WAS THAT?’ 1000TH SHOW

■ Essence Productions invites art and history lovers to join them as they celebrate their 1000th performance of What Was That? at Werribee Mansion on Saturday, August 12 at 8pm

Written by Alaine Beek and based on the true story of the Chirnside Family , this experience has entertained more than 23.000 audience members since it began - welcoming them into one of Victoria’s largest and most opulent properties.

Now in its 20th year, the success of Essence Theatre Production’s What Was That? is a testament to the marrying of arts and history in Victoria, and how the results act to showcase some of our finest attributes to locals, interstate, and international guests, alike.

It is July 1908 and visitors are rare at Werribee Mansion. The mistress, Mary Chirnside, tragically died three months ago and since then there have been multiple strange occurrences in the house.

Despite this, the only two remaining servants, Maggie (the Head Maid) and Mr Duncan (the Butler) have tried to stay positive as they await the new masters.

Welcomed by Maggie as “Old friends of The Chirnside’s”, What Was That? is an immersive, roaming play filled with drama, comedy, and scary elements.

It also allows people to experience the magnificence of the Mansion as the story unfolds throughout the house.

Taken through nine lavish rooms during the performance, they are even invited to sit around the grand dining room table - something normally closed off to the public.

Performed (on varying nights) by Alaine Beek, Ross Daniels, Helen Hopkins, Clare O’Brien, Kevin Hopkins, Phil Cameron-Smith and Glen Hancox.

The countdown to the 1000th show is:

■ Saturday, July 29 at 8pm (show 998), ■ Saturday, August 5 at 8pm (show 999) or ■ Saturday, August 12 at 8pm (show 1000).

Venue: Werribee Park MansionK Road, Werribee

Duration: 90 mins (includes glass of sparkling wine or soft drink at end of show with performers)

Accessibility: due to the historic nature of the mansion there is no wheelchair access for this event

Age Suitability: 11+

Warnings: Some scary elements, light sexual references

Bookings: www.essence theatre.productions

- Cheryl Threadgold

Best Films So Far For 2023

■ Yes, it’s hard to believe, but we are already halfway through the year.

Movie wise it has been a very mixed six months, but there have definitely been some standout films.

The weirdest aspect so far in 2023 is how so many Hollywood blockbusters have had David Lean style epic running times (John Wick 4, Indiana Jones 5, Mission Impossible 7, Guardians Of The Galaxy 3) , most of which are largely unwarranted.

Priscilla

■ CentreStage announces its September production of Priscilla at the Geelong Arts Centre from September 8 -23.

As the first major musical to grace the space since 2020, CentreStage is set to bring the Geelong Arts Centre back to life with this show.

Priscilla features the iconic hit songs, original Broadway costumes, large-scale sets, and, of course, the beautiful bus, transporting audiences to a world of glamour, comedy, and heartfelt moments.

"We are thrilled to bring 'Priscilla' to the Geelong Arts Centre, marking a triumphant return to musical theatre in our community," said Producer David Greenwood.

"This production promises to be a celebration of love, friendship, and self-discovery, and we can't wait to share it with the audience."

CentreStage is a leading community-based theatre company that has been entertaining audiences in Geelong since 2010.

Priscilla will run from September 8-23 at the Geelong Arts Centre. Don't miss this incredible opportunity to witness the magic of this iconic musical.

Tickets are available for purchase at the Geelong Arts Centre box office or online at www.geelongartscentre. org.au

- Cheryl Threadgold

Light Reveals

■ The Emerald Hill Art Group annual exhibition ‘The Light Reveals’ will be held at the Gasworks Art Park, 21 Graham St, Albert Park, from Monday August 28 to Sunday September 24.

The opening will cbe held from 6pm-8pm on Tuesday, August 29.

The Group is a community group, self-organised and funded, which meets each week at the Sol Green Community Centre in South Melbourne

The group consists of 18 men and women from different walks of life, who have mutual love of, and wish to practice their art, whilst developing their technique.

Each person uses their own particular medium, but we have a tutor who mentors and encourages us to do our own thing, whilst offering skilled guidance to each and every budding artist.

The current tutor is Neil McIrvine who has made a positive impact upon the group since his taking on this role earlier this year.

- Elizabeth Montgomery

Gershwin and Me

■ Simon Tedeschi performs George Gershwin, Rachmaninov, Chopin and Debussy on Tuesday, August 1, in the Toorak Synagogue.

International conductor and pianist Vladimir Fanshil is bringing his acclaimed Live at Yours program to Melbourne for the second concert in an ongoing series of world class musicians performing in intimate yet majestic settings.

With three celebrated albums of Gershwin’s music and countless acclaimed performances of Rhapsody in Blue under his fingers, Tedeschi will present a suite of favourites including Rhapsody, Summertime, I Got Rhythm and more.

Hailed as one of the most exciting voices in jazz today, trumpeter Matt Jodrel will make a guest appearance.

“I performed Gershwin with Larry Adler, who performed with Gershwin himself at a party.

“I was Larry’s last pianist - there were about seven decades between us. Rhapsody in Blue also connects me to another wonderful musician, the conductor, impresario, arranger and survivor Tommy Tycho, with whom I first performed Rhapsody in Blue.”

He describes Gershwin’s music as a clashing of ideals, a syzygy of styles, from Grieg, Rachmaninoff, Klezmer and the Viennese School to the blues, jazz and Latin music.

Gershwin & Me – Simon Tedeschi, Piano Date: Tuesday August 1, 7pm.

Venue: Toorak Synagogue, Cnr

Toorak and St Kilda Rds, South Yarra

Tickets: from $38. Bookings: gershwinandme.eventbrite.com.au

Here are my favourite films so far for 2023.

1. Women Talking (M).

After a decade long hiatus, Sarah Polley made a stunning return to the director’s chair with this powerful, relevant and totally absorbing drama, filled with strong performances and a focused, purposeful point of view.

2. Aftersun (M).

Exceptional feature film debut by writer/director Charlotte Wells which beautifully observes a fatherdaughter relationship over a brief holiday away.

The two central performances are astonishing, and the coming of age viewpoint is brilliantly handled.

3. Pearl (MA).

Vividly realised horror/drama from Ti West, this prequel to X is stylish and dramatically satisfying, presenting its tragic story in the style of a 1950’s Douglas Sirk melodrama. Mia Goth is outstanding.

4. Kill Boksoon (MA).

First-rate action/drama/comedy from Byun Sung-hyun (The Merciless, Kingmaker) about a single mother who is an infamous assassin, and wanting to leave the trade to properly raise her teenage daughter. Confidently mixes genres, the characters are well written, and the acting is excellent.

5. Suzume (PG).

Makoto Shinkai (Your Name) returns with a gorgeously animated drama, which perfectly blends drama with fantasy, looking at the trauma Japanese citizens suffered after the 2011 earthquake/tsunami.

6. Reality (M).

Inspired by the best of 70’s political cinema, this intelligent, compact drama (based on a true story) slowly turn the screws as we see a young woman grilled by the FBI over possible breaches of national security. Given who may be a possible candidate at the 2024 U.S. election, this is both tense and relevant.

7. New Religion (M).

This slow burn metaphor for lockdown mental illness is a creepy delight, and is remarkable give it’s the director’s feature film debut. Patient viewers will be richly rewarded.

8. Smoking Causes Coughing (MA).

This gleefully silly comedy from Quentin Dupieux is a hilarious subversion of all the generic superhero movies that have come our way over the last decade or so.

9. The Banshees Of Inisherin (M).

Simple but involving comedy/ drama from Martin McDonagh (In Bruges) is funny and quietly moving, and features a gallery of magnificent performances. McDonagh’s most low-key film to date.

10. Bones And All (MA).

Luca Guadagnino follows up his terrific remake of Suspiria with this fascinating fusion of drama and horror, looking at a young couple with cannibalistic tendencies, as they attempt to deal with their outsider, disaffected feelings on a road trip through a savagely divided country. Requires patience, but the results are very much worth it.

Honourable Mentions: Infinity Pool; Sadako DX; Weird : The Al Yankovic Story; A Wounded Fawn; Consecration; Hellbender; Air; Huesera : The Bone Woman; Evil Dead Rise; Sick Of Myself; Sisu; Brooklyn 45; Jung_E; The Elderly; Mission Impossible : Dead Reckoning Part 1.

Worst Film So Far For 2023

■ Winnie The Pooh : Blood And Honey.

- Aaron Rourke

■ Clark Gable had an interesting life and will always be remembered for his role as Rhett Bulter in Gone With The Wind

Clark was a very handsome man and was dubbed the ‘King of Hollywood’ in the 1940s.

Over the years I have conducted radio interviews with people who knew the famous actor. Even ‘Clark Kent’ in Superman was named after him.

William Clark Gable was born in Ohio in 1901. He started out as a stage actor and then worked in small roles in silent films before landing supporting roles at the MGM Studios in the early 1930s.

At that time the young actor changed his name to Clark Gable

In 1932 he was cast opposite Jean Harlow in Red Dust and the world started to take notice of him.

Clark was considered to play Tarzan The Ape Man but lost out to Johnny Weissmuller.

He was reluctant to accept the role in It Happened One Night opposite Claudette Colbert but it earned him his only Academy Award in 1934.

The following year he was again nominated for an Academy Award for Fletcher Christian in Mutiny On The Bounty

I spoke to Judy Lewis who was the daughter of Clark Gable.

Judy told me the amazing story of how Clark and Loretta Young fell in love on the set of The

Whatever Happened To ... Clark Gable

By Kevin Trask of 3AW and 96.5 Inner FM

Call Of The Wild in 1935. When Loretta fell pregnant they decided that the scandal would ruin their careers and an elaborate cover story was developed.

Loretta went through the charade of pretending to adopt Judy from an orphanage and never told her who her real father was.

Judy only met Clark Gable on one occasion but found out after his death when a boyfriend told her, "Oh you're Clark Gable's daughter, everyone knows that!"

Sadly Judy passed away in 2010 but thankfully she had resolved her differences with her mother Loretta Young Clark's war record is amazing; he joined the US Army Air Forces in 1942 and trained as a

● ● ● ● Clark Gable pilot. He was eventually promoted to Captain and flew over Germany in bombing raids. Clark was awarded the Air Medal and the Distinguished Flying Cros s for his service during WWII.

The notable films of Clark Gable included Red Dust, It Happened One Night, San Francisco, Mogambo and Soldier Of Fortune

In 1957 he starred opposite Doris Day in one of my favourite films Teacher's Pet

Sir Donald Sinden co-starred with Gable in the 1953 film Mogambo. When I asked him what he thought of Clark Gable his response was, "Oh Clark wasn't an actor at all. He was a superb technician, he looked lovely and the girls loved him.

“He knew all about making films but that doesn't mean he was an actor."

Clark was married five times but the love of his life was his third wife actress Carole Lombard who was killed in a plane crash in 1938.

His final film role was in The Misfits and many say it was the strain of making this film that led to his early death.

It is said he did smoke three packets of cigarettes a day. Gable was working with Arthur Miller, Marilyn Monroe and Montgomery Clift and he was quoted as saying: "The title sums up this mess. Miller, Monroe and Clift - they don't know what the hell they're doing. We don't belong in the same room together."

Clark Gable never worked in television productions.

Hollywood author James Bacon told me that the minute he heard that Clark had suffered a heart attack he raced to the Hollywood Presbyterian Hospital and arrived just as Clark was being wheeled in.

Clark said to James: "How's the food in this joint?"

Clark Gable died in the hospital 10 days later on November 16, 1960 at the age of 59.

Five months later his wife Kay gave birth to his only son John and Marilyn Monroe attended the christening. John Clark Gable is now 58 and has inherited his father's good looks.

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