Melbourne Observer. November 15, 2017

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WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 15, 2017

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S TATE EDITION Vol 49 No 1687 SERVING VICTORIA SINCE 1969

KRANSKY CHRISTMAS including GST

■ If you’re swept into a bah and humbug state at the thought of the Silly Season or find Christmas commercialism overwhelming, forget the shopping and take a friend to see A Very Kransky Christmas at The Alex Theatre in St Kilda.

3AW WINS RATINGS

■ Melbourne commercial radio station 3AW was clear winner in the seventh survey results announced yesterday (Tues.).

3AW won a market share of 15.8 per cent, measured 5.30am-12 Midnight, MondayFriday.

Then followed: Gold, 11.0. Fox, 9.7. ABC Melbourne, 9.6. Smooth, 9.6. Nova, 6.7.

KIIS, 6.5. Triple M, 6.0. JJJ, 4.8. SEN, 3.7.

Radio National, 2.5. ABC FM, 2.3, ABC News, 1.4. Talking Lifestyle, 0.4.

Ross Stevenson and John Burns (3AW) captured a 20 per cent share in the breakfast shift. Their nearest competitor was Red Symons on ABC Melbourne.

Neil Mitchell (3AW) scored 17.6 in the morning program timeslot, followed by Jon Faine (ABC) on 10.7 per cent.

This week the kooky, sometimes creepy Kransky Sisters, Mourne, Eve and Dawn uncovered their coming Christmas show at The Alex (formerly the George Cinemas) over a sumptuous morning tea of Vegemite sandwiches, fairy bread and lamingtons.

For this national tour the Sisters have motored down in their 1958 Morris Major from their Queensland home town of Esk while gleaning musical inspiration from listening to the wireless as they drove.

They point out that younger, half-sister Dawn from a different father, was indulged, and is therefore the only one with a musical education. Marked by a dysfunctional family, they find own unusual ways to celebrate Christmas Day Whether it’s renditions of popular music such as Abba’s Take a Chance on Me, Enya or Christmas carols, you’ll be surprised by the Sister’s vocal and instrumental musicality.

To the accompaniment of Dawn’s tuba Mourne’s reed keyboard and acoustic guitar or Eve’s musical saw and a range of other unique musical instruments such as the toilet brush and biscuit tin, you’ll enter their world of egg-nog and empty Christmas stockings.

They’ll reveal secrets to coping with the Season, and life, characterised by their out of the ordinary interests, domestic arrangements portrayed with music and humour.

Don’t miss Mourne’s quick and thrifty Christmas recipes.

Join the party at The Alex Theatre, Theatre 1, Level 1, 135 Fitzroy St., St.Kilda Performance dates: November 20-26 Times: Mon-Fri: 8.00pm (no Tues, performance), Sat: 5.00pm and 8.30pm Sun: 5.00pm Running time: 100 minutes Bookings: Through Ticketek Check thekranskysisters.com for regiona venues and performances throughout November and December.

- Sherryn Danaher

FRANCSHISEES WANTED URGENTLY Melbourne Metro and Country Vic Options available; Some territories already trading; Some leads provided Low cost entry

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Page 2 - Melbourne Observer - Wednesday, November 15, 2017

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Travel

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Showbiz Latest

It’s All About You!

Melbourne

‘Face to Face’ at Strathmore Observer

● Mark Stratford (Bryan) and Marti Ibrahim (Bryony) in Charitable Intent.

Photos: Allen Burton.

● Jessica Hieser (Jack Manning) and Rachel Stanhope (Therese Martin) in Face to Face.

‘Agni’ at Docklands ■ After the sell-out success of their 2016 season Jala, Apollon Studios proudly returns this year with Agni, the second production in their series of the five Vedic Elements Works; Water, Fire, Wind, Earth and Aether.

Running from December 6 - 17 in the Mission to Seafarers in Docklands, Agni (ægni/AG-nee) is a celebration of all the aspects of Fire and its power to protect, give life, and destroy.

“Malcolm Berry and I travelled through Mexico last year doing research for Agni.”, explains Director Scott Gooding.

“The show is part of a longer artistic investigation and examines the idea of how giving and destructive Fire can be. How even within the destruction there is the ability for it to generate new life.

“We've worked to create a true multi-art form event and it's exciting to see how audiences will interact with the pieces. We all tend to have a "go to" area for most of our art experiences, but with Agni we're offering a chance to step out of a comfort zone.

To experience things that you wouldn't sometimes have access to, ” says Gooding.

Agni features a two week exhibition of paintings and drawings by Adelaide graphic artist Krystal Brock and painter Malcolm Berry, and a multilayered performance running for four nights only.

Text written by Robert Reid , Directed by Scott Gooding. Original Music by David Balaban and Tim Wild, Performed by Malcolm Berry, Anna Kennedy, Jack Sheppard, and Krystal Brock, Musicians: Ash Galea, Christy Flavell, Kavita Kalyan and

■ Strathmore Theatrical Arts Group (STAG) presents two plays from the Jack Manning Trilogy, Charitable Intent and Face to Face, until November 19 at the Strathmore Community Theatre.

Australian playwright David Williamson centres both plays on the restorative process of Community Conferencing, mediated by Jack Manning (Jessica Hieser).

Williamson wrote the plays in the 1990s, but the conflict between the variable dynamics and complexities of human nature remain timeless.

Charitable Intent involves a community conferencing session between staff at a charity fund-raising company. After corporate restructuring by the conniving CEO Bryony (Marti Ibrahim), the workplace is ‘poisonous’.

Concern is expressed about the company’s new direction and Bryony’s arrogant behaviour, particularly towards cancer survivor Amanda (Alison Jones).

Director Roderick Chappel has cast experienced actors with varied voice styles and appearances, who sustain audience interest in these dialogue-heavy plays.

Charitable Intent also includes Angela Trakula (Stella), Mark Stratford (Bryan), Rosie Chappel (Tamsyn), Sevi Tseros (Cassie) and Del Barwick (Giulia).

Special mention must be made of the outstanding performances presented by Marti Ibrahim (Bryony), Alison Jones (Amanda) and Jessica Hieser for her calm, intelligent portrayal of Manning in both performances.

The plays are well-directed by Roderick Chapel, and the characters’ naturalistic dialogue and behaviour immerses the audience in their conflict and concerns.

In Face to Face, the conferencing session involves a young victim of workplace bullying, Glen (Hugh Adrien), sacked after damaging his boss Greg Baldoni’s (Mark Stratford) expensive car.

This play features impressive performances by the cast which also includes Angela Trakula (Maureen Tregaskis), Leanne Conn (Claire Baldoni), Leigh Johnson (Barry McLean), Del Barwick (Julie Rossiter), Luke Smith (Richard Halligan), Gilbert Gauci (Luka Mitrovic) and Rachel Stanhope (Therese Martin).

Mark Stratford, Angela Trakula and Del Barwick demonstrate terrific versatility in their new roles.

The varied wardrobe adds good visual interest to both plays.

It is great to see Australian plays being presented in local theatre.

Congratulations to STAG and Roderick Chappell and team.

Strathmore Theatrical Arts Group (STAG): Face to Face and Charitable Intent (by David Williamson) November 9 – 19 at the Strathmore Community Theatre, Corner Loeman and Napier Sts., Strathmore. Tickets” $20/$15. Bookings: 9382 6284 www.stagtheatre.org/reservations.

- Cheryl Threadgold

In This Edition

Long Shots - Indigenous heritage Matt Bissett-Johnson - Observations West Hollywood - Gavin Wood Country People - Alexandra Show Whatever Happened - Kevin Trask OK - with John O’Keefe Classic Books - Last Chapter Local Theatre - Cheryl Threadgold Country Music - Rob Foenander Movies, DVDs - James Sherlock Film - Aaron Rourke Movies, DVDs Local Theatre Country Music Top 10 Lists

Observer Showbiz

Latest News Around Victoria

Robbery charges

■ Armed Crime Squad detectives have charged a man following an alleged armed robbery at a gaming venue in Rowville on Monday.

The alleged armed robbery occurred at a gaming venue on Stud Rd just after 8.45am.

A 30-year-old man was arrested by Special Operations Group police at an address in Rowville.

The Rowville man was charged with armed robbery and firearms offences.

Indecent acts

■ A man has been charged following a series of alleged indecent acts in the Mentone and Brighton areas over the weekend.

The incidents allegedly took place around the foreshore beach areas on November 11 and 12.

A 52-year-old man of no fixed address was arrested on Sunday in relation to the incidents.

He has been charged with two counts of directing a sexual act towards another person and bailed to appear at Moorabbin Magistrates’ Court on November 17.

Police would like to thank members of the community for their assistance.

Forecast

■ Today (Wed.). Scattered showers.

17°-31° ■ Thurs. Showers. 14°-21° ■ Fri. Partly cloudy. 14°-23° ■ Sat. Showers. 16°-25° ■ Sun. Partly cloudy. 18°-28°

Mike McColl Jones ● Anna Kennedy and Jack Sheppard in Agni. Photo: Jacinta Oaten Aman Kalyan, Featuring work by artists Malcolm Berry and Krystal Brock, Curated

by Cathy Horsley Performance: December 6 – 9 at 7pm Venue: Mission to Seafarers, 717 Flinders St., Docklands = Tickets: $35 Full, $25 Concession Bookings: Online via www.apollonstudios.com.au Enquiries: 0421 304 298 Exhibition: December 6 - 17 Tues - Sun 10am to 4pm. Free entry. Enquiries: 0421 304 298 Venue: Mission to Seafarers - 717 Flinders Street, Docklands - Cheryl Threadgold

Top 5

THE T OP 5 THINGS THE GO VT TOP GOVT SHOULD DO T O SOL VE THE TO SOLVE CURRENT CRISIS. 5. Simply raise a white flag on Parliament House and all go home.

4. Bring in some Pre-Schoolers and let them solve it.

3. Sell Australia (or what's left of it) to China for trillions, give the money to us to do whatever we want with it.

2. In future every person born in Australia must have a bar-code.

1. Give Australia back to the original occupiers, and ask if it's still under warranty.

Page 10 - Melbourne Observer - Wednesday, November 15, 2017

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Ash OnWednesday

Observer Extraordinary heritage inc orpor a ting the Melbourne A d vvertiser ertiser, incorpor orpora Ad Melbourne T ict orian Rur al Ne ws Trr ader ader,, V Vict ictorian Rural New and Melbourne Seniors News News..

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with Kerry Kulkens Aries : March 21- April 20.

Colour red Lucky day Friday Racing numbers 3.5.6.2.

Lotto numbers 1.6.13.25.24.40.

A person that you haven't seen for a long time could come back to your life again. And you will have to decide if you are willing to give someone a second chance and how it is going to change your life.

Taurus: April 21- May 20.

Colour green Lucky day. Monday Racing numbers 2.3.5.6.

Lotto numbers 1.6.15.29.37.40.

Cancellations and deferrals of travel plans are possible and you may have to make new plans in a hurry. But it could turn out to be better than you expected anyway.

Our Team Editor: Ash Long Features Editor: Peter Mac Columnists: Len Baker (harness racing), Matt Bissett-Johnson (cartoonist), David Ellis (wine and travel), Rob Foenander (country music), Kerry Kulkens (astrology), Nick Le Souef (outback Australia), Mike McColl Jones (life), Greg Ne wman (r adio ), T erry Radf or d ((C C ourt ewman (radio adio), Terry Radfor ord roundsman), Aaron Rourke (movies), Ted Ry an (r acing), Jim Sherlock Ryan (racing), (movies, DVDs), Cheryl Threadgold (local thea e ), K e vin T sho wbiz), theatt rre Ke Trrask ((sho showbiz), Wood (Hollyw Veritas, G avin W ood (Holly w ood).

Honorary Reviewers: Mark Briggs, Rita Crispin, Martin Curtis, Sherryn Danaher Danaher,, Barbar a Hughes, L yn Hurs t, K athryn Barbara Lyn Hurst, Ka Keeble, Beth Klein, Deborah Marinaro, Gr aeme McC oubrie therine , McGr egor Graeme McCoubrie oubrie,, Ca Catherine McGregor egor,, David McLean, Maggie Morrison, Jill Pa g e ylie Rackham, Elizabeth Semmel. e,, K Kylie Arts: Peter Kemp. Distribution: Sam Fiorini, phone 9482 1145

Your Stars

Gemini. May 21- June 21.

Colour lilac Lucky dayWednesday Racing numbers 2.6.5.3.

Lotto numbers 1.5.16.24.45.33.

Finical matters are on the improve and plans you have made, should turn out very well. You could be slightly disappointed about someone, but this will not stop you from enjoying yourself. edit or@L ocalP aper or@LocalP ocalPaper aper..c om. om.aa u

with Ash Long, Editor “For the cause that lacks assistance, ‘Gainst the wrongs that need resistance For the future in the distance, And the good that we can do”

● The late Les ‘Digger’ Franklin.

Photo by Ash Long, early 1990s ■ Victoria has such a rich indigenous heritage, we should be yelling it from the rooftops.

Congratulations to the Y Water Discovery Centre for their Wumindjika (Welcome) Weekend.

A new fence ‘installation’, with work

by Mick Harding and Cassie Leatham was unveiled.

And there were a ● Sherryn Antonopoulos and Bernadette Franklin number of descendants of the Franklin family present, participating in a range of activities.

Those district ‘oldtimers’ will remember great characters such as the late Les ‘Digger’ Franklin, rabbiter extraordinaire.

‘Digger’ used to place a miniature piece of brick in his glass when he sharing a beer with friends, often at the Molesworth Hotel, in the ● Sisters Melanie Young and Leanne Callaghan 1980s and 1990s.

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Thought For The Week ■ It is not a fragrant world.

- Raymond Chandler

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Observer Curmudgeon

■ “I don't answer the phone. I get the feeling whenever I do that there will be someone on the other end.

-Fred Couples

Text For The Week

● Russell Wealands and Don Knight

■ "One thing I ask from the Lord, this only do I seek: that I may dwell in the house of the Lord all the days of my life, to gaze on the beauty of the LORD and to seek him in his temple.

- Psalms: 27-4

Cancer. June 22- July 22.

Colour cream Lucky day. Sunday Racing numbers 5.2.5.3.

Lotto numbers 1.6.13.23.31.10.

Most of your efforts to improve your financial situation are working well and with a little bit of luck will add to the enjoyment of this period. People are seeking your company and paying you compliments.

Leo. July 23- August 22.

Colour brown Lucky dayWednesday Racing numbers 2.3.1.3.

Lotto numbers 1.23.36.5.40.11.

Your luck should be in with property matters and you could have an offer you cannot refuse. People from a distance will contact you and some travel could be the result of it. Luck with a person born in July.

Virgo.August 23- September 23.

Colour purple Lucky day Monday Racing numbers 6.5.3.6.

Lotto numbers 1.6.15.24.40.33.

Successful travel will help you to achieve what you are after and bring the result you hoped for. With personal relationships you may have to cool it a bit for a while.

Libra. September 224- October 23.

Colour fawn Lucky day Thursday Racing numbers 5.6.1.2.

Lotto numbers. 13.15.26.24.40.33.

Some surprising happenings in your life and some wishes could also come true during this period. It would be a good idea to listen to someone who has your interest at heart.

Scorpio. October 24- November 22.

Colour blue Lucky day Friday Racing 8.9.5.5.

Lotto numbers 1.6.14.19.25.40.

You may have ideas that do not agree with loved ones.

Now is not the time to proceed with these plans, wait until people are in a more acceptable mood. Problems with friends should be solving themselves.

Sagittarius. November 23- December 20 Lucky colour white Lucky day. Saturday Racing numbers 3.2.3.5.

Lotto numbers 13.15.29.37.39.45.

If you are working towards a goal, now is a good time to get some extra work done and get small things out of the way. Once people realize what you are about they will help you and your work will be that much easier.

Capricorn. December 21- January 19.

Colour orange Lucky day Friday Racing 3.5.2.1.

Lotto numbers 3.5.1.10.40.42.

A very romantic period in which many of your wishes could come true, but do not let this be an excuse to let other friendships slip. Someone could be keeping an eye on your performance in public forums.

Aquarius. January 20- February 19.

Lucky colour orange Lucky day Monday Racing numbers 6.5.2.1.

Lotto numbers 13.15.26.24.40.45 A tendency to overspend is there, so try to keep your eye on expenditure for the whole family. The social scene is very hectic. You will have lots to do, but not all is tedious. Some surprising luck with a loved one.

Pisces. February 20- March 20.

Colour cream Lucky day. Monday Racing 5.3.2.1.

Lotto numbers 1.5.23.32.10.2.

A possibility of a friendship to deepen in to a love relationship. People could be expecting a lot from you. Don't neglect your usual duties and you will have a lot more to look forward to than usual.

Visit Kerry Kulkens Magic Shop at 1693 Burwood Hwy, Belgrave Phone/Fax 9754 4587 www.kerrykulkens.com.au Like us on Facebook

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Melbourne Observer - Wednesday, November 15, 2017 - Page 11

Melbourne Arts Auditions

■ Williamstown Little Theatre: Mr Bailey's Minder (by Debra Oswald) November 19 at 1.00pm and November 25 at 7.30pm at 2 Albert St., Williamstown Director: Deborah Fabbro. Enquiries: orbbaf@ozemail.com.au ■ Essendon Theatre Company: Old Actors Never Die … They Just Lose the Plot, November 28 at 7.30pm and December 5 at 7.30pm at the Bradshaw Street Community Theatre, Bradshaw St., West Essendon. Director: Alex McMurray. Audition bookings:040-9 867 2090.

■ Strathmore Theatrical Arts Group (STAG): Wait Until Dark (by Frederick Knott) November 20, 21 at 7.30pm at Strathmore Community Theatre, Loeman St., Strathmore. Director: Rhys Purdy. Enquiries: 0422 179 065 ■ Heidelberg Theatre Company: Crossing Delancey (by Susan Sandler) November 19, 20 at 7.30pm at 36 Turnham Ave., Rosanna Director: Llaaneath Poor. Enquiries: queen_styxia,89@hotmail.com ■ LilydaleAthenaeum Theatre Company: Sylvia (by A. R. Gurney) November 26 at 2.00pm, November 27 at 7.00pm at the Lilydale Athenaeum Theatre, 39-41 Castella St., Lilydale. Director: Catherine Garside.

Enquiries: 9735 1777.

- Cheryl Threadgold

Laurent Gallery Transcendental Couch.

By Jessie Cunningham-Reid.

Cunningham-Reid's paintings express an ongoing exploration of a visual language that portrays her interest in spatial relationships, dolour and humanity.

Her recent trip to New York Studio School ignited her passion for drawing as a philosophy and the necessity for training one's eye to truly see.

Looking at a space with a piece of unknowing and finding authentic marks, translated into an artwork using herself as an epistemological tool.

Exhibition dates: November 9 - 28. Hours 9am -5pm Mondays to Fridays. Closed Thursdays.

Laurent Gallery 115 Thistlethwaite St, South Melbourne - Peter Kemp

NGV Triennial The inaugural NGV Triennial presents an unprecedented large-scale exhibition of international art, design and architecture opening on December 15.

Traversing established mid-career and emerging practitioners at the forefront of their fields, the NGV Triennial artists and designers have been selected for their diversity and dynamism of practice, including those embracing cutting edge technologies, from 3D printing to robotics, as well as performance, film painting, drawing, installation and fashion design, tapestry and sculpture.

The NGV Triennial will be on display at NGV INT will be on display at NGV International from December 15 to April 15.

2018 - Peter Kemp

Local Theatre Shows

● Ryan Kennedy (The Writer) at left, Henry Young (Trev), Reschelle O’Connor (Lisa) and Peter Prenga (Steve) in The Return. Absent: Kelly Neilsen (Maureen).

Cheryl Threadgold’s review is on Page 16. Photo: John Shelbourn Melbourne

Observer

Good old Knees-Up ■ Fem Belling and 17-piece big band present A Grand Ol’ Knees Up An evening of decadence on Friday 24 November at the Hawthorn Arts Centre.

Joined by a 17-piece big band, Fem will take audiences on a musical degustation through the eras: from Ella to Ellington, Liza to Louis, Quincy Jones to Queen.

The Hawthorn Arts Centre provides the perfect setting to be transported back in time to an evening of decadence that even Mister Gatsby would indulge in.

‘I can’t wait to get my glad rags on to bring to life the unmistakable sounds of a 17-piece big band in such an iconic venue – like it used to be,’ said Fem. ‘So many people have asked me when I would be doing a show of this grandeur, and here it is.’

A Grand Ol’ Knees Up is sure to be an all-out celebration to kick off the silly season this summer. Audiences are invited to don their dancing shoes, dust off their jewels and join in on the dance floor; or take a seat and soak in the grand atmosphere.

Fem was recently nominated in the Best Jazz Album category at The Age Music Victoria Awards for her album NoThen, which sees Fem’s sophisticated voice and spectacular breadth of range applied to unexpected genres.

Sax Section Rob Simone Vic Brincat Tony Hicks James Bradley Stu Byrne The Trumpets Matt Tubman Mick Fraze Dave Hirst Mel Wilkinson The Trombones Roger Schmidli Andrew Leach Adam Grech Adam Arnold Rhythm Section Gerard Assi Dan Mougerman Adam Spiegal Alex Spicer Performance: Friday November 24 at 8pm Venue Hawthorn Arts Centre, 360 Burwood Rd. Hawthorn Tickets: $37 / $32 concession / $30 groups of 8 or more Bookings: https://www.boroondara.vic. gov.au/events/grand-ol-knees - Cheryl Threadgold

Melbourne Observations

with Matt Bissett-Johnson

Showbiz News

● Fem Belling

Out of Order Out of Order - Shannon Smiley.

In Out of Order, former Bayside Artist in Residence Shannon smiley, finds beauty in the everyday.

Inspired by the Australian suburban environment, Smiley focuses on the neglected and overgrown niches found in the urban environment.

His practice is informed be a predilection for the tradition of landscape painting and a questioning of the inherent values within it.

November 11 - December 17.

Bayside Arts & Cultural Centre Brighton Town Hall Cnr Carpenter St. & Wilson St. Brighton.

- Peter Kemp

■ Brighton Theatre Company: The Return Until November 25 at Brighton Theatre, Arts and Cultural Centre, Carpenter St., Brighton.

Director: Deborah Fabbro. Bookings: 1300 752 126 www.brightontheatreco.com ■ Mooroolbark Theatre Group: Becky's New Car (by Steven Dtetz) Until November 19 at 125 Brice Ave., Mooroolbark. Director: Louise Woodward. Bookings: 0490 769 245 ■ Lilydale Athenaeum Theatre Company: Six Dance Lessons in Six Weeks Until November 25 at the Athenaeum Theatre, 39 - 41 Castella St., Lilydale. Director: Alan Burrows.

Bookings: 9735 1777.

■ Mordialloc Theatre Company: Leading Ladies (by Ken Ludwig) Until November 25 at the Shirley Burke Theatre, 64 Parkers Rd., Parkdale. Director: Tim Long. Bookings: www.mordialloctheatre.com ■ Heidelberg Theatre Company: Blood Brothers (by Willie Russell) November 17 December 2 at Heidelberg Theatre, 36 Turnham Ave., Rosanna. Director: Bruce Akers. Bookings: 9457 4117 or email htc@htc.org.au ■ Strathmore Theatrical Arts Group (STAG): Face to Face and Charitable Intent (by David Williamson) Until November 19 at the Strathmore Community Theatre, Corner Loeman and Napier Sts., Strathmore. Tickets" $20/$15. Bookings: 9382 6284 www.stagtheatre.org/reservations ■ Beaumaris Theatre: Death by Fatal Murder (by Peter Gordon) Until November 25 at Beaumaris Theatre, 82 Wells Rd., Beaumaris. Director: Robyn Morris. Bookings: www.beaumaristheatre.com.au ■ Tangled Web Theatre Productions: Betrayal November 15 - 19 at Studio Theatre 2, Northcote Town Hall, 189 High St, Northcote.

Bookings: 9481 9500.

■ The Basin Theatre: Australia Day (by Jonathan Biggins) Until December 2 at The Basin Theatre, Doongalla Rd., The Basin.

Director: Angela Ellis. Bookings:1300 784 868 www.tebasintheatre.com.au ■ Eltham Little Theatre: Murder's in the Heir Until 2 December at Eltham Performing Arts Centre, Rehearsal Room, 3095 Main Rd., Research. Further details and bookings: www.elthamlittletheatre.org.au ■ Peridot Theatre: Bloody Murder (by Ed Sala) November 17 - December 2 at the Unicorn Theatre, Lechte Rd., Mt Waverley. Director: Dexter Bourke. Bookings: 9808 0770 or email tickets@peridot.com.au ■ Frankston Theatre Group: Caught in the Net November 17 - December 8 at the Mount Eliza Community Centre, Canadian Bay Rd., Mount Eliza. Director: Roy Thompson. Cabaret seating, BYO refreshments. Bookings: 1300 665 377.

■ Williamstown Musical Theatre Company: Rent Until November 25 at the Williamstown Mechanics Institute, Cnr Electra and Melbourne Rds., Williamstown.

Director: Stuart Dodge; Musical Director: Stacey-Louise Camilleri; Choreographer: Ashley Tynan. Bookings: www.wmtc.org.au ■ Essendon Theatre Company: Unnecessary Farce November 23 - December 2 at the Bradshaw Street Theatre, Bradshaw Street, West Essendon. Director: George Benca. Bookings: 0422 029 483.

■ Playhouse Players: 16th Year National Playwright Competition November 24 at 7.30pm, November 25 at 3.00pm and 7.30pm at Malvern Theatre, 29 Burke Rd., Malvern East. Plays: Skin, by Michael Olsen, The Arrangement by Greg Roberts and The Scrunch Test by Alaine Beek. Tickets: $24.

Further details: playhouseplayers.org.au or 0407 276 973.

■ Brighton Theatre Company: Friday Magic (Inaugural Youth Production) December 14 - 17 at Brighton Theatre, Arts and Cultural Centre, Carpenter St., Brighton. Director: Pedro Ramos. Tickets: $10. Bookings: 1300 752 120 or www.brightontheatreco.com - Cheryl Threadgold

Page 12 - Melbourne Observer - Wednesday, November 15, 2017

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AIRPORT WEST. The Lucky Charm. Shop 73, Westfield Shoppingtown.

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63 The Circle.

ALTONA WEST. Altona West Newsagency. 12 Harrington Sq. ANGLESEA. Anglesea News and Lotto. 89 Great Ocean Rd. APOLLO BAY. Hansons Newsagency. 135 Great Ocean Rd. ARMADALE. Highdale Newsagency. 969 High St. ASCOT VALE. Ascot Vale Newsagency. 1/ 208 Union Rd. ASHBURTON. Ashburton Newsagency.

209 High St. ASPENDALE. Aspendale Newsagency.

129 Station St. ASHWOOD. Ashwood Newsagency. 503 Warrigal Rd. BAIRNSDALE. Bairnsdale Newsagency.

21 Bailey St. BALACLAVA. Carlisle Newsagency. 143 Carlisle St. BALWYN. Balwyn Newsagency. 413 Whitehorse Rd. BALWYN. Belmore News and Lotto. 338 Belmore Rd. BALWYN. Burkemore Newsagency. 1060 Burke Rd. BALWYN. Yooralla Newsagency. 247A Belmore Rd BATMAN. Batman Newsagency. 93 Gaffney St BAXTER. Baxter Newsagency. 106 BaxterTooradin Rd BELL PARK. Bell Park Newsagency. 21-23 Milton St. BELMONT. Belmont Newsagency. 132 High St. BENTLEIGH. Bentleigh Newsagency. 359 Centre Rd. BENTLEIGH EAST. Centrefield Newsagency. 939 Centre Rd. BENTLEIGH EAST. Chesterville Newsagency. 299 Chesterville Rd BENTLEIGH EAST. East Bentleigh Newsagency. 761 Centre Rd. BERWICK. Berwick Newsagency. 29-31 High St. BLACK ROCK. Black Rock Newsagency.

606 Balcombe Rd. BLACKBURN. Blackburn Newsagency.

116 South Pde. BLACKBURN SOUTH. Blackburn South Newsagency. 118 Canterbury Rd BORONIA. Boronia Village Newsagency.

Shop 22A, 163 Boronia Rd. BOX HILL. Newsline Newsagency. Shop 70, Centro.

BOX HILL. Whitehorse News and Lotto.

Shop SP037 Centro.

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1394 Toorak Rd. CAMBERWELL. Camberwell Centre Newsagency. 628 Burke Rd. CAMBERWELL. Camberwell Market Newsagency. 513 Riversdale Rd. CAMBERWELL. Through Road Newsagency. 18 Through Rd. CANTERBURY. Canterbury Newsagency.

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Queens Pde. COBURG. Coburg Newsagency. 481-483 Sydney Rd. COLAC. Blanes Newsagency. 164 Murray St. COWES. Cowes Newsagency. 44-46 Thompson Ave. CRAIGIEBURN. The Lucky Charm.

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45 Vincent St. DELACOMBE. Ballarat Authorised Newsagency. 1 Laidlaw Drive.

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198 Pakington St.

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1352 Malvern Rd. MALVERN EAST. Central Park Newsagency. 393 Wattletree Rd. MALVERN EAST NEWSAGENCY. Waverley Road Newsagency. 336 Waverley Rd. McKINNON. McKinnon Newsagency. 163 McKinnon Rd MELBOURNE. Domain Newsagency.

Shop 6, 401 St Kilda Rd. MELBOURNE. Flinders Street Newsagency. 65 Flinders St. MELTON. Newsxpress Melton.

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17 Merlyn St. MIDDLE PARK. Middle Park Newsagency. 16 Armstrong St. MILDURA. Klemm's Mildura Newsagency.

53 Langtree Mall.

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102 Mount Eliza Way.

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79 Commercial St East.

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MURRUMBEENA. Murrumbeena Newsagency. 456 Neerim Rd. NARRE WARREN. Narre Warren Newsagency. Shop 1, Narre Warren.

NEWBOROUGH. Newborough Newsagency. 30 Rutherglen St. NEWMARKET. Newmarket Newsagency.

292 Racecourse Rd NOBLE PARK. Noble Park Newsagency.

422 Douglas St. NORTHCOTE. Newsplaza Newsagency, Northcote Plaza.

NORTHCOTE. Northcote Newsagency.

335 High St. NORTH MELBOURNE. Ledermans Newsagency. 234-244 Macauley Rd. NUNAWADING. Mountainview Newsagency. 293A Springfield Rd. PARKDALE. Parkdale Newsagency. 238 Como Pde. West.

PASCOE VALE SOUTH. Coonans Hill Newsagency. 67 Coonans Rd. PASCOE VALE SOUTH. Paper N Post.

372-380 Bell St. PRESTON. Preston N’agency. 377 High St. PRESTON. Preston Town Hall Newsagency. 247-249 Murray Rd. PRINCES HILL. Princes Hill Newsagency.

607 Lygon St RESERVOIR. Broadway Newsagency.

279 Broadway.

RICHMOND. Swan St Newsagency. 108 Swan St. RICHMOND. Vernons Newsagency. 308A Bridge Rd. RINGWOOD EAST. Ringwood East Newsagency. 52 Railway Ave. RINGWOOD NORTH. North Ringwood Newsagency. 182 Warrandyte Rd. ROBINVALE. Robinvale Newsagency. 67 Perrin St. ROSANNA. Rosanna Newsagency. 135 Lower Plenty Rd. ROSEBUD. Rosebud Newsagency. 1083 Point Nepean Rd. RYE. Rye Newsagency. 2371 Pt Nepean Rd. SALE. Sale Newsagency. 310 Raymond St. SANDRINGHAM. Sandringham Newsagency. Shop 5, 18-34 Station St. SCORESBY. Scoresby Newsagency. 14 Darryl St. SEAFORD. Seaford Newsagency. 124 Nepean Hwy. SEBASTOPOL. Sebastopol Newsagency.

Shop 3, 'Safeway Complex'.

SHEPPARTON. Goulburn Valley Newsagency. 314 Wyndham St. SHEPPARTON. Lovell Newsagency. 246 Wyndham St. SOMERVILLE. Somerville Newsagency.

Shop 24, Plaza, Eramosa Rd. SOUTH MELBOURNE. Clarendon Newsagency. 9 Thistlewaite St. SPRINGVALE. Springvale Newsagency.

321 Springvale Rd. STRATHFIELDSAYE. Strathfieldsaye News and Lotto. Shop 5, 939 Wellington St. TARWIN LOWER. Tarwin Lower Newsagency. 45 River Drive.

TATURA. Tatura N’agency. 138 Hogan St. TEMPLESTOWE. Macedon News and Lotto.

THORNBURY. Normanby News and Lotto. 25 Macedon Rd TOORADIN. Tooradin Newsagency. 92 South Gippsland Hwy. TOORAK. Toorak Village Newsagency.

479 Toorak Rd. TORQUAY. Torquay Newsagency. 20 Gilbert St. TRARALGON. Seymour Street Newsagency. 83 Seymour St. TRARALGON. Traralgon News and Lotto.

51-53 Franklin St. TULLAMARINE. Tullamarine Newsagency. 2/191 Melrose Dr. VERMONT. Vermont Authorised Newsagency. 600 Canterbury Rd. VERMONT SOUTH. Vermont South Newsagency. Shop 14, 495 Burwood Hwy. WANTIRNA SOUTH. Wantirna South Newsagency. 223 Stud Rd. WARRAGUL. Warragul Newsagency. 43 Victoria St. WARRNAMBOOL. Reinheimers Newsagency. 145 Koroit St. WATSONIA. Watsonia Newsagency.

Watsonia Rd. WHEELERS HILL. Wheelers Hill Newsagency.

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Melbourne Observer - Wednesday, November 11, 2015 - Page 13

Observer Magazine

Stateside with Gavin Wood in West Hollywood

Veterans Day in the USA ■ Hi everyone, from my suite at the Ramada Plaza Hotel and Suites comes this week's news.

West Hollywood salutes ■ The Ramada Plaza Hotel and Suites in West Hollywood and the City of West Hollywood honoured veterans and active members of the armed forces at the annual Veterans Remembrance Day. Similar to Remembrance Day in Australia, the whole country comes together and thanks the serving men and women and to remember the fallen heroes.

The Mayor, Council members, members of the armed forces, representatives from the L.A. Sheriff’s Department, L.A.P.D, County Fire Department and local community members all attended on the 11th of the 11th .

China detains b’ballers ■ The three UCLA men's basketball players arrested in China for allegedly shoplifting a day before US President Donald Trump visited, cannot leave their hotel until the end of the legal process, which could last months.

Police are requiring the University of California, Los Angeles, players to remain at their luxury Hangzhou hotel until the legal process is done, which could last days, weeks or even months.

The three students, freshmen LiAngelo Ball, Cody Riley and Jalen Hill, were arrested. Ball is the younger brother of National Basketball Association rookie Lonzo Ball of the Los Angeles Lakers.

● Pictured at the Remembrance ceremony, Sheriff Captain Dave Smith, Ramada Managing Director, Alan Johnson and Sheriff Sgt. Jim Farrell.

Rich get richer

Football on the decline

■ The three richest people in the US - Bill Gates, Jeff Bezos and Warren Buffett - own as much wealth as the bottom half of the US population, or 160 million people. Analysis of the wealth of America's richest people found that Gates, Bezos and Buffett were sitting on a combined $248.5bn fortune. The Institute for Policy Studies said the growing gap between rich and poor had created a "moral crisis". In a report, the Billionaire Bonanza, the think tank said Donald Trump's tax change proposals would "exacerbate existing wealth disparities" as 80 per cent of tax benefits would end up going to the wealthiest 1 per cent of households. "Wealth inequality is on the rise," said Chuck Collins, an economist and co-author of the report. "Now is the time for actions that reduce inequality, not tax cuts for the very wealthy."

■ As far as longtime sports broadcaster Bob Costas is concerned, the future of football in the United States is clear and bleak.

"The reality is that this game destroys people's brains," he said. Speaking at a roundtable discussion at the University of Maryland, Costas, who hosted Football Night in America on NBC for more than a decade, said the sport could collapse over time, barring a development in technology to make it reasonably safe.

He said the decline of football, which was once "a cash machine," is the most significant story in American sports.

Walt Disney cashed up ■ The Walt Disney Company has held preliminary talks to buy entertainment assets owned by 21st Century Fox, including the Fox movie and television studio, the FX cable network and a share of Hulu.

The talks were first reported by CNBC and confirmed by two people briefed on the matter, who spoke on the condition of anonymity to discuss private information.

The two companies are no longer talking, although discussions could restart. Spokeswomen for both companies declined to comment.

Sia thwarts Papps ■ Sia, the famously private Australian singer, took to Twitter to publish a naked picture of herself, thwarting an alleged attempt by paparazzi to sell the image.

"Someone is apparently trying to sell naked photos of me to my fans," she wrote, next to a shot of her bare bum.

"Save your money, here it is for free. Every day is Christmas!" Her followers cheered her on, tweeting, "You are a legend," "Hero," and "Sia I'm screaming."

The multiplatinum-selling singer and songwriter, who often appears disguised in public and who has penned hits for Adele, Rihanna, and Beyoncé, has a new holiday album (titled, yes, Everyday Is Christmas) dropping this month.

Out and About ■ Mariah Carey has undergone weight-loss surgery after the superstar became self-conscious about her curves because of cruel online comments.

The New York Post Page Six has exclusively learned that the diva underwent gastric sleeve surgery last month, performed by a top surgeon in Beverly Hills, Calif., after her weight reportedly skyrocketed.

Van, still making music

GavinWood

From my Suite at the Ramada Plaza Complex on Santa Monica Blvd The procedure involves removing part of the stomach so that the patient feels fuller more quickly. It can be done via a small incision, meaning recovery time is fast and scarring is minimal.

■ Adam Levine revealed that he and wife Behati Prinsloo are going to be welcoming another daughter in a couple of months.

The Maroon 5 front man appeared on The Ellen DeGeneres Show where he discussed the baby's sex and Prinsloo's pregnancy.

■ Age is nothing but a number for Rosie O'Donnell. The twice divorced 55-year-old revealed her new girlfriend is 22 years her junior during an interview. "I am in love," O'Donnell said of the 33-year-old mystery woman on The Howard Stern Show. "It's the first time I've dated someone younger than me and it's a very trippy thing."

■ The man who has been stalking actress Keira Knightley has been ordered to stay in a psychiatric hospital indefinitely after a diagnosis of paranoid schizophrenia and some extremely disturbing behavior.

Mark Revill, 50, has been ordered to remain in psychiatric treatment for the foreseeable future after a campaign of stalking the Pirates of the Caribbean star and her family resulted in breaking a restraining order, threats on Twitter and allegedly sending nude photos of an underage girl.

www.gavinwood.us

■ Van Morrison, whose song Brown Eyed Girl became a hit 50 years ago, is still making music. The Northern Irish singer-songwriter has released his 37th studio album, Roll with the Punches, and will begin a tour that will include six US concerts. The album features five new songs written or cowritten by Morrison, along with another 10 covers of blues, rock, gospel and jazz classics intended to pay homage to some of the musical heroes of his youth.

Ozzy off the hook ■ Sharon Osbourne's marriage to rocker husband Ozzy is "1000 percent better" a year after their split following his affair. The couple briefly went their separate ways in May 2016 after Ozzy had an affair with celebrity hairstylist Michelle Pugh. But now the couple insists they are stronger than ever and Ozzy has learned from his "mistakes." Ozzy Osbourne announced that he will embark on his "farewell world tour" starting in 2018, a trek that will take the Black Sabbath singer around the world through 2020.

Mention this newspaper

■ If you are considering a move to Los Angeles or just coming over for a holiday then I have got a special deal for you.

We would love to see you at the Ramada Plaza Hotel and Suites, 8585 Santa Monica Boulevard, West Hollywood.

I have secured a terrific holiday deal for readers of the Melbourne Observer and The Local Paper.

Please mention 'Melbourne Observer' when you book and you will receive the 'Special Rate of the Day'.

Please contact: Joanna at info@ramadaweho.com Gavin Wood

Page 14 - Melbourne Observer - Wednesday, November 11, 2015

Observer Magazine

www.MelbourneObserver.com.au

● Regan Watts, 7, and Jasper Watts, 5, of Mansfield, at the Alex. Show

● Murrindindi Cycle Club: from left, Neil Hall, Andrew Irvin, Dmitrii Antanoveskii, Simon Goodman, Ian Coller

● Colin Warne and and Dee Drury of St John Ambulance, Yarra Ranges

● Murray Ross, Pam Ross and Paul Redshaw of the Acheron community

● Christy Snow, handmade resin jeweller, Marcus Gillon of Snobs Creek

● Graham Atkinson, Shane Barkley and Bruce Luckman of Alexandra CFA

● Ron Knight and Tina Knight of the Alexandra SES Unit

● Andrew Baxter, Peter Weeks and Nigel Adams of Alexandra SES

www.MelbourneObserver.com.au

Melbourne Observer - Wednesday, November 11, 2015 - Page 15

Observer Magazine

● John Sharwod and Sharon Fox (Rotary) attend the Alex. Show gate

● Helen Godfrey (head steward, horses) and Shannon Mitrow (SES)

● Bryony Le Poidevin and Peter Watts with an Anglo-Nubian kid, ‘Amaia’

● Tom Farrell and Maurie Pawsey of the Rotary Club of Alexandra

● Melinda Jackson, Vera Bassett and John Bassett

● Caitlin Ballard of Wandin with six-year-old pony ‘Portia’

● Sue McNair, and Sue Haggis from Holmesglen at Eildon

● Caroline Spencer of Rivers and Ranges Community Leadership Program

Page 16 - Melbourne Observer - Wednesday, November 11, 2015

Observer Magazine

■ Cyd Charisse was one of the most beautiful dancers to appear on-screen in the great Hollywood musicals of the 1950s.

She was featured in the 2001 Guinness Book of World Records under "Most Valuable Legs", because a $5 million insurance policy was reportedly taken out by the MGM Studios on her legs in 1952.

Tula Ellice Finklea was born on March 8, 1921 in Amarillo, Texas.

Tula suffered with polio as a child and her parents arranged for her to take dance lessons.

Apparently, her younger brother Thomas had trouble pronouncing the word "sister" and settled for ‘Sid’.

While still a teenager, Tula was sent to California for professional dance training and became a member of the Ballet Russe de Monte Carlo adopting the name ‘Felia Sidorova’.

She was on a European tour when she met Nico Charisse, a handsome young dancer and dance instructor.

They fell in love and married in Paris. Three years later they had a son, Nicky.

After several small dancing parts in films and now using the stage name of ‘Lily Norwood’ she made her first notable appearance in the film Something to Shout About.

In 1946 MGM signed her to a contract and gave her minor roles in several films, including The Harvey Girls, Till the Clouds Roll By and Ziegfeld Follies in which she danced a brief

www.MelbourneObserver.com.au

Fair Weather, Meet Me in Las Vegas and once again co-starred with Fred Astaire in Silk Stockings.

After the period of the Hollywood musicals faded Cyd turned to acting roles in films such as Two Weeks in Another Town, Something's Got to Give, The Silencers and Won Ton Ton, the Dog Who Saved Hollywood.

In 1972 Cyd Charisse performed the role of ‘Sue Smith’ in the Australian tour of the stage musical No No Nanette but had to leave the show and was replaced by Yvonne De Carlo So, Cyd Charisse was here in Melbourneat

By Kevin Trask Her Majesty's Theatre working with Bobby Limb, Rosie Sturgess and Jill Perryman. of 3AW and 96.5 Inner FM In her later years Cyd performed onstage and was a guest star in television shows. opening sequence with Fred Astaire.

After receiving the National Medal Of FreeIt was the producer Arthur Freed who dom from President George Bush in 2006, Cyd changed her name to Cyd Charisse. Her musibegan having heart troubles. She suffered a mascal films during the late 1940s included Fiesta, sive heart attack on June 16, 2008 and died the The Unfinished Dance, On An Island with You, following day at the age of 86.

The Kissing Bandit, Words and Music and East Cyd Charisse was survived by her husband Side West Side.

Tony Martin and was buried at the Hillside MeIn 1948 Cyd married the singer Tony Martin morial Park. and they had a son during their marriage, Tony ● Cyd Charisse Kevin Trask Martin Jnr. Kevin can be heard on 3AW She is well remembered for her role in Singin' round Kelly's shoulders. This led to her next film Mike Till Midnight - Sat. at 8.10pm in the Rain. She appeared in only one sequence The Band Wagon with Fred Astaire.

- the Broadway Ballet, in which Gene Kelly imagBut my favourite was Brigadoon where Cyd The Time Tunnel - on Remember When - Sundays at 9.10pm ines a hoofer's rise to fame on the Great White starred in the role of ‘Fiona Campbell’.

And on 96.5 FM: That's Way. It was the sequence everybody rememCyd was in a series of successful musical Entertainment - Sundays, 12 Noon bered, as the legendary Charisse legs snaked films such as Deep In My Heart, It's Always

Whatever Happened To ...

Cyd Charisse

It’s a date at The Butterfly Club

control an empty carriage until attractive law student Lisa (Reschelle O’Connor) boards the train. The ensuing tension created by the thugs’ menacing behaviour towards her is palpable.

Any sense of relief when Maureen (Kelly Neilsen) enters the carriage diminishes when the thugs’ intimidating behaviour continues.

Maureen explains why she is on the train and a human, softer side of Steve and Trev surfaces.

We recognise they too have a story With Cheryl to tell, and feel marginalised by sociThreadgold ety. Trev makes the point that more tralian Musical, she’s also been a regu- money is spent on prisons than universities. lar solo artist at the Exford Hotel.

A man later identifying himself as Dean is excited to tell a story that a Writer (Ryan Kennedy) has also both amuses and moves audiences.

‘I’ve always found relationships in boarded the train and sits quietly writhindsight so much more interesting ing.. The unexpected turning of tables than relationships in the present day, will not be revealed in this review, but and finding humour and closure with these relationships can be an impor- skilled writing by Cribb results in rivtant stage in letting go of the past’, eting drama.

Neil Barnett’s train carriage set ensays Dean. ● Dean Robinson Dates: January 11, 12, 13, 28 hances the play’s atmosphere, with lit in The Date.

Times: 7pm (Friday the 12th- 6pm) station names appearing outside the ■ Dean Robinson presents his cabaret titled The Date from January 11 – 60 mins windows.

Venue: The Butterfly Club - 5 13 at The Butterfly Club.

Fabbro’s cast of wonderful actors This show follows Justin as he Carson Place (off Lt Collins St) present naturalistic portrayals of their Tickets: From $25$32 grooms and groans for a first date, he’s Bookings: visit thebutterflyclub. characters, ensuring unsettling believnervous and very out of practice so ability for the audience. what else can he do but call his best com Described in the program as both friend for advice. He begins to ponder past relationships and dates, and how psychological thriller and black comthey have shaped him to who he is ■ For a night of excellent Australian edy, this 90 minute drama may not be today. familiar to theatregoers but is definitely With a range of songs from theatre drama, don’t miss The Return which worth seeing. plays at the Bayside Cultural Centre to pop, Justin sings his way through There is no interval, and post-perdating in the modern age and finding until November 25.

Written by Australian playwright formance sandwiches and drinks are closure over relationships. But after all this, can he still follow through with Reg Cribb and under the superb direc- served to patrons as they meet the cast. tion of Deborah Fabbro, The Return the date A top night of Australian theatre.

The Date explores Love, Lust and is set in a train carriage during a late Performance Season: Until NoLoss featuring the vocals of Megan night journey from Midland to vember 25 at 8.00pm, matinee at Scolyer-Gray and Stacey- Louise Fremantle in 2001.

A sense of vulnerability can be ex- 2.15pm Camilleri on keys.

Venue: Bayside Cultural Centre, Dean Robinson is a recent gradu- perienced when sharing enclosed ate of ShowFit. He is also a choreog- space with strangers, but such con- Cnr Wilson and Carpenter Sts., rapher and has recently performed in cern is escalated to frightening heights Brighton The Helendale Nude Footy Calendar in this play when two thugs, Steve (PeTickets: $23/$21 as part of Midsumma 2017 and CLOC ter Prenga) and his younger mate Trev Bookings: 1300 752 126 (Henry Young), take control of a train Music Theatre’s A Chorus Line. www.brightontheatreco.com Megan is also a graduate of carriage on a night the guards are on - Review by ShowFit, she originated the role strike.

Feeling ‘madness in the air’ they Cheryl Threadgold ‘Abigal’ in In Like Flynn, a new Aus-

Theatre

The Return

OK. With John O’Keefe

● Nick Riewoldt

Blonde bombshell

■ A surprise to me was the signing of former Saints star Nick Riewoltd to the commentary team at Fox Footy. Nick will be involved in game day calls, as well as appearances on general Fox Footy shows.

I was of the firm opinion Nick would sign with Seven, but on the other hand why make a change when the current team are so successful. .

Sam on the move?

■ A rumour gaining a lot of traction is that Samantha Armytage will wave Sunrise goodbye to head up a new brekky show on Ten. It makes sense as Sam is sick of playing second fiddle to David Koch and being paid $ 500,000 , half of what Koch is paid.

Ten's new owners are said to have a big production budget brekky show in mind , where as Seven has declared it will not be sanctioning any pay increases in 2018. Watch this space..

Radio serials return

■ Remember the days when we sat around watching the radio listening to serials on radio ?

Serials are to make a comeback on 95.7 FM Golden Days Radio. Five part series titled The Adventures on the Glen Huntly Tram rekindles many memories of the mid-1950's including references to The Argus, Kreisler radio and the old rattler trams Produced by the voluntary team of talent at Golden Days Radio the series commenced on Monday (Nov. 13) at 8.30 am, and repeated 8.30 pm Monday to Friday.

Lill is very much alive

■ According to a recent feature story in the Age Good Weekend, Melbourne socialite Lillian Frank had died. Wrong , wrong, wrong; our Lillian is alive and well . A journo didn’t do a fact check, so expect a patronis ing apology notice to follow.

Neighbours in Turkey

■ In a coup for Australian TV writers the long running series Neighbours has been exported to Turkey. The basic Aussie script/concepts will be recreated , with Turkish talent and set in the beautiful seaside areas of Istanbul . The re-worked storylines will be edited into hour-long episodes for prime time viewing throughout Turkey.

Melbourne Observer - Wednesday, November 15, 2017 - Page 17

Observer Classic Books

Adventures of Huckleberry Finn So I done it. But I dasn’t go fur, or she’d a sent for me. And when it was late in the day the people all went, and then I come in and told her the noise and shooting waked up me and “Sid,” and the door was locked, and we wanted to see the fun, so we went down the lightning-rod, and both of us got hurt a little, and we didn’t never want to try THAT no more. And then I went on and told her all what I told Uncle Silas before; and then she said she’d forgive us, and maybe it was all right enough anyway, and about what a body might expect of boys, for all boys was a pretty harum-scarum lot as fur as she could see; and so, as long as no harm hadn’t come of it, she judged she better put in her time being grateful we was alive and well and she had us still, stead of fretting over what was past and done.

So then she kissed me, and patted me on the head, and dropped into a kind of a brown study; and pretty soon jumps up, and says: “Why, lawsamercy, it’s most night, and Sid not come yet! What HAS become of that boy?”

I see my chance; so I skips up and says: “I’ll run right up to town and get him,” I says.

“No you won’t,” she says. “You’ll stay right wher’ you are; ONE’S enough to be lost at a time. If he ain’t here to supper, your uncle ’ll go.”

Well, he warn’t there to supper; so right after supper uncle went.

He come back about ten a little bit uneasy; hadn’t run across Tom’s track. Aunt Sally was a good DEAL uneasy; but Uncle Silas he said there warn’t no occasion to be — boys will be boys, he said, and you’ll see this one turn up in the morning all sound and right. So she had to be satisfied. But she said she’d set up for him a while anyway, and keep a light burning so he could see it.

And then when I went up to bed she come up with me and fetched her candle, and tucked me in, and mothered me so good I felt mean, and like I couldn’t look her in the face; and she set down on the bed and talked with me a long time, and said what a splendid boy Sid was, and didn’t seem to want to ever stop talking about him; and kept asking me every now and then if I reckoned he could a got lost, or hurt, or maybe drownded, and might be laying at this minute somewheres suffering or dead, and she not by him to help him, and so the tears would drip down silent, and I would tell her that Sid was all right, and would be home in the morning, sure; and she would squeeze my hand, or maybe kiss me, and tell me to say it again, and keep on saying it, because it done her good, and she was in so much trouble. And when she was going away she looked down in my eyes so steady and gentle, and says: “The door ain’t going to be locked, Tom, and there’s the window and the rod; but you’ll be good, WON’T you? And you won’t go? For MY sake.”

Laws knows I WANTED to go bad enough to see about Tom, and was all intending to go; but after that I wouldn’t a went, not for kingdoms.

But she was on my mind and Tom was on my mind, so I slept very restless. And twice I went down the rod away in the night, and slipped around front, and see her setting there by her candle in the window with her eyes towards the road and the tears in them; and I wished I could do something for her, but I couldn’t, only to swear that I wouldn’t never do nothing to grieve her any more. And the third time I waked up at dawn, and slid down, and she was there yet, and her candle was most out, and her old gray head was resting on her hand, and she was asleep.

Chapter XLII. THE old man was uptown again before breakfast, but couldn’t get no track of Tom; and both of them set at the table thinking, and not saying nothing, and looking mournful, and their coffee getting cold, and not eating anything. And by and by the old man says: “Did I give you the letter?”

“What letter?”

“The one I got yesterday out of the post-office.”

“No, you didn’t give me no letter.”

“Well, I must a forgot it.”

So he rummaged his pockets, and then went off somewheres where he had laid it down, and fetched it, and give it to her. She says:

Mark Twain “Why, it’s from St. Petersburg — it’s from Sis.” I allowed another walk would do me good; but I couldn’t stir. But before she could break it open she dropped it and run — for she see something. And so did I. It was Tom Sawyer on a mattress; and that old doctor; and Jim, in HER calico dress, with his hands tied behind him; and a lot of people. I hid the letter behind the first thing that come handy, and rushed. She flung herself at Tom, crying, and says: “Oh, he’s dead, he’s dead, I know he’s dead!”

And Tom he turned his head a little, and muttered something or other, which showed he warn’t in his right mind; then she flung up her hands, and says: “He’s alive, thank God! And that’s enough!” and she snatched a kiss of him, and flew for the house to get the bed ready, and scattering orders right and left at the niggers and everybody else, as fast as her tongue could go, every jump of the way.

I followed the men to see what they was going to do with Jim; and the old doctor and Uncle Silas followed after Tom into the house. The men was very huffy, and some of them wanted to hang Jim for an example to all the other niggers around there, so they wouldn’t be trying to run away like Jim done, and making such a raft of trouble, and keeping a whole family scared most to death for days and nights.

But the others said, don’t do it, it wouldn’t answer at all; he ain’t our nigger, and his owner would turn up and make us pay for him, sure.

So that cooled them down a little, because the people that’s always the most anxious for to hang a nigger that hain’t done just right is always the very ones that ain’t the most anxious to pay for him when they’ve got their satisfaction out of him.

They cussed Jim considerble, though, and give him a cuff or two side the head once in a while, but Jim never said nothing, and he never let on to know me, and they took him to the same cabin, and put his own clothes on him, and chained him again, and not to no bed-leg this time, but to a big staple drove into the bottom log, and chained his hands, too, and both legs, and said he warn’t to have nothing but bread and water to eat after this till his owner come, or he was sold at auction because he didn’t come in a certain length of time, and filled up our hole, and said a couple of farmers with guns must stand watch around about the cabin every night, and a bulldog tied to the door in the daytime; and about this time they was through with the job and was tapering off with a kind of generl good-bye cussing, and then the old doctor comes and takes a look, and says: “Don’t be no rougher on him than you’re obleeged to, because he ain’t a bad nigger.

When I got to where I found the boy I see I couldn’t cut the bullet out without some help, and he warn’t in no condition for me to leave to go and get help; and he got a little worse and a little worse, and after a long time he went out of his head, and wouldn’t let me come a-nigh him any more, and said if I chalked his raft he’d kill me, and no end of wild foolishness like that, and I see I couldn’t do anything at all with him; so I says, I got to have HELP somehow; and the minute I says it out crawls this nigger from somewheres and says he’ll help, and he done it, too, and done it very well. Of course I judged he must be a runaway nigger, and there I WAS! and there I had to stick right straight along all the rest of the day and all night. It was a fix, I tell you! I had a couple of patients with the chills, and of course I’d of liked to run up to town and

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e rv se US N Ob N IO BO CT SE

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see them, but I dasn’t, because the nigger might get away, and then I’d be to blame; and yet never a skiff come close enough for me to hail. So there I had to stick plumb until daylight this morning; and I never see a nigger that was a better nuss or faithfuller, and yet he was risking his freedom to do it, and was all tired out, too, and I see plain enough he’d been worked main hard lately. I liked the nigger for that; I tell you, gentlemen, a nigger like that is worth a thousand dollars — and kind treatment, too. I had everything I needed, and the boy was doing as well there as he would a done at home — better, maybe, because it was so quiet; but there I WAS, with both of ’m on my hands, and there I had to stick till about dawn this morning; then some men in a skiff come by, and as good luck would have it the nigger was setting by the pallet with his head propped on his knees sound asleep; so I motioned them in quiet, and they slipped up on him and grabbed him and tied him before he knowed what he was about, and we never had no trouble. And the boy being in a kind of a flighty sleep, too, we muffled the oars and hitched the raft on, and towed her over very nice and quiet, and the nigger never made the least row nor said a word from the start. He ain’t no bad nigger, gentlemen; that’s what I think about him.”

Somebody says: “Well, it sounds very good, doctor, I’m obleeged to say.”

Then the others softened up a little, too, and I was mighty thankful to that old doctor for doing Jim that good turn; and I was glad it was according to my judgment of him, too; because I thought he had a good heart in him and was a good man the first time I see him. Then they all agreed that Jim had acted very well, and was deserving to have some notice took of it, and reward. So every one of them promised, right out and hearty, that they wouldn’t cuss him no more.

Then they come out and locked him up. I hoped they was going to say he could have one or two of the chains took off, because they was rotten heavy, or could have meat and greens with his bread and water; but they didn’t think of it, and I reckoned it warn’t best for me to mix in, but I judged I’d get the doctor’s yarn to Aunt Sally somehow or other as soon as I’d got through the breakers that was laying just ahead of me — explanations, I mean, of how I forgot to mention about Sid being shot when I was telling how him and me put in that dratted night paddling around hunting the runaway nigger.

But I had plenty time. Aunt Sally she stuck to the sick-room all day and all night, and every time I see Uncle Silas mooning around I dodged him.

Next morning I heard Tom was a good deal better, and they said Aunt Sally was gone to get a nap. So I slips to the sick-room, and if I found him awake I reckoned we could put up a yarn for the family that would wash. But he was sleeping, and sleeping very peaceful, too; and pale, not fire-faced the way he was when he come.

So I set down and laid for him to wake. In about half an hour Aunt Sally comes gliding in, and there I was, up a stump again! She motioned me to be still, and set down by me, and begun to whisper, and said we could all be joyful now, because all the symptoms was first-rate, and he’d been sleeping like that for ever so long, and looking better and peacefuller all the time, and ten to one he’d wake up in his right mind.

So we set there watching, and by and by he stirs a bit, and opened his eyes very natural, and takes a look, and says: “Hello! — why, I’m at HOME! How’s that?

Where’s the raft?”

“It’s all right,” I says.

“And JIM?” “The same,” I says, but couldn’t say it pretty brash. But he never noticed, but says: “Good! Splendid! NOW we’re all right and safe!

Did you tell Aunty?”

I was going to say yes; but she chipped in and says: “About what, Sid?” “Why, about the way the whole thing was done.”

“What whole thing?”

“Why, THE whole thing. There ain’t but one; how we set the runaway nigger free — me and Tom.” Continued on Page 18

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Observer Classic Books From Page 17 “Good land! Set the run — What IS the child talking about! Dear, dear, out of his head again!”

“NO, I ain’t out of my HEAD; I know all what I’m talking about. We DID set him free — me and Tom. We laid out to do it, and we DONE it.

And we done it elegant, too.” He’d got a start, and she never checked him up, just set and stared and stared, and let him clip along, and I see it warn’t no use for ME to put in. “Why, Aunty, it cost us a power of work — weeks of it — hours and hours, every night, whilst you was all asleep. And we had to steal candles, and the sheet, and the shirt, and your dress, and spoons, and tin plates, and case-knives, and the warming-pan, and the grindstone, and flour, and just no end of things, and you can’t think what work it was to make the saws, and pens, and inscriptions, and one thing or another, and you can’t think HALF the fun it was. And we had to make up the pictures of coffins and things, and nonnamous letters from the robbers, and get up and down the lightning-rod, and dig the hole into the cabin, and made the rope ladder and send it in cooked up in a pie, and send in spoons and things to work with in your apron pocket —” “Mercy sakes!”

“— and load up the cabin with rats and snakes and so on, for company for Jim; and then you kept Tom here so long with the butter in his hat that you come near spiling the whole business, because the men come before we was out of the cabin, and we had to rush, and they heard us and let drive at us, and I got my share, and we dodged out of the path and let them go by, and when the dogs come they warn’t interested in us, but went for the most noise, and we got our canoe, and made for the raft, and was all safe, and Jim was a free man, and we done it all by ourselves, and WASN’T it bully, Aunty!”

“Well, I never heard the likes of it in all my born days! So it was YOU, you little rapscallions, that’s been making all this trouble, and turned everybody’s wits clean inside out and scared us all most to death. I’ve as good a notion as ever I had in my life to take it out o’ you this very minute. To think, here I’ve been, night after night, a — YOU just get well once, you young scamp, and I lay I’ll tan the Old Harry out o’ both o’ ye!”

But Tom, he WAS so proud and joyful, he just COULDN’T hold in, and his tongue just WENT it — she a-chipping in, and spitting fire all along, and both of them going it at once, like a cat convention; and she says: “WELL, you get all the enjoyment you can out of it NOW, for mind I tell you if I catch you meddling with him again —” “Meddling with WHO?” Tom says, dropping his smile and looking surprised.

“With WHO? Why, the runaway nigger, of course. Who’d you reckon?”

Tom looks at me very grave, and says: “Tom, didn’t you just tell me he was all right?

Hasn’t he got away?”

“HIM?” says Aunt Sally; “the runaway nigger?

’Deed he hasn’t. They’ve got him back, safe and sound, and he’s in that cabin again, on bread and water, and loaded down with chains, till he’s claimed or sold!”

Tom rose square up in bed, with his eye hot, and his nostrils opening and shutting like gills, and sings out to me: “They hain’t no RIGHT to shut him up! SHOVE! — and don’t you lose a minute. Turn him loose! he ain’t no slave; he’s as free as any cretur that walks this earth!”

“What DOES the child mean?”

“I mean every word I SAY, Aunt Sally, and if somebody don’t go, I’LL go. I’ve knowed him all his life, and so has Tom, there. Old Miss Watson died two months ago, and she was ashamed she ever was going to sell him down the river, and SAID so; and she set him free in her will.”

“Then what on earth did YOU want to set him free for, seeing he was already free?”

“Well, that IS a question, I must say; and just like women! Why, I wanted the ADVENTURE of it; and I’d a waded neck-deep in blood to — goodness alive, AUNT POLLY!” If she warn’t standing right there, just inside the door, looking as sweet and contented as an angel half full of pie, I wish I may never!

Aunt Sally jumped for her, and most hugged the head off of her, and cried over her, and I found a good enough place for me under the bed, for it was getting pretty sultry for us, seemed to me.

And I peeped out, and in a little while Tom’s Aunt Polly shook herself loose and stood there looking across at Tom over her spectacles — kind of grinding him into the earth, you know.

And then she says: “Yes, you BETTER turn y’r head away — I would if I was you, Tom.” “Oh, deary me!” saysAunt Sally; “IS he changed so? Why, that ain’t TOM, it’s Sid; Tom’s — Tom’s — why, where is Tom? He was here a minute ago.”

“You mean where’s Huck FINN— that’s what you mean! I reckon I hain’t raised such a scamp as my Tom all these years not to know him when I SEE him. That WOULD be a pretty howdydo. Come out from under that bed, Huck Finn.”

So I done it. But not feeling brash.

Aunt Sally she was one of the mixed-upest-looking persons I ever see — except one, and that was Uncle Silas, when he come in and they told it all to him. It kind of made him drunk, as you may say, and he didn’t know nothing at all the rest of the day, and preached a prayer-meeting sermon that night that gave him a rattling ruputation, because the oldest man in the world couldn’t a understood it. So Tom’s Aunt Polly, she told all about who I was, and what; and I had to up and tell how I was in such a tight place that when Mrs. Phelps took me for Tom Sawyer — she chipped in and says, “Oh, go on and call me Aunt Sally, I’m used to it now, and ’tain’t no need to change”— that when Aunt Sally took me for Tom Sawyer I had to stand it — there

warn’t no other way, and I knowed he wouldn’t mind, because it would be nuts for him, being a mystery, and he’d make an adventure out of it, and be perfectly satisfied. And so it turned out, and he let on to be Sid, and made things as soft as he could for me.

And his Aunt Polly she said Tom was right about old Miss Watson setting Jim free in her will; and \ so, sure enough, Tom Sawyer had gone and took all that trouble and bother to set a free nigger free! and I couldn’t ever understand before, until that minute and that talk, how he COULD help a body set a nigger free with his bringingup.

Well, Aunt Polly she said that when Aunt Sally wrote to her that Tom and SID had come all right and safe, she says to herself: “Look at that, now! I might have expected it, letting him go off that way without anybody to watch him. So now I got to go and trapse all the way down the river, eleven hundred mile, and find out what that creetur’s up to THIS time, as long as I couldn’t seem to get any answer out of you about it.”

“Why, I never heard nothing from you,” says Aunt Sally.

“Well, I wonder! Why, I wrote you twice to ask you what you could mean by Sid being here.”

“Well, I never got ’em, Sis.” Aunt Polly she turns around slow and severe, and says: “You, Tom!” “Well — WHAT?” he says, kind of pettish.

“Don t you what ME, you impudent thing — hand out them letters.”

“What letters?”

“THEM letters. I be bound, if I have to take aholt of you I’ll —” “They’re in the trunk. There, now. And they’re just the same as they was when I got them out of the office. I hain’t looked into them, I hain’t touched them. But I knowed they’d make trouble, and I thought if you warn’t in no hurry, I’d —” “Well, you DO need skinning, there ain’t no mistake about it. And I wrote another one to tell you I was coming; and I s’pose he —” “No, it come yesterday; I hain’t read it yet, but IT’S all right, I’ve got that one.”

I wanted to offer to bet two dollars she hadn’t, but I reckoned maybe it was just as safe to not to. So I never said nothing.

Chapter the Last THE first time I catched Tom private I asked him what was his idea, time of the evasion? — what it was he’d planned to do if the evasion worked all right and he managed to set a nigger free that was already free before? And he said, what he had planned in his head from the start, if we got Jim out all safe, was for us to run him down the river on the raft, and have adventures plumb to the mouth of the river, and then tell him about his being free, and take him back up home on a steamboat, in style, and pay him for

his lost time, and write word ahead and get out all the niggers around, and have them waltz him into town with a torchlight procession and a brass-band, and then he would be a hero, and so would we.

But I reckoned it was about as well the way it was.

We had Jim out of the chains in no time, and when Aunt Polly and Uncle Silas and Aunt Sally found out how good he helped the doctor nurse Tom, they made a heap of fuss over him, and fixed him up prime, and give him all he wanted to eat, and a good time, and nothing to do. And we had him up to the sick-room, and had a high talk; and Tom give Jim forty dollars for being prisoner for us so patient, and doing it up so good, and Jim was pleased most to death, and busted out, and says: “DAH, now, Huck, what I tell you? — what I tell you up dah on Jackson islan’? I TOLE you I got a hairy breas’, en what’s de sign un it; en I TOLE you I ben rich wunst, en gwineter to be rich AGIN; en it’s come true; en heah she is!

DAH, now! doan’ talk to ME— signs is SIGNS, mine I tell you; en I knowed jis’ ’s well ’at I ’uz gwineter be rich agin as I’s a-stannin’ heah dis minute!”

And then Tom he talked along and talked along, and says, le’s all three slide out of here one of these nights and get an outfit, and go for howling adventures amongst the Injuns, over in the Territory, for a couple of weeks or two; and I says, all right, that suits me, but I ain’t got no money for to buy the outfit, and I reckon I couldn’t get none from home, because it’s likely pap’s been back before now, and got it all away from Judge Thatcher and drunk it up.

“No, he hain’t,” Tom says; “it’s all there yet — six thousand dollars and more; and your pap hain’t ever been back since. Hadn’t when I come away, anyhow.”

Jim says, kind of solemn: “He ain’t a-comin’ back no mo’, Huck.”

I says: “Why, Jim?” “Nemmine why, Huck — but he ain’t comin’ back no mo.”

But I kept at him; so at last he says: “Doan’ you ’member de house dat was float’n down de river, en dey wuz a man in dah, kivered up, en I went in en unkivered him and didn’ let you come in? Well, den, you kin git yo’ money when you wants it, kase dat wuz him.”

Tom’s most well now, and got his bullet around his neck on a watch-guard for a watch, and is always seeing what time it is, and so there ain’t nothing more to write about, and I am rotten glad of it, because if I’d a knowed what a trouble it was to make a book I wouldn’t a tackled it, and ain’t a-going to no more. But I reckon I got to light out for the Territory ahead of the rest, because Aunt Sally she’s going to adopt me and sivilize me, and I can’t stand it. I been there before.

New book starts next issue

Country People

● Marcia Lamrock and Hazel Kaye in the Alex. Show Ladies’ Pavilion

● Alexandra Show Ladies’ Pavilion P{resident Marg Rous

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Melbourne Observer - Wednesday, November 15, 2017 - Page 35

Observer Crossword Solution No 10 T OP P L I NG P E R T UR B S H E R E O A E C EO O N R A K E D L P A S S E SON P ROV I SOS R I P E U T K S EM I S C WH A R F M P R A I S E V P U T D OWN L I C E A N MOA T S E R I S A A C N K NOCKON U P R I NC E M E N T I I T UMB L E N E S POU S E ON A S S I S U N I C E R L N PO T E O L A U T R A N S I T BOS S A NOV A L A R V A C U UN A P N B R A T S I T A L I A N V A L I D I T Y P Y T HON T T E N A I S U O E U F E T ED A R A N SOMS S UR E T I E S D I S T I T O E X I T O S R L S U L E I GH MA I MS R A R S E N A L I N K Y L I E D I C E S OU I AGA S S I A S U S A N NOB E L S I U MOB Y P ME L T O V A T A D V E R B O U P T O A S UND E R L I T D O HOCU S E U B MA CHO R P R I N T OU T E P I D I A N A P P Y M T U R G S T A L K E R A GOB I R E A DOU T N N N A I L S N E S T O N E X I ND I GO N S T AGS H I C K S M I T L A S E R D CH I K WE A B E D S I D E I ND I A OMEGA S O A N R E E L R L P T Y T MOROCCO A V EMAR I A F E RR B K L B N S T A CR I D E K I S S E D C L B E A P E R I T I F R N N C P A N E R E E N T E R D I S P E N S E R ME L B A S H A B M O O E A A P A S T I E S I MP A I R S P TW I C E E L H E E C MA DAME T R E S T Y L E E N T HR A L I S HY E S T U OR A S E N E E D S A L H I L L Y V ME T RE S X MUND A N E I AWA U A I MONO D P R E P E L R MA L I GN E D G L OS S I ER W I R I F E A I R E S C P O E NU B S UNDRE S S B E F UDD L E S T R E

D I T Y MOON B E AM N T UB U J I NE S S S E E D L E S S R P R E Y G C E D T E A U N E C T A R I MAMBO H B RA P N R I V A L R Y E HOA X E S R I L K A R W I Z A RD S I N C E D G CU T H E A R T E N E D POS Y R E I E I GMA J MB A RR I E R L C M V P R A C T HOS T AGE D I O T A U N S H I N E I MP L AN T N S C A R Y E I I GH T L R E A R E D S O OM I T R C ROCK O L ANC E D A H K N E E L L I EM I C D P L A I D L M OP R A H N N I R I S A MAGGO T T N A S I A A N E T HS T Z AMB I A E P I E C E M O C A L A E DD Y I NG M N A Z I E T H YMAN L E A K AGE A I I D L T A T E N UN S PO I L T E RGO G A C O A S E A R SON I S T S V C T K N U A R T M MA H A TMA I L E EWA Y P O L L Y A L I F T S U P O O L D E N L R RD E D R GA Y E S T G DR A B W T O N E S S MA R A T HON R F A B S E N S S ED S E A HORS E

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Observer Victorian Sport Melbourne

Injured, but brilliant victory Quinella snared

■ Whittlesea's Charlie Farrugia snared the quinella in the Eastland Pace for C1 class over 1680 metres at Yarra Valley, with Blissful Mind defeating Rowdy Rocket in a rate of 1-58. With Greg Sugars in the sulky, Blissful Mind after a mid-field trip commenced a forward move racing for the bell before dropping into the one/one for the final lap.

Easing three wide along the back straight, Blissful Mind sprinted like a gazelle to lead prior to the home turn, recording an easy 13.6 metre margin in 1-58 over Rowdy Rocket (which trailed the weakening leader Bet The Limit), with Sewcanhugh third.

Happy locals

■ Terang held their traditional Melbourne Cup eve program on Monday and what a night it was for locals Marg Lee and brothers Mattie and Glen Craven who all chalked up multiple wins.

Marg Lee landed the Bertocchi Smallgoods Pace for C1 class over 1680 metres with Jilliby Road Runner and 2180 metre feature - The O'Keeffe for C4 to C6 class with Keayang Kallisto, both driven by nephew Glen Craven. Four year old Roll With Joe-Jilliby Opal entire Jilliby Road Runner first up since January, was ultra impressive after settling mid-field from gate two on the second line.

Commencing a forward move three wide solo at the bell, Jilliby Road Runner continued to make ground on the red-hot favourite Pin Strips which had taken over from Mighty Moke Lombo shortly after the start.

Despite covering plenty of extra ground, Jilliby Road Runner finished determinedly on straightening to blouse the pacemaker by 1.1 metres, with Mighty Moke Lombo using the sprint lane to hold down third 12.4 metres away. The mile rate 1-56.9.

■ Keayang Kallisto, a 6Y0 daughter of American Ideal and Sayaka led throughout from the pole to easily account for Village Safari (one/two) by 5.8 metres in 1-58.1, with Ardens Concord (one/one) 2.4 metres back in third place.

Mattie Craven's double came about with 4Y0 Art Major/Trammell entire Misterfreeze taking the Angelique Club Pace for C0 class over 2180 metres and 5Y0 Village JasperBeloka Diamond mare Diamond Jasper the Federation University 2017 South West Games Pace for C1 class over the same journey. Misterfreeze coming off a restricted victory at Mt Gambier the previous Friday, spent most of the race bottled up three back the markers after starting inside the second line.

Extricated into the clear prior to the home turn, Misterfreeze rattled home to win by a nose over Keayang Shekitout (another of the Lee/Craven team) in a rate of 2-01.7. Miss Atlanta was third 10.9 metres away after racing exposed.

Diamond Jasper began swiftly to lead all of the way from the pole, returning a rate of 2-02.1 in defeating Gnotuk (three back the markers) by 5.2 metres. Harper Valley (one/ one) was third.

Second rate

■ Kerryn Manning's smart 4Y0 Majestic Son-Good Thanks mare Andyou made her rivals look second rate when a a 10.3 metre victor of the VHRSC Trotters Handicap for T0 or better class over 2180 metres at Terang as a unbackable $1.10 favourite. Leading for the final circuit after coming from 20 metres, Andyou scored from Zamba Deville and Im Notta Trotter in 2-05.4.

■ Injury plagued Shadow Play-Miss Saxony gelding Shadow Sax was a brilliant victor of the $75,000 (Group 2) Schweppes Four and Five Year Old Championship at Tabcorp Park Melton on Saturday.

Trained at Cardigan (Ballarat) by Emma Stewart and Clayton Tonkin for Russell and Pam Hockham, Shadow Sax driven by Gavin Lang settled just off the speed from gate two, before going forward when the speed slackened to park outside the poleline pacemaker Motu Meteor where Lang dictated the terms to suit.

Taking care of the leader on straightening, Shadow Sax was dominant in his success, coasting to the wire 4.2 metres in advance of the inform Moonrock off a three wide trail on the back of third placegetter Let It Ride for the final circuit. The mile rate 1-56.8 (last half 54.3 – quarter 27.4).

Record obliterated

■ Avenel trainer David Aiken's prolific winning 8Y0 Four Starzzz Shark-Botswana entire Lennytheshark took 4.7 seconds off the existing track record when victorious in last Thursday's $30,000 (Group 3) United Petroleum Yarra Valley Pacing Cup for M0 or better class over 2650 metres at Yarra Valley on Thursday.

With regular reinsman Chris Alford in the sulky, Lennytheshark starting from the extreme draw was off and running as soon as the start was effected to cross Vinny Chase entering the straight on the first occasion.

Once at the head of affairs the race was as good as over, with Lennytheshark scoring by 3.9 metres in a sizzling rate of 1-55.4 (last half 54.2 - quarter 27.3) from a game My Field Marshall which faced the open from the bell.

Tee Cee Bee Macray was an excellent third 1.3 metres back after racing wide in the last lap, while Messini ran on late to be fourth .7 metres away.

The $20,000 Zonzo Estate Yarra Valley Trotters Cup for TMO or better class over 2650 metres was taken out by Ballarat trainer Anton Golino's 8Y0 Ganymede-Showmethemaori gelding Vincennes in 2-04.1. Beginning brilliantly from 10 metres for Zac Phillips, Vincennes led throughout to register a 5.7 metre margin from Our Twentyten (one/one) and rank outsider Its Not Dark Yet (three back the markers).

First winner

■ Vivacious Bangholme owner/breeder Georgina Coram provided her first winner as a registered trainer when 6Y0 GrinfromeartoearScarlet Lilly gelding Sudden Explosion scored in the TAB Pace for C0 class over 1650 metres at the huge annual Yarra Valley Melbourne Cup Day fixture on Tuesday. Driven by close friend Simone Walker, Sudden Explosion led throughout from gate three to record a 3.3 metre victory in advance of Apollon (three back the markers) and Bee Factor which trailed the winner. The mile rate 1-59.3.

Sweet passage

■ Racing was at Swan Hill on Tuesday and passionate Swan Hill owner/breeder Noel Watson was in the winners stall at his home track, when first starter Courageous Saint greeted the judge in the BraemarAir Conditioning 3Y0 Pace over 1750 metres.

Trained at Bolinda in the Macedon Ranges

by Vince Vallelonga, Courageous Saint (Corey Bell) enjoyed a sweet passage one/one from gate three and when taken wide in the home running, finished strongly to prevail by 1.7 metres in advance of a death-seating Our Summer Bay, with Wanted Lady third 1.5 metres back after leading from the pole.

A son of Courage Under Fire from Torridon, Courageous Saint is a half brother to Watson's much travelled prolific winning 2012 Nyah Pacing Cup winner Saint Flash (by Grinfromeartoear). The mile rate 1-57.

Tacftical race

■ The fast class race of the night at Swan Hill

Shadow Sax

Harness Racing

Baker’s Delight This Week

■ Wednesday - Kilmore/Mildura, Thursday - Ballarat, Friday - Melton, Saturday Cranbourne, Sunday - Gunbower (Cup), Monday - Bendigo, Tuesday - Mildura.

Horses To Follow

Melbourne

Observer

len-baker@ bigpond.com

with Len Baker - the 2200 metre Solarhart Solar Hot Water Pace for C6 or better class was taken out by Kerryn Manning's quality former New Zealander Ideal Success, breaking Babalaas Jack's newly established record set one race earlier by two tenths of a second (1-55.7).

In an intriguing race of tactics, Ideal Success lobbed one/one from gate five, moving to face the breeze at the bell as Repeat After Me eased off the back of the leader Gollahman, with Macterra Lad which originally was caught in the open being shuffled to three back in the moving line.

Taking over on turning, Ideal Success, a 7Y0 gelded son of American Ideal and Maheer Glen was too strong at the finish, scoring by 1.6 metres from Yerrington Bob and Beachstar which looked like he may have caused a giant upset when flashing along the sprint lane, only to be short lived.

Defied challengers

■ At Geelong on Wednesday, Grenville trainer Greg Moss landed the Jims Mowing Geelong Trotters Mobile for TR1 & TR2 class over 2100 metres with Kiwi bred 6Y0 mare Forgot To Remember, a daughter of Lis Mara and Lecerne Lil. Raced by daughter Kristy, Forgot To Remember with mother Debra Wicks-Moss driving, began swiftly to lead from gate three, defying all challengers to score from Alabamas Invasion (three back the markers - three wide home straight) in a rate of 2-03.6 and Eureka Encounter which trailed the winner using the sprint lane to no avail.

The mare's previous victory had been in Oamaru (South Island) back in March this year.

- Len Baker

■ Manassa Sky, Validated, Our Summer Bay, Truth And Courage, Muscle Up Major, Diamond Cullen.

Best foot forward

■ Andy Gath's 6Y0 Modern Art-Virginia Khan gelding Modern Maestro taking a concession for stable assistant Sam Barker, put his best foot forward to snare the Flying Brick Cider Co. Pace for C3 & C4 class over 1609 metres at Geelong.

Retaining the front running from the pole, Modern Maestro gave plenty over the concluding stages to register a head margin over Kotare Mahdi which was extricated from three back the markers to be three wide on the final bend and Christian Jaz which trailed the winner. The mile rate 1-59.8.

Easy time

■ The highlight of Bendigo's Friday meeting was the Oxley Feed Mills Veteran Drivers Trotters Mobile for T1 to T3 class over 2150 metres.

Drivers competing were Ginger Gleeson, Peter Rothacker, Noel Shinn, Russell Thomson, Brian Gath, John Nicholson and Peter Manning with Russ Thomson the victor aboard Newstead trainer BradAngove's 5Y0 Lawman-Yankee Truscott mare Truscott Law. Given an easy time one/one from gate four with Plumbers Petty Cash setting a slick tempo, Truscott Law raced away prior to the home turn to win by 21.7 metres from Tiroroa Tom which made the final bend very wide after cosy trip three back the markers in a mile rate of 1-59.5. Kyvalley Vice (one/two) was third.

NZ’s biggest race

■ New Zealand's biggest race of the year the New Zealand Cup was held at Addington (Christchurch) yesterday with Lazarus the red hot favourite.

Next week's issue will have a full summary of the event.

- Len Baker

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Melbourne Obser ver - Wednesday, November 15, 2017 - Page 37 e urn lbo Me

Every Week in the Melbourne Observer

ver N ser O Ob TI C SE 3

Observer Showbiz

Arts: Nolan at the Newsagent .................................... Page 39 Theatre: Six Dance Lessons ............................................ Page 39 Country Music: Cathy Dobson wins ................................. Page 39 Jim and Aaron: Orient Express .............................................. Page 40 Cheryl Threadgold: Local shows, auditions ........................... Page 39 OVATT”S MEGA CRO PL US THE LLO PLUS CROSSSWORD

AUSTRALIA DAY Alexithymia

● Nicola Bowman and Emma Hoy in Alexithymia Photo: Pippa Samaya ■ Melbourne is always producing interesting shows and festivals. Alexithymia is one of five pieces in the Poppy Seed Theatre Festival which drew my attention with the subject matter being autism.

Tom Middleditch set out to write a play where the audience can understand a little as to what it is like to have alexithymia, a form of autism defined by an inability to name or describe emotions.

This play succeeded in giving me a sense of what it is like in the mind of someone with this condition as it set up three different pieces to explore this and was continually challenging the audience to remain alert and ‘wear another’s shoes’.

Each piece was entertaining as well as educational. The stylised direction (dir. Jayde Kirchert) and uniformal, colour coded costumes would work really well in an educational setting as the topic is so important raising a lot of discussion, and the style and set suitable for a large group.

As a mainstream show I would have preferred more diversity in each of the scenes, particularly a wardrobe change which I felt suited only one of the three. Some changes in style, set and costume would have aided me as an audience member to see each piece separate to the others.

Actors Emma Hoy, Keagan Vaskes and Nicola Bowman all gave polished, well rehearsed performances. All three were engaging and communicated well with the audience when required. There was some humour and interesting soundscape.

A bright, energetic thought provoking piece of original theatre to open what should be a terrific festival.

Performance Season: Until November 19 Times: 8pm Tue – Sun and 4pm Sat 18 Nov Duration 90 minutes Venue Meat Market, Stables, Cnr Courtney and Wreckyn Sts, North Melbourne Tickets $22 – $35 Bookings poppyseed.net.au - Review by Elizabeth Semmel

Great Southern Band

● Susan Carty in Australia Day at The Basin.

■ The Basin Theatre Group presents Australia Day until December 2 at The Basin Theatre in Doongalla Road Written by Jonathan Biggins and directed by Ange Ellis, in Australia Day nothing is sacred as the national identity is put through the wringer in this thoroughly modern comedy The country town of Coriole is getting ready for Australia Day – a time to crack open a frothy, stick a snag on the barbie and celebrate what it means to be a true blue Aussie.

The Australia Day committee is gearing up to put on the town’s biggest party – but they have a few issues of their own to sort out first. Will the day be fair dinkum after all? Or are there to many roos loose in the community hall?

Performance Season: Until December 2 Venue: The Basin Theatre, Doongalla Rd., The Basin Bookings: 1300 784 668 between 7pm and 9pm - Cheryl Threadgold

Activities at Heide Heide Art Kinder This interactive guided tour for parents and carers with pre-primary children and toddlers is followed by morning tea from Café Heide. BYO Smock Sculpture Park: Friday November 19 10am - 11.30am.

Genuinely Impossible ■ Big Brothers’ magician, Lawson Reeves will launch his first ever solo stage show Genuinely Impossible at the 2018 summer curated season presented by The Butterfly Club this January.

“Genuinely Impossible” is a night of sleight of hand, misdirection and effects.

Lawson takes his audience on a journey back to that first moment he saw magic and recreates the feeling of wonder and astonishment he felt, for his audience. Planting the idea that perhaps nothing is impossible.

Lawson draws on his life experiences that he says have been genuinely impossible and creates effects that relate through the use of storytelling, misdirection and a certain level of skill.

Performance Season: January 9-14 at 8.30pm. Venue: The Butterfly Club, 5 Carson Place, Melbourne. Cost: $25-$32 Tickets: www.thebutterflyclub.com/show/genuinely-impossible - Cheryl Threadgold

● Scott Mackenzie (rear), Jessica Papst (left) and Caleb Garfinkel in Great Southern Band.

■ Great Southern Band takes the songs you love (but never admit to loving) and tells the stories you can't quite remember (but will never fully forget) in their show being presented from November 29 – December 3 at The. Butterfly Club.

When a big-city guitarist returns home, his two best mates await with nothing but beers and time, ready to hear all about life outside their two-pub town. Whilst he may have been the one to leave, the others have managed to find escape of their own to pass the days.

With one acoustic guitar and three voices, Great Southern Band is a rock ’n’ roll cabaret that celebrates the storysongs associated with mateship, endurance and vulnerable honesty of growing up in the sunburnt country.

Featuring soul songstress Jessica Papst (Only the Good Die Young, Carole King, Songbook Tour), the rock storytelling of Scott Mackenzie (The Full Monty, High Fidelity) and musical director Caleb Garfinkel (The Big Hoo Haa, Sprng Awakening), Got Fink Studios present Great Southern Band: Sounds of a Generation.

Performance Season: From November 29-December 3.

Venue: The Butterfly Club, 5 Carson Place, Melbourne Bookings recommended.

Tickets: thebutterflyclub.com - Cheryl Threadgold

Tai Chai at Heide Join senior instructor Bruce Ellis in the picturesque surrounds of Heide sculpture park for and hour of Tai Chai followed by a cup of Chinese tea in The rose Garden Pavilion. Tai Chai id a recreational fitness system of flowing movements designed to exercise and develop the body and mind in unison.

For all ages, please wear comfortable clothing.

Thursday November 3o at 9.30am. ● Magician Lawson Reeves in Genuinely Impossible, opening January 9.

Heide Museum of Modern Art 7 Templestowe Rd, Bulleen - Peter Kemp

Page 38 - Melbourne Observer - Wednesday, November 15, 2017

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BLUES BLUES BLUES Sat. December, 16 Mike Elrington Bookings essential. per www.LocalPa

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Melbourne Observer - Wednesday, November 15, 2017 - Page 39

Observer Showbiz

TV, Radio, Theatre

Heide Museum Art & Cinema Dogs in Space: Director Richard Lowenstein introduces his cult classic, exposing the 1970s and 80s Melbourne punk and Little Band scene that influenced Jenny Watson's work. Starring a pre-fame Michael Hutchence, Dogs in Space is set in the backstreets of late 70s Richmond.

Focussing on two Dogs in Space band members, Sam (Michael Hutchence) and Tim (Nique Needles), the film follows their day to day share-house existence if parties, live music and drugs.

Sunday November 19. at 3pm. ★ Art Talk: Nolan at the Newsagent.

Guest curator Mark Fraser and curator Kendrah Morgan discuss Sidney Nolan's ground=breaking exhibition in the window of Sheffield's newsagency in the Melbourne suburb of Heidelberg.

Saturday November 25 at 2pm.

Heide Museum of Modern Art 7 Templestowe Rd, Bulleen

Country Crossroads

Six Dance Lessons

■ The Athenaeum Theatre Lilydale presents the comedy Six Dance Lessons in Six Weeks until November 25.

Written by Richard Alfieri and directed by Alan Burrows, the play stars Christine Andrew and Colin Morley.

The story tells of Lily, an aging but formidable retiree, who hires Michael, an acerbic dance instructor, to give her dance lessons in her condo in St Petersburg Beach, Florida.

Antagonism between a gay man and the wife of a Southern Baptist minister gives way to profound compatibility as they swing dance, tango, foxtrot, and cha-cha while sharing barbs and intimacies along with the dance steps.

During the sixth lesson, Lily reveals a closely guarded secret – and Michael shares his greatest gifts – loyalty and compassion.

As Michael takes Lily in his arms on their final meeting, they transcend fear and mortality as the sun sets on their last dance.

Performance Season: Until November 25 Times: All evening performances commence at 8.15pm, pre-show sherries at 7.45pm. Matinee performances at 2.15pm on November 18 and 19. Pre-show sherries at 1.45pm.

Venue: Athenaeum Theatre, 39-41 Castella St., Lilydale.

Tickets: $25 Full, $22 Concession Bookings: 9735 1777 or online http:// s a 2 . s e a t a d v i s o r. c o m / s a b o / s e r v l e t s / EventSearch?presenter=AULILYDALEATCI - Cheryl Threadgold

Acland St launch

By Rob Foenander info@countrycrossroads.com.au

Cathy wins

■ Singer-songwriter Cathy Dobson has won the highly respected Roddy Read song writing contest.

The annual award forms part of the Maldon Folk Festival held recently.

Cathy's winning song Jericho Rose enabled her to go home with the prize of a brand new Maton guitar. Well done Cathy.d

Mentone: 4 Peace

■ Hits from the 1960s, 70s, 80s and more is what the 4 Peace band will whip up on Friday (Nov. 17) as it takes the stage at Mentone RSL. This last gig at the club for the year promises to be a good one too.

The band is a regular performer at the club and always deliver a great night of entertainment.

Free entry also and dinner bookings are recommended. Phone: 9583 2841.

Mountain Grass

■ The annual Mountain Grass music festival runs from November 17 and 19 in Harrietville.

The Alpine town comes alive with the sounds of international plus home grown Bluegrass music and old time acts.

A series of concerts and workshops for fans and players of all levels is also a feature of the event. More info: http:// mountaingrass.com.au/ - Rob Foenander

■ St Kilda identity and RocKwiz host, Brian Nankervis, will launch Acland Street: The Grand Lady of St Kilda by award-winning historian, Dr Judith Buckrich, at 6pm, Thursday November 23 at the St Kilda Army and Navy Club, 88 Acland Street, St Kilda.

The lavishly-illustrated, hardcover book explores the history of Acland Street since it became St Kilda’s first named street in 1842, taking its name from Thomas Dyce Acland, the owner of the schooner Lady of St Kilda which gave its name to the suburb.

“The fortunes of Acland Street have ebbed and waned along with St Kilda’s,” Dr Buckrich said. “They grew rapidly during the Gold Rushes and the boom that followed, dipped in the 1890s’ depression, rose again after World War 1, fell catastrophically in the Great Depression, and started to climb again in the 1980s,” she said.

“It’s been home to the wealthy and the poor, to Jews escaping Nazism, and to a motley of musicians, artists, gays, sex workers and radicals. It is a place where the rich and down-andout, respectable and disreputable, highbrow and lowbrow, have always jostled for space and dominance.”

Acland Street was at the forefront of cultural innovation for much of the twentieth century, Dr Buckrich said.

“Because of its place as part of Melbourne’s centre of entertainment, and its functions, despite its short length, as a conduit between such different micro-culture as Fitzroy Street and Barkly Street, and crossed by the Esplanade and Carlisle Street, it has always been vibrant, always changing,” she said.

“In 1915, the Elite Skating Rink and Biograph on the corner Barkly Street was converted into the Palais Cinema, seating 2000. It ushered in a new era of cinema-going,” Dr Buckrich said.

“Acland Street has been a subversive presence in the music scene from the 1930s when jazz musicians jammed late nights at the Galleon coffee lounge. At the Plaza Café on the corner of Barkly Street, you could catch blues singer Molly Byron, with her short cropped curly black hair and trousers playing trumpet with her all-women jazz band.”

In the mid-fifties when conservatism otherwise reigned, German impresario, Horst Liepolt set up Jazz Centre 44, one of Australia’s most innovative jazz clubs.

“Liepolt paid £5 a week to rent the upstairs

● Colin Morley and Christine Andrew in Six Dance Lessons in Six Weeks at the Athenaeum Theatre, Lilydale.

Photo: John Shelbourn space at Katarina’s Café, the quaint building on the corner of the Esplanade, now McDonald’s.

On Sunday afternoons, Jazz Centre 44 featured many important musicians of the time such as Stewie Speer, Brian Brown, Alan Lee, and the Melbourne New Orleans Jazz Band*,” Dr Buckrich said Less than a 100 metres away were the Telefil Recording Studios set up in 1954 at St Kilda Memorial Hall (now Memo Hall) by pioneering music producer, Bill Armstrong.

As a youngster, Bill had hung around the Galleon Café and other music haunts to listen to jazz. In 1956, he was part of the recording team for the Melbourne Olympics.

At Telefil he and his team, which included a band, recorded jingles and segments for TV shows like Sunnyside Up and the Go Show.

“From 1956-60 Bill was the manager of a newly founded independent label, W&G Records, which discovered and signed The Seekers. It was at the Telefil studios that Normie Rowe recorded his 1965 hit, It Ain’t Necessarily So, from the American musical Porgy and Bess.

In 1965 Bill left Acland Street to establish studios in South Melbourne which continue to this day,” Dr Buckrich said.

From the time the revamped Prince of Wales reopened in its full art deco splendour on the corner of Fitzroy Street in 1937, it became a magnet for the gay community, many of whom lived in local boarding houses and flats. A section of the front bar became a favourite hangout and still is.

“In 1977 the famous Pokeys Drag Shows were started in the Prince Band Room on Sunday nights by Jan Hillier and Doug Lucas. On Monday nights there was Penny’s for the lesbians. From the late seventies, the Band Room became one of the major pub music venues for the alternative music scene, especially punk rock and New Wave bands. Bands which made their names there included Dave Graney and the Coral Snakes, the Black-eyed Susans, the Cosmic Psychos and Sonic Youth,” she said.

Acland Street: The Grand Lady of St Kilda is published by Australian Teachers of Media Inc (ATOM), a non-profit organisation whose editor is affiliated with the St Kilda Historical Society.

- Cheryl Threadgold

New at Docklands ■ Reality-Defying Artworks…Featuring You! Have you ever found a painting so enticing that you wanted to jump right in and be a part of it?

Well now you can at Artvo Immersive Gallery - the first art gallery of its kind in Australia located in Melbourne's District Docklands (formerly Harbour town) Unlike other art galleries or museums, you can touch and interact with over 100 spectacular largescale 3D artworks covering the walls and floors using just your smart phone for the ultimate selfie.

Explore and immerse yourself into different scenes, locations and famous paintings across 1900 sqm and 11 themed gallery zones.

Keen to go on a Jungle Safari? Step into the palm of King Kong and gaze up at the beast himself. Want to uncover the Pharoh's Treasures? You'll need to hop aboard the flying carpet to take you there! Catch a wave in the Aquatic Adventure, narrowly escape the menacing jaws of the monster croc on Australiana, or transform into a winged fairy in the Enchanted Garden.

Artvo recruited 14 international artists with over 40 years of experience to complete the awe-inspiring paintings with works complete in just 60 days.

Capturing photos on your smart phone is simple. Step onto the clearly marked photo point on the ground in front of each painting and follow the easy to read directions.

Photo tips to snap the best images include using a vertical or horizontal image, turning your camera flash on or off and how to position yourself for a mind-bending picture result. Share on social media to get your friends and followers raving!

Open seven days, Artvo is the perfect entertainment destination for school holidays.

Family and corporate groups and an unparalleled recreational adventure for all ages. Dinner and a movie is so 20th century! Take a date or grab your mates for a fun-filled Friday or Saturday night escape as the gallery is open until 11,30pm. plus complimentary wine and beer. |Sunday-Thursday 10am 0 6pm/ FridaySaturday 10am 0 11.39pm / open seven days.

Artvo Immersive Gallery 26 Star Crescent Level 1 The District Docklands . Melbourne - Peter Kemp

Alliance Francais Reprise!

How might seven artists respond to the subterranean space of a 19th century mansion?

Located in the old kitchen of the Alliance Française, this exhibition provides a challenge to each artist to make a work that prompts a conversation between their art and the space where it is exhibited.

November 20 - December 1.

Paris sur Seine.

The exhibition Paris sur Seine: from the old docks to Paris Plagues highlights the special relationship between Parisians and the Seine River with many fascinating images and photographs.

The exhibition Paris sur Seine: from the old docks to Paris Plagues invites you to discover the many faces of the river and its banks from the3 18th century to today.

Until the 18th century, thanks to its commercial and recreational value, the Seine and its banks were the place to be in Paris. At that time, the Seine was the place of partying and pleasure.

Royal celebrations were organized along the Seine and citizens headed sown to the banks to wash themselves and their clothes. alance between recreation and commerce November 14 - December 1.

Alliance Française Eildon Gallery 51 Grey St. St. Kilda.

- Peter Kemp

Page 40 - Melbourne Observer - Wednesday, November 15, 2017

Observer Showbiz

www.MelbourneObserver.com.au

Movies, DVDs with Jim Sherlock, Aaron Rourke What’s Hot and What’s Not in Blu-Rays and DVDs FILM: PARIS CAN WAIT: Genre: Comedy/Romance/Drama.

Cast: Diane Lane, Arnaud Viard, Alec Baldwin.

Year: 2016.

Rating: PG. Length: 92 Minutes.

Stars: ***½ Verdict: The wife of a successful movie producer who is at a crossroads in her life takes a car trip from Cannes in the south of France to Paris with a French business associate of her husband, and what should be a seven-hour drive turns into two-day adventure of diversions involving picturesque sights, fine food, wine, humour, and a reawakening senses.

The feature-film directorial debut for Eleanor Coppola, who previously gave us the superb documentary feature "Hearts of Darkness: A Filmmaker's Apocalypse - The Making of Apocalypse Now" has now joined the ranks of her legendary multi-Oscar-winning husband Francis Ford Coppola and Oscar winning daughter Sofia Coppola and has created a delightfully charming, whimsical and engaging road movie.

What ultimately comes across as a cross between "The Trip" series and "Lost in Translation" (directed by daughter Sofia), and seemingly sponsored by the French Tourism Authority, succeeds mostly in part due to the breathtaking scenery, historical locations, including the film pioneering Lumiere Brothers museum, and a captivating performance by the equally beautiful, charming and talented, Diane Lane.

It's only weakness comes from French star Arnaud Viard, mostly unfamiliar with western audiences, and even though he gives a solid performances, a better match for the talents of Diane Lane and audiences would have been Jean Dujardin or Jean Reno, and in years past, Alain Delon or Jean-Paul Belmondo, but that minor gripe aside, it's still a journey well worth taking, and I'm glad I went on it!

FILM: ATOMIC BLONDE: Genre: Action/Mystery/Thriller.

Cast: Charlize Theron, James McAvoy, John Goodman, Eddie Marsan, Toby Jones.

Year: 2017.

Rating: MA15+ Length: 115 Minutes.

Stars: *** Verdict: An undercover MI6 agent is sent to Berlin in the latter part of the Cold War to investigate the murder of a fellow agent and recover a missing list of double agents, all in a labyrinth of cross and double crosses.

Mix Jason Bourne, James Bond, Derek Flint, John Wick, the Cold War, along with a dash of John le Carre, then finish it off with the beautiful Charlize Theron strutting her stuff, and you have the recipe for a deliriously bold, entertaining and exhilarating fun spy romp, though flawed and sometimes confusing, but nonetheless a kickass guns & garters thrill ride.

Based on the graphic novel "The Coldest City" and directed by David Leitch (co-director John Wick), the cast are all having fun as the hand-to-hand combat, gunplay, action, car chasing and sensuality all unfold to a pulse pounding soundtrack that includes David Bowie, Queen, Depeche Mode, Siouxsie and the Banshees, George Michael, Nena and New Order, to name a few.

Charlize Theron gives it all with her devilish persona and bone crunching gymnastics in this stylish, loud, chaotic, lush and as cool as they come action-spy-thriller, a more than welcome return to the good-bad old days of the Cold War. FILM: THE CIRCLE: Genre: Drama/Sci-Fi/Thriller.

Cast: Emma Watson, Tom Hanks, Bill Paxton, Glenne Headly, John Boyega.

Year: 2017.

Rating: M. Length: 110 Minutes.

Stars: *** Verdict: A young woman, Mae, is hired to work for the world's largest and most powerful tech and social media company in the world, and she sees it as an opportunity of a lifetime.

As she rises through the ranks, she is encouraged by the company's founder, to engage in a groundbreaking experiment that pushes the boundaries of privacy, ethics and ultimately her personal freedom, and along with her participation in the experiment, and every decision she makes, she begin to affect the lives and future of her friends, family and that of humanity.

Fascinating and engaging "what if" that is becoming eerily too much of a reality, which was foreshadowed in Peter Weir's similarly themed, and far superior, "The Truman Show" (1998) starring Jim Carrey, Ed Harris and Laura Linney.

Here, though its topic is strong enough to hold interest and is effectively constructed,emotion and character development is shallow, and despite any appealing or redeeming features, it fails to deliver any lasting effect or provoke any thoughts as the aforementioned film did so seamlessly and beautifully.

1Two redeeming features that make it a worthy watch are the standout performances by Bill Paxton and Glenne Headly as Emma Watson's parents, both who have sadly since passed away.

Rourke’s Reviews: Orient Express

● Albert Finney excels as Hercule Poirot, in the highly entertaining 1974 version of Murder On The Orient Express, now available on Blu-Ray and DVD. ■ With the latest version of Agatha part of the series produced by ITV Christie's perennial mystery Mur- and WGBH-TV, with acclaimed der On The Orient Express cur- actor David Suchet playing the rerently screening in cinemas (di- nowned detective. rected by and starring Kenneth Suchet approached the role in a Branagh), it is fascinating to see much more serious manner (althe attention lavished on this oft- though there are moments of told story since it was first published humour dotted throughout the by the Collins Crime Club in 1934. show), and certainly makes it his Numerous TV shows, from own. There are a number of Minder to The Goodies, have ei- changes made to this version, givther refashioned or parodied the plot ing it quite a contemporary feel, as to suit their own sensibilities, but it treats the region Poirot was is there have only been a handful of working in (Palestine), as well as feature length adaptations. the effects of being stuck in the The following are the most note- snow, realistically. This gives the worthy (the less said about the 2001 finale added bite, but an otherwise version the better), and are defi- classy outing is hurt by the considnitely worth your time. erable truncating of the colourful All aboard for some grand, old- gallery's introductions and developfashioned entertainment. ment, somewhat diminishing the tale's distinctive flavour.

Murder On The Orient Express (1974) (PG). 128 minutes. AvailMurder On The Orient Express able now on DVD and Blu-Ray. (2015) (PG). 280 minutes. **** **** This expensive adaptation from This is still the best known ver- Fuji made as a largesion of Christie's classic novel, and scaleTelevision, mini-series, proves to be an it still holds up very well after all unexpectedly faithful rendering of these years.

Christie's best-selling book.

Albert Finney has a whale of a Set in 1933, the detective is now time as Hercule Poirot, the world's called Suguro Takero (a celebrated most famous detective, who must uncover the truth behind the mur- investigator in Japan), but his looks der of despised gangster Mr are clearly fashioned after Poirot, Ratchett (Richard Widmark), and actor Mansai Nomura's perwhile travelling on the famed train formance is notably inspired by Albert Finney's memorable turn. between Istanbul and Calais.

Part 1 covers what happens on The crowded locomotive is filled with possible suspects, played the train, including the denouement, by a star-studded cast which in- while Part 2 goes into the complete cludes Sean Connery, Anthony backstory that leads to the murder Perkins, Vanessa Redgrave, John Suguru eventually investigates.

This gives the story an epic, Gielgud, Lauren Bacall, Jacqueline Bisset, Michael York, highly detailed milieu.

Like the 1974 film, this is a starMartin Balsam and Ingrid Bergman (in her Oscar-winning studded affair, with a wonderful cast that includes Kazunari role).

The final output from noted Ninomiya (The Blue Light, Gantz, screenwriter Paul Dehn Letters From Iwo Jima), Nanako (Goldfinger, The Deadly Affair, The Matsushima (Ring, Bizan), Koichi Spy Who Came In From The Cold, Sato (The Magic Hour), Toshiyuki The Taming Of The Shrew), the Nishida (Monkey TV series, Rewell-structured script is expertly union), and Hiroshi Tamaki (Prinhandled by legendary director cess Toyotomi).

The screenplay was penned by Sidney Lumet (12 Angry Men, Serpico, Dog Day Afternoon), who the immensely talented Koki perfectly frames the interior-heavy Mitani, who is an unabashed fan of material. Great fun.

1930s and 40s Hollywood comedy, and has shown that love in joyous, Murder On The Orient Express hilarious films such as Welcome (2010) (M). 82 minutes. Available Back, Mr. McDonald, Suite now as part of the Poirot Collec- Dreams, The Magic Hour and A tion 11 DVD Set. *** Ghost Of A Chance.

Movie-length episode that was - Aaron Rourke

Top 10 Lists

NOVEMBER 12-18.

THE AUSTRALIAN BOX OFFICE TOP TEN: 1. THOR: RAGNAROK. 2. BAD MOMS 2.

3. JIGSAW. 4. BLADE RUNNER 2049.

5. MY LITTLE PONY: THE MOVIE. 6. GEOSTORM. 7. THE MOUNTAIN BETWEEN US. 8. THREE SUMMERS. 9. LOVING VINCENT. 10. SUBURBICON. NEW RELEASES AND COMING SOON TO CINEMAS AROUND AUSTRALIA: NOVEMBER 9: BRAD'S STATUS, CONOR MCGREGOR: NOTORIOUS, DETROIT, MURDER ON THE ORIENT EXPRESS, PROFESSOR MARSTON AND THE WONDER WOMEN. NOVEMBER 16: BLADE OF THE IMMORTAL, BORG VS. MCENROE, JUSTICE LEAGUE, LUCKY, THE KILLING OF A SACRED DEER. THE DVD AND BLU-RAY TOP RENTALS & SALES: 1. CARS 3 [Animated/Comedy/Adventure/ Owen Wilson, Chris Cooper].

2. ANNABELLE: CREATION [Mystery/Horror/ Anthony LaPaglia, Miranda Otto].

3. BABY DRIVER [Action/Crime/Comedy/ Drama/Ansel Elgort, Kevin Spacey, Jamie Foxx].

4. THE WALL [Drama/Thriller/War/Aaron Taylor-Johnson].

5. THE BIG SICK [Romance/Comedy/Drama/ Zoe Kazan, Ray Romano, Holly Hunter].

6. THE BEGUILED [Drama/Thriller/Nicole Kidman, Colin Farrell, Elle Fanning].

7. SPIDER-MAN - HOMECOMING [Action/ Fantasy/Drama/Tom Holland, Robert Downey Jr].

8. TRANSFORMERS: THE LAST KNIGHT [Sci-Fi/Action/Mark Wahlberg, Anthony Hopkins].

9. MY COUSIN RACHEL [Drama/Mystery/ Romance/Rachel Weisz, Iain Glen, Sam Claflin].

Also: IT COMES AT NIGHT, DETOUR, CHURCHILL, A QUIET PASSION, ROUGH NIGHT, HOUNDS OF LOVE, UNA, DESPICABLE ME 3, GUARDIANS OF THE GALAXY Volume 2, THE MUMMY. NEW RELEASE HIGHLIGHTS ON DVD THIS WEEK: ATOMIC BLONDE [Action/Mystery/Thriller/ Charlize Theron, James McAvoy, John Goodman].

PARIS CAN WAIT [Romance/Comedy/ Drama/Diane Lane, Arnaud Viard, Alec Baldwin].

WAR FOR THE PLANET OF THE APES [Action/Sci-Fi/Adventure/Woody Harrelson].

THE CIRCLE [Drama/Sci-Fi/Thriller/Emma Watson, Tom Hanks and Bill Paxton].

THE TIME OF THEIR LIVES [Comedy/Joan Collins, Pauline Collins, Franco Nero].

AN INCONVENIENT SEQUEL: Truth To Power [Documentary].

NEW RELEASE HIGHLIGHTS ON BLU-RAY THIS WEEK: ATOMIC BLONDE [Action/Mystery/Thriller/ Charlize Theron, James McAvoy, John Goodman].

PARIS CAN WAIT [Romance/Comedy/ Drama/Diane Lane, Arnaud Viard, Alec Baldwin].

WAR FOR THE PLANET OF THE APES [Action/Sci-Fi/Adventure/Woody Harrelson].

WAR FOR THE PLANET OF THE APES 3D + Blu-Ray [Action/Sci-Fi/Adventure].

THE CIRCLE [Drama/Sci-Fi/Thriller/Emma Watson, Tom Hanks and Bill Paxton].

AN INCONVENIENT SEQUEL: Truth To Power [Documentary].

THE BRIDGE ON THE RIVER KWAI 4K + Blu-Ray [War/Adventure/William, Alec Guinness].

THE CROWN: Season One. NEW & RE-RELEASE AND CLASSIC MOVIES DVD HIGHLIGHTS: THE BRIDGE ON THE RIVER KWAI [War/ Adventure/William, Alec Guinness].

- James Sherlock

www.MelbourneObserver.com.au

Melbourne

Observer

Melbourne Observer - Wednesday, November 15, 2017 - Page 41

Travellers’ Good Buys

with David Ellis

Most-photographed hotel in the world ■ While the world’s officially mostphotographed hotel was built way back in 1893, it was actually a castle built several hundred years before that which inspired its almost fairy-talelike appearance.

American architect Bruce Price designed the hotel, Le Chateau Frontenac in Quebec City, for the Canadian Pacific Railway company at a time when rail travel was booming across Canada and America.

But while it was like many other “chateau” style hotels he’d designed for the rail company, this one was absolutely enormous compared to the others, and having 618 rooms on a clifftop site it quickly came to dominate Quebec City’s skyline – as it still does today.

Although it was built in 1893, there had been earlier castles and hotels on the site over several centuries, with the last hotel burning down in 1834.

Today with its cliff-top location and its fairy-tale appearance, Le Chateau Frontenac is listed by the Guinness Book of Records as the world’s officially most-photographed hotel – with many guests saying it’s a true-life castle of their dreams.

And yes, it does take its name from the real thing, Frontenac Castle in France that was built during the Renaissance.

Hey, taxi!

● With its cliff-top location and fairy-tale appearance, Canada’s Le Chateau Frontenac is the most-photographed hotel in the world.

Melbourne

Observer Wines & Liqueurs

with David Ellis

Enjoy food-friendly riesling ■ Although they’ve been making wines in South Australia’s Clare Valley since the 1850s, one little village that’s particularly renowned for its Rieslings is Watervale – which all these years on, still has a population of under 250.

Jim Barry Wines is virtually synonymous with Watervale and premium Rieslings, and their now-released 2015 Watervale Riesling is another example of why the team there has such a well-deserved reputation, albeit 2015 wasn’t exactly kind to them in many respects weatherwise.

We’re talking about rain – firstly a lack of it, and then absolutely plenty of it, combined with unwanted extreme heat. In five months from early August 2014 to early January 2015, the Clare Valley got a mere 67mm, just enough as Peter Barry put it, “to wash the dust off the vines.” Then in three weeks of January down it came… 100mm of it, combined with that extreme heat in February.

But remarkably the vines came through well, and the 2015 Jim Barry Watervale is a great Riesling, with mouth-filling ginger and lime fruit flavours, crispy apple-like acidity and a nice varietal creaminess. Pay $18 and with Riesling being one of the most food-friendly of wines, match this one with anything from seafood to Asian, chicken, pork or vegetarian dishes.

One to note ■ Voyager Estate in Western Australia’s Margaret River in 2012 had one of its warmest summers, earliest vintages, and highest fruit yields ever, and despite some challenges these threw up at winemakers, it’s released an exceptionally smooth and more-ish 2012 Girt by Sea label Cabernet Merlot.

Something of an unexpected attention-grabber, this most pleasant drop has layers of dark cherry and blackcurrant fruit flavours, hints of vanilla, spice and nougat, finegrained tannins and nicely integrated French and American oak.

At $28, a great match with barbecued steak, or lamb shanks cooked in a red wine sauce.

Pictured ■ A drop to match with anything from seafood to Asia, chicken, pork or vegetarian dishes.

■ An unexpected attention-grabber to enjoy with lamb shanks cooked in a red wine

■ A couple of Aussie-born Greeks who run an upmarket taxi company in Athens using E-class Mercedes sedans and Mercedes mini-vans, are finding themselves carrying more than just backsides on seats.

It is because wealthy Greeks and others who don’t trust airlines and road transport companies with their treasured artefacts, are using Dimitri Karoutas who was born in Mosman in Sydney and Aki Arvanitis at Kew in Melbourne, to carry these items often hundreds, sometimes thousands, of kilometres in their luxury Deep Blue Tours Mercedes cabs.

One businessman living on an island rang Aki whom he often used in Athens, and told him he was sending a broken antique 17th century chair worth E100,000 (AU$129,000) by helicopter to Athens airport, and would Aki pick it up and find someone to repair it.

Aki did so, and when the job was done drove the repaired chair 225km to the port of Patras – and from there by car-ferry across to the businessman’s home island.

And while Dimitri was once giving a Swiss businessman a tour into the countryside, the man bought an antique metre-high urn and asked Dimitri if he would deliver it to his home – albeit 2,500km away in Geneva as he couldn’t risk it being possibly broken in the air or on the road.

So Dimitri gave it to Aki who made the bizarre 5,000km round trip to Geneva and back.

These two affable AussieGreeks do general taxi work including airport and cruise ship transfers in Athens, and tours from a day to a fortnight in rural and regional Greece.

If you’re visiting Athens, say G’day to them via www.deepbluetours.com or contact@deepbluetours.com

Old law

■ America is going to enforce a law dating back to 1886, and which from the beginning of 2016 looks set to spell the end of the good old 2- and 3night “cruise to nowhere.”

It hass provoked howls of protest from those who love sea-travel and aren’t bothered about getting off in foreign ports, others who can’t afford or haven’t the time for longer cruises – and from some foreign shipping lines that are the main operators of these cruises, most of them out of New York.

But the government says it is determined to give power to the 1886 Passenger Vessel Services Act, which bars foreign-flagged ships from sailing round-trips from American ports without visiting a foreign country.

And while it won’t say so, as foreign-flagged vessels don’t have to pay normal American taxes once they leave port, it means cruises to nowhere are viewed as simply lucrative booze and gambling long weekends for foreign operators – and right inAmerica’s backyard.

So with no foreign ports close enough to include in 2- or 3-night sailings from New York, it’s generally considered 2015’s the swan song year of the cruise to nowhere.

Page 42 - Melbourne Observer - Wednesday, November 15, 2017 Melbourne

Observer

www.MelbourneObserver.com.au

Lovatts Crossword No 10 Across

1. Magnifying 6. Pokes 11. Arouse 15. Accompanying 20. Back 21. Verification 22. Killer whale 23. Document, The ... Carta 25. Famous canal 26. Spanish festival 27. Contact 29. Submarine weapon 32. Bat & ...

34. Egyptian cobras 36. Nautical balance (3,4) 39. Reluctant 41. Reclines 43. Underwater detector 46. Infuriates 48. Annual horse race 49. Business note 51. Paddles 52. Close of church service 55. Deem 56. Catches in the act 59. Inched 61. Vein of ore 62. Nibble 63. Survive 64. Parachute straps 67. Perfect (society) 68. Spruce (up) 70. Came close to 71. Intimidating comment 72. Eskimo shelters 73. Dr Jekyll's alter ego (2,4) 74. Ethiopia's ... Ababa 75. Most impetuous 77. Rangoon is there 78. Nocturnal chicks 79. Felt hat 82. Painting supports 86. Horrified 87. Calf flesh 89. Battery pole 92. Duty 94. Wan 96. Board counters game 98. Sunbeams 100. Idolise 101. Supplements, ... out 103. Judge's gown 105. Bolivia's capital (2,3) 106. Poems 108. Tapering fruit 111. Nasty 112. North American salamanders 114. Hasten 116. Ponder 119. 1000 grams 120. Sound horn 121. 'Tis (2'1) 123. Wander 124. Community 125. Very clever 126. Catastrophes 127. Directions on envelope 130. Type of whiskey 131. Perfumed bags 135. Join together 138. Singer, ... Turner 139. Drizzle 141. Large sweet fruit 144. Avid 146. Food enhancer (1,1,1) 147. Non-coms (1,1,2) 148. Immense period 149. Note well, ... bene 150. Negotiable (1,1,1) 151. Metal track 152. Fantastic 153. Cotton spool 155. Drags laboriously 157. Regretful 158. US Military Academy, ... Point 160. Atlantic or Indian 161. Plastic 162. Baby-bottle tops 163. Reside 165. More independent 166. Primate 167. American espionage body (1,1,1)

Across 168. Moral principle 169. Stereo (2-2) 171. Steer clear of 172. Hospital worker 175. Discover 176. Drinks like dog 179. Rescind 180. Breakfast cereal 182. Prude 184. Market for goods 185. Melbourne Cup winner, ... Lap 186. Alphabet (1,1,1) 188. Equal 189. Weeding tool 190. Divorce, decree ...

191. No score 193. Country, Costa ...

194. Pips 196. Horse's father 197. Unconscious state 198. Journalist's slant 200. European Jewish language 205. Typist's complaint (1,1,1) 207. Unconsumed 210. Frightening dream 211. Addition 212. Hop, ... & jump 213. Swelling 214. ... & don'ts 216. Panache 218. Flying saucers (1,1,2) 219. Snow-runners 220. Openings 224. Power-grabbers 227. Mideast area, ... Strip 229. Capsize, ... over 230. Nodule 231. Peace prize pioneer, Alfred ...

232. Verse-writer 233. Exude 235. Fumes 237. Jittery 239. Yield 241. Restaurant patron 244. Great Bear constellation, ...

Major 246. Determine (dispute) 249. Glimpse 252. Meagre 254. Singer, ... Streisand 256. Most likely to win (4-2) 258. East Central African land 259. Chortle 260. Paddocks 263. Early Peruvians 264. Not wholesale 265. Make untidy (4,2) 267. Empty-headed 270. In flight 271. Annoyed 272. Modernist design style (3,4) 273. Tribal chief 274. Street talk 277. Wheat husks 279. Inner drive 281. Fetes 284. Shop clearance 286. Frog-like creature 288. Heckler 292. Gleam 294. The M of YMCA (3'1) 295. Piquant 298. Snaking dance 300. All set 301. Bike 303. Alcove 306. Court sitting 308. Video format 309. Frees 311. Fixed (photo) on to backing 314. Hindu teacher 315. Nuclear 316. Required 317. Harbours 318. Roman garment 319. Copy outline of 320. Inconsiderable 321. Token of good luck 322. Chooses 323. Food sampler 324. Biscuit containers

Down

Down

1. Departure 2. Hide-out 3. Latin lover 4. Silver bar 5. Snatch 6. Italian seaport 7. Russian mountains 8. Turfed 9. Scanty 10. The D of AD 11. Struggle 12. Corporal's stripe 13. Combined figure 14. Rubber 15. Heads of corn 16. Pursue 17. Detox therapy 18. ... of Wight 19. Band's live performances 24. First man 28. Sure-fire thing 30. The O of PTO 31. Drip sound 33. Take into custody 35. Sacred songs 37. Sharp-eyed cat 38. Jabbers 40. Sailor's dance 42. Steak cut (1-4) 44. Repulsive 45. Energetic 47. Altogether (2,3) 48. Swindles 49. Tennis veteran, John ...

50. Olympic champion 53. Non-aligned 54. Set fire to 57. Very vague (4-5) 58. Roads 60. Drama house 63. Maddened 65. Tots up 66. Footwear item 68. Spirit 69. Jane Austen novel 76. Politically explosive region (3,4) 79. Influenza 80. Salivate 81. Lease again 83. Greek fable writer 84. Sinned 85. Pig enclosure 88. German shepherds 90. Morays 91. Leak out 93. Slur 95. Tidy 97. Long dry spell 99. Stupid 100. Calla lily 102. Tangles 104. Tolerated 107. Spay 109. Collect 110. Feral 111. Anchor (boat) 113. Acclaim 115. Photographing bones (1-6) 117. Engrave 118. Study hard 121. Haifa citizen 122. Severely 127. Crooked 128. Tell off, ... down 129. Secondary outcomes (4,7) 132. Heated row 133. Praise highly 134. Besmirch 135. Rain shields 136. Lack of knowledge 137. Letter coverings 138. Twisters 140. Fondness for the past 141. Australian nut-bearing tree

142. Slackening 143. Santa's home (5,4) 145. Loonier 151. Livestock thief 154. Happening 156. Stomach sore 159. Well-known record label (1,1,1) 164. Current unit 169. Joyful 170. Impostor 173. Guided (to seat) 174. Distinct variety 177. Aslant 178. Deposit eggs (of fish) 181. Enliven 183. Residents of institution 187. Lanky folk 192. Ailments 195. Mining 199. Innocence 201. Very black 202. Immerses 203. Abode 204. Sedate (character) 206. Lead-in 207. Utilisation 208. Greenish blue 209. People's self-pride 213. Enjoy 215. Circled (globe) 217. Scruff (of neck) 221. Lobby 222. Lebanese timber 223. Stuck-up person 224. Arm bone 225. Increased 226. Nips with beak 228. Unbiased 234. Questionable 236. Slaughtering 238. Pat 240. Wolf's home 242. Humbling 243. Emperor's wife 245. Inflexibility 247. Rife 248. Reject (4,3) 250. Restricts movement (4,4) 251. Stray from subject 253. Harvard's rival 255. Chopped 257. Statement of allegiance 258. Mother 261. Garb 262. Followed orders 265. Bully 266. Tiny tree branch 268. Irate 269. Hollered 275. Delicate fabric 276. Fish traps 278. Lacking in blood iron 280. Space missiles 282. Prayer ending 283. Raise stakes, up the ...

285. Recognise 287. Senility 289. Builds 290. Large American feline 291. Young swan 292. Engineless plane 293. Native of Glasgow or Edinburgh 296. Cinema gangway 297. Grind (teeth) 299. Of birth 302. Dessert, ... caramel 304. Pakistan's ... Khan 305. Seed shells 306. Dress ribbon 307. Char 308. Chew 310. As a gamble, on ...

312. Submissive 313. Mafia godfathers

Melbourne Observer - Wednesday, November 15, 2017 - Page 43

Solution on Page 35

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Page 44 - Melbourne Observer - Wednesday, November 15, 2017

Melbourne

Observer Victorian Sport

Brilliant Cup call, Matthew

■ Racing Victoria's number one race caller, Matthew Hill, excelled himself in his brief career at the top, with a magnificent call of the Melbourne Cup. Like last year when Greg Miles had to contend with several runners from the all blue Godolphin camp in the Melbourne Cup, Matty, had to get used to see a flash of several different colours caps adorning the Lloyd Williams’s colours of blue with white armbands.

Over the years I have had the pleasure of calling races, but luckily never came across stablemates with jockeys wearing different coloured caps.

Starting off, Almandin's jockey Frankie Dettori had the white cap, then Johannes Vermeer, Ben Melham with the navy blue cap, Bondi Beach (Michael Walker) red cap, US Army Ranger (Jamie Spencer) royal blue Cap; Gallante, with his rider Michael Dee wearing a gold cap; and the winner Rekindling (Corey Brown) in the pink cap. ● Young Irish trainer Joe O’Brien. Racing Photos It's hard enough remembering the colours of 24 runners let alone the colours of the caps on away, with time for jockey, Hugh Bowman to of runner-up, Humidor, Blake Shinn, who soak up, the adulation of the big crowd, before looked menacing when he started to move on six of the runners from the one stable.

What happens if a jockey or jockeys lose reaching the finishing line.

Humidor, but the ‘Queen’ was too good.

However someone forget to tell the jockey their caps, which happens, you have to rely on The reception the mare received from the trying to pick items about the horse or rider, or large Moonee Valley crowd when returning back hopefully, if you have time to glance at your to the main straight is something that many of us book for a saddlecloth number. will remember for a lifetime.

With 10 races on the card over varying disWinx's jockey, Hughie Bowman, threw his tance, especially those up the straight six, you skull cap into the crowd to one unsuspecting, have to be right on the ball. but extremely lucky punter, providing another As the old saying goes a race caller can call moment to savour.

1000 close finishes; if he misses one, that is the How lucky as keen racing people like myone all the smarties will jump on. self, as in recent years we have seen the likes of At 36, Matt in his short career, spent several Sunline, who won two Cox Plates and an unyears with Sky Channel in Sydney, after winlucky third in another, Makybe Diva, win three ning a scholarship with Sky, since then he hasn't Melbourne Cups, Black Caviar win 25 in a row, looked back. and now Winx, on 22 straight.

He is adept in calling all sports including the You can't buy that sort of excitement for us Olympic Games. keen racegoers.

He had big steps to fill taking over from Greg While the Saturday was a day to remember, Miles, one of the best ever, but he has excelled Friday night's Ladbrokes Manikato Stakes He deserves all the plaudits he receives, one of meeting had just as much excitement and drama. the nicest young men in racing.

A beautiful Melbourne spring evening saw Well done Matty. the crowds flock to Moonee Valley, with a record for the meeting of 11,805 people turning up to kick off the two-day Carnival.

Leading jockey Craig Williams had a night ■ Young Irish trainer Joe O'Brien, at 24,beto remember riding a treble, and was the highly came the youngest ever trainer to train a fancied Vega Magic in the Manikato, but he Melbourne Cup winner, when Rekindling took failed to flatter. out the Melbourne Cup. High drama ensued before the jump of the The son of one of the world's best trainers Manikato, when the 2015 winner, Chautauqua, Aidan O'Brien, Joe had a few rides, but weight and the Gai Waterhouse trained mare, English, got the better of him, and with the aid of his were vetted before the race. famous Irish father got into training and what Unfortunately the grey wonder, Chautauqua, seems like five minutes in the training ranks was taken out, much to the bewilderment of the had his dream fulfilled.

Hawkes camp.

His father Aidan recently broke the record The drama didn't end there; the Tony Mcfor the greatest number of Group One wins in Evoy trained Hey Doc, back in distance won the the world.

Manikato, but a protest was fired in against Luke Currie, who piloted Hey Doc, for interference at the 1000 metres mark.

However the protest was dismissed, much to ■ A Cox Plate Carnival record of 44,222 pathe delight of the McEvoy team. trons walked through the turnstiles across the Ladbrokes Cox Plate Carnival, much to the delight of the Committee of the Moonee Valley Racing Club.

A sell-out crowd of 32,617, enjoyed glorious weather on Cox Plate day to watch the wonder mare, Winx, win her third plate, equalling that of the great Kingston Town.

It was labelled the Queen joins the King, much to the delight of all racegoers and the racing public.

The crowd was up about 6500 on last year's mark, and was the biggest Cox Plate attendance since 43,072 watched Maldivian won the plate back in 2008.

Winx broke her own track record and in the process stamped herself an immortal of the track.

The build-up, the anticipation, the excitement - it was all there in the led-up to the 97th running of the race and it delivered a script no one saw coming.

Many of us thought when Winx hit the front ● Rekindling wins the Melbourne Cup. Racing Photos rounding the turn, that she would win running

Ted Ryan

Youngest ever

Carnival feeling

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Wine Column Farewell Wayne

■ JOHN ROZENTALS laments the sudden death ofWayne Stehbens, a winemaker destined to become a Coonawarra icon.

It's with deep sadness and a genuine sense of personal loss that I write of the sudden death last week of Wayne Stehbens, aged just 62 yet winemaker at Coonawarra's Katnook Estate for 38 years.

I studied winemaking at college with Wayne and just a couple of years ago visited him in Coonawarra, a place he loved nearly as much as he did his family.

He greeted me with open arms and was indeed a generous host who introduced me to many local winemakers and set up reintroductions to a few I had previously met.

He also plied me with much good red wine he had produced and showed great pride in having reinvigorated the Katnook cellars, where the Coonawarra wine story had been started by John Riddoch well over 100 years ago.

Wayne saw himself as one of the custodians of the area's history, though he certainly didn't take much due credit for its preservation.

He also added considerable lustre to Coonawarra's reputation, including a couple of revered Jimmy Watson trophies from the Mel-bourne Wine Show.

To me - and I'm sure to many others Wayne seemed indestructible. Like the many fine reds heproduced he was going to keep going for many more years. My thoughts right now are with his wife Michelle and family.

Vale Wayne Stehbens. You were a good one and the wines you made will always stand you in good stead. I just wish I could have beaten you at table tennis.

WINE REVIEWS Blue Pyrenees 2013 Midnight Cuvée ($36): This ultra-premium sparkling wine from central-west rrn Victoria takes its name from the chardonnay grapes being hand-harvested in the wee small hours of the morning to ensure freshness of fruit flavour.

The bouquet shows a mix of nuttiness and yeasty fresh bread, with complex flavours derived from prolonged maturation in contact with yeast lees.

Shaw Vineyard Estate 2017 Riesling ($30): Winemaker Graeme Shaw describes the 2017 vintage as a very normal one, but he's turned out a decidedly above-average riesling.

It's a fresh dry white laden with floral and citrus aromas, and blessed with a zesty palate - a fine accompaniment to oysters or white-fleshed fish simply grilled and served with a buttery sauce.

WINE OF THE WEEK Katnook Estate 2012 Odyssey Cabernet Sauvignon ($100): An intensely flavoured, concentrated dry red that shows the Coonawarra region's great strength with this variety.

Anyone who has a bottle should reserve it for the best lamb and the best company and raise a glass to its creator, Wayne Stehbens.

Wine lovers who don't already have a bottle should do their utmost to procure one.

● Wayne Stehbens

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Melbourne Observer - Wednesday, November 15, 2017 - Page 45

Spring Homemaker

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Page 46 - Melbourne Observer - Wednesday, November 15, 2017

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Melbourne Observer - Wednesday, November 15, 2017 - Page 47

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Melbourne Observer - Wednesday, November 15, 2017 - Page 49

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Page 50 - Melbourne Observer - Wednesday, November 15, 2017

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