MAGIC AND ILLUSIONS

■ Combining the art of magic, mindbending illusions, and an electrifying soundtrack and lighting Luke Blaze is bringing the extraordinary spectacle, Reborn to regional Victoria commencing September 2 in Shepparton and finishing on October 15 in Ballarat . The tour will also take in Werribee, Geelong, Warrnambool and Bendigo.

Reborn will captivate and mesmerize audiences as Luke Blaze, Australia’s youngest current underwater escape artist, embarks on a show which pushes boundaries with acts that include unwavering transportations, flawless levitations and treacherous fire eating.

Luke Blaze's prodigious talent has been nurtured by none other than Australia's best illusionist, Cosentino. Under his mentorship, Luke has blossomed into a master magician, capturing hearts and minds with his unparalleled abilities

“I am honoured to have had the mentoring and support from Cosentino which has helped develop my skills and performance said Luke, “I’ve really focused on all aspects of my craft in Reborn so that everyone can have something to look forward to. From the atmosphere in the theatre to the costumes, illusions and even a piece of the show that every audience member will be able to take home with them to remember the special moment. I’m really looking forward to showing regional Victoria the boundaries I have pushed,” said Luke.

Luke first became interested in magic at the age of 8, performing tricks for his family and friends. From there he performed at children’s birthday parties and then was asked to perform at several private and corporate functions where his reputation started to spread.

Luke, having honed his craft to perfection, was ready to take his show on the road at 18 when his arm was mauled by the family dog and he faced a life-altering injury that resulted in the loss of movement in his arm for several months. Through sheer determination and extensive physio and training, he defied the odds and regained the use of his arm, solidifying his status as an inspiration to all. Then COVID hit putting his show on hold yet again. He is now thrilled and excited to be able to start his first tour of regional Victoria.

At just 22 years old, Luke has already produced four astonishing shows, each leaving audiences awestruck and hungry for more. Starting his career with his first debut show in 2018, ‘The First Chapter’, he was encouraged by the overwhelming response from the public with sell-out audiences. His second show ‘Odyssey’ performed to sell-out audiences again as part of the Melbourne Magic Festival in 2022. One month after Odyssey, came Reborn and audiences were thrilled to see his new death-

They Cloned Tyrone

defying water escape. Luke also recently co-produced a duo magic show called ‘Saint’ which was showcased at the 2023 Melbourne Magic Festival across three nights.

Shepparton – Riverbanks West: Saturday, September 2 at 7.30pm.

Phone: 5832 9511

Werribee – Wyndham Culture Centre: Saturday, September 9 at 7.30pm.

Phone: 8734 6000

Geelong – Palais: Saturday, September 16 at 7.30pm. Phone: 5429

5548

Bendigo – The Capital: Saturday October 7 at 7.30pm. Phone: 5434

6100

Ballarat – Wendouree Centre for the Performing Arts: Sunday, October 15 at 7.30pm. Phone: 5338 0980.

- Larissa Anderson

Now or Never

■ City of Melbourne is promoting Now or Never, a major new festival launching this August.

Exploring the intersection of art, ideas, sound and technology, Now or Never will immerse Melbourne in a vibrant 17 day program of events presented in venues and precincts across the city – from late-night club spots to the Docklands foreshore.

The festival’s inaugural program brings together an eclectic mix of more than 300 local and internationally renowned musicians, artists, change makers, future thinkers and innovators to challenge conventional expectations and push us to the edge of potential.

Opening Night Party With Soju Gang + Friends Thursday, August 17. 10pm-3am Max Watts Now or Never launches at Max Watts in a free all-night party led by some of the most exciting First Nations artists and DJs of the moment. Curated by the inimitable Soju Gang, a Melbourne/Narrmbased DJ and party catalyst, this lineup is a rare gathering of exceptional local talent, each with their own distinctive sonic identity. Neversphere. Friday, August 18Friday, Setember 1. Melbourne Museum Plaza Situated in the Melbourne Museum Plaza, a 360° screen wraps the curved interior walls of this popup planetarium, where visitors are invited to recline on beanbags and gaze upon a larger-than-life program of films or attend a sensory dinner event surrounded by ever-morphing artworks enveloping the geodesic dome. The Neversphere will launch with the Australian premiere of XYZZY, a visual cosmology created by artist Jess Johnson and director Simon Ward over a decade-long collaborative practice.

Future Forums: Dr. David Suzuki in Conversation. Saturday, August 19. 12 Noon 1pm IMAX World-renowned environmentalist and scientist David Suzuki speaks with multiaward-winning ABC journalist and presenter Natasha Mitchell about the current state of the planet, and the importance of harnessing the powers of human intelligence for a thriving future. In this exclusive event, he appears live via video link from Canada to deliver a keynote address on the profound importance of this moment in time in shaping the future of life on earth.

Kali Mlaone c Grand Irgan + Mess Synthesiser Orchestra led by Stathis/ Davey/Kim. Saturday, August 19. 7.30pm-12 Midnight. Melbourne Town Hall - Main Hall This event presents a new composition commissioned by Now or Never.

■ (MA). 122 minutes. Now streaming on Netflix. Shot almost three years ago, this clever, compelling and flat-out entertaining sci-fi/comedy/thriller has taken a while to finally reach our screens, and despite its troubled journey to the finish line, could prove to be one of the biggest surprises of the year. John Boyega stars as Fontaine , a grim-faced drug dealer with mother issues, who rules with an iron fist in the run-down black community of The Glen. When attempting to pick up money owed to him by fast talking pimp Slick Charles (Jamie Foxx), Fontaine is shot and killed by a local rival, a violent act which is witnessed by one of Slick’s hookers, Yo-Yo (Teyonah Parris). Strangely, Fontaine wakes up the next day, disorientated about where he is, and as he arrives at Slick Charles’ hotel HQ again to collect his money, he is baffled at the pimp’s response, who is clearly freaked out that Fontaine is alive and walking, acting as if nothing had happened. Pushed on by Yo-Yo, who was a fan of Nancy Drew as a child, the three team up to investigate what is going on in their neighbourhood, and once they do, it totally undermines everything they’ve known and experienced. They Cloned Tyrone, while set in modern times, is crafted and presented in both look and feel of 70’s blaxploitation and 80’s gangster films, but while some films use this kind of approach for mere nostalgic value, co-writer (with Tony Rettenmaier)/director Juel Taylor uses it as a foundation to thoughtfully examine stereotypes and cultural assimilation, and largely scores a bullseye. It’s mix of genres, time and aesthetic is invigorating, as Taylor pays homage to, and deconstructs, 70’s/80’s films featuring black characters, while also tipping his hat to cult classics like John Carpenter’s They Live (1988), Philip Kaufman’s Invasion Of The Body Snatchers (1978), and Jordan Peele’s more recent 2017 thriller Get Out. The influence of Spike Lee (Do The Right Thing, Blackkklansman) can’t be denied too. Performances are excellent; Boyega (Small Axe, Attack The Block, Detroit, Breaking) is typically impressive, Parris (Chi-Raq, If Beale Street Could Talk, Candyman) is superb as Yo-Yo (an energetic take on famous screen characters such as Foxy Brown and Cleopatra Jones), and even Foxx (who won an Oscar for Ray) defies expectations and delivers the goods. The look, design and sound of the film is outstanding, with special praise going to cinematographer Ken Seng. The main flaws are once the plot twists are revealed, the script occasionally descends into scenes of heavy plot exposition, and film itself suffers a little from overlength. They Cloned Tyrone has arrived on Netflix a little too quietly, giving the impression it is yet another forgettable piece of content from the streaming giant, but this couldn’t be further from the truth. This is a film that is both very entertaining and intriguing, eventually asking us to think about subject matter that was relevant when it was filmed in late 2020/early 2021, but probably even more so now.

Rating

Asteroid City

■ (M). 104 minutes. Opens in cinemas August 10.

Reviewing a new Wes Anderson film now almost feels redundant, as we know what to expect in both look and feel, while fans and critics of the director’s work will automatically know which camp they are going to fall in. Anderson’s latest is set in the US circa 1955, and alternates between a Rod Serling type TV presentation talking about a renowned playwright’s new show, entitled Asteroid City, and a panoramic, colourful view of the small town and the people who are currently visiting it. A surprise encounter sees this large group of out-oftowners forced to stay, with the military making sure no-one leaves until the government say so. As usual, this leads to much deadpan banter between this gallery of quirky characters. Anderson’s eccentricities have become so rigid and predictable that every new movie feels more and more airless and suffocating, his meticulous visual designs and framing crushing any genuine human emotion or relation to anything resembling real life. Anderson’s recent obsession with variable aspect ratios has also become tiresome. Like many of his previous movies, Anderson again manages to assemble an impressive cast, including Tom Hanks, Scarlett Johansson, Steve Carell and Jeffrey Wright, and while all perform to the film-maker’s expected sensibilities, none (other than, maybe, Willem Dafoe, who manages to deliver some energy during his brief screen time) can rise above Anderson’s inflexible quirk, and as such are unfortunately smothered by it. Wes Anderson has become a parody of himself, and Asteroid City, while beautiful to look at, is a perfect example as to why. Rushmore (1998), Anderson’s second feature, is for me, his one true masterpiece, a brilliant mix of stylised presentation and captivating, flesh-and-blood characters. But, if you are a fan, you will most likely love Anderson’s latest outing.

■ Gladys Moncrieff was one of the most popular Australian musical comedy stars of the 20th century.

For 40 years Gladys performed in musicals in Australia and overseas. She was known as Australia's ‘Queen of Song’ and fondly referred to as ‘Our Glad’.

Gladys Moncrieff was born in Bundaberg, Queensland in 1892.

Her mother was a professional singer and her father was a piano tuner. At the age of six Gladys made her onstage debut and was billed as ‘Little Gladys’.

She became a child soprano and was recognised as a child prodigy. In her teenage years she performed in popular Gilbert and Sullivan productions and won an award at The Annual Eisteddfod in Charters Towers

At the age of 17 she auditioned in Sydney for J. C. Williamson's and was given work in the chorus. As the years went by, Gladys was given lead roles and toured in productions throughout Australia and New Zealand

In 1921 she played the lead role of Theresa in Maid Of The Mountains in Melbourne at the Theatre Royal (which was opposite The Tivoli Theatre in Bourke Street).

Maid Of The Mountains was a very popular stage musical and Gladys played the role of Theresa almost 3000 times during her career. In 1924 she married Thomas Moore who became her manager. Whilst on her honeymoon in the

Whatever Happened To ... Gladys Moncrieff

By Kevin Trask of 3AW and 96.5 Inner FM

UK and Europe Gladys began to make gramophone recordings.

Gladys was overlooked for roles in several major J. C. Williamson productions and signed with Fullers to star in Rio Rita which became another huge success for her.

During the depression years Gladys sang in cinemas and appeared on radio. In 1933 she returned to Williamson's for a revival of Maid Of The Mountains. She also worked for Frank Thring Snr in his first stage production, Collits' Inn

In 1938 Gladys was in a bad car accident in Geelong and suffered a serious leg injury. She retired from the stage for two years. When Williamson's planned a revival of Maid Of The

● ● Gladys Moncrieff

Mountains in 1940, Peggy Shea was cast as Theresa and dubbed the ‘pocket Gladys Moncrieff’.

At the last minute Sir Frank Tait talked Gladys into coming out of retirement for the role and she made a triumphant return to the stage.

Her work during the war years to entertain the troops in Australia and New Guinea was outstanding.

I have a handwritten note which reads, “My Dear Friends, My heartfelt thanks for your generous response to my appeal on behalf of the partially blinded soldiers, Sincerely Yours, Gladys Moncrieff.”

In 1945 Gladys had another major success when she starred in The Merry Widow. During the 1950s singing star Ted Hamilton worked on her radio series. In 1962 she made a guest appearance on the Queensland television show Theatre Royal hosted by George Wallace Jnr She retired to the Gold Coast and lived on the Isle of Capri, Gladys wrote her memoirs and the book My Life In Song was published in 1971.

Gladys Moncrieff died on the Gold Cast in 1976 at the age of 83. She was made an OBE and there are parks and buildings named in her honour. A postage stamp was issued with her image in 1989. Gladys Moncrieff - one of the legends of the Australian stage - Our Glad Kevin Trask Kevin can be heard on 3AWThe Time Tunnel - Remember WhenSundays at 10.10pm with Philip Brady and Simon Owens.

And on 96.5 FM That's Entertainment - Sundays at 12 Noon. www.innerfm.org.au