Summer 2012
SUMMER 2012 Newsletter 120 SEASONS GREETINGS AND MIDSUMMA WISHES With her usual panache, La Mama now enters her 45th year; her garden blooming and her program flourishing. In December we farewelled Edwin Batt, our chairperson of some 16 years. We thank him for his leadership and wish he and Martine all the best in their new life farming in Tasmania. We also say farewell to Louise Jones who has worked with us for the last 4 years, including as fundraising coordinator during our triumphant 2008 campaign to buy La Mama. And in January we welcome Ellen Rijs as our new Administration Coordinator. Ellen’s previous experience with La Mama has been as a butoh artist with her ensemble Red Moon Rising. Looking forward to seeing you at La Mama and the Courthouse in the coming months.
Liz Jones C.E.O. & Artistic Director And on behalf of Pippa Bainbridge (Company Manager & Creative Producer), Ellen Rijs (Administration Coordinator), Nedd Jones (Communications Coordinator), Lisa Höbartner & Bec Etchell (House Managers), Maureen Hartley (La Mama Learning Producer), Mary Helen Sassman (La Mama Community Producer), Caitlin Dullard (La Mama Mobile Producer), Fiona Wiseman (Preservation Coordinator) and the Committee of Management: Catherine Hill, Dur-é Dara, Mark Rubbo, Caroline Lee, Tim Stitz, Rhonda Day, Emily Harms and Liz Jones.
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The Pineapple Sorrows Landscape Dreaming Metamorphosis “The Tragic Suicide Of Professor Walter Benjamin, The Well-Known Academic Psychologist” 13 Schism 15 Cogito 17 The Fallen Tree 19 Inside Out 21 Hot La Mama for Kids 23 Stripped La Befana 25 Perfidia La Mama Musica 27 Awake Man-Date 29 Ad Nauseum Pendulum 31 Rat Music in the Age of Mechanical Reproduction Coranderrk: We Will Show the Country While the Mountain Waits La Mama Æsoterica Figments & Fragments La Mama Poetica cover image credit: Felix & Jake Preval Ticket Information courtesy: The Pineapple Sorrows
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The Pineapple Sorrows January 17 - January 29 A feast of grief, fags and finger food… In the wake of a wake one platter remains, three hors d’eouvres remember - The Pineapple Sorrows. An absurd new tragi-comic work exploring the lives of those left behind. A visual spectacle of song and dance, garnished with fresh live music. Written by crossditch Directed by Felix Preval Performed by Sherilee Kahui, Penny Harpham and Jake Preval Produced by Remi D’Agostin Costume by Chloe Greaves Set Design by Laura Twomey Music composed and performed by Dylan Lardelli Presented by crossditch No flowers by request; donations in lieu to crossditch. Tue - Sun 7.30pm Running time: 60 minutes La Mama Theatre 5.
Landscape Dreaming January 18 - February 5 Marco needs a date for a wedding. He can’t think of anyone who’s up to scratch, so he hires John, a straight male model, to pretend to be his boyfriend. A comedy about friendship, love and marriage, Landscape Dreaming is filled with witty dialogue, physical theatre and evocative music. Written by Charles Mercovich Directed by Damian Alexander Bernardo Performed by Gavin Williams, Scott Middleton, Janine Watson, and Dallas Paul Bentley Produced by Charles Mercovich Set Design by David Samuel Lighting Design by Brendan Jellie Composer: Natasha Moszenin A Company White Wolf production Wed, Sun 6.30pm | Thu, Fri, Sat 7.30pm Running time: 75 minutes La Mama Courthouse 7.
Metamorphosis February 1 - February 5 An exploration of the precocial body through the three stages of ABANDONMENT DEVELOPMENT RETALIATION A zoological study of the inevitable journey from life to death and the mess created in between. Interact. Create. Destroy. Created, destroyed & performed by Oscar-Jackson Blain-Allen
Wed, Sun 6.30pm | Thu, Fri, Sat 7.30pm Running time: 60 minutes La Mama Theatre 9.
“The Tragic Suicide Of Professor Walter Benjamin, The Well-Known Academic Psychologist� February 8 - February 12 David - actor, singer, and struggling human being - is blown down the path of autobiography whilst looking back into the future of history. The literary critic and cultural philosopher Walter Benjamin jostles with journalist, poet and communist Bartlett Adamson as David delves into a cluttered life. A highly crafted montage in drama, monologue, poetry and song. Who do I think I am? Written, devised & performed by David Adamson Wed - Sun 7.30pm Running time: 90 minutes La Mama Theatre Followed by Music in the Age of Mechanical Reproduction (see page 38) 11.
Schism February 9 - February 19 When science and technology wage war against ethics, in a world where the future is gambled against greed, the lines between sanity and morality seem ever more obscure. What then for the ethical scientist when the contract is deemed too costly? What happens when soul and psyche seek compromise in chaos? Written by Melanie Bainbridge Directed by Suzie Hardgrave Performed by Pippa Bainbridge Set Design by Casey-Scott Corless Sound Design by Skye Klein LED Lighting Design by Rebecca Etchell in association with John McKissock from Clearlight Shows Wed, Fri, Sun 6.30pm | Thu, Sat 8.30pm Running time: 60 minutes La Mama Courthouse Image credit: Tahlia Isabel Palmer The development of this project was generously supported by Cairns Festival 13.
Cogito February 9 - February 19 Katherine Lee is a wealthy socialite, married to Tony Szeto, a highly prized Singaporean biomedical scientist. When Katherine reads in a local newspaper that her husband has been assassinated, she discovers she is not the only one married to him. This is a story of life after life. Written by Huzir Sulaiman Directed by Suzie Hardgrave Performed by Glenda Linscott, Kristin Keam, Suzy Cato-Gashler and introducing Frank Handrum Set and Costume Design by Casey Scott-Corless Lighting Design by Rebecca Etchell Stage Manager, LX and SFX Op: Sarah Grey Production Manager: Jessica Gittel Cornish Voice Composition: Suzie Hardgrave Image Photographer: Steve Wampler Wed, Fri, Sun 8.30pm | Thu, Sat 6.30pm Running time: 65 minutes La Mama Courthouse 15.
The Fallen Tree February 15 - March 4 Long after the fire, she’d sit with her heart hammering under the old river red gum... just waiting for it to fall. Written by Christine Croyden Directed by Wayne Pearn Performed by Libby Gott, Bridgette Burton and Jonathon Dyer Design by Alice Bishop Lighting Design by Lindon Blakely Stage Manager: Julie-Anne Donnellan
Wed, Sun 6.30pm | Thu, Fri, Sat 7.30pm Running time: 70 minutes La Mama Theatre
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Inside Out February 22 - March 11  Some people glide through life as though they have a guardian angel watching over them. Someone is watching over Naomi. And she’s no angel. Written by Donna Bradshaw Directed by Sara Tabitha Catchpole Performed by Petra Elliott, Madeleine Ryan, Debra Low, Luke Lennox, Angus Cameron Produced by Four-Letter-Word Theatre Lighting Design by Tim Smith Sound Design by Nick Liley Set Team: Sara Tabitha Catchpole & Robert Alexander Smith Wed, Sun 6.30pm | Thu, Fri, Sat 7.30pm Running time: 90 minutes La Mama Courthouse
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Hot February 22 - March 4 This is HOT English comedy-cabaret sensation Damsel Sophie is back with a fiery new tale of self-love gone mad! Winner: Best Cabaret - Adelaide Fringe 2011 ‘A new shining star’ (The Scotsman) ‘Triumphant’ (Time Out, London) Written by Sophie Walsh-Harrington Directed by Alex Wright Performed by Sophie Walsh-Harrington Wed, Sun 8.30pm | Thu, Fri, Sat 9.30pm Running time: 60 minutes La Mama Theatre 21.
Stripped March 7 - March 18 Sophie works in a strip club. Lillian is a lawyer. This summer will be the hottest on record. And Lillian is dying. A story about sex and death set in inner city Melbourne.
Created by Caroline Lee and Laurence Strangio Text by Caroline Lee Directed by Laurence Strangio Designed by Laurence Strangio and Paul Jackson
Wed, Sun 6.30pm | Thu, Fri, Sat 7.30pm Running time: 70 minutes La Mama Theatre
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Perfidia deceived by trust March 14 - March 18 Using engaging head puppets, King Lear’s misplaced attitude toward his three daughters becomes the catalyst for a zany yet profound inquiry. Perfidia delves into love’s complexities and ramifications. A further development of the successful 2011 EXPLORATION Leering@Lear
Devised and performed by Elnaz Sheshgelani with Brian Lowe Directed by Lloyd Jones Lighting Design by Rebecca Etchell Wed, Sun 6.30pm | Thu - Sat 7.30pm | Matinee Sun 4pm Running time: 50 minutes La Mama Courthouse 25.
Awake March 21 - April 1 A man lost without memory and a woman dying for sleep. Two minds crumble away and their families crumble with them. From the makers of Skinhouse and Insomnia Cat Came To Stay, a play of devastating beauty, warmth and sorrow with exquisite live music. Written and directed by Fleur Kilpatrick Performed by Justin Batchelor, Alex Duncan, Penelope Harpham, John Shearman, Joanne Trentini Music by Kristina Benton Designed by Sarah Walker A Quiet Little Fox production Wed, Fri 8.30pm | Thu, Sat 6.30pm | Sun 4.30pm Running time: 50 minutes La Mama Courthouse
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AD NAUSEAM A NIGHT OF INFIDELITY March 21 - April 1 ‘Cause tonight there’ll be a fire, or there’ll be a flood, or a riot or something, and I know that it’s going to bury me and it won’t just be up to my knees.’ A fully scored journey through a fractured celebration of excess, egoism and regret. Text and Music by Tom Pitts Performed by Nicholas Bendall Designed by Sarah Walker An Attic Erratic production Wed, Fri, Sun 6.30pm | Thu, Sat 8.30pm Running time: 60 minutes La Mama Courthouse 29.
RAT March 22 - April 8 A fierce, bleak, comic exploration of power, privilege and a festering swarm of rats. Rat asks us to consider the tension between becoming who we are, and what we, and other people, want us to be. Rat was the winner of the St Martins Youth Playwright Award in 2008 and underwent development at St Martins in 2010. Written by Chris Summers Directed by Petra Kalive A production by Two Blue Cherries Wed, Sun 6.30pm | Thu, Fri, Sat 7.30pm Running time: 50 minutes La Mama Theatre 31.
The Comedy Magic Show with Luke Hocking These school holidays get along to ‘La Mama for Kids’ for a show that’s bound to excite and delight! The Comedy Magic Show is packed with amazing magic and illusions for the whole family to enjoy. Blending great comedy and magic this show has it all! High-energy, fast-paced fun, with lots of audience interaction and side-splitting comedy. Magic with a real goldfish! Amazing illusions! Magic with a mind-reading raccoon puppet! Luke is one of Melbourne’s leading professional entertainers. He performs regularly for kids and adults alike. With only four performances, Luke’s Comedy Magic Show is not to be missed! “An amazing show the whole family will love” Watch Out For January 7 & 8 | 11am & 2pm (50 mins) | La Mama Courthouse All tickets $12 | Recommended for ages 4 – 10
Music for Little Monkeys
with The Mudcakes
Come along to ‘La Mama for Kids’ for some quirky, fun music for the whole family with The Mudcakes! Join them as they sing about the ups and downs of family life – the wonders of new teeth, hugging, potty training and all those things that parents and kids go through! With kazoos, electric ukuleles, bongos and harmonicas, you’ll be singing and dancing to music styles from Hawaiian to garage rock. February 4 | 11am (50 mins) | La Mama Courthouse All tickets $12 | Recommended for ages 5 - 12
SuperKid by Two Up Circus SuperKid used to be the most awesome kid in the history of ever but the evil Baron Von Badstuff has zapped him of all his powers. SuperKid must now find the magic formula for bringing back awesomeness before Badstuff takes over the entire world! A circus extravaganza made specifically for primary school audiences tackling issues of bullying, self-esteem, resilience and confidence. Created and performed by Kyle Raftery and April Dawson March 24 & 25 | 11am & 2pm (50 mins) | La Mama Courthouse All tickets $12 | Recommended for ages 5 - 12
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La Befana
The Italian Christmas Witch Pantomine The story of La Befana, the Italian Christmas Witch, began a long time ago in Italia and arrived here with Australia’s Italians. On the eve of the epiphany, children would hang out their simple home-made socks and then wake on January 6 to find them with filled with simple home-made gifts. In the pagan world she was a goddess, part of the magical, fairy world, patron of plants and animals, an ancestral spirit whose sacred totem is the Woven Stocking - every year reaffirming the bond between family and ancestors. Produced by Connie Paglianiti Written & Directed by Carmelina Di Guglielmo Performed by Carmelina Di Guglielmo, Adam Mattaliano and a talented cast of Fairies, Elves and Bush Spirits. Photo by Gabriella Gomersol Hubbard January 6 at 2pm (60 mins) | La Mama Courthouse All tickets $12 | Fun for the whole family!
January 23 | La Mama Theatre
Adrian Sherriff (shakuhachi, trombone) – with just two of his many instrumental loves. PYRIPHLEGETHON: Graeme Croft (contra-alto clarinet), Adrian Sherriff (laptop, theremin), Sarah Whitteron (voice) – a new electro-acoustic improvisation ensemble, using extended vocal and instrumental techniques and audio-signal processing with max/MSP, including theremin and audio cubes controllers.
February 13 | La Mama Courthouse
George Butrumlis with Anthony Schulz (accordions) George presents short new works for he and Anthony to premiere, as Anthony extracts the accordion from commonly-held preconceptions of tone and style. Nick Tsiavos (contrabass) – Solo CD Launch ‘100 months, third of east’ A journey into a landscape of frayed subjectivities, anarchic energies and lucid stillness.
March 12 | La Mama Theatre
Dave ‘candlesnuffer’ Brown (solo prepared guitars) plays prepared guitar loops and textures to evoke notions of landscape and city twisted together. Erik Griswold with Adam Simmons (toys, keyboards, found objects, wind instruments) Eclectic Australian-American pianist Erik Griswold (SYD) fuses experimental, jazz and world music traditions with striking originality. He and Adam create their own musical universe with due consideration and/or audacious spontaneity.
Box Office & Bar 7pm | Concert 7:30pm $15 Full | $10 Concession (includes free hot drinks and nibbly treats) 35.
Man-Date Two men meet to eat. A Man-Date (Just like any date, but with a massive lack of ladies). The EntrÊe - Wang. The Main – Yang. Join comedian David Quirk (David) and Musician Benn Bennett (Benn) for this special La Mama preview performance of Man-Date before the boys present a full season at the 2012 Melbourne International Comedy Festival. Bottoms up! January 24 at 7.30pm La Mama Courthouse All tickets $10
Pendulum Haunted by the cuckoo bird that resides in her Grandad’s grandfather clock, Wednesday Parker must try to forgive herself the unforgivable, while her Granddad is slowly destroyed by it. A playreading by Meg Courtney Dramaturgy & Direction by Petra Kalive Read by Tim Stitz, Kate Gregory, and Ian Rooney
January 28 at 2pm La Mama Theatre All tickets $5 37.
Music in the Age of Mechanical Reproduction Revel in the old world delights of mechanical modernism! David Adamson shares treasures from his storehouse of 78rpm records from 1900 onwards, played on authentic instruments (wind-up), and everyone gets to chat or sing. Classical Vocal (Wed), Jazz (Thurs), French (Fri), Irish (Sat), and The Whole World in a Spin (Sun). Devised & presented by David Adamson | February 8 - February 12 Wed - Sun 9.30pm | Running time: 60 minutes | La Mama Theatre | $5 or free with “The Tragic Suicide Of Professor Walter Benjamin, The Well-Known Academic Psychologist� (see page 11)
CORANDERRK Produced by ILBIJERRI THEATRE COMPANY and the Minutes of Evidence Project Concept by Giordano Nanni Directed by Isaac Drandic Dramaturgy by Rachael Maza Long Adapted by Andrea James & Giordano Nanni Performed by Syd Brisbane, Jim Daly, Peter Finlay, Greg Fryer, Liz Jones, Tom Long, Melodie Reynolds, & Glenn Shea VICTORIA, 1881: the men and women of the ‘Coranderrk Aboriginal Reserve’ take on the Board for the Protection of Aborigines in a fight for justice, dignity and self-determination. For the first time, we bring back to life Coranderrk’s voices – both black and white – through a re-enactment of their official testimonies before the 1881 Government Inquiry into Coranderrk. February 11 & 12 at 4pm | Free event | Running time: 80 minutes | Venue: BMW Edge at Federation Square In association with La Mama Theatre, The University of Melbourne, The Koorie Heritage Trust, VicHealth, The Department of Education, Arts Victoria, Regional Arts Victoria, The State Library of Victoria, VAEAI – supported by the Australian Research Council
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While the Mountain Waits
A live performance about the lost world of a country-come-city bloke dreaming of a return
There is a time a young country fella would look toward the city lights with a sense of longing, there is also a time he looks back after the lights have poisoned him towards the country silence roaring for him to return. A poignant and poetic monologue laced with song glorifying rural Australia. Written and Performed by Joshua Cameron | Music by Pete Ewing | Sound by Ed Service Sculptures and artworks by Trevor Flynn | Additional music collaboration with “The Miserable Little Bastards� February 28 at 7:30pm | La Mama Theatre | $25 Full or $15 Concession Originally developed with Peta Hanrahan for the Dog theatre in conjunction with the Arts Victoria development program.
Æsoterica La Mama Æsoterica is an original program of explorations in hybrid, electronic and new media performance works.
æsoterica 001: Siilt Dusty voltage-controlled atmospheres created by Melbourne musician/producer Skye Klein, also of Terminal Sound System, HALO, Tether and A Beautiful Machine. Saturday February 11 & Saturday February 18 | 10pm La Mama Courthouse $10 Full or $5 Concession (or free with ticket to Schism)
Theatre and the Environment Panel Both operationally and ethically the arts have the ability to influence the way we interact with our environment. Curated by playwright/environmental policy writer Melanie Bainbridge, this panel session will explore the synergy between the arts and the environment and take a look at who is doing what in our community and how. February 19 at 2pm | Running time: 90 minutes | La Mama Courthouse Entry by donation - proceeds to the Australian Conservation Foundation 41.
FIGMENTS FRAGMENTS With their truly individual shows, two of Canberra’s brightest comedians, Cy Fahey & Frederich Jones tag on and off to create an hilarious collage of unique humour. Cy, who presents quality stand-up with a fresh perspective, talks of modern life as a young Indigenous male in the 21st Century. Frederich presents one-liner jokes that have the audience in raptures.
February 27 & 28 at 7.30pm La Mama Courthouse $15 Full or $10 Concession
From page to stage, La Mama Poetica presents the cream of contemporary poetry in a theatrical setting. Curated by Andy Jackson and Anna Fern, the evening features four guest poets with a diverse range of styles and voices. Visit the La Mama Poetica group on Facebook for details on who will be performing or email poetica to join our mailing list.
February 27 | La Mama Theatre Box office & Bar 7.30pm | Performance 8pm | $12 Full or $8 Concession
La Mama would like to thank the following for their generous support in 2012
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Information Phone: 03 9347 6948 Monday - Friday 10.30am - 5.30pm Weekends 2pm - 4pm
Venues La Mama Theatre 205 Faraday Street Carlton La Mama Courthouse 349 Drummond Street Carlton
Tickets Full $25 Conc. $15
Please note that parking can be difficult (try Safeway or Carlton Clocktower, both off Drummond Street, or City of Melbourne parking in Elgin Street near Lygon)
Bookings www.lamama.com.au Phone: 03 9347 6142 Bookings close @ 4pm on the day of the performance Please pick up your tickets 15 minutes prior to the starting time of the performance La Mama is on Wurunjeri land, part of the Kulin nation, and the Commitee of Management, staff, and wider theatrical community acknowledge its traditional custodians
Both venues are just a short walk from Melbourne University tram stop at Faraday & Swanston Street La Mama Theatre is registered by the Heritage Council Victoria and has recieved National Trust status
www.lamama.com.au