Arts and entertainment
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Archibald Prize winner Auditions for Stratty’s documentary at The steampunk Macbeth Wedge next week to be held next week LOOBY will be held at The Wedge, Sale, next week as a fundraiser and to celebrate the Archibald Exhibition in Sale. Friends of the Gippsland Art Gallery, in conjunction with the Sale Film Society, will host Looby — a documentary on acclaimed and controversial painter Keith Looby — from 7.30pm next Friday, November 19. The Archibald Prize winner won major prizes at home and abroad, yet today his name and works are rarely seen. With sumptuous cinematography, candid interviews and a striking original score, Looby uncovers the life and work of an artist the world needs to remember. Following rave reviews at the 2019 Melbourne Documentary Film Festival and its Sydney premiere at the National Art School in February 2020, Looby is screening across Australia to mark 100 years of the Archibald Prize. The screening is a fundraising event for the Friends of the Gippsland Art Gallery, to raise money to buy an artwork for the gallery. Drinks will be available to buy at Portside before and after the event. A plate of food will be included in the ticket price, and will be served by the Bundalaguah CWA from 7pm. Because of current COVID restrictions, the food will be served in the theatre to seated patrons. A raffle will also be held, with five free tickets for each person attending the event, and more tickets available on the night. Tickets are $20 for members and $25 for non-members. Bookings are essential, and can be made by phoning The Wedge on 5143 3200, or visiting the
The subject of this Archibald Prize-winning portrait by Keith Looby is actor and comedian Max Gillies (born 1941), renowned for his satirical impressions of Australian politicians. Max Gillies won the Archibald Prize in 1984. Courtesy of Louise Adler and Max Gillies
box office at 100 Foster St, Sale or www.thewedge.
com.au
For more information, email Julie on
galleryfriends3850@gmail.com
Sonia Payes’ Two Women.
State sculpture prize at the Port of Sale this weekend
SCULPTURAL works from artists across Victoria will transform the Port of Sale this weekend. On Saturday and Sunday, the state’s most prestigious sculpture event, the Victorian Sculpture Prize, will run alongside the Archibald Prize at the Port of Sale. The Victorian Sculptors Association event will showcase the best works in the state from many local and internationallyacclaimed artists. The prize is a competition with artists entering works across many categories, including the best wildlife prize and a people’s choice award, with the most prestigious being the $20,000 major
acquisition prize. With sculptures ranging from miniature to massive, all entries will be available to buy, with a portion of every sale supporting Wildlife Victoria. The association says it will be a great opportunity to support artists that have been hibernating and creating for two years. Entry to view the prize is free, so residents are encouraged to take the family to the Port of Sale to join in the fun during daylight hours, from 6pm Friday until 4pm Sunday. For more information, visit
THE tragedy of Macbeth returns to the Shakespeare on the River Festival stage once more in 2022, and the director is looking for actors. Emma Gough, director of the Melbourne Actors Guild, is calling for actors to bring her vision of an apocalyptic, dystopian Macbeth to life. If Macbeth were an action zombie movie, with a dash of Mad Max steampunk, this is what it would look like. Emma is an emerging Melbourne director who studied theatre at Monash University, completing a double degree honours in arts and education, with a theatre major. She has travelled to Stratford during the past 12 months to run workshops in theatre technique with Groundwork Youth Theatre, drag queen tutorials for the cast of Julius Caesar and worked with the talent at Overcoming Obstacles weekly theatre group. Now, she is keen to meet with performers who want to take to the stage in the community play. The audition process will take place at The Stratford Courthouse Theatre across next weekend. On Friday, November 19, a workshop will be held for a fun, “get to know you” session, where participants will be introduced to what it will be like working in the Macbeth rehearsal room, involving acting exercises and techniques. Spaces are limited, so bookings are essential. On Saturday, November 20, performers looking to take on a specific or lead role in the production are invited to perform a prepared monologue audition. The prepared monologue is a chance for
Emma Gough in rehearsal. individuals to show Emma what they can do through a text of their own choosing. Fifteen minute time slots are available to book between 10am and 4pm. On Sunday, November 21, selected performers will be called back to workshop and play with the Macbeth text. Rehearsals will begin in early February 2022, with performances from May 6. For more information, visit www.stratfordshake speare.com.au or email shakespeareontheriverfestival@ gmail.com
Comedy film fest at Bond St
SALE’S Bond Street Event Centre will present Australia’s longest touring film festival, the 2021 Over the Fence Comedy Festival, later this month. This year’s festival, titled Life and Crimes, features 16 short but funny film productions — a cheeky response to the madness of the pandemic. This year, the filmmakers turn delightfully inwards to explore the pandemic world of isolation, hoarding toilet paper, the lockdown and life and its crimes. What they have achieved is something intimate, playful, intelligent and entertaining.
People can go along and enjoy the films next Thursday, November 18, from 7.30pm, and vote for their favourite production. A light supper will be provided. The films are rated MA15+, so those aged under 15 must be accompanied by a parent or an adult guardian. Tickets are $20. Bookings are essential and can be booked through Eventbrite, or phone 5182 8770. Seats are limited because of COVID restrictions. The festival is produced by the VOCES Arts’ Networking Group, which supports new and independent filmmakers.
www.sculptorsvictoria.asn.au
An extra helping of comedy LIVE drama returns to the Stratford Courthouse Theatre this Saturday, when the multi-award winning Here There and Everywhere Theatre company presents El Diablo. It’s a fast paced comedy in one act, featuring an all-local cast and hitting Stratford before touring around the state. The popular and exclusive five-star El Diablo
restaurant is famous for its food, wine, service and celebrity clientele, but when average couple Paul and Maurine finally get a dinner booking, they have no idea what they’re in for. El Diablo will be performed from 7.30pm this Saturday. For tickets or more information, visit www.stratfordcourthouse.com.au
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Times-Spectator, Tuesday, 9 November, 2021 – Page 15
