Melbourne Observer - Wednesday, June 5, 2013 - Page 89
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Country Music: Rob Foenander’s column ......... Page 90 Rita Crispin: Bloomsday In Melbourne ................. Page 91 The Spoiler: Neighbours and Home And Away ............ Page 91 Jim and Aaron: Top 10 lists, movies, DVDs ................... Page 92 Cheryl Threadgold: Local theatre shows, auditions ............. Page 93 PLUS THE LOVATT”S MEGA CROSSWORD
SIT IN ON MASTERCLASS ‘Ballet Revolución’ at the Arts Centre
● Ballet Revolución ■ After its world premiere tour throughout Australia in 2011, the international Cuban Ballet Revolución returns to Melbourne, with performances at the Arts Centre from Wednesday-Sunday, July 17-21.. Some of the world’s most talented classical and contemporary dancers perform to the infectious rhythms of LatinAmerica and the No 1 hits from Usher, Shakira, Beyonce, Enrique Iglesias, J-Lo, Prince and Chris Brown. The result is described as an explosive, intensive, sensual and impressively athletic performance, full of raw energy with a distinctly Cuban flavour. “So many great things have happened for the show since we had our world premiere in Australia two years ago” said Australian producer and creator of Ballet Revolucion, Mark Brady. “We have toured many countries around the world and had the amazing honour of being invited to perform in the presence of Queen Elizabeth II for the Royal Variety Concert on November 19 last year. “Internationally the show continues to wow audiences no matter where we perform, so bringing the shown back to Australia is very exciting.” Ballet Revolución‘s young Cuban dancers let their athletic bodies do the talking anywhere in the world: audiences cannot get enough of their exuberant energy and contagious joy of life with which they turn any idea into an explosive and intense performance. Publicist Michelle Guthrie says: “With breathtaking twists, daring jumps and sensual moves from ballet to street dance, Ballet Revolución has already impressed audiences in sold-out shows from Sydney and Singapore to Berlin, Vienna and London. “Ballet Revolución mixes the dynamics of contemporary dance, brilliant ballet, powerful street dance and hip hop giving the work “Ballet with Attitude”. “Combining 20 of the finest dancers you will ever have the pleasure of seeing from the island of dance, Cuba and eight of the hottest young Cuban musicians live on stage, results in a fuelled Cuban cocktail of unbridled passion, pure energy and athletic skill.” The dancers were trained at one of the world’s most prestigious dance institutions in their home country, the Escuela Nacional de Arte, with its renowned faculty of modern dance, and at the famous Escuela Nacional de Ballet for classical dance. Dance training is strongly promoted in Cuba, as dance means more than art on the Caribbean island, it means life. The dancers thus unite in their movements a unique Cuban expression with the highest dancing virtuosity. Boundless passion, attractive sensuality, stunning athleticism and exuberant joy of life- Ballet Revolución combines it all in a fireball of emotions that no one can escape. Venue: Arts Centre Melbourne Dates: Wed- Sun, July 17-21. Tickets: Premium: $95.90, A Reserve: Adult $89.90, Conc $79.90, Groups (6+) $79.90, Youth U26 $49.90. B Reserve: Adult $79.90, Conc $69.90, Groups (6+) $69.90, Youth U26 $49.90 Bookings: www.ticketmaster.com.au or 1300 182 183
By JULIE HOUGHTON
● Emma Matthews. Photo: Bridget Elliott ■ If you love the idea of going behind the operatic scenes to see how opera singers really work at their singing, then you have your chance on Saturday (June 8) from 12 Noon until 3 pm. Melbourne opera organisation More Than Opera has enticed Australia's famous soprano Emma Matthews to deliver a public master class for emerging and experienced professional singers. Emma will work with seven singers, helping them to hone their craft. If you have never seen an opera masterclass before, this is a great opportunity to see how singers really work, and to have someone of Emma Matthews's calibre giving her expertise and advice is a rare coup for young Melbourne singers. It's all happening at The Opera Centre in Melbourne, corner Fawkner and Fanning Sts (between City Rd and Ballet Centre Car Park), Southbank. Founded in 2000, More Than Opera Limited is a not-forprofit arts company that aims to use the power of opera as a force for inspiration and community well being. MTO also delivers a major scholarship program via the German-Australian Opera Grant which has, to date, launched the international careers of six outstanding singers. MTO Artistic Director, Dr David Kram, has several future MTO events in planning that will certainly add spice to the operatic scene in Melbourne. Audience entry to the Emma Matthews master class is $20 adults and $10 concession. All details are at www.morethanopera.com
Solomon and Marion opens ■ Two hander plays that rely on just a pair of actors to create theatrical magic are often some of the best experiences in the theatre for an audience. Lara Foot's play Solomon and Marion is such a twohander - relying on actors Gillian Jones and Pacharo Mzembe to take the audience to their world of post-apartheid South Africa. After losing a son through a random act of violence, Marion (Jones) confines herself to the only home she has ever known, in a remote South African village separated from her family. When a young man, Solomon (Mzembe) knocks on her door one day to deliver a message he has secretly carried for years, Marion is forced to consider whether Solomon is a dreaded intruder or her saviour. The scene is set for an exploration of two contrasting sides of contemporary South Africa. Gillian Jones is a fine actor who always draws my eye, and she has just finished filming George Miller's Fury Road and was seen by MTC audiences in The Glass Menagerie. Television audiences will recognize her from Packed To the Rafters, Love My Way and The Slap. Pacharo Mzembe has also graced the small screen, in Underbelly: Razor and was in the MTC production Rockabye and Belvoir's Gwen In Purgatory. Directed by Pamela Rabe, Solomon And Marion was hailed by critics in South Africa, with What's On in Cape Town saying Solomon and Marion will keep you thinking and laughing long after the curtains close." And that's a pretty good recommendation to get you to venture out on a Melbourne winter night to see what it's all about. Solomon and Marion is at the Fairfax Studio at the Arts Centre from Friday (June 7) to July 20. All details at www.mtc.com - Julie Houghton
Jazz Festival continues
■ The free program of the Melbourne International Jazz Festival events ends on a high note on Sunday (June 9) with a concert from the new schools initiative Unleash the Best. The ultimate rock, pop, big band, jazz and blues, world music and electronic beats online and live band competition, will award $50,000 in prizes and culminates in a live concert at Iwaki Auditorium featuring the top 10 bands.
Fiddler On The Roof at Ringwood
■ Mountain District Musical Society (MDMS) presents Fiddler On The Roof from June 14 - 22 at the Karralyka Theatre, Ringwood. Rich in historical and ethnic detail, Fiddler On The Roof has touched audiences around the world with its humor, warmth and honesty. The universal theme of 'tradition' cuts across barriers of race, class, nationality, age groups and religion, leaving millions of audience members the world over with a deep personal acceptance. Fiddler On The Roof is about pride and dignity, sorrow and oppression and takes place in a small fictional village called Anatevka, but in reality, is taking place everywhere. Featuring Adrian Carr as Tevye, Victoria Zainal as Golde and a great cast, Fiddler On The Roof is directed by
● The Papas rehearse for Fiddler On The Roof, opening in Ringwood on June 14. From left is, Gordon Lyon, Will Deumer, Adrian Carr and David Syme. Photo: Kathryn White Paul Watson, with musical direction by Tickets: $38 (full), Group (10+) $32, Ryan Jacobs and choreography by Kaela $25 (Child U15). Brushett. Bookings: www.trybooking.com or Performance dates are June 14, 15, 20, tickets@mdms.org.au or call 0402 221 21, 22 at 8pm and June 16, 22 at 2pm. 681.