Melbourne Observer - Wednesday, April 6, 2011 - Page 57
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Observer Showbiz Every Week in the Melbourne Observer
Radio Confidential: McGowan, by a mile ..... Page 58 Veritas: Footy official was media pioneer ........ Page 59 The Spoiler: Next week’s ‘soaps’ plotlines ............ Page 59 Jim and Aaron: Best DVD-film selections ................. Page 60 Cheryl Threadgold: Community Theatre - it’s a wrap ...... Page 62 PLUS THE LOVATT”S MEGA CROSSWORD
WILLO - IN SYMPHONY Sidney Myer winners named
● Sidney Myer ■ The Sidney Myer Performing Arts Awards winners were named at the weekend. They are: ■ Individual Award. Paul Capsis, awarded $50,000. ■ Group Award. Australian Art Orchestra, awarded $80,000. ■ Facilitator’s Prize. John Paxinos, awarded $20,000. The awards were created in 1984 by the trustees of the Sidney Myer Fund to mark the 50th anniversary of the Melbourne retailer’s death. Myer was a strong philanthripist, patron of the arts, and supporter of community life. “These award support his belief that the arts are inseparable from everyday life and a rich society is one that expresses great creative spirit,” said Carillo Gantner, Chairman of Trustess. Mr Gantner said: Individual Award: Paul Capsis’s extraordinary abilities, seemingly limitless vocal range and success in forging a distinctive genre mark his uniqueness as a performer. He is an embodiment of the artist as both a cipher (channelling the divas) and sharply defined individual whose work is inextricably bound up in who he is. Gender-ambiguous, Paul has had remarkable success in a huge variety of characterisations across theatre, cabaret and film in the past two decades. Group Award: Australian Art Orchestra. Formed in 1994 by Artistic Director, pianist, conductor and composer Paul Grabowsky, the Australian Art Orchestra is committed to the development and exploration of improvised and notated jazz music. The Australian Art Orchestra’s many groundbreaking projects including artistic collaborations composition and performance projects - with Aboriginal communities and artists from nations in the Asia Pacific region across a range of genres. Facilitator’s Prize: John Paxinos. A quiet achiever, John Paxinos’s support of the small to medium arts sector over the past 30 years has built artistically vibrant and financially robust companies. His are the hands behind the success of hundreds of artists and small companies, helping them organise their company governance structures, sort out their finances, meet regulatory requirements and share the essential business skills required to sustain a long-term career as an artist.
■ Australian singersongwriter John Williamson will perform two special concerts, accompanied by Orchestra Victoria, in May at Melbourne’s Crown Casino. Having just released his latest live CD and DVD John Williamson: In Symphony, recorded late last year at the Sydney Opera House, the multi award-winning artist is preparing to return to the stage with one of the country’s most celebrated orchestras. “‘I can’t wait for my Victorian mates from all around Melbourne to hear my songs ● John Williamson with Orchestra Victoria. I know the orchestra will have fun playing my music, as they did in Sydney. It’s something different for them. And don’t worry, the campfire and my stomp box will still be on stage with me; along with guitarist legend Col Watson,’ said Williamson. The live concerts on Friday May 20 (8pm) and Saturday May 21 (8pm) will be delivered before what are expected to be sellout audiences. Williamson will perform some of his biggest hits capturing country, characters and spirit with new sounds and stories portrayed through the inclusion of the orchestra. Ticket holders will also see a preview of some of Williamson’s latest, yet to be recorded material, which will also be interpreted orchestrally. John Williamson has symbolised the spirit of Australia in poetry and song for the past four decades and the exclusive concerts, accompanied by Orchestra Victoria, will give his audience an experience to remember. Williamson was inducted into the ARIA Hall of Fame in 2010, adding to his collection of three ARIA Awards, 24 Golden Guitars, MO Awards, APRA Awards, Platinum and Gold albums, and more than four million album sales. His resume and catalogue of more than 350 songs would make any songwriter envious; not bad for a kid from Quambatook in Victoria’s Mallee country! In the past few decades he has been an inspirational presence at some of the most significant events in Australia: The Sydney 2000 Olympics, numerous Bledisloe Cup, the Rugby World Cup, memorial services for Sir Donald Bradman, his mate Steve Irwin, the first Bali Bombing service and the list goes on. He is ingrained in Australia’s history.
KEITH - BY A COUNTRY MILE
Doctor Zhivago to open soon
● Anthony Warlow ■ Next week’s highly-anticipated opening of Doctor Zhivago at Mebourne’s Her Majesty’s Theatre will be preceded by a ‘media call’ where photographers and camera people will capture images of the performance. Anthony Warlowis starring n the title role of the ardent Yurii Zhivago, and Lucy Maunder is appeariong as the alluring Lara. The media call will see the pair sing On The Edge of Time. The musical has been written by Lucy Simon (The Secret Garden) and is directed by Des McAnuff (Jersey Boys). The cast will then perform a musical number from this lavish new production. Based on the famous novel by Boris Pasternak, this is a passionate and romantic love story, set against the background of the Russian Revolution. With its lush melodies, suspenseful story telling and the acclaimed Anthony Warlow in the title role, this is a new musical in the grand tradition. Doctor Zhivago has a combined Australian/US creative team, which includes Lucy Simon (composer), Director Des McAnuff, lyrics by Michael Korie and Amy Powers, book by Michael Weller. The set, costume, lighting and sound designers are all Australian. Principal cast is Lucy Maunder (Lara), Taneel Van Zyl (Tonia), Peter Carroll (Alexander), Martin Crewes (Pasha), Bartholomew John (Komarovsky) and Trisha Noble (Anna)
Showbiz Snippets
● 3AW’s Keith McGowan has enjoyed a massive win in the latest Melbourne radio ratings survey. He took time out last weekend to visit the Victorian country region including Rainbow and Jeparit, and is pictured outside an old store at Yaapeet. Our ‘Observer Showbiz’ report of his ratings success is on Page 58.
■ The Australian Film Television and Radio School plans to explore the work and careers of the nearly 2000 students who have graduated from the School since it opened its doors in 1973. ■ Radio Eastern 98.1 is presenting The Melba Story, originally assembled by Hector Crawford and Glenda Raymond in the 1950s. The part of Melba was played by Patricia Kennedy (in most spisodes). The show is being made available for broadcast by the Clark Sinclair Collection, curated by Jamie Kelly. ■ A $400,000 radio and online advertising campaign started in China last week, telling millions of Chinese why there’s nothing like Queensland for an Australian holiday.