZ Mardi Gras Community Grants program to fund community groups across Australia, according to a spokesperson.

The bank recently re-signed as principal partner of Mardi Gras for another two years, demonstrating its “continued support for the LGBTI community,” the spokesperson said.

Stephan Gyory, co-owner of vinyl record retailer The Record Store, said he doesn’t see ANZ as a staunch supporter of the community.

“They’re basically abandoning Oxford Street,” he said. “When an area becomes a bit downturned, like we are now because of the lockouts, they just abandon us. So much for supporting Mardi Gras.”

Gyory, who is President of the Darlinghurst Business Partnership, has been using ANZ his whole life. He called the bank “a bunch of pricks”.

ANZ wrote to customers on 15 March to inform them of the closure.

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city hub 4 APRIL 2019

ANZ has closed 110 branches in the past decade, including at least 35 in 2018, according to Perth Now. The bank’s 2018 full-year profit was $6.4 billion, roughly the same as the previous year.

In October 2017, it opened a new branch in Potts Point, a spokesperson said.

“I live in Potts Point, so I’m lucky,” said Gyory.

“I can go down there and get change, but I can’t go and do banking if I need to do something urgently.”

Once the branch closes, ANZ will install an ATM on Oxford Street. If customers still want to do face-to-face banking, they can travel to ANZ’s Bondi Junction, 242 Pitt Street, or Surry Hills branches, each less than two kilometers away from the Oxford Street location, Heath-Ogden said.

Gyory said the closure is another hurdle to doing business.

“It’s hard enough to do business already,” Gyory said. “Now you have to go hike down to World Square to get change.”

Gay today, gone tomorrow. Photo: Danijel-James Wynyard on Flickr

“I was shocked,” said Ken Holmes, founder of Aussie Boys, an iconic Oxford St clothing store.

Noel Lee of The Bookshop Darlinghurst said he sees the closure more as a predictable result of the 2015 lockout laws, which had devastating effects on late-night venues along the LGBTQIA strip.

“This bottom end of Oxford Street has been going through a lot of stuff. The street is really, really dead,” Lee said. “Maybe it’s more a symptom than a cause.

It’s part of the way banks are.”

The area recently lost its Optus and its 7-Eleven, and now its losing their bank.

“If you can’t buy your $2 sandwiches or get your phone fixed, that’s a rough indication for any area,” Holmes said. “The street is dying.”

Face-to-face transactions at the Darlinghurst branch have declined more than 38 per cent over

the past five years, and this figure “contributed significantly” to the bank’s decision to close the branch, a spokesperson said. Seven per cent of customers do their banking in-branch compared to more than 76 per cent who use the ANZ app, internet banking, and ATMs, according to Heath-Ogden.

They’re basically abandoning Oxford Street. “Across the nation we are seeing an increasing trend across many services to move to online options for ease of use, including government systems such as MyGov, Medicare and the Australian Taxation Office,” Heath-Ogden said in a statement.

People contact important Holmes, of Aussie Boys, has done his banking with the Darlinghurst ANZ for 36 years.

“We’ll have to transfer to other banks,” Holmes said. “As much as people don’t think there’s cash in the world, there is.”

Holmes said he’s friends with the employees in the Darlinghurst branch since he’s been dealing with them for so long. He’ll miss the face-to-faceinteraction.

“Sometimes, you need to have contact with people in person rather than with a screen,” Holmes said. “Isn’t that what a community is all about?”

Last year, ANZ completely remodeled the inside of its Darlinghurst bank for Mardi Gras.

“It looked amazing,” recalled Lee. “It was like Elton John meets Versailles.”

“But they didn’t do it this year,” said Holmes.

“Maybe that was a subtle hint.”

Easter HAPPY

HAYMARKET ENTERTAINMENT SCHEDULE SATURDAY 13 APRIL 2pm-4pm Colouring in for the Kids • Face painting Roaming balloon twister and magician A visit from the Easter Bunny

SUNDAY 14 APRIL 2pm-4pm Colouring in for the Kids Roaming balloon twister and magician A visit from the Easter Bunny

THURSDAY 18 APRIL 2pm-4pm Face painting Roaming balloon twister and magician A visit from the Easter Bunny

GOOD FRIDAY 19 APRIL 2pm-4pm Colouring in for the Kids • Face painting Roaming balloon twister and magician A visit from the Easter Bunny

EASTER SATURDAY 20 APRIL 2pm-4pm Colouring in for the Kids Roaming balloon twister and magician A visit from the Easter Bunny

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City acquires Customs House

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The Customs House in a bygone era. Photo: Star Photo Co

BY LAWRENCE GIBBONS The City of Sydney has purchased the heritage listed Customs House at Circular Quay from the Australian federal government, ensuring the popular building will remain in public hands.

Located at the site where the First Fleet is thought to have arrived in 1788, it has been home to the Customs House for 174 years.

In announcing the City’s acquisition, Lord Mayor Clover Moore said, “It remains one of Sydney’s most iconic buildings, welcoming a million visitors through its doors each year. It’s a cultural centre, public library, exhibition space and provides commercial offices, cafes and space for events. It’s also home to an ever-evolving scale model of our city centre which is loved by children and visitors”.

Construction on the Customs House began in the 1840s during Australia’s first depression, providing much needed work for the fledgling penal colony. By the 1880s, as the colony boomed, the customs office outgrew its quarters and additions were made to the original Georgian building.

Original gateway for imports City Historian Dr Lisa Murray said the building has had a rich history and served as the original gateway for imports into Sydney.

“The role of customs, powerfully symbolised

by Customs House at Circular Quay, has always been a dual role of revenue raising through taxing trade, and protecting society from socially unacceptable goods, products, ideas and diseases.”

“In Sydney’s early days as a commercial centre, smugglers were active not only in relation to banned goods, but to any goods which attracted a significant tariff. Opium for instance was legal until well into the 20th century, but attracted a high tax, so it was at the centre of many smuggling scandals,” Dr Murray said.

Until 1990, the building was home to the Australian Customs and Border Protection Service. In 1994, the building was transferred to the City of Sydney under a 60-year lease and the building was substantially renovated.

In 2004, further renovations were undertaken and a City Library was added. Today, the site boasts meeting rooms, offices, a model of the City’s CBD at the ground level and the popular Café of Sydney on the top level.

In December 2018, the share workspace providers Hub Australia entered into a ten-year lease for the building’s third and fourth levels.

The company’s coworking conversion cost an estimated $4.5 million. They will provide flexible workspace across more than 2,000 square metres to accommodate 425 workers. Membership costs over $1,000 per desk per month. It is projected the co-work space will generate revenues in excess of $5 million per annum.

Council has not revealed how much rent Hub Australia is paying, but council documents show the sub-lease of levels three and four will “result in better rental return for the council” than the previous tenancy.

The City’s has declined to reveal the building's purchase price In December of last year, Council also committed an undisclosed sum to restore and reinforce the front of the building. According to Council documents tabled at a committee meeting, “The external façade has been shedding small pieces of sandstone, causing safety concerns”.

The Council acquisition of the Customs House ensures that the prime waterfront site – between the Opera House and the Harbour Bridge – will remain out of the hands of property developers for years to come. Sitting on an 1,800 square metre site, the building is located conveniently close to a train station and a ferry terminal.

The jewel in the crown In recent years, private developers have begun spending an estimated $3.7 billion on new residential towers around Circular Quay. In addition, the State government has started making plans for a $2 billion upgrade of the Circular Quay wharves. With so much cash being splashed around the Quay, the City’s investment would appear to be fiscally prudent.

And yet the City has declined to reveal the building’s purchase price, claiming commercialin-confidence considerations in transferring local government funds to the federal government.

The Australian Financial Review estimates that the Customs House would have cost $200 million, given the building’s size and location.

In purchasing the jewel in the crown at Circular Quay, the City of Sydney adds Customs House to its long list of sizeable real estate holdings, making the Town Hall balance sheet the envy of local councils across the State.

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“Spine-tinging”, “sensational”, “rousing” - just a few of the words used to describe Aretha Franklin’s show-stopping performance in this previously unreleased film of her 1972 concert.

Holliday Grainger and Alia Shawkat (Arrested Development) shine as best friends who live in a haze of drink, drugs and one-night stands, in the hilarious new film by Australian Sophie Hyde.

THE FINAL QUARTER

MINUSCULE 2

Cheers turned to boos in the final years of AFL champion footballer Adam Goodes’ career when he publicly called out racism.

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7

Fort SCEGGS raises concerns

BY ALANA LEVENE Darlinghurst residents are launching objections to a local school’s multimillion-dollar redevelopment plan, claiming that the upgraded facilities would overshadow their neighbourhood and undermine the community’s Victorian heritage.

SCEGGS Darlinghurst, a K-12 elite girls’ school, is seeking approval from the state Department of Planning and Environment for its $45 million 2040 Masterplan. The project will be funded entirely by the school and will be completed over the next couple of decades, said Jenny Allum, head of the school.

SCEGGS submitted its development application for the first stage, which includes demolishing the heritage-listed Wilkinson House and replacing it with a four-storey modern education space, according to Allum. Stage one would start in late 2020.

Wilkinson House was constructed in 1926, and its original form is still intact, according to a Heritage Considerations report on the Masterplan.

The National Trust is preparing to submit an objection to Wilkinson’s demolition, said spokesperson Lyndal Stuart.

Since it was originally an apartment building, Wilkinson’s floor plan and traditional construction can’t serve the school’s needs, Allum said.

Divide and conquer Residents have expressed concerns about the development.

Rodney Hanratty, who lives on Forbes Street, said the proposed multi-purpose six-storey education and childcare building would block his and his neighbours’ view of the Sydney Harbour Bridge.

SCEGGS sent representatives and a surveyor into his home, Hanratty said. They took photos to ascertain the view corridor.

Street, like Lyle, could lose their overhead sunlight and much of their view of the city.

“They want to build a six-storey building that’ll come up right beside my house and completely overshadow me,” Lyle said. “All the lights and fresh air that I’m used to getting will be gone.”

Allum acknowledged these concerns and said they will be addressed.

We have highlighted the damage they’re going to do to us, and they’ve ignored it

Wilkinson House cornered and vulnerable.

Photo: Lawrence Gibbons

“They have proceeded with the development in any case,” Hanratty said. “We have highlighted the damage they’re going to do to us, and they’ve ignored it.”

Richard Lyle moved to Thomson Street in 1981.

He lives next to SCEGGS in a home that once housed school staffers.

“When I moved in, we had very amicable relationships with them,” Lyle said. “They were much more connected with the community, but that’s washed away over the years.”

If the Masterplan is approved, those on Thomson

PROPOSAL TO UPGRADE A MOBILE PHONE BASE STATION LOCATED AT BONDI Telstra plans to upgrade its existing telecommunications facility located at 62-64 Roscoe Street, Bondi Beach NSW 2026 1.

“We want to make sure that we understand everyone’s perceptions and issues, and we will respond in a consolidated and coherent fashion,” Allum said.

In the process of soliciting community feedback, SCEGGS organized meetings with small groups of neighbours that met one at a time.

Hanratty thinks that the consultation was deliberately “divisive” in order to prevent residents from uniting in opposition to the plan.

“Instead of holding one big consultation, they’re being very clever and manipulating the process to break it up to look like they’re consulting,” Hanratty said. “But they’re actually dividing the community to make sure there’s not a consensus view formed.”

“They cleverly put us into smaller groups so that we wouldn’t all say, ‘now, wait a minute, whose goofy idea was this?’,” Lyle said.

Allum said there was no intention on the school’s part to divide residents. Rather, they were trying to explore residents’ concerns as they varied according to where they live.

“We know that the residents around Thomson Lane have very different concerns

and perceptions than might affect the people who live on Bourke Street or in the Horizon building,” Allum said.

“Maybe the neighbours would have preferred to have a six-hour meeting,” she said. “We thought we were trying to be understanding of their busy lives.”

Now, Hanratty and Lyle say they’re scrambling to unite various neighbors and historical groups and get the City of Sydney Council to lobby in their favor.

Future plans SCEGGS is also seeking concept approval for later stages of the Masterplan. It wants to demolish the library and science building on Bourke Street and the old gym building on Thomson Street, and refurbish the heritage-listed Barham building on Forbes Street.

After knocking the old buildings down, SCEGGS plans to build a six-storey multi-purpose building on Bourke Street and a three-storey administration building on Forbes Street.

The second and third parts of the plan are still in their concept stage, according to Allum. They’d need to get their own detailed development applications approved before moving forward, which wouldn’t start for another 10 or 15 years.

The multi-purpose building could include a 25-metre swimming pool or a childcare facility.

School officials say they’re unsure what the building would be used for, since the future of education is uncertain.

Hanratty called it ”aggressive over-development.”

“I’m not saying private schools can’t have pools and all that stuff,” Hanratty said. “But if you want to do that, you need to move somewhere where you’ve got clean green fields and that sort of stuff. That’s not what SCEGGS is known for.”

Cats and kittens available for adoption

Telstra are currently upgrading existing mobile network facilities to allow for the introduction of 5G to Telstra’s network. As part of this network upgrade, Telstra proposes the installation of NR3500 and LTE2100 technologies.

Proposed works at the above site will involve the following: - Recover six (6) panel antennas (each no longer than 2.8m in length) - Install six (6) new panel antennas (each no longer than 2.8m in length) - Install three (3) Air antennas (each no longer than 2.8m in length) - Install three (3) Radio Units - Installation of ancillary equipment inside the existing equipment shelter.

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2.

Telstra regards the proposed installation as a Low-impact Facility under the Telecommunications (Low-impact Facilities) Determination 2018 (“The Determination”) based on the above description.

3.

Further information can be obtained from Vanessa Davies 07 4019 6416 or at Vanessa.davies@aurecongroup.com and at www.rfnsa.com.au, RFNSA No. 2026017

4.

Written submissions should be received

by Thursday 18th April 2019 to: Vanessa Davies, Aurecon c/o PO Box 538 Neutral Bay, Sydney 2089

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Legislative Council power balance

By ALLISON HORE Last month’s state election handed another term to the Coalition but the results for the upper house of NSW, the Legislative Council, are still rolling in and the crossbench is growing.

The NSW Legislative Council is elected by a proportional representation system which treats the whole state as one single electorate. This means that the quota for election is small.

The 42 members of the Legislative Council are elected on a two-term basis, with 21 seats being voted in at each election. The 21 seats which didn’t go to election this term include nine Coalition seats, seven Labor, two Greens and one each of Shooters and Fishers, Christian Democrats and Animal Justice Party.

21 seats up for grabs Of the 21 seats which went to election, seven have so far gone to the Coalition, six to Labor (with one more being a likely win for them), two to the Greens and one to One Nation. The Shooters Fishers and Farmers are likely to pick up a seat as well.

It may still be another week before the results of the three seats in doubt are finalised. With 20 per cent of the vote counted, the three seats up for grabs look likely to go to three of the following parties: Keep Sydney Open, Liberal Democrats, Christian Democrats or Animal Justice Party.

This would leave the Legislative Council with almost a third of its members sitting in the crossbench.

Despite voters making a strong showing for minor parties in the upper house, there have been criticisms over how vote counting for the Legislative Council is being handled by the NSW Electoral Commission (NSWEC).

Independent candidates and spokespeople for the minor parties, including the Small Business Party and Keep Sydney Open, expressed concerns over delays in reporting numbers of votes for minor parties.

party representatives believe that this excuse is not good enough.

“If the concern about overworking employees is genuine, the NSWEC could have organised shifts,” the statement said.

The NSW Electoral Commissioner John Schmidt met with the representatives of minor parties last Wednesday to discuss their concerns.

After listening, he agreed that the Legislative Council counting process would be reviewed in consultation with political parties before the next state The balance of power in election.

But he says he “makes no apologies” the upper house teeters on a for his decision to delay the count. knife edge “I make no apologies for doing everything I can to provide these staff In pre-election briefings, minor with a safe working environment, which parties and independents were told that includes safe working hours on election votes being directed their way would be day,” Mr Schmidt said in a statement. put in piles classified as “other” on the Mr Schmidt says that parties need Saturday night of the election, and then to remember that the vast majority of counted and reported on from Sunday NSWEC election officials involved in morning. the first preference count are members However, the announcement of the of the general public hired temporarily results was delayed to Wednesday for the election period. morning He also noted that allocating “This unprecedented delay is additional resources in an attempt to discriminatory and treats minor parties speed up the planned process would lead and their supporters with contempt,” the to “disruption and confusion in count representatives of the minor parties said centres” which may have resulted in a in a joint statement. delay in determining the election result.

“Our hard-working candidates and While preference counts play a marked supporters deserve to see the results.” role in who will pick up the seats, there The NSEC said that the long hours have only been two instances where a it would take to classify and count these candidate was on track to get a seat but votes would pose an occupational health lost out after preferences were counted. and safety risk to its workers. But minor Pauline Hanson (2015) and Peter Jones

The govenor’s chair in the legislative council chamber. Photo: Wikimedia

(2015) both had very small margins in first preference votes but lost out after preferences.

Why no electronic voting?

The delays in counting the upper house votes have led to some questioning why Australia has not yet moved to an electronic voting system. Computer-based voting would mean preferences could be counted immediately.

Paul Kwan, Associate Professor in Computational Sciences at the University of New England, told news.

com.au that he just doesn’t think the transition is a priority for politicians.

“Compared to the economy, national security issues, climate – those may be the top priorities on their agenda and it’s possibly not until the day of the election, when people start to think about whether it would be good to have an e-voting system, that it’s even considered,” he said.

With a larger crossbench and some seats still in doubt, the balance of power in the upper house teeters on a knife edge.

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Opinion

If you love em, lead em

BY LUKE DAYKIN Sydney, we have a problem that we need to talk about and it is off-lead dogs.

Now I know that I have already lost many of you already as you will be thinking this will be another article enforcing the rules of the nanny state, but that’s not really what this is about.

We are fortunate enough to have our furry family members in our lives for such a short time and that short time we have with them is their whole world.

When you allow your dog to walk around the streets without a lead you are playing Russian Roulette with their short lives. There is no other way to put it. You are not a responsible dog owner.

It only takes a matter of seconds for a dog to become distracted by just one of the thousands of stimuli assaulting their ears, eyes and nose, many of which you’re not even aware of and have no control over.

Prevent sad endings I have witnessed the results of such distractions on many occasions while walking my own dogs, and it is a sad ending with the dog either rushed off to a vet clinic or killed instantly by a car.

That’s a family member gone in the blink of an eye, a family member whom someone loved, and ultimately it’s a betrayal by whoever was walking the dog because you couldn’t keep that family member safe.

Many people I witness on a daily basis don’t even own a lead.

Then there’s the issue of how your fellow Sydneysiders interact with off-lead dogs.

So when your off-lead dog goes barrelling down the footpath, or walks past or approaches an individual, you expect that person to be a hundred per cent ok with this, because you like dogs and you live in your own little bubble.

different countries – Cambodia, Thailand, Egypt and India to name just a few – you might have seen the large packs of stray dogs that wander the streets looking for food. They are desperately thin, with exposed ribs, so is it any wonder why an individual from a different background may fear dogs and seek to avoid them.

Leash the beast.

Photo: Supplied

Be a responsible dog-owner We also share this world with people who aren’t exactly nice. They bait dogs and leave food contaminated with objects like fish hooks, nails and sometimes even drugs because they get a thrill from knowing that this may hurt an animal, even though they will never see it happen.

So if your dog is off-lead, is metres ahead of you, sticks its nose in some bushes and has a nibble, how do you know what it’s eaten? You have no control over that and it can be a painful sad end for your furry family member.

But your fellow Sydneysiders may not be okay with off-lead dogs.

Just as dogs are unpredictable and might run in front of a car, they may also take a dislike to an individual because that person appears to be threatening, or makes a sudden movement, or shies away from your beloved pet, and they might bite a stranger on the street or in the park or on a pavement.

I can hear the excuses in my head as I write this: “But my dog is good,” “my dog is well trained,” “my dog usually behaves well”. None of this matters.

I often hear these excuses as an off-lead dog comes racing towards my furkids and me on our walks, completely unresponsive to the owner’s calls or commands.

While mine are socialised and well trained I acknowledge they are animals that may react unpredictably in any situation they are presented with.

I can tell you that on our walks around Darlinghurst, Mrs Macquarie’s Chair and Woolloomooloo we encounter anywhere between five and twenty off-lead dogs on our average hour and a half stroll.

By allowing your dog to roam off-lead you have opted to put your fellow Sydneysiders in an uncomfortable position, possibly exposing them to traumas associated with their past.

They may not have even been bitten in the past.

Sometimes it’s just cultural. If you have travelled to

By allowing your dog to roam off-lead you have opted to put your fellow Sydneysiders in an uncomfortable position With Easter approaching, be warned that some of the schools around Centennial Parklands do like to have their Easter Egg hunts in the off-lead areas. The kids’ excitement can be infectious and lead to sorry encounters between child and dog. I discovered this the hard way.

So be a responsible dog owner, keep your furry family member safe and consider the impact of your choice to allow your dog off-lead on other people and their furkids.

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FEATURE

THE GREATEST LOVE OF ALL A TRIBUTE TO WHITNEY HOUSTON

By Mark Morellini Belinda Davids is the extraordinary South African singer who fronts the tribute show to Whitney Houston, one of the most revered singers of all time and idolised by millions around the world. Davids beat 15,000 hopefuls from 12 countries for the role and said that she was both scared and excited when she found out, but ultimately it felt like she had been practising 25 years for the role.

Davids started earning money singing in clubs and signed with a few record labels when she was younger. Her resemblance vocally and in appearance to Whitney Houston hindered many early career opportunities. “At the time when I was trying to make a name for myself with record labels, they wouldn’t really do anything for me because they thought I sounded so much like her. It was difficult, but it was part of the journey. In 2013, I began singing as Whitney Houston in this show and now I travel the world to bring the music of Whitney to those who miss her as much as I do.”

The show has been incredibly successful in South Africa, Canada, USA, Europe, Asia, and New Zealand.

This will be Davids’ third visit to Australia and she is adamant that Whitney Houston fans won’t be disappointed. “The show is really good.

We’ve added two more costume

Photo: Supplied

changes and we have four dancers and a full band. We also have a great tech team that allows for a great show as far as lighting and sound is concerned.

We do all her number one hits from the beginning right up until the end, but unfortunately, we can’t cover all her songs because there are so many.”

When asked, which was her favourite Whitney song to perform, Davids

paused momentarily. “My favourite song would be The Greatest Love Of All... and… One Moment In Time… and… I Have Nothing and I can keep going and going and going. This show is such a success because people miss her. People still want her to be here and that’s why they come out to the show. They miss her music, they miss that genre.”

Whitney Houston found fame and fortune during her 30 years in the spotlight, but unfortunately suffered adverse publicity when she was booed off stage during a performance in Australia. “This was hard for me – very hard. As soon as I saw that I said to my director, right – we have to go back there. We have to go back to Australia to remind people just how great she was. It was important.

The outcome was overwhelming!

People came and people who were also at her last concert where she was booed off stage came to the show and they enjoyed it.”

Davids’ inspirations as a child were Aretha Franklin, Anita Baker, and Michael Jackson amongst others and she wishes that she had met Whitney Houston before her untimely death.

She was young, vibrant and had an amazingly powerful voice. But will Whitney Houston continue to have a fanbase and will her music live on forever? “Definitely! She was ahead of her time. I mean if you listen to her music today does that not get you going? It still gets me going. We miss that space of music. We miss that type of voice that she had. I’ve seen parents bring their children, I’ve seen that happen and it makes me happy because that means Whitney will forever be in the memory of people.”

Davids hopes to participate in more

of the touristy outings during her current tour. “I don’t really do much when I’m touring in Australia or any country for that matter because it’s vital that I get enough rest as the show is pretty big. I haven’t seen much but this is exciting because we are going to do all the major cities and I’ll probably end up seeing much more of Australia than I did on my previous visits.”

She looks forward to bringing her dazzling show to the majestic and iconic State Theatre in Sydney. “When I performed there last year it was great. It’s such a beautiful theatre and I was honoured by the turnout.”

In conclusion, Davids said that her show is suitable for people of all ages, families, and anyone and everyone!

“The audience this show has been attracting has been the younger generation. I don’t want to put an age group as to who can come and see the show. Everybody can come along as this is a PG show. If you have ever heard a Whitney song, sang a Whitney song or even gotten up to dance to one then this show is for you!”

Apr 12. State Theatre, 49 Market St, Sydney. $71-$81+b.f.Tickets & Info: www.ticketmaster.com.au

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11

ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT Dark Voyager

Possum Magic

Photo: Gavin Woodford

Mem Fox’s timeless Australian classic Possum Magic is taking to the stage in an all-new adaptation at Glen Street Theatre this week. Possum Magic has enchanted children and adults alike since the picture book’s first publication in 1983 and is still a beloved fixture in classrooms and homes across Australia. This week, Monkey Baa Theatre Company are bringing Possum Magic to the stage, adapted by Eva Di Cesare and Sandra Eldridge, who is also the director of the show.

The legendary war between Hollywood icons Joan Crawford and Bette Davis has intrigued fans for years and now comes to the stage to mesmerise a new generation of theatregoers.

Set in 1962 when Joan Crawford and Bette Davis had just completed filming Whatever Happened To Baby Jane, their famous feud which went on for years was in full force.

“Why did they have this feud?

Fighting over men, fighting over roles, they were women of similar age in a very male-dominated industry and they were ageing rivals,” explained Leigh Scanlon, who portrays Joan Crawford. “They were being replaced by a different style of woman like Marilyn Monroe.”

The play surrounds the chaos that transpires at a fictional supper organised by columnist Hedda Hopper, attended by Crawford, Davis and an unexpected appearance by the extremely seductive diva Monroe.

“This is a fast-paced comedy with dramatic elements – there’s a mention of the wire coat hangers let’s put it that way!’ laughed

Scanlon. “It’s about the power, the rivalry, it’s about women in Hollywood and how they succeeded in that time.You don’t necessarily have to be aware of the feud to enjoy it. I think people who understand history and the feud will come along and have a good laugh but there are also some important messages throughout.

Can audiences expect an explosion of emotions on stage?

“Yes definitely! There’s fighting, there’s laughter, there’s sarcasm and there’s plenty of Bette Davis’ witty one-liners throughout which absolutely adds to the comedy and then, of course, there’s Marilyn who’s out of it!”

Scanlon says the ladies in the audience will be blown away by the costumes. “I’ve got feathers and there will be eyebrows and shoulder pads! Lots of colour in the outfits and a very traditional sixties lounge room set – there’s so much ‘discussion’ we don’t get to eat!”

(MMo) Apr 5-27. Pavillion Theatre.

Doran Drive Castle Hill. $22-$27+b.f.Tickets & Info: www.paviliontheatre.org.au

a&e

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city hub 4 APRIL 2019

Photo: Jordan Munns

The theatre production of Mem Fox’s first published picture-book is set to delight both children and adults as it follows the beloved story of Grandma Poss and Hush. Monkey Baa’s production of Possum Magic is set to be interactive and immersive, instantly engulfing the audience on the journey that the two possums take throughout the book. Previous productions by the theatre company have been warmly received, being described as, “all enchanting” and “vital, exuberant,

aspirational, and inspirational” with Possum Magic promising to be no different.

Mem Fox is Australia’s most highly regarded children’s author, and Possum Magic still remains the bestselling children’s book in Australia.

(MB) Apr 3-6. Glen Street Theatre, Corner of Glen St & Blackbutts Rd, Belrose. $23-$95+b.f.

Tickets & Info: www.glenstreet.com.au

Tang Xianzu The Playwright In Concert

The “Shakespeare of China” lands in the Sydney Opera House next month for a special one-off show.

The original work, Tang Xianzu The Playwright In Concert will explore the life of China’s most iconic playwright Tang Xianzu through the medium of opera.

The show, directed by award-winning Chinese baritone Changyong Liao, combines stories from the life of Xianzu with narratives from his plays.

12 STAGE 14 SCENE 15 Sounds 15 SCREEN

Liao says the stories chosen for the Opera have almost a “dreamlike” quality, which weaves well into the story of Xianzu’s life.

“From my eyes, maybe it’s due to the relevance to dreams in all four works that we name them the Four Dreams In Linchuan. From a certain point of view, Tang’s life as a playwright also reflects his own dreams coming true.”

The show will bring together the talents of over 100 musicians from the Shanghai Conservatory of Music’s Opera and Symphony orchestra. This is their debut performance in Sydney.

The conservatory’s goal is to translate ancient Chinese works for a “To best fit with the narrative of contemporary audience, and their Tang’s life, the opera focuses on opera of the work of Xianzu Tang’s four most important works – epitomises this goal. if he’s the Shakespeare of the East, “He’s famous not only in poetry and these are his Big Four,” Liao explains. prose but also for displaying “The first two works are romantic creativeness in drama writing and stories, relating to what we always flying his own colours,” says understand as the supreme love and Liao. (AH) moral integrity; the other two are Apr 7.The Sydney Opera House, more realistic works, giving a Bennelong Point. panorama of society and the ups and $44-$149+b.f. Tickets & Info: downs of people’s lives in it.” www.sydneyoperahouse.com

Arts Editor: Jamie Apps For more A&E stories go to www.altmedia.net.au and don’t forget to join the conversation on Twitter at @AltMediaSydney

Contributors: Emily Shen, Irina Dunn, Jade Morellini, Mark Morellini, Mel Somerville, Olga Azar, Rita Bratovich, Sarah Pritchard, Shon Ho, Riley Hooper, Erika Echternach, Joseph Rana, John Moyle, Madison Behringer, Allison Hore, Renee Lou Dallow, Alannah Maher.

WriterS WANTED A CAll Out fOr the retired, SuperAnnuAted And GrAduAte StudentS Writers needed on local issues across the City Hub’s five distribution regions.

Must be able to write engaging and accurate copy and meet deadlines. please contact City hub with CV news@altmedia.net.au

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13

REVIEW: West Side Story exchanges between the rival gangs of the Jets (the AllAmerican boys) and the Sharks (the Puerto Ricans), and tap your feet to the gorgeously vibrant dance of the Puerto Rican girls singing America.

The large stage gave the dancers space to show off their moves and allowed set designer Brian Thomson to create a colourful diner car on wheels.

The musical is remarkable for containing so many hit songs, with not a dud among them.

Arthur Laurents, composer They include Somewhere, I Feel Leonard Bernstein, lyricist Pretty, Something’s Coming, and Stephen Sondheim and Maria. choreographer Jerome Robbins, Who would have thought that is reproduced in this lively and Romeo and Juliet would be colourful production by revived in west side New York director Francesca Zambello some 350 years after and choreographer Julio Monge. Shakespeare wrote his play?

Sing along with the young This is a fabulous lovers Maria (Julie Lea production, definitely not to Goodwin), a Puerto Rican girl, be missed. (ID) and Tony (Alexander Lewis), a Until Apr 21. Fleet Steps, former leader of the Jets, in Mrs Macquarie’s Point. their song Tonight, thrill to the $50-$361+b.f. Tickets & Info: exciting and dangerous www.opera.org.au Photo: Prudence Upton

First written as a book by Arthur Laurents in the late 1940s, West Side Story first appeared on Broadway in 1957 and has remained a steady favourite on stages the world over since then.

That it was chosen as Opera Australia’s first musical foray on Sydney Harbour proves it is just as appealing 70 years after its conception as a tale of immigration, warring gangs, and doomed love.

The magical alchemy of writer

Pinchgut Opera - Easter Oratorio & Thunder Ode Pinchgut Opera returns this year with their first performance of the season – two incredibly special pieces performed by a stellar cast.

Bach’s 1725 Easter Oratorio and Telemann’s 1755 Thunder Ode will be presented to audiences in Sydney for one night only this April. Pinchgut Opera Artistic Director Erin Helyard says that it will be “an evening of jubilation, elegance, and beauty.” Mezzo-soprano Anna Dowsley will be making her Pinchgut debut for this piece, and rising star Alexandra Oomens will be exhibiting her skill and artistry as soprano.

Telemann’s Thunder Ode will be performed for the very first time in the country, and with such a revered cast of musicians and vocalists, this extremely special and unique performance is not to be missed.

Pinchgut baritone David

Erin Helyard & Orchestra of the Antipodes.

Photo: Albert Comper

Greco says that these pieces are stepping back in time, before the conception of opera, into the period of Sacred Music.

“This marks their [Pinchgut’s] first foray into Sacred Music – the only difference is that opera has a plot and characters…this show is essentially opera but in sacred form,” he said, continuing with, “each song we sing has a theatrical way about it but there is no character persé. We are still telling a story in a way though.”

The Pinchgut Opera company have a strong repertoire of outstanding shows behind them, and this piece is certainly forecast to be exceptional. Of the piece, baritone David Greco said,“Audiences can expect very good music making.We’ve selected great singers and great instrumentalists. Pinchgut is known for the quality of their orchestra and audiences can definitely look forward to that.”

Apr 7. City Recital Hall, Angel Place, Sydney. $49$153+b.f.Tickets & Info: www.pinchgutopera.com.au

THE NAKED CITY

BEATING CANCER ON A BUDGET With Coffin Ed Earlier this year the Australian Government announced that it was investing more than $200 million to list four new breakthrough cancer treatments on the Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme, saving patients up to a quarter of a million dollars a year.The decision gives some 1800 cancer patients access to a range of new and innovative medications that could cost as little as $6.50 a script.

The decision was just one reason why Australia is now regarded as the world leader when it comes to both research into a wide number of cancers and the treatment thereof. Our public health system, despite its various shortcomings and criticisms, is miles ahead of most countries in the world, particularly when it comes to affordability. If you are diagnosed with a form of cancer here, the chances are that you will receive a high level of treatment and care as well as the numerous counselling services, provided by organisations such as the Cancer Council.

Compare the situation here with a country like the Philippines, a country of over 100 million, with a grossly overtaxed public health system, in which

the user invariably pays. Take the case of young Filipino man Leomar Sultio, who at age 23 was recently diagnosed with Stage Two Brain Cancer.

No longer able to work in a job that was earning him approximately $100 (AU) a week, he is now faced with a medication bill of $200 a week for his chemotherapy treatment.

Unlike Australia there is no Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme in the Philippines and drugs, compared to incomes, are well beyond the reach of many. Medical insurance is expensive and unaffordable for most of the population.Whilst some hospital consultations are free with a Philhealth card, a single MRI scan can cost $200.An operation to remove a tumour, performed mainly by the private health sector, can cost up to $15,000.

Not surprisingly many Filipinos suffering cancer and other terminal diseases die with minimal treatment and at times, not even a precise diagnosis. The burden often falls on impoverished families and friends to meet any medical costs as well as supplying all daily living support.

Leomar lives in a tiny apartment in the Bulacan area and pays around $84 a month for electricity

Ginger Ren Jones-Evans In the eyes of every parent, their child is an artist. Just look at any fridge around the country, they’re all adorned with paintings and drawing from little ones. For six-yearold Ginger Ren Jones-Evans though her artistic ability has far exceeded the ‘fridge gallery’ as she is now set to open her first ever solo exhibition this weekend.

Ginger began painting in 2014 when she was just three years old. Mentored by her 14

city hub 4 APRIL 2019

uncle, artist-architect Dale Jones- Evans, together they have developed Ginger’s love of painting and her creative spirit.

“I really love to mix my own colours and get up high to look down at my work.

Painting always makes me feel happy,” says Ginger, who dreams of being a professional artist.

Excitement matters most in Ginger’s process. Her work showcases the delight of

childhood spontaneity and unfettered freedom.

On display will be eleven acrylic paintings and a video of behind-the-scenes footage of Ginger working in her studio. The gallery space will be dominated by Ginger’s major large-scale works starting at four meters in length. (JA) Apr 6-7. 110 Brougham Street, Potts Point. Info: www.gingerartist.com

for what amounts to minimal use – higher than what we pay in Australia. Food has become increasingly more expensive in the Philippines and many people rely on bottled water with tap and well water undrinkable.

With his impoverished family living miles away in a remote island province, Leomar is like many young Filipino men who have become isolated and alone after moving closer to the large urban centres. Whilst there is some minor support from local charities and the doctors at his local hospital are caring and compassionate, it’s a daily struggle for somebody who is essentially all alone.

In Australia, there are excellent support services for cancer patients of all ages, many provided by the Cancer Council of Australia who does an excellent job. Unfortunately, similar services are few and far between in the Philippines.

A group of friends in Australia have got together to help Leomar with the cost of his treatment and living expenses with a Go Fund Me page at: www.gofundme.com/help-a-young-man-fromthe-philippines You can read more of his story there.

Jamie Hutchings & Darren Cross

By Jamie Apps Throughout their respective careers, Jamie Hutchings and Darren Cross have crossed paths on multiple occasions but have only recently begun working together for their current tour Bedsit For Peacer.

The current tour sees two of Sydney’s most enduring and prolific creative forces taking to the road together in a joint headline show in support of their respective records, Hutchings’ Bedsit and Cross’ Peacer.

The two men share incredibly similar backgrounds having first entered the music industry in band projects before eventually finding their way to the solo singersongwriter medium.

Looking back Hutchings told City Hub that he first met Cross in “the mid-90s” simply by both being “in and around the Sydney underground music scene.” As their respective bands grew and evolved their paths would venture into entirely opposite directions. It has only been over the course of the “last few years” that Hutchings and Cross would begin crossing patch again as they both explored solo pursuits.

Photo: Hadassa Haack

“As a musician, you’re always trying to find new ways to present your music so that you can keep playing,” explained Hutchings before continuing, “We thought it would be a good idea given that we’ve both we’ve both come from similar backgrounds to do some shows together.”

By joining forces not only were the

men able to present their music in a new and exciting way for audiences but they were also able to share the load of planning and organising the various aspects of the tour.

“It can be a bit isolating as an independent artist doing everything involved with a tour by yourself,” said Hutchings, “So it’s good for your spirit to be able to share those

experiences with somebody else” As part of this tour, there was a focus on playing shows in places outside of the norm.

“We’ve played some interesting places, it’s been really fun and interesting going to some of these smaller towns which have thriving creative hubs. This tour is much about having an adventure as it is us gunning for a huge tour.”

For fans in Newtown Hutchings had some very exciting comments ahead of the show, given it will be towards the tail end of the tour.

“I know for myself I need to sing quite a lot, so once you do three or four shows in a row I find I start to beat my voice into shape. I really like that aspect of touring because you get to a point where you don’t really have to think, you can simply enjoy the experience.You almost go outside of your body and watch yourself play as an audience member.

You’re not thinking about the fingering on the guitar or singing, it all becomes involuntary.”

Apr 5. Egg Records, 3 Wilson St, Newtown.

Info: www.jamiehutchings.com

Totally Unicorn Sorry

The sophomore record from Totally Unicorn sees the band enter new territory which is much darker than their debut offering.

Sorry sees the exploring heavy themes of depression, divorce, substance abuse and the realities of growing older.With these new themes, the band has also altered the sonic elements of their music, injecting this record with a much more harsh, occasionally jarring and unsettling sound.This new sonic approach is particularly evident in the opening half of the record before settling into a more cohesive groove in the latter half, whilst still exploring these compelling and heartbreaking stories.

Overall Sorry is a difficult listen, simply due to the nature of the themes it dissects. Musically this is a fine record which will be suited to fans of harder punk rock elements. (JA) WWW

My Leonard Cohen Every time Stewart D’Arrietta brings a show to Sydney the tickets quickly become hot commodities. Next Friday when he brings the 2019 iteration of My Leonard Cohen to The Bridge Hotel we expect that scenario to play out once again.

Driven by D’Arrietta’s raw and distinctive vocal style, this stirring

celebration of Leonard Cohen’s music offers arresting and imaginative interpretations of the great singersongwriter’s most powerful works. In this year’s version of My Leonard Cohen, D’Arrietta dwells even more deeply in the songs he’s chosen for his beautifully balanced set.

Along the way, D’Arrietta breathes more

life and depth into some songs than was ever possible by the master Cohen himself.

This is Cohen’s music as you’ve never heard it before.

Apr 12.The Bridge Hotel, 119 Victoria Rd, Rozelle. $45+b.f. Tickets & Info: www.bridgehotel.com.au

Galveston

Galveston opens with New Orleans hitman Roy Cady diagnosed with lung cancer at the age of 40. He hasn’t done the best things with his life, and he intends to go out with a bang. Once Roy figures out the plot against him, he plans revenge. But will his relationship with Rocky be his downfall or his redemption?

This is a dark film, heavy on violence and brutality. Based on the novel by American crime writer Nic Pizzolatto, it’s only once the character of Rocky is introduced that things start to get interesting.

Nineteen years old and damaged, Rocky takes Roy along to rescue her little sister, and they go on the

Shazam!

run. Rocky’s brief moments of happiness and joy are the highlights of an otherwise grim film. The sense of menace that permeates the film will leave you feeling like you’ve been through the wringer, and you might need a warm cup of tea and a lie down to recover. (LS)

WWW

Comic books are supposed to be all about joy, bright colours, and fun. With DC’s latest film offering Shazam! they have returned to this mindset.

The film tells the story of Billy Batson, a 14-year-old boy who is bestowed with the superpowers of a magical wizard and must quickly grow emotionally to fully utilise his powers in order to overcome evil. Whilst the main plot is rather generic the approach to telling this tale is what makes Shazam! truly stand out from the pack.

Rather than the typical action movie filled with fight scenes this film is more so a comedic coming of age story imbued with child-like joy and humour.

Much like Marvel’s incredibly successful Deadpool, although with a much more kid-friendly bent, this film takes a number

of highly satirical jabs at the DC film universe and the comic book film genre as a whole.

This is an incredibly fun outing for hardcore DC fans and new fans alike. Shazam! is

perfect for kids as it teaches them that their actions have consequences and that with great power comes great responsibility. (JA) WWW1/2 city hub 4 APRIL 2019

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city hub 4 APRIL 2019