Melbourne Observer - Wednesday, April 10, 2013 - Page 73
e urn lbo Me
ver N ser IO Ob T C SE 3
www.MelbourneObserver.com.au
Observer Showbiz Every Week in the Melbourne Observer
Radio: Latest radio ratings results ................... Page 76 Veritas: All the Logies winners ............................ Page 77 The Spoiler: Neighbours and Home And Away ............ Page 77 Jim and Aaron: Best movies and DVDs ......................... Page 78 Cheryl Threadgold: Local theatre shows, auditions ............. Page 79 PLUS THE LOVATT”S MEGA CROSSWORD
NEW DIRECTOR FOR FESTIVAL Phantom of the Opera
● Toby Truscott (The Phantom) and Laura Slavin (Christine) in CLOC Musical Theatre’s production of The Phantom of the Opera, opening at the National Theatre, St Kilda on May 10. Photo: Richard Crompton ■ Award winning CLOC Musical Theatre is preparing to present its 98th production with a huge coup – the world amateur premiere production of Andrew Lloyd Webber’s legendary masterpiece The Phantom Of The Opera. In 1881, far beneath the majesty and splendour of the Paris Opera House, lurks the mysterious, disfigured Phantom, shamed by his physical appearance and feared by all. His obsession with his ‘angel of music’, the beautiful young opera singer Christine Daaé, unleashes a diabolical tale of drama, destruction and death – and a unique theatrical experience. Phantom promises to be one of CLOC’s biggest and most complex productions ever, in every facet and department. A superb cast and a multi award-winning production team have been assembled, ready to meet the challenge of this legendary tale and do justice to its reputation as the pinnacle of music theatre excellence. Performances: May 10 (free supper), 11 (free supper), 15, 16, 17, 18, 22, 23, 24, 25 at 8.00pm; May 12, 19 at 2.00pm. Venue: National Theatre, St Kilda Tickets: $50/$45. Bookings: 1300 362 547 www.cloc.org.au - Cheryl Threadgold
By CHERYL THREADGOLD
● Richard Moore, newly appointed Director of the 2013 Bayside Film Festival
■ The tenth Bayside Film Festival will showcase a unique range of Australian and international films over its four-day season from August 28-31 at the Palace Brighton Bay, 294 Bay St, Brighton. The Festival continues its reputation as a major event by and for young voices, with the inclusion of Jump Cut, the competition element of the festival. In addition to the Festival's programs, the Youth Documentary and Digital Stories Projects, the Bayside Film Festival invites young people to submit works for screening in its Jump Cut sessions. The Festival will provide a platform to present the work of young people from across the nation, plus introduce international participation through the Jump Cut competition. Combined with the Festival's opening and closing events and awards night, the Festival has something for all ages. Bayside City Council has announced the appointment of Richard Moore as Artistic Director of the festival. Richard Moore was a practising documentary film maker from 1990 to 2000, before taking up the position of Executive Producer TV Arts with ABC TV. In 2006 he was appointed Executive Director of the Melbourne International Film Festival and in 2010 was Artistic Director of the Brisbane International Film Festival. With both festivals, Moore was responsible for the curating of the film program as well as developing a series of talks, workshops and special events. Moore says: "I am a firm believer that we can turn this festival, with its focus on new and emerging documentary filmmakers, into a niche event on the Melbourne film calendar." The entries for Jump Cut close Tuesday, April 30. This section is open to 10-26 year olds for films in any genre, up to 15 minutes in length. See www.bayside.vic.gov.au/arts_jump_cut_conditions_ of_entry.htm Details about the Youth Documentary section can be found on www.bayside.vic.gov.au/arts_youth_documentary_project.htm ● A piece of TV memorabilia has been found ... did Bookings to attend the Bayside Film Festival in August will it belong to the late Sir Eric Pearce, Channel 9 be through the Box Office at Palace Brighton Bay, 294 Bay St newsreader? See Page 83. Brighton. Telephone 9596 3590.
God bless you ... and you
Christine Harris bounces back with ‘The Club’
● John Wood in The Club ■ Melbourne theatrical producer Christine Harris is bouncing back from recent company difficulties with a production of The Club with John Wood at the Athenaeum Theatre on May 16-18. Harris’s company Hit Productions, with a new name of Follow Your Dreams, went into liquidation owing $692,387 to the Australian Taxation Office. Harris’s company entered liquidation on December 22 with debts totalling about $1.8 million. A new company, also known as Hit Productions, is producing The Club. Publicity for the show was released this week by Di Rolle (who is also a columnist with the Melbourne Observer). The Club is perhaps best known as a movie featuring Graham Kennedy and Jack Thompson. It follows the shift of the footy code from sport to business. It portrays the back room dramas and boardroom brawls that are more ferocious than any on-field dust-up. John Wood returns to the role of Jock for a brand new national tour. Written by Australian playwright David Williamson, The Club is a tale of greed and corruption in the world of sport. Denis Moore, who performed in the 2007-08 tour, returns to the play as director. John Wood says: “The Club is one of the funniest Australian plays ever written. In my opinion it’s got the best first-act ending line of any play, Australian or otherwise. “It makes absolutely certain the audience will be back to see act two! Denis Moore and I performed together in the last tour. More importantly for me, Denis directed A Stretch Of The Imagination in 2009. “I love working with Denis as a director and I’m really looking forward to working with him on this. It’ll be great fun.” Hit Productions is also presenting John Wood in David Williamson’s When Dad Married Fury; Henri Szeps (Mother and Son) in the dark comedy It’s My Party (And I’ll Die If I Want To); Alfred Hitchcock adaptation The 39 Steps; and The Book Club starring Helpmann Award-winner Amanda Muggleton. Dates: Thu., May 16 (8pm). Fri., May 17 (11am and 8pm); Sat May 18 (2pm and 8pm). Venue: Athenaeum Theatre, 188 Collins St, Melbourne Tickets: Adults $49.50 - $54.50, Concession $39.50 $44.50, Groups $35 - $40, Students $25 Bookings: 9650 1500. Ticketek 132 849. www.ticketek.com.au. Groups & Students 1300 364 001