Melbourne Observer. 121010C. October 10, 2012. Part C. Pages 43-64

Melbourne Observer - Wednesday, October 10, 2012 - Page 43

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Observer Showbiz Every Week in the Melbourne Observer

Radio Confidential: News around Victoria .... Page 44 Theatre: Barassi meets Barassi cast ................ Page 51 The Spoiler: For those who have lost the plot ........ Page 51 Cheryl Threadgold: Local, independent theatre ......... Page 53 Jim and Aaron: Movies, DVDs, top 10 lists .................... Page 54 PLUS THE LOVATT”S MEGA CROSSWORD

PROBLEMS, PROBLEMS Everything old is new again

Congratulations to Dionyus

● Russell Morris, John Paul Young, Brian Cadd, Jon Stevens and Jim Keays in Long Way To The Top ■ The age of the opening act of Long Way To The Top at the Rod Laver Arena last Friday night was a sprightly 76 years of age.

Aussie rock n roll legend Col Joye, looking years younger than his 1936 birthdate, delighted the crowd of many thousands, celebrating the 10th anniversary of the stellar concert staged by promoter Michael Chugg, and dedicated to the late Billy Thorpe.

Col efortlessly rolled out Clementine, Byebye Baby and Be Bop A Lula as if he were a 20-year-old on Brian Henderson’s Bandstand. (Did he really twice yell “Are YOUSE ready?”)

The title of Friday night’s concert, Long Way To The Top, could have easily described the battle by some of the ageing patrons negotiating the steep stadium stairs of Rod Laver Arena ... but there were few complaints about the geography, or the entertainment.

Patrons generously applauded a great collection of rock n roll ‘goldies’: Lucky Starr (71), Glenn Shorrock (68), Spectrum’s Mike Rudd (67), Dinah Lee (66), Jim Keays (66), Doug Parkinson (66) and Brian Cadd (65).

Some of the youngsters were Russell Morris (64), ‘Little Pattie’Amphlett (63), John Paul Young (62), Todd Hunter (61). Marcia Hines (59) and Ian Moss (57). The baby was Jon Stevens (49) of Noiseworks. All had a ball.

But the stand-out was the great, late Billy Thorpe, now ageless, and lovingly remembered. Yes, I was at his Melbourne Town Hall concert in 1972. Yes, I was at Sunbury.

The creatives put together a powerful night with the motto “if it’s too loud, you’re too old”. Congratulations to Executive Producer Amanda Perlman, genius director Ted Robinson, musical director and choreography William A Forsythe.

The show had all the glitches that accompany rock and roll. Misfired videos. Some audio stuff-ups. A botched intro.

Chuggi trademark swearing. Whatever! The crowd loved it.

The set list of about 47 numbers included Little Pattie with Real Gone Surfer Boy and Stompin At Maroubra.

The dancers gave raunchy energy all night long, but particularly to the stomp. Plaudits to dance captain Deanne Barry, and the team of Georgia Punchard, Amy Van De Wetering, Brianna Newton, Amy Baxter and Lyndell Harradine.

Lucky Starr performed his own I’ve Been Everywhere, and - complete with white coat - reminded us of Johnny O’Keefe with Shout.

Just as she did at Dennis Smith’s Go! Show Gold reunion, Dinah Lee rocked with Yokomo and Reet Petite.

Turn To Page 51

● In Exit The King, King Berenger (Zoran Babic) disbelieves he will die by the end of the play.\ Photo: Felicity Holt ■ Innovative new theatre company Dionysus Theatre opened last week at McClelland College, Karingal, with its inaugural production of Eugene Ionesco's semi-autobiographical absurdist comedy, Exit The King.

Dionyus Theatre has a lot going for it. Talented founder and director Emma Sproule (2011 Victorian Drama League winner for Best Director of a Comedy/ Head of Performing Arts at McClelland College) has attracted a high calibre cast and crew to join her new venture.

Ionesco wrote Exit The King in French in 1962 and it was later translated by Neil Armfield and Geoffrey Rush for the 2007 production at the Malthouse and Belvoir Theatres.

Having lived for 400 years and achieved amazing feats, King Berenger is dying and his reign and kingdom are in ruin. He is in denial and when reassured we all die, rightly protests "but nobody living has!"

His first wife Queen Marguerite accepts the inevitable, whereas second wife Queen Marie remains optimistic. The play also raises some serious contemporary issues.

The cast of six includes articulate Matt Allen as the elegant doctor, Jesse Thomas as the entertaining guard and expressive Beck Benson as Juliette, the domestic help.

Zoran Babic brilliantly portrays King Berenger from camp joviality to the dramatic end, while Annabelle Tudor's (Queen Marguerite) strong, commanding presence contrasts beautifully with Amelia Hunter's delightful depiction of the melodramatic Queen Marie. These actors would shine in any performance arena.

Sproule's direction using a minimalistic set is complimented by Peter Amesbury's artistic lighting design.

The Renaissance costumes cleverly symbolise rebirth after death, while costumed gods and goddesses look great greeting patrons on arrival.

Congratulations Dionyus Theatre. Your future will be exciting to observe.

Performances: Friday, October 12 and Saturday, October 13 at 8.00pm.

Venue: McClelland College Performing Arts Centre, Karingal (Entry via Alexander Crescent). Please note: The entrance from Alexander Crescent is hard to find in the dark, but it is there!

Tickets: $30 full price, $25 concession.

Bookings: www.trybooking.com/brib Enquiries: bookings@dionysustheatre.com.au - Cheryl Threadgold

● Matt Hetherington, Marina Prior in Promises, Promises ■ We have a dilemma in presenting a honest review to our readers about Promises, Promises, staged by The Production Company last week at the State Theatre, Arts Centre.

Observer Showbiz loves to witness any production that brings work to Melbourne’s actors, musicians, creatives and theatre community.

Jeanne Pratt’s Production Company has consistently done this for 14 years, and over the past two years has hit a new high in its stride, including a number of well-deserved Helpmann Awards for its shows.

Promises, Promises - starring Matt Hetherington and Marina Prior - followed on this year from Chess starring Silvie Paladino, and Mel Brooks’ The Producers. The mayhem of The Producers created TPC’s best-ever show for years.

However, Promises, Promises fell short. But there are a number of qualifications: Matt Hetherington nailed the character of insurance office junior executive Chuck Baxter.

PP is a long show, and Matt was line perfect from the 7.30pm start to the 10.30pm finish. That is a big ask.

Marina Prior also performed well, and was able to show off her quite incredible vocal range. But, as one critic commented, perhaps it was more a comic role that should have been cast for the ‘out there’ Sharon Millerchip.

Chelsea Plumley added much-needed ‘zing’ to the second act with her comic portrayal of ‘floozy’ Marge MacDougall. Robert Grubb was excellent as Dr Dreyfuss; he delivered comic lines that worked, other cast members weren’t so proficient.

We are not the only ones to conclude that PP fell short. The well-respected Simon Parris of Theatre People concluded: “the show itself and several creative aspects are somewhat below standard.”

Parris rightly speaks of the Bacharach 1960s sound becoming “tedious”. The paradox is that the music was faultlessly presented by Guy Simpson and 22 members of Orchestra Victoria.

Parris remarks that “successful film director Nadia Tass seems to be somewhat out of her elemnt directing for the music theatre stage”. Sadly, the observation is quite true.

Tass directs actors to repeatedly use a mime that they are opening and shutting imaginary doors. It is over-acting, it breaks the spell. Especially when some actors remember the mime and others do not. The audience gave a hearty laugh when Marina Prior’s character walked - unmimed - through an imaginary wall.

Turn To Page 51

Page 44 - Melbourne Observer - Wednesday, October 10, 2012

Observer Showbiz info@country crossroads.com.au

Rob Foenander

TRUTH IS SIMPLE FOR LUKE

■ Golden Guitar winner Luke Austen has released his first album Truth Is Simple.

"The album ... is proof of what can be achieved with the right blend of talent, application and fearlessness," said a spokesman for the artist.

ARIA FINALISTS ANNOUNCED

■ Country music well knowns Catherine Britt, Troy Cassar-Daley, Beccy Cole, McAlister Kemp and The McClymonts are the finalists for Best Country Album in the 2012 ARIA (Australian Recording Industry Association) Awards.

ARIA Award winners will be announced at the Sydney Entertainment Centre on Thursday, November 29.

EARLYBIRD TICKETS ON SALE

■ ‘Earlybird; tickets for the 2013 Tamworth Country Music Festival were released on Wedbnesday last week (Oct. 3).

More than 40 shows have been placed on sale with an estimated further 60 or more to go on sale between now and January.

Some of the shows in this first release include John Williamson with his ‘The Big Red’ concert, Troy CassarDaley ‘and friends’, Jetty Road ‘live in concert’ and the Golden Guitar Awards.

More info. www.tcmf.com.au

GLEN FREY IN MELBOURNE

■ Founding member of The Eagles, Glen Frey, will perform at the Palais Theatre with the Melbourne Pops Orchestra on Friday, February 22, 2013.

Glen's new album is titled After Hours and includes tributes to Nat King Cole, Dinah Washington and Tony Bennett as well as more contemporary acts like the Beach Boys and Randy Newman.

- Rob Foenander ■ A new Hush CD has been released. The Wind In The Willows has music written and performed by Sydney musician Mark Isaacs & friends, with narration by Andrew Ford of ABC Classic FM.

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Radio Confidential News from stations from around Victoria

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■ There were few gongs for Victoria when winners of ABC Local Radio awards were announced last week: Station of the Year (Metropolitan): 702 ABC Sydney Station of the Year (Regional): ABC North West WA Content Maker of the Year: Miranda Grant, ABC Southern Queensland Rural Reporter of the Year: Caddie Brain, 783 ABC Alice Springs Sports Broadcaster of the Year: Gerard Whateley, 774 ABC Melbourne Best use of the Medium – Radio (In Memory of Paul Bodington): Afternoons with James Valentine, 702 ABC Sydney Best use of the Medium – Online: 702 ABC Sydney for ‘Get a Real Job’ Program of the Year (Digital, Streaming or Podcast): 105.7ABC Darwin for ‘Bombing of Darwin Walking Tour’ Local Program of the Year (Metropolitan/National): Breakfast with Adam Spencer, 702 ABC Sydney Local Program of the Year (Regional): Breakfast with Robert Blackmore, 90.3 ABC Coast FM (Qld) Outstanding Coverage of a Local Story: Jill Emberson – 1233 ABC Newcastle for ‘Hooked on Heroin: the price we pay in the Hunter’ Community Event of the Year (Metropolitan): 720 ABC Perth and Statewide WA for ‘Lifeline WA’s 12 Days of Christmas Auction’ Community Event of the Year (Regional): 630 ABC North Queensland for ‘Cyclone Sunday’ Promotions Producer of the Year: Hamish Robertson, 105.7 ABC Darwin and Northern Territory Marketing Campaign of the Year: 702 ABC Sydney for ‘Exhumed’ Best New Talent: Suzie Taylor, ABC Goulburn Murray Outstanding Contribution to

TWO GONGS FOR ABC LOCAL RADIO IN THIS STATE

Soft pedal?

● Warwick Tiernan of ABC Local Radio Victoria at the awards Local Radio: Rae Allen ABC personalities and content makers travelled to Sydney for a ceremony hosted by ABC Local Radio presenters Rhianna Patrick and Ryk Goddard.

Vertigan-power

■ The plight of Sydney radio broadcaster Alan Jones, and the extraordinary public backlash to his comments about Prime Minister Julia Gillard, will no doubt be a hot topic at the Commercial Radio conference and awards to be held in New South Wales this weekend.

Melbourne stations, particularly 3AW, will be analysing the risk management side of losing valuable advertising revenue because of broadcaster c comments.

This week has seen the Macquarie Radio Network drop all advertising from the Alan Jones program on 2GB. Triple M Network’s national host Merrick Watts is to co-host this year’s Australian Commercial Radio Awards with special international guest, Sharon Osbourne.

■ Radio veteran John Veritgan joined his award-winning son Jon on the ACE Radio Network’s Morning Rush program on 3CS, Gold 1242, 3HA, 3WM, 3SH and 3YB. Vertigan Snr was probably best known as Racing CoOrdinator at 3UZ.

● Alan Jones

Away again

● Jon Vertigan

■ Mix 101.1 ‘drive’ show cohosts Ant and Sami (Anthony Simpson and Sami Lukis had yet another break from the microphone last week.

The pair had two mid-year breaks, time away for Ami’s trip to New York, and sick leave last week.

Producers were forced to re-hash the ‘best of’ the ‘best ofs’ last week. It was getting pretty repetitive.

● Ant and Sami

Radio briefs

■ James O’Loughlin (774 ABC) gave extensive time in his Sunday night program to discussing the Alan Jones adsfree development.

■ Alex Hehr played excerpts of Kia Ora Teenage Talent, a 3KZ program with compere Doug Elliot, from 1950, on his Thanks For The Memory program on Golden Days Radio at the weekend.

■ Last Sunday saw David Nicholas (Those Were The Days, 88.6 Plenty Valley FM) pay tribute to prolific session muso Big Jim Sullivan who died last week. Jim had taped an interview, talking of his work on the James Bond themes, also recording with Dusty Springfield, Tom Jones and The Seekers.

Sponsor takes back car ■ Over the border in New South Wales, Mercedes Benz has concluded sponsorship arrangements with radio loudmouth Alan Jones ... and says it wants its $250,000 loan car back by October31.

Melbourne

Observer

On This Day

Wednesday, Thursday, October 10 October 11

Friday, October 12

Saturday, October 13

Sunday, October 14

Monday, October 15

Tuesday, October 16

■ Golfer Bruce Devlin was born in Armidale, NSW, in 1937 (75).

American rock isnger David Lee Roth was born in 1955 (57).

Craig Bellamy, coach of Melbourne Storm, is 53. He was born in Canberra.

Martin Kemp, of Spandau Ballet, was born in 1961 (51).

■ The late Dot Dawson, wife of Smoky, was born in 1906. She died aged 104 in 2010. She was formerly Florence Cheers.

Australian actor and singer Hugh Jackman is 44.

Luciano Pavarotti was born in Italy in 1935. He died aged 71 in 2007.

■ Baroness Margaret Thatcher was born in England in 1925 (87). She is in failing health.

Walter ‘Killer’ Kowalksi, wrestler, was born in Canada in 1926.

He died aged 81 in 2008.

Greek singer Nana Mouskouri was born in Athens in 1934. She is 78 today.

■ English actor Sir Roger Moore is 85 (1927).

Comic Mary Hardy was born in Warrnambool in 1931. She died aged 53 in 1985.

Sir Cliff Richard was born as Harry Webb in India in 1940 (72).

Steak knife man Tim Shaw was born in Sydney in 1961 (51).

■ US actress and director Penny Marshall was born in 1941 (71).

Richard Carpenter, US singer, was born in 1946 (66).

Australian singer Bob Hudson was born in 1946 (66). He recorded The Newcastle Song in 1975.

The Duchess of York, Sarah Ferguson, was born in 1959 (53).

■ The late Max Bygraves was born in 1922. The popular English singer and comedian died earlier this year.

Oscar Wilde, the Irish wit, was born in 1854.

Angela Lansbury, the veteran American actress soon to visit Australia, is 87.

■ H.J. (Henry John) Heinz, food manufacturer, was born in 1844. He died aged 74 in 1919.

Former NSW Premier Neville Wran was born in 1926 (86).

Sydney radio announcer Gary O’Callaghan was born in Melbourne in 1933 (79).

Soccer player Sir Bobby Charlton is 75.

Thanks to GREG NEWMAN of the Birthday Bulletin for assistance with birthday and anniversary dates.

Find out more at www.birthdaybulletin.com.au

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Melbourne Observer - Wednesday, October 10, 2012 - Page 45

Page 46 - Melbourne Observer - Wednesday, October 10, 2012

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Places To Go

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Melbourne Observer - Wednesday, October 10, 2012 - Page 51

Observer TV, Radio, Theatre Showbiz Latest Melbourne show business news - without fear or favour Flashes The Spoiler BARASSI MEETS CAST Media Ballerina Audrey dies

ShowBiz!

For Those Who Have Lost The Plot

Neighbours ■ 6.30pm. Weeknights. Eleven.

■ Monday, October 15. Lucas works to convince Francesca he is good enough for her daughter, but she remains unimpressed; determined Sophie plans to have fun with her friends to overcome her insecurities.

■ Tuesday, October 16. Paul finds he can’t give up the thrill of pursuing Priya; Vanessa struggles with her mother’s insistence that she marry Lucas.

■ Wednesday, October 17. Jade urges Kyle to have fun during their time apart, and organises a surprise hot tub for the household; Ajay sacrifices a career opportunity for Priya.

■ Thursday, October 18. Georgia takes care of Sonya while Toadie’s away at a work conference; he is unaware Sonya’s dreading the week alone with her.

■ Friday, October 19. Susan can’t shake the feeling there’s something up with Bradley; Tash’s sympathy for Andrew grows as she sees his growing isolation.

Home and Away ■ 7.00pm. Weeknights. Channel 7.

■ Monday, October 15. Bianca doesn't want Heath in her life anymore. Casey and Brax struggle to prove Kyle exists. Marilyn suggests they turn the surf carnival into a fundraiser for SIDS. ■ Tuesday, October 16. An old friend arrives to help the Braxton's find Kyle. Sid and Lisa keep their relationship from Dex. Dex reveals to Sid that Lisa is married. Sasha comes to terms with the state of affairs between herself and Casey.

■ Wednesday, October 17. Sid and Lisa work on their baggage. Romeo decides not to compete in the carnival. Jett and VJ steal John's fireworks.

Gina and John unite to foil the boys' plans.

■ Thursday, October 18. The Spring Carnival goes ahead. Heath and Bianca are conflicted about their involvement in the carnival. Casey and Sasha decide their relationship is toxic. Gina and John present a united front when punishing Jett.

■ Friday, October 19. Leah kisses an attractive man and Natalie won't go back to Brax with all the mayhem in his life.

Star Bursts

★

’Grubby and Dee’ (Peter Stubbs and Diane Dunleavy) had an impressive start to their new show last weekend. The former Fox 101.9 and Gold 104.3 breakfast duo are fronting the Weekend Break program, 12 Noon-6pm, Saturdays and Sundays, on 3AW. Their program is being relayed to 4BC Brisbane. There is open speculation that they are being groomed to take over Nightline from Bruce Mansfield and Philip Brady.

★

A memorial to the late Max Stuart is expected to be held in Melbourne on Friday, October 19. A luncheon in Max’s memory is being planned in Balwyn on Tuesday, November 20, notes Observer Racing Editor Ted Ryan.

★

Becs Lee has been appointed as the new creative writer at K-Rock and Bay FM in Geelong, reports Greg Newman of Jocks Journal.

She joins the station from Coast FM/3YB Warrnambool. She replaces Wendy Robinson who has moved on after four years with the station.

★

The Strange Calls, a new ABC2 comedy featuring Barry Crocker and Toby Truslove in a beachside town where weird things happen after dark, will debut at 9.30pm on Tuesday (Oct. 16).

● Football legend Ron Barassi asked to meet the Barassi cast after he made a surprise visit to the Athenaeum Theatre last week. From left are: Russell Robinson, Richard Sutherland, Steve Bastoni, Ron Barassi, Chris Asimos, Batholomew Walsh, Jane Clifton, Glenn Maynard, Matt Parkinson and Amanda La Bonte. The show finishes on Sunday (Oct. 14).

PHILIP TO ECUADOR

■ Julian Assange (Underground, Ten Network) is not the only person who is keen on Ecuador.

3AW Nightline and Remember When co-host Philip Brady is travelling to Ecuador and Chile.

Whilst in South America, Philip intends to ride on three world-famous trains including through the Devil’s Throat and the Devil’s Canyon.

Veritas

Melbourne’s Best TV-Radio Critic

In Brief

Passing of listeners ■ Some prominent talkback callers to 3AW have passed away over recent weeks.

‘Alf of Chelsea’ (Alf McNiece) has died. Alf often phoned the night-time programs, playing trumpet, or reciting his No More Fighting But Uniting.

● Philip Brady Also lost is caller Susan, sometimes also known as Josephine.

Another to have passed is Spiros, a Greek singer.

■ Showbiz critics are raving about Legally Blonde which premiered in Sydney late last week.

■ Actress Jane Clifton is juggling nightly performances in Barassi, as well as rehearsals for More Sex Please, We’re Seniors which debuts at the Comedy Theatre, with previews from October 26.

■ One of the hottest tickets in town is for the opening night of A Funny Thing Happened On The Way To The Forum at Her Majesty’s Theatre on Saturday, October 27.

Promises, Promises dilemma ● From Page 43 Promises, Promises under-used the choreography of Tania Mitford and capable ensemble (Amy Berrisford, Dave Burrows, Emma Clark, Rachel Cole, Jan Di Pietro, Steven Grace, Kirsten Hobbs, Madeleine MacKenzie, Jessica Mechielsen, Madelyn Noseda, Nathan Pinnell, Sue Ellen Shook, Hester Van Der Vyver ands Dean Vince).

The show’s big dance routine, Turkey Lurkey, was abbreviated. One of the cast members of J C Williamson’s 1970 Australian production, Joan Brockenshire, recalled the showstopper routine going for an crazy20 minutes, 42 years ago.

Some of the lighting didn’t work.

Lighting Director Martine Kinnane made he New York skyline light up like a Christmas tree ... at times, when it need not have.

The four orchestra voices - Rachel Cole, Kirsten Hobbs, Jessica Mechielsen and Madelyn Noseda - were too often poorly lit.

So, there’s the dilemma. Melbourne loves Matt Hetherington and Marina Prior. It loves The Production Company and what it does.

We salute their casts. Perhaps actors such as Tony Cogin, Anton Berezin, Mark Dickinson anjd Philip Gould could only do what they were directed to do.

In the program notes, show business historian Frank Van Straten remarks that Promises, Promises was created at a time in the 1960s when Burt Bacharach said ‘theatre is changing”.

More than 50 years on, in 2012, perhaps theatre is changing again. How does it cater for audiences with 60- and 90minute attention-spans ... but who still want to feel they had a night out.

Neil Simon produced a witty ‘book’ for this show. The same can be said for the lyrics penned by the late Hal David.

On this occasion, we regret to remark that clever lines were uncharactistically lost in a show that had much promise.

- Review by Ash Long

● ‘Audrey The Ballerina’ of Hawthorn ■ Melbourne talkback radio caller ‘Audrey The Ballerina’ has died, her son Wayne informed 3AW listeners last week.

Audrey Bennett of Hawthorn, 77, had been hospitalised in recent months at Caulfield.

She was known to 3AW Nightline and Overnight listeners as a singer, nicknamed ‘the Nightline Nightingale’. In community dance circles, Audrey was known as a solo ballerina who attended suburban venues such as the Hawthorn Town Hall.

In a unique way, dressed in pink tutu, she would perform solo freestyle dance/ballet routines in the corners of dance floors. She would also dance on Melbourne trams. On talkback radio, she related her ongoing battles to attend the dances, after being asked to leave by organisers. Her calls often indicated an emotional fragility.

Bruce Mansfield and Philip Brady played a tribute to Audrey Bennett last week, with a recording of her singing along to Midnight, The Stars And You by Al Bowlly. ● From Page 43

Long Way To The Top ■ Glenn Shorrock’s first act performances included What’s Wrong With They Way I Live and Needle In A Haystack. He returned in the second half with Help Is On Its Way and Arkansas Grass, with Brian Cadd performing Little Ray of Sunshine and Gingerman.

Spectrum (Mike Rudd and Bill Putt) were favourites with Esmeralda and I’ll Be Gone. Chain (Phil Manning and Matt Taylor) brought us the blues with I Remember When I Was Young and Black N Blue/Somebody Stole My Hair.

DP was big. Doug Parkinson with Dear Prudence, and I’ll Be Around. Col Joye introduced In Memoriam (including applause in memory of Paul Hester, Darryl Cotton and James Freud). A relaxed Billy Thorpe was seen in the Girls Of Summer video flashback.

Jim Keays belted out It’s Because I Love You and the iconic Turn Up Your Radio.

Act 2 began with Mi-Sex (Computer Games), Cadd and Shorrock, and John Paul Young with Yesterday’s Hero, I Hate The Music, and Love Is In The Air. His act morphed into an Easybeats tribute (Sorry/She’s So Fine and Friday On My Mind).

Dragon, now led by Todd Hunter following the passing of his brother Marc, was strong with Rain, April Sun In Cuba and Are You Old Enough?

Marcia Hines looked dangerously fit with Without You, Fire and Rain, and Your Love Still Brings Me To My Knees.

Russell Morris was magical with Wings Of An Eagle, Sweet Sweet Love and Real Things.

Noiseworks, led by Jon Stevens, were true to their name with No Lies, Take Me Back and Touch.

Ian Moss was in charge of the Billy Thorpe Tribute including Since You’ve Been Gone, Somewhere Over The Rainbow, and Most People I Know Think That I’m Crazy.

Chuggi joined his entire cast for the Long Way To The Top finale.

The Rod Laver Arena crowd spilled out at about 11.30pm after a four-hour treat. Some stayed even longer for autographs and merchandising mayhem.

- Review by Ash Long

Page 52 - Melbourne Observer - Wednesday, October 10, 2012

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Melbourne Observer - Wednesday, October 10, 2012 - Page 53

Observer Showbiz

Local Theatre With Cheryl Threadgold

Melbourne

Observer

INDEPENDENT THEATRE

Biography Of A Battler

● Peter Flaherty as Teddy Rose in La Mama Theatre's production of Biography Of A Battler.

■ In his program notes, writer Scott Welsh states that Biography Of A Battler has never been a dramatic play or theatrical endeavour'. It is “a social and political exploration of the underclass, the forgotten people leading lives of 'quiet desperation”.

With great conviction in what must be an exhausting role, Peter Flaherty plays middle aged Teddy Rose living alone in a dingy bedsit.

From an early age he hoped to change the world. His schooling and the misery and poverty of his home environment did nothing to encourage his enthusiasm and ambitions, and so a desperate lonely battle for attention begins.

When inappropriate behaviour occurs with his step-sister, played in a sensitive performance by Clara Pagone, Teddy is consigned to the 'great white of psychiatry' for the rest of his life.

Andrew Godson portrays three characters, narrator, politician and the Doctor with good defined characterisation. Sarah Walton and Ezekiel Ox are the other two mental health professionals who control Teddy's daily drugs.

All three display complete ignorance of the patient's needs.

For me, the message here is that Teddy is not a condition to be treated with pills, he is a human being and more than anything, he wants someone to listen to him.

Maureen Hartley plays Teddy's careworn but caring mother, telephoning him every day. Now an elderly lady, she too is caught up in a system of mental and physical poverty, but clings to the belief and trust that her son is getting the care that he needs.

Writer, Director, cast and production team are to be congratulated for bringing social reality to the stage with obvious commitment.

The production which coincides with Mental Health Week, until October 14, achieves the job Scott Welsh intended it to do: to explore and inform the audience about the 'forgotten people' leading lives of 'quiet desperation'.

How many go to the grave 'with the song still in them' (Thoreau). Welsh's play raises the question, is anybody listening?

Performances: Until October 14, Wed, Fri, 6.30 pm. Thurs, Sat, 8.30 pm.

Venue: La Mama Theatre, 205 Faraday St, Carlton.

Running time: 65 minutes. Tickets: $25/$15.

Bookings: 9347 6142 or online www.lamama.com.au - Rita Crispin

NATIONAL PLAYWRIGHT COMP. ■ The 13th season of Award One Act Plays in the National Playwright Competition will be presented on stage at the Richmond Library Theatrette, 413 Church Str, Richmond from October 18 – 20, featuring the three finalist plays judged amongst the many worthy of a premiere season staged by the Kew Court House Association.

Local playwrights are amongst the finalists, with Sons Of The Revolution , about a retired Colonel in the defeated regime facing some shocking revelations, to Michelangelo Wore Blundstones, about a painter whose ‘Michelangelo’ painting project has no end in sight. The third finalist is I Hate Abba, a black comedy with a twist that has hostage, torture and extortion.

There will be four performances, including the award presentation on Thursday, October 18, followed by a further three performances.

Cash awards will be presented and the writers will have the opportunity for their works to be performed in the future by theatre companies within the community.

Bookings: Online www.kewcourthousearts.com.au or email: kewcourthousearts@hotmail.com or call 0450 572

● Babirra Music Theatre’s Hello Dolly! cast is ready for Opening Night this week. Aerlyn James (back left), Michael Syme, James Kaiser, Nathan Slevin, Zac Chadwick, Cassie Pennicuik, Adam Kirk, David Syme, Jesse Gheller, Marijke Franken, Tiffany Pickthall, Kelly Trenery, Emma Harris (Ermengarde), Stephen Coutts (Ambrose and, Warwick Reid (Cornelius). David Torr (front left, partly obscured), Benedict Drew-Robinson, Nathan Kellie, Deana Jacobs, Cameron Davey, Katie Hall, Taylah Paull, Chris Jury, Katelyn Davey, Elise Lewis, Victoria Zainal (Dolly) and Matt Jakowenko (Barnaby).

Photo: Owen Davies ■ Babirra Music Theatre presents Hello Dolly! from October 12-20 at the Whitehorse Centre, 397 Whitehorse Rd, Nunawading.

The show is directed by Sue Salvato, with musical direction by Hamish Paterson and choreography by Cameron O’Reilly.

Tickets: $37 full price, $33 concession, $29 child or $116 family (2 adults and 2 children). Bookings: 9262 6555 or www.babirra.org.au

CALENDAR GIRLS AT ROSEBUD SHOWS ■ In a brave move to emulate the characters they will portray on stage, the cast of Southern Peninsula Players' November production of Tim Firth's Calendar Girls have stripped down to pose semi-naked for their own calendar.

The cast who have never done anything like this before, were photographed in a series of shots for a fundraising calendar to be produced by Southern Peninsula Players.

Director Trudi Mackenzie says: "The ladies were inspired by the characters they are playing on stage and decided to pose for their own semi-nude photographs."

The ladies came together for a photo shoot with photographer Evan Knoble on a cold Sunday in August at the local hall.

"It was like watching life imitating art", says Trudi, "The ladies were somewhat nervous to begin with, but by the end of the photo shoot they were stripping off, covered by props and all laughing and supporting each other."

In the much-loved true story about the women of the Rylstone Women's Institute in North Yorkshire, the women produce an annual calendar based around scenes of the Yorkshire dales.

After one of the ladies' husbands becomes ill with leukaemia, a calendar is made featuring 12 local middle-age women appearing nude, to raise funds for the local hospital's leukaemia treatment.

The ladies hope to sell a few hundred copies of the calendar in their village, but the calendar becomes a worldwide sensation.

The Southern Peninsula Players' calendar will be available for sale during performances or can be ordered online.

Performances: November 8 - 18 Venue: Rosebud Memorial Hall, opposite Rosebud foreshore Tickets: $20 full price, $15 concession Bookings: 5982 2777 or 5976 4494 or online www.spptheatre.org

Awards presentation

● Calendar Girls opens at the Rosebud Memorial Hall on November 8: Jenny Scott is centre front, then Lynn O'Callaghan and Colette Staunton, with Lorraine Williams (back row left), Linda Morgan and Lorraine Pollard.

Photo: Evan Knoble of Knoble Arts

INDEPENDENT THEATRE ■ Arts House presents Hold by David Cross, from October 1928 at the North Melbourne Town Hall.

A Victorian premiere, Hold comprises New Zealand based artist Cross's unsettling and intriguing performance-installation, comprising a bouncy castle, phobic architecture and part 'extreme performance art engagement'.

A multi-sensory architectural experience, Hold draws participants into a dynamic relationship between play, interaction and phobic space as audience members push through an assortment of physical and psychological barriers.

Hold is an installation environment that combines colour (an almost underwater blue), smell (the vinyl of the inflatable), sound (the air blowers and the rubbing of bodies against the vinyl) and the disembodied effect of standing on an inflated structure metres above the ground.

Interested in pleasure and fun as mechanisms, Cross aims to draw an audience into a potentially profound engagement with their own sense of self embracing all fears, pleasures and senses of adventure.

Venue: Arts House, North Melbourne Town Hall, 521 Queensberry St, North Melbourne Season: Friday, October 19 - Sunday, October 28 Time: Every 15 minutes between Fri, 19 Oct 6pm - 9pm; Sat, Oct. 20 - Sun, Oct. 28, 12pm - 8pm. 15 minutes.

Tickets Free - one person at a time will enter the installation.

Bookings: artshouse.com.au or 9322 3713

RIVIERA CLUB ● Lochlan Denholm (Billy Elliott in the award-winning Billy Elliot The Musical) was a recent awards presenter to the Award One Act Plays finalist playwrights. Applauding the winners are Aleksei Hillas (left), Kathleen Harper, Felicity Gordan, Neil Anderson and Alison Knight.

■ The next Riviera Club will be held on October 28, from 6.45pm - 9.30pm at the Mentone RSL Club, Palermo St, Mentone.

This is a great opportunity for singers, musicians, actors, dancers and poets with original material to try out your work in front of an audience. There is no cost involved and a pianist is provided.

Audiences are welcome and there is no entry fee. Drinks are available at bar prices. Call 9584 2433 for further details. ● Turn To Page 62

Page 54 - Melbourne Observer - Wednesday, October 10, 2012

Observer Showbiz What’s Hot and What’s Not in DVD and Blu-Ray

www.MelbourneObserver.com.au

Movies, DVDs

With James Sherlock

Reviews by Aaron Rourke

HERBERT LOM September 11 1917 September 27 2012

● R. Lee Ermey gives a standout performance as the brutal Gunnery Sergeant in Stanley Kubrick's powerful and unrelenting Full Metal Jacket FILM: ALFRED HITCHCOCK MASTERPIECE COLLECTION [Limited Edition]: Cast: James Stewart, Rod Taylor, Grace Kelly, Sean Connery and Many More!

Genre: Drama/Thriller.

Year: Assorted Years.

Rating: M. Running Time: Assorted Running Times.

Format: DVD and BLU-RAY. Stars: ***** Verdict: A spectacular collection of 14 classic and groundbreaking films from the great Alfred Hitchcock, all together for the first time in high definition. The titles include: Saboteur, Shadow of a Doubt, Rope, Rear Window, The Trouble with Harry, The Man Who Knew Too Much, Vertigo, Psycho, The Bird, Marnie, Torn Curtain, Topaz, Frenzy and Family Plot.

Lots of thrills and chills for everyone! This wonderful collection is also loaded with over 15 hours of bonus features. Highly recommended!

FILM: FULL METAL JACKET - Deluxe Edition: Cast: Matthew Modine, Vincent D'Onofrio, R. Lee Ermey.

Genre: War/Drama.

Year: 1987.

Rating: R18+ Running Time: 108 Minutes.

Format: DVD and BLU-RAY. Stars: ****1/2 Verdict: Legendary auteur filmmaker Stanley Kubrick's haunting journey of a U.S. Marine who observes the dehumanizing effects the Vietnam War has on his fellow Marine recruits from their boot camp training to the bloody fighting in Vietnam in 1968 is a powerful, thought provoking and unforgettable experience that excels on every filmmaking and storytelling level. Special mention to the jaw-dropping performances from R. Lee Ermey as the brutal Gunnery Sergeant and Vincent D'Onofrio as the Pvt. Definitely not for the fainthearted, this is sure to leave you shell shocked.

FILM: LONELY ARE THE BRAVE: Cast: Kirk Douglas, Walter Matthau, Gena Rowlands.

Genre: Western/Drama.

Year: 1962.

Rating: PG. Running Time: 107 Minutes.

Format: DVD. Stars: ****1/2 Verdict: What starts out as a simple adventure, soon evolves into a thrilling, multi-layered journey where two cultures and ideologies clash, when past meet the present head-on, and a single man and a horse go up against the might of machine and modern day man across the once open, but now seemingly endless barriers which now dominate the 20th century landscape. This is a bona fide classic, an engrossing and highly charged film that is more relevant today than the day it was made.

FILM: SUSPIRIA: Cast: Jessica Harper, Alida Valli, Eve Axen.

Genre: Horror.

Year: 1977.

Rating: R18+ Running Time: 98 Minutes.

Format: DVD and BLU-RAY. Stars: *** Verdict: Italian horror master Dario Argento [Deep Red, The Bird With The Crystal Plumage] is in top form with this thriller-chiller of a newcomer to a ballet academy who gradually comes to realize that the staff of the school are actually a coven of witches bent on chaos and destruction. Beautifully filmed, this is definitely not for the squeamish, and is sure to raise more than a few goose bumps along the way, especially with Halloween just around the corner.

■ Accomplished actor Herbert Lom sadly passed away on Thursday September 27, aged 95.

With an acting career that spanned over 67 years, Mr Lom would become a very familiar face with millions of film-goers, and delivered a number of memorable performances.

Born in Austria under the name Herbert CharlesAngelo Kuchacevich Schluderpacheru, Mr Lom understandably changed his name when he decided to become an actor.

After making his debut in the 1937 Czechoslovakian film Zena pod Krizem, Mr Lom would soon travel to England, where he played Napoleon in The Young Mr Pitt (1942), directed by the renowned Carol Reed (Odd Man Out / The Third Man / Oliver).

Astring of movies followed (mostly Nazi war dramas and crime stories), such as At Dawn We Die (1943), directed by George King; The Seventh Veil (1945); Night Boat To Dublin (1946); Appointment With Crime (1946); Dual Alibi (1948); Snowbound (1948); and Lost Daughter (1948), directed by Terence Fisher and co-starring Mai Zetterling.

Mr Lom scored well in the role of Rankl in the effecient adventure film Golden Salamander (1950), directed

by Ronald Neame (The Poseidon Adventure) and starring Trevor Howard, and fared even better as Kristo in the film noir classic Night And The City (1950), directed by Jules Dassin (Rififi), and also starring Richard Widmark and Gene Tierney.

The latter was remade in 1992 (starring Robert De Niro), but is definitely inferior to the strong, stark original.

From then on, Mr Lom's career was assured. Some of the films that followed were the period adventure/ drama The Black Rose (1950), directed by Henry Hathaway (How The West Was Won) and photographed by Jack Cardiff (The Red Shoes / Black Narcissus); the Ealing noir Cage Of Gold (1950), directed by Basil Dearden (Victim / The League Of Gentlemen); Hell Is Sold Out (1951), directed by Michael Anderson (The Dam Busters); and Twist Of Fate (1954), starring Stanley Baker and Ginger Rogers.

Then along came what would become one of Mr Lom's most famous and beloved films, The Ladykillers (1955), an Ealing Studios classic that also starred Alec Guiness (and those teeth) and Peter Sellers.

A wonderful black comedy, directed by Alexander Mackendrick (Whisky Galore) and written by William Rose, this very dry story of a group of crooks having their perfect robbery undone by a sweet old lady is one of the best movie comedies of all-time, and Mr Lom is brilliant as the shorttempered Mr Harvey.

Mr Lom's wide range of films continued with War And Peace (1956), directed by King Vidor, and starring Audrey Hepburn and Henry Fonda (this expensive but uneven adaptation would be easily surpassed a decade later with the glorious Russian version by director Sergei Bondarchuk); Fire Down Below (1957), starring Robert Mitchum and Jack Lemmon; the taut thriller Hell Drivers (1957),

inspired by the 1953 French classic The Wages Of Fear, directed by Cy Endfield (Zulu), starring Stanley Baker, and featuring a young Sean Connery; Chase A Crooked Shadow (1958), again directed by Anderson and starring Richard Todd; Intent To Kill (1958), directed by Jack Cardiff; The Roots Of Heaven (1958), directed

by John Huston (The Maltese Falcon); the exciting adventure film North West Frontier (1959), starring Kenneth More and Lauren Bacall; Third Man On The Mountain (1959), directed by Ken Annakin; the Oscarwinning epic Spartacus (1960), directed by the legendary Stanley Kubrick and starring Kirk Douglas; and the under-rated Jules Verne adaptation Mysterious Island (1961), again helmed by Endfield, where Lom was very convincing as Captain Nemo.

Mr Lom's cinematic output was certainly prolific, with films such as Villa Rides (1968), another underrated film, starring Robert Mitchum, Yul Brynner, and Charles Bronson, and is co-written by Sam Peckinpah (this makes a great double with The Wrath Of God (1972), which also stars Mitchum); 99 Women (1969), directed by cult film-maker Jess Franco; Journey To The Far Side Of The Sun (1969), where he is involved in one of the best endings ever; Count Dracula (1970), once again directed

by Franco; Murders In the Rue Morgue (1971) with Jason Robards; the entertaining anthology film Asylum (1972), directed by Row Ward Baker (Quatermass And The Pit); And Now The Screaming Starts (1973); and Ten Little Indians (1974), directed by Peter Collinson (The Italian Job).

Mr Lom then co-starred in what would be his most recognisable role, that of Chief Inspector Charles Dreyfus in Blake Edwards' megasuccessful Pink Panther series.

Mr Lom, who was nothing short of hilarious, would appear in The Return Of The Pink Panther (1975), The Pink Panther Strikes Again (1976), Revenge Of The Pink Panther (1978), Trail Of The Pink Panther (1982), Curse Of The Pink Panther (1983), and what would be his final film, Son Of The Pink Panther (1993), which starred Roberto Benigni (Life Is Beautiful).

Other later films included the amusing Hopscotch (1980), directed by Ronald Neame, and starring Walter Matthau and Glenda Jackson; The Dead Zone (1983), an excellent Stephen King adaptation directed by David Cronenberg (Dead Ringers / Eastern Promises), and starring Christopher Walken; Whoops Apocalypse (1988) with Peter Cook; La Setta (1991), directed by Michele Soavi (Cemetery Man) and co-written by Dario Argento (Suspiria); and The Pope Must Die (1991), starring Robbie Coltrane (Cracker).

Mr Lom's TV credits were small, but included high-profile shows like The Man From U.N.C.L.E, Hawaii Five-0, and Lace.

His final TV appearance was in Marple : The Murder At The Vicarage (2004).

- Aaron Rourke

Melbourne

Observer

Top 10 Lists THE AUSTRALIAN BOX OFFICE TOP TEN: 1. MADAGASCAR 3: EUROPE'S MOST WANTED. 2. LOOPER. 3. HOTEL TRANSYLVANIA. 4. DIARY OF A WIMPY KID - DOG DAYS. 5. THE WATCH. 6..ARBITRAGE. 7. RESIDENT EVIL: RETRIBUTION. 8. THE SAPPHIRES. 9. KATH & KIMDERELLA. 10. RUBY SPARKS. NEW RELEASES AND COMING SOON TO CINEMAS AROUND AUSTRALIA: OCTOBER 4: I WISH, MENTAL, SEARCHING FOR SUGAR MAN, TAKEN 2.

OCTOBER 11: KILLING THEM SOFTLY, LAWLESS, SHADOW DANCER, THE WEDDING PARTY, THE WORDS, WUTHERING HEIGHTS. THE DVD TOP SELLERS: 1. THE DICTATOR [Comedy/Sacha Baron Cohen, Megan Fox].

2. WHAT TO EXPECT WHEN YOU'RE EXPECTING [Comedy/ Cameron Diaz].

3. THE AVENGERS [Action/Adventure/Robert Downey Jr, Scarlett Johansson, Jeremy Renner].

4. THE RAVEN [Thriller/John Cusack, Brendan Gleeson, Luke Evans].

5. THE HUNGER GAMES [Action/ Jennifer Lawrence, Woody Harrelson].

6. THE BEST EXOTIC MARIGOLD HOTEL [Comedy/Drama/Judi Dench, Bill Nighy].

7. DARK SHADOWS [Horror/Comedy/Johnny Depp, Helena Bonham-Carter, Michelle Pfeiffer].

8. MEN IN BLACK 3 [Will Smith, Tommy Lee Jones, Josh Brolin].

9. IRON SKY [Science Fiction/ Udo Kier, Julia Dietze].

10. THE FIVE YEAR ENGAGEMENT [Comedy/Emily Blunt, Jason Segel].

Also: AMERICAN PIE: REUNION, MIRROR MIRROR, THE WAY, THE WOMAN IN BLACK, THE PIRATES! BAND OF MISFITS, SAFE, SALMON FISHING IN THE YEMEN, BATTLESHIP, 21 JUMP STREET. NEW RELEASE HIGHLIGHTS ON DVD THIS WEEK: GET THE GRINGO [Action/Mel Gibson].

THAT'S MY BOY [Comedy/Adam Sandler].

WHITE VENGEANCE [Action/Leon Lai, Anthony Wong].

NEW & RE-RELEASE CLASSICS ON DVD HIGHLIGHTS: THE ARISTOCATS: Special Edition [Disney/Family/Animated].

THE FINAL COUNTDOWN [Sci-Fi/ Action/Kirk Douglas, Martin Sheen].

THE RESCUERS [Family/Animated/ Adventure].

THE RESCUERS DOWN UNDER [Family/Animated/Adventure].

NEW RELEASE TELEVISION, DOCUMENTARY AND MUSIC DVD HIGHLIGHTS: THROUGH THE WORMHOLE WITH MORGAN FREEMAN: Season 1 & 2.

Turn To Page 59

www.MelbourneObserver.com.au

Melbourne Observer - Wednesday, October 10, 2012 - Page 55

www.MelbourneObserver.com.au

Page 56 - Melbourne Observer - Wednesday, October 10, 2012 Melbourne

Observer

Lovatts Crossword No 13 Across

Across

1. Shabbiness in dress 6. Light-bulb inventor 11. Shiny 15. Forts 20. Egyptian river 21. Reproductive organ 22. Shopping precinct 23. Lead dancer, ... ballerina 25. South Africa's Cape ... Hope (2,4) 26. Pakistan currency units 27. Actor, Ryan ... (1'4) 29. Likable 32. Tube 34. Without delay (1,1,1,1) 36. Look-alikes, dead ...

39. Caravan rover 41. Brief 43. Sparking stone 46. Boils or ulcers 48. Low wetland 49. London's ... Mall 51. Curving lines 52. Exploited 55. Territory, Puerto ...

56. Every 59. Composer, Andrew ... Webber 61. Antarctic inlet, ... Sea 62. False god 63. Crowd brawl 64. Corrected (wrong) 67. Dalai Lama's nationality 68. Bitter regret 70. Very keen enthusiast 71. One who owes money 72. Overeats 73. Firebomb liquid 74. Of punishment 75. Batting spell 77. Broken down 78. Resounded 79. Theatre reviewer 82. Hazardous 86. Loft 87. Peace prize city 89. Spick & span 92. Merge 94. Get up 96. Biblical son of Isaac 98. Naming word 100. Recycle 101. Mongolian desert 103. Painting, Mona ...

105. From Baghdad 106. Adolescent 108. Sports match 111. Autograph 112. Actor's outfits 114. Rat 116. A single time 119. Droplet 120. Location 121. Kind 123. Leave out 124. Madam (2'2) 125. Flowing 126. Loudness 127. Grand house 130. Born as 131. Cleaning up (room) 135. English coin 138. Not stereo 139. Large jug 141. Computer/phone link 144. A lot of 146. I am, you ...

147. Looked up & down 148. UK national broadcaster (1,1,1) 149. Mad Roman emperor 150. Fuss 151. Female zebra 152. German emperor 153. Repast 155. Drink, ... spumante 157. Golfer, Greg ...

158. Unseat 160. Release (3,2) 161. Sprite 162. Italian city 163. Honey liquor 165. Brother's daughter 166. Souped-up car, hot ...

167. Scamp 168. Laid slates 169. Upper-class 171. Document, Magna ...

172. Glossy black bird 175. Entrails 176. Lubricates 179. Breakfast dish 180. Cow flesh 182. Flowers, sweet ...

184. Chirps 185. Castle water ditch 186. 24 December, Christmas ...

188. ... Lang Syne 189. US anti-crime agency (1,1,1) 190. Measure (out) 191. Fifth musical note 193. Own 194. Father 196. Verge 197. Fiesta, Mardi ...

198. Medicine amounts 200. Unhappiest 205. Vicious dog 207. Second-hand vehicle (4,3) 210. Playwright 211. Reparation 212. In a frenzied state 213. Grass skirt dance 214. USA nickname, Uncle ..

216. Steals from 218. Created 219. Prepare (newspaper) 220. Tights 224. Coffee style 227. Spiky plant, ... vera 229. From Bangkok 230. Abhor 231. Gallantly 232. Dr Jekyll & Mr ...

233. Heredity unit 235. Out of order 237. Solidifies 239. Actor, Richard ...

241. Timepiece 244. Forewarning 246. Blankness 249. ... & twos 252. Depletes 254. Crave 256. Heaven's ... Gates 258. French Mrs 259. Pins for hammering 260. Romantic US falls 263. Internal 264. Lump of gold 265. Legless grub 267. Actress, ... Kidman 270. Digit 271. Funeral Mass 272. Actor, Dustin ...

273. Lewd 274. Loses (hair) 277. London nightspot 279. Make (wage) 281. Throw out 284. Only fair (2-2) 286. Crustacean with nippers 288. Small distance measures 292. Yoga master 294. Raw metals 295. Domestic servants 298. Screen legend, Sophia ...

300. From Emerald Isle 301. Sum up 303. Baby's skin problem, ... rash 306. Bashfulness 308. Japan & Korea are there 309. Oil-exporting cartel 311. Throb 314. Mushy 315. Energetic 316. Do the dishes (4,2) 317. Throng 318. Former spouses 319. Paris landmark, ... Triomphe (3,2) 320. Tennis ace, ... Sampras 321. Urges 322. Sense 323. Blunted 324. Movie actors (4,5)

Down 1. Renovate (2,2) 2. Become distorted 3. Suggest 4. Kuwaiti rulers 5. Clean break 6. Flees to wed 7. Delay 8. Bathroom fixtures 9. Fall asleep (3,3) 10. Brigand 11. Revolve on axis 12. Stood against 13. Smudge 14. Palestinian chief, ... Arafat 15. Pour carelessly 16. Aida or Carmen 17. Potters' ovens 18. Pantomime lead 19. Observes 24. Rebukes, ... over the knuckles 28. Put on ... & graces 30. Spoken 31. Hideous 33. Irritated the skin 35. Incidental comments 37. Clarified butter 38. Curry & ...

40. Face veils 42. Physical activity 44. Portugal's capital 45. Scientist, Sir Isaac ...

47. Stench 48. Elevated railway 49. Drainage tradesman 50. Extortionate lender (4,5) 53. Largest bird 54. Calls (5,2) 57. Ancient Mariner's seabird 58. Protective headwear 60. Cloth retailers 63. Cleaver 65. Frosted (cake) 66. Expensive 68. Coral bank 69. Cosy 76. Set up (machinery) 79. Long-leafed lettuce 80. Nunavut native 81. Eastern faith 83. Twig shelters 84. Cartoon strip, Li'l ...

85. Flightless bird 88. English cheese 90. Fleur de lis plant 91. Among 93. Riveted 95. Easter gifts 97. Unplaced competitor (4-3) 99. Constantly busy (2,3,2) 100. Hire 102. Pungent bulb 104. Largest African nation 107. Uncanny 109. Wet 110. Vocal solo 111. Jet-baths 113. Soapie session 115. Obvious 117. TV award 118. Young deer 121. Contemptibly 122. Patella 127. Nonsense, ... jumbo 128. Razor cuts 129. Bits & pieces (4,3,4) 132. Recipe components 133. Stupid 134. Avarice 135. Packaged 136. Dilapidated 137. 24 hours ago 138. Unforgettable 140. Enforces once more 141. Pacified 142. Courageous

Down

143. Huge stone blocks 145. Tomahawk 151. Enormous 154. Men's Singles champion, ...

Agassi 156. Lustre 159. One, numero ...

164. Totally 169. Cougars 170. Steam burn 173. Influences 174. Short, witty remark 177. Author, ... Asimov 178. Take oath 181. Whirling (of water) 183. Women warriors 187. Wantonly destroy 192. Female hormone 195. Current of air 199. Supervise 201. Points gun 202. Anti-flood embankment 203. Genuine fact 204. Implicit 206. Gay 207. Non-rural 208. Cheap, a ... a dozen 209. Lends a hand to 213. Smacks 215. Strolling 217. Killed 221. Helium & hydrogen 222. Not ever 223. Cut with scissors 224. Charlotte Bronte novel, Jane ...

225. Withdraw, ... out 226. Poet, ... Allan Poe 228. Legal trade bans 234. Phone security device 236. Wrongdoers 238. Terminate 240. Singer, ... Orbison 242. Normally (2,1,4) 243. Peculiarity 245. Mussels or clams 247. Peppermint essence 248. Nut fastener 250. Scientist, Albert ...

251. Weasel-like animals 253. Overfill 255. College test 257. Recline lazily 258. Restaurant list 261. Lovers' fling 262. Military forces 265. Valuable ores, precious ...

266. Garden ornament 268. Hex 269. The Continent 275. Jolly laugh (2,2) 276. Rounded roof 278. Hampers 280. Pressurised spray 282. Delights 283. Dollar division 285. Properly positioned, in ...

287. Steam generator 289. Tripoli citizen 290. Impersonates 291. Melted 292. Barked shrilly 293. Potato 296. Colorado ski resort 297. Writer, ... Thomas 299. Obtain (funds) 302. Two-door car 304. ... Fools' Day 305. Earnest requests 306. Crown Princess of Denmark 307. Opera singer 308. Yes votes 310. Head cook 312. Charismatic air 313. Spreading trees

Solution on Page 38

Melbourne Observer - Wednesday, October 10, 2012 - Page 57

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Page 58 - Melbourne Observer - Wednesday, October 10, 2012

www.MelbourneObserver.com.au

www.MelbourneObserver.com.au

Melbourne Observer - Wednesday, October 10, 2012 - Page 59

Melbourne

Observer Victorian Sport

COUNTDOWN IS ON

■ It's incredible to think that a year has flown past since we were enjoying all the thrills of horse racing.

However here we go again.

The first of the classic races gets away shortly with the first day of the Melbourne Racing Club's Spring Carnival beginning on Saturday (Oct.13), with the running of the Beck Caulfield Guineas.

Champion Sydney colt, Pierro, appears to have a mortgage on the event being quoted at a very short price and will go around long odds on to capture his ninth win on end.

The son of leading sire Lohnro has taken all before him taking out the triple crown of the Golden Slipper, the Sires Produce, and the Champagne Stakes in Sydney.

Victorian racegoers had their first look at Pierro when he started an odds on favorite in the Stutt Stakes at Moonee Valley.

He had never ever been on the tricky saucer track and a few of the skeptics said you have had at least a look at the track by way of a track gallop.

His trainer Gai Waterhouse was adamant that it wouldn't be a worry to him.

You can say that again, as he railed liked a greyhound to bolt in at short odds, with his head on his chest.

His rider Nash Rawiller said he went around as if he had been around 100 times at the Valley.

One thing I noticed about Pierro is his will to win as if he knows exactly where the winning post is.

Have a look at him as he just pins his ears back, and away he goes.

In the Caulfield Guineas, his only danger if any is stablemate, Proisir, by Choisir, a dominant winner at Newcastle in their three-year old classic.

I wasn't that impressed by the win of the Peter Snowden trained, Epaulette, as he seemed to take a long time to win at Caulfield recently.

The Hawkes trained All Too Hard, a half brother to Black Caviar has been disappointing this prepa-

Ted Ryan

Observer Racing

● Buffering Photo by GREG IRVINE, MAGIC MILLIONS

ration and would have to improve a ton to be even a chance of running a place.

As I mentioned in my column recently, Gai Waterhouse is of the opinion that Pierro could be the best horse she has trained in the past 30 years.

I fully concur, he is a beauty.

I am still sticking with Commanding Jewel, a half sister to Atlantic Jewel, in the One Thousand Guineas on the Wednesday in the centre of the three-day carnival at Caulfield.

There are plenty of knockers around after she was narrowly beaten by Lady of Harrods at Caulfield recently, but after the race her rider, Damien Oliver admitted, he made a mistake leading on her.

He said later that she is a chaser, not a leader and will be better ridden from behind and that will be the plan in the One Thousand Guineas.

Trainer Greg Eurell who trains the early favorite for the fillies classic in the One Thousand Guineas, Love For Ransom, will press on despite her poor run in the prelude to the classic, at Caulfield recently.

The slow pace didn't suit her and she reefed and pulled on her jockey Glen Boss, who couldn't get her to settle and she ran second last.

However one thing to note is that she ran the second fastest

time of the last 200 metres of the race.

In the Caulfield Field Cup, December Draw has been heavily backed.

In latest markets he has come right into $10 after he opened at $18, but after a big run behind Ocean Park and Voila Ici, he has tumbled right in.

Trackman Warren Huntly who sees him work regularly at Flemington says he is coming along nicely and will be hard to beat.

You can't leave last year's winner. Southern Speed, out as she is coming to hand nicely.

Her rider Glen Boss, says she can definitely win it again after last year's big win, as she is still well in with 54 kilos.

Her regular rider, Craig Williams, is committed to ride last year's Melbourne Cup winner, Dunaden.

Others with chances at this stage appear to be Green Moon from the Robert Hickmott camp, and the Peter Moody trained mare, Lights Of Heaven who was the early favorite.

After a couple of indifferent runs, Moody feels she is starting to come good again.

Buffering ■ Top Brisbane sprinter, Buffering, has his chance for his turn in the sun with his fellow top competitors out of action over the spring.

Showbiz Extra ■ From Page 54

Top 10 Lists 21 JUMP STREET: Season 1.

21 JUMP STREET: Season 2.

MRS. BROWN'S BOYS: Season 2.

CALL THE MIDWIFE. HISTORY OF THE WORLD IN TWO HOURS. SPEED OF LIFE. MODERN FAMILY: The Complete 3rd Season.

HOUSE M.D. - Seasons 1-8.

TOP BLU-RAY SELLERS: 1. THE DICTATOR [Comedy/Sacha Baron Cohen, Megan Fox].

2. WHAT TO EXPECT WHEN YOU'RE EXPECTING [Comedy/Cameron Diaz].

3. THE RAVEN [Thriller/John Cusack, Brendan Gleeson, Luke Evans].

4. THE AVENGERS: 2D & 3D [Action/Adventure/Robert Downey Jr, Scarlett Johansson].

5. DARK SHADOWS [Horror/Comedy/Johnny Depp, Helena Bonham-Carter, Michelle Pfeiffer].

6. THE HUNGER GAMES [Action/Jennifer Lawrence, Woody Harrelson].

7. IRON SKY [Science Fiction/Udo Kier, Julia Dietze].

8. BOND 50 (007/23 Disc Box Set): [Action/Sean Connery, George Lazenby, Roger Moore].

9. INDIANA JONES: THE COMPLETE ADVENTURES [Action/Adventure/Harrison Ford].

10. THE BEST EXOTIC MARIGOLD HOTEL [Comedy/Drama/Judi Dench, Bill Nighy].

Also: Mirror Mirror, The Five Year Engagement, Titanic 3D +2D, Men in Black 3D + 2D, Pirates: Band of Misfits, The Woman in Black, Salmon Fishing in the Yemen, The Way, American Pie: Reunion, Safe.

NEW RELEASE HIGHLIGHTS ON BLU-RAY THIS WEEK:

● Commanding Jewel Photo by SLICKPIX, phone 9354 5754

GET THE GRINGO [Action/Mel Gibson].

THAT'S MY BOY [Comedy/Adam Sandler].

THE FINAL COUNTDOWN [Sci-Fi/Action/Kirk Douglas, Martin Sheen].

MRS. BROWN'S BOYS: Season 2.

HISTORY OF THE WORLD IN TWO HOURS. SPEED OF LIFE [Documentary].

MODERN FAMILY: The Complete 3rd Season.

THE RESCUERS/THE RESCUERS DOWN UNDER [Family/Animated/Adventure].

WHITE VENGEANCE [Action/Leon Lai, Anthony Wong].

- James Sherlock

Illegal fish netters

With Black Caviar out until autumn and Hay List coming off the injury bench it gives the third stringer a chance to strut his stuff.

Buffering took on the best around in the Moir Stakes in the Valley and won in good style, narrowly, but well.

He overcame a slow start, but he rounded them up quickly and soon showed his class.

He is still to win a Group One Race, but

● Love For Ransom Photo by SLICKPIX, phone 9354 5754 now especially with ing his purchase by a he other two out of friend of his trainer, action; he has a big Robert Heathcote, chance to do so..

New Zealand based His next mission bloodstock agent, Paul will be the Manikato Willetts, for just at Moonee Valley, on $22,000 at the 2009 the eve of the Cox Magic Millions Sales Plate.

QTIS yearling sales.

Buffering's record, Buffering is nicely which includes four bred by Mossman Group race wins, and from Action Annie, seven Group One who throws back to placings from just 27 runs, with 10 wins and Anabaa.

A most consistent earnings of $1.96 milgalloper he is one who lion.

The gelding has always gives a 100 per turned into an incred- cent, who can lead, or ible money spinner for sit off the pace.

Follow him up. connections consider-

■ A man and woman from south-eastern Melbourne will be charged after being apprehended for allegedly using two illegal commercial fishing nets under the West Gate Bridge last week.

This follows a report to the 13FISH offence reporting hotline.

Fisheries officers began staking out the site, at the mouth of Stony Creek, after a member of the public alerted them to commercial fishing equipment set in the waterway.

Stony Creek runs into the Yarra River just north of the West Gate Bridge.

Acting Senior Fisheries Officer Joshua Hannaford said the call first came in around 2pm on Wednesday afternoon and the officers commenced surveillance of the area.

At approximately 1am on Thursday a 62year-old man and a 40-year-old woman were arrested and it is alleged they were trying to retrieve more than 100 metres of mesh nets from the water.

Officer Hannaford said there were two nets that allegedly contained over 100 bream and many of the fish were under the minimum legal size limit of 28cm.

Further investigations revealed a third commercial net in the possession of one of the alleged offenders, which was subsequently seized along with his white van used during the night.

Anyone who sees or suspects illegal fishing activity is urged to call the 24-hour fisheries offence reporting line 13 FISH.

Page 60 - Melbourne Observer - Wednesday, October 10, 2012

www.MelbourneObserver.com.au

Melbourne

Observer Victorian Sport Racing Briefs

Used sprint lane ■ Kialla duo Steve O'Donoghue (trainer) and Bec Bartley (driver) were successful with Kiwi bred 8Y-0 Mach Three/White Russian gelding Kremlin in the Len ‘Curly’ Orwin Pace for C2 & C3 class over 2150 metres at Bendigo.

Given the run of the race from the pole trailing the odds-on favourite Smooth Freddy next door, Kremlin used the sprint lane to perfection, dashing away over the concluding stages to take care of the pacemaker in a rate of 1-58.1, with Did It Alone (death seat - one/one - three wide last lap) third.

Raced by Peter Batten and partners, Kremlin has fronted the starter on 73 occasions for 8 wins.

Lucky 13th victory ■ Echuca trainer Faye McEwan has done a marvellous job with 7-Y-0 Sports Town/Vixen Star gelding Centonic, who notched up his 13th victory in 53 outings when successful in the Take A Trifecta @ Bendigo Pace for C6 & C7 class over 2150 metres.

With regular reinsman Leigh Sutton in the bike, Centonic was eased from gate five to settle near last, with the pole marker Remember Jasper easily retaining the inside running.

Gaining a three wide trail in the last lap following King Of Paradise, Centonic was taken four wide approaching the final bend and quickly put pay to his rivals on turning, dashing clear to score by 4.8 metres in a rate of 2-00.1 from Madam Altissimo along the sprint lane after trailing the leader, with Kid Coconut third after following the winner home and pulling five wide on the home turn.

Assumed control ■ Melton trainer Brent Lilley and stable reinsman Bob Butt snared the Staffordshire Park Trotters Handicap for T2 or better class over 2150 metres at Lord's Raceway Bendigo on Tuesday October 2 with 6-Y-0 Earl/Sun Mist gelding Sonofanearl.

Coming from the 10 metre mark after taking a concession, Sonofanearl began speedily, with Butt immediately sending him forward to assume control from the pole marker Apollo Nine.

Always travelling, Sonofanearl scored with plenty in hand over David Aiken's My High Expectations which raced outside him, with Apollo Nine using the sprint lane to no avail in finishing third. The mile rate 2-04.7.

Both Lilley and Butt are shortly to re-locate stables in the Macedon Ranges area at Bolinda.

Third win in 71 starts ■ Mt Cottrell owner/breeder/trainer/driver Bill Spiteri was a winner at Yarra Valley on Monday, when 7-Y-0 Keystone Salute/Cooma Elayna mare Marios Dream scored in the Spring Carnival At Yarra Glen Trotters Handicap for T0 or better class over 2150 metres.

Coming from the 10 metre mark, Marios Dream settled mid-field in the moving line, before running home best to defeat Gioiosa Ionica and Red Hot Special in a rate of 2-07.3.

It was Marios Dream's third victory in 71 race appearances.

This Week’s Meetings ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ ■

Wednesday - Cranbourne, Thursday - Shepparton, Friday - Melton, Saturday - Bendigo, Sunday - Ararat, Monday - Charlton, Tuesday - Ballarat.

Horses To Follow ■ Find Time To Cruise, My High Expectations, Kid Coconut, Lady Patti, All Aussie Star.

SUPERB MELTON PLATE VICTORY ■ Four year old Christian Cullen/Nivea Franco entire Chancellor Cullen was a brilliant victor of the 24th running of the City Of Melton Plate for four and five year olds over 2240 metres at Tabcorp Park Melton on Friday October 5.

Raced by New Zealander Steve Thompson and partners, Chancellor Cullen trained by Dean Braun at Lara and driven

by Chris Alford wasn't bustled from gate two, with Im Barney Rubble inside him being hard driven to retain the front running as Keayang Cullen surged forward from gate five.

When Im Barney Rubble went off stride going into the first turn Keayang Cullen was able to stride clear, with Alford immediately sending Chancellor Cullen in search of the lead, taking over in the back straight on the first occasion.

Kate Gath aboard the hot favourite Caribbean Blaster (gate four on the second line) wasted no time in putting him in the race, moving three wide on the back of Saint Flash to park outside Chancellor Cullen at the bell.

Travelling sweetly approaching the home turn, Chancellor Cullen was coasting, with Caribbean Blaster being hard driven to try and get on terms and Keayang Cullen coiled up waiting for the sprint lane to come into play.

Racing clear on turning, Chancellor Cullen in quarters of 30.8, 30, 27.6 and 27.1, toyed with his rivals in the $50,000 feature, scoring by 8.4 metres in a slick 1-55.4 over a game Caribbean Blaster, with Keayang Cullen a further 3.8 metres away in third place.

Dean Braun was full of accolades after the race saying that "Chancellor Cullen is one of the best standardbreds to join his stable and was very appreciative of the owners for giving him the opportunity to train him".

Chancellor Cullen will now follow a path that stablemate Mustang Mach took last season, being aimed at the $125,00 McInerney Ford Classic and $175,000 Golden Nugget in Perth during November and December.

Big double ■ Korweinguboora (Daylesford) trainer Michael Watt enjoyed a terrific day at the Yarra Valley meeting conducted on Monday October 1, snaring a stable double, Kiwi bred DreamAway/C C Windermere gelding

Baker’s Delight

Harness Racing

Stylish win at Bendigo

Melbourne

Observer

len-baker@ bigpond.vom

with Len Baker

Windermeres Dream taking the De Bortoli Pace for C0 class over 2150 metres and 9-Y-0 D M Dilinger/I Scream Mary gelding Gangsta Pranksta the Monash Gardens Retirement Village Pace for C1 class over 1650 metres, both driven by Greg Sugars.

Windermeres Dream making his second appearance on Australian soil and second since November 2011, possied three back along the markers after starting from inside the second line, with Lineofcredit leading from gate two.

Using the sprint lane, Windermeres Dream finished full of running to blouse the pacemaker in the last stride, returning a mile rate of 2-02.1, with Walky Talky also using the sprint lane for third after trailing Lineofcredit.

Gangsta Pranksta settled three back in the moving line, easing three wide in the final circuit to give chase to the leader Whatsdoin and the heavily supported favourite Magical Molly which raced in the open.

When Classic Bliss trailing the pacemaker obtained a saloon passage along the sprint lane to hit the front approaching the wire she looked all over a winner, but was nabbed by Gangsta Pranksta right on the wire to score by a half neck in 1-59.5, with Magical Molly fighting on strongly to be a further 2.3 metres away in third place.

Greeting ■ Junortoun's Trevor Monk was in the winners stall at the Bendigo meeting held on Tuesday October 2, when 4-Y-0 Red River Hanover/Radiant Rhythm gelding Radiant River greeted the judge in the Petstock Pace for C0 class over 2150 metres.

Driven by John Caldow, Radiant River from gate two led throughout to score from Moderm Mary (one/two - three

wide home turn) in a mile rate of 1-58.1, with One More Smile third after racing in the open before dropping down to three back the markers for the final circuit.

Amends ■ Bunbartha trainer/ driver John Newberry's 6Y-0 Wagon Apollo/Petite Morley gelding Apollos Gift made amends for a most unlucky 10th at Shepparton on September 22 when after having the race well in his keeping and going off stride approaching the home turn, when victorious in the Bendigo Bank Trotters Handicap for T0 & T1 class over 2150 metres.

Coming from the 10 metre mark, Apollos Gift stepped safely to settle mid-field in the moving line, with his main danger Rubon Brown taking over shortly after the start.

Once the speed slackened, Newberry was off and running with Apollos Gift to park outside the heavily supported leader and the pair appeared to have the race to themselves.

Driven confidently, Apollos Gift was allowed to draw level with Rubon Brown at the straight entrance and nursed to the wire, proved too strong in defeating the leader by 1.5 metres in a rate of 205.3. Rank outsider Bev Denison finished third after always being handy.

Meeting ■ The Annual General Meeting of the Metropolitan & Country Harness Racing Association is to be held at the Junction Tabaret (Basement), Moonee Ponds on Wednesday October 24 commencing at 7.30pm.

Refreshments will be served following the meeting.

- Len Baker

■ Great Western trainer/driver Michelle Manning was successful with Union Guy/Passionate Fame filly Union Fame in the Bendigo Harness Awards 21 October 3-Y-0 Pace over 2150 metres at Lord's Raceway Bendigo on Tuesday October 2.

Spending most of the race one/one, with the more fancied runners Quadentate and Raid The Stakes at the head of affairs, Union Fame was angled to trail the leader Quadentate approaching the home turn, before easing three wide on straightening.

Finishing her race off stylishly, Union Fame defeated Raid The Stakes and Quadentate in a mile rate of 2-00.2 to chalk up her first victory in five outings.

Too strong at Terang ■ Heywood trainer Kevin Brough combined with Terang based Matt Craven to land the Mortlake Veterinary Clinic Pace for C1 class over 1680 metres at Terang on Wednesday with bonny mare I Wantano, a 5-Y-0 daughter of Armbro Operative and Mama Tembu.

Taking a mares concession, I Wantano first up since August spent the entire race in the open from gate two, with Powerbolt drawn next door leading.

Joining the pacemaker approaching the home turn, I Wantano proved too strong in the run to the wire, scoring by 3 metres in advance of Powerbolt, with Heza Chipoftheblock (three back the markers) third. The mile rate 1-58.9.

Parked outside leader ■ Great Western trio Peter Manning, Kerryn Manning and Grant Campbell enjoyed a profitable night at Terang, with 8-Y-0 gelding Michael Thomas trained by Kerryn and driven by Grant taking the Terang HRC Life Members Trotters Handicap for T0 or better class over 2180 metres in a rate of 2-04.5.

Coming from a 30 metre backmark, Michael Thomas (Malabar Maple/Krysta) although wide in the last lap ran home well to defeat Cost Me A Quid from mid-field and Lovable Nick which raced in the open for the last half of the journey.

Five year old Kiwi bred Live Or Die/Chipover gelding Waterhorse (Kerryn) snared the Maddens Lawyers Pace for C4 & C5 class over 2180 metres.

Restrained from gate five to possie three back in the moving line with Rosewood Rio leading from the pole only to surrender to The Adriatic, Waterhorse enjoyed a cosy trip before running home strongly to score from Stephs Caesar which followed him all the way, with Wheatsheaf Avaball third after racing without cover. The mile rate 158.9.

Peter Manning took advantage of a concession from Jayson Finnis aboard 5-Y-0 Armbro Operative/Narra Skipper gelding Narra Operative to land the Terang Co-Op Pace for C2 & C3 class over 2180 metres.

Moving to park outside the leader and red-hot favourite Keayang Falcon shortly after the start, Narra Operative improved vastly on his disappointing fourth at Horsham a week earlier when leading, to outstay Keayang Falcon, winning by 2.6 metres in a rate of 2-01, with Panorama Wealth (three back the markers) third.

Defied all challengers ■ Riverina visitor Billy Branach ($20.70) trained at Narrandara by Shaun Snuddan and driven by Leigh Sutton snared the Don Guy Tribute Pace for C2 & C3 class named in honour of one of the great all time harness trainers who was based on course at Echuca for many years..

Beginning at 100 miles an hour from outside the front row, Billy Branach, a 5-Y-0 gelded son of Wally Walton and Sky High Branach led throughout to defy all challengers in accounting for Border Patrol (four back the markers) and Fergus McCool (one/one) in 2-01.2.

www.MelbourneObserver.com.au

Melbourne Observer - Wednesday, October 10, 2012 - Page 61

Page 62 - Melbourne Observer - Wednesday, October 10, 2012

Observer Showbiz BOOKS

Unnatural Habits ■ Kerry Greenwood is a Melbourne writer who has long been loved by her devotees for her books on 1920s wealthy, elegant and lusty heroine, Phyrne Fisher.

Earlier this year, the rest of the world discovered Phryne when ABC TV broadcast an adaptation of the books called Miss Fisher's Murder Mysteries.

Kerry Greenwood's pen has been busy and she has just released a new Phryne book called Unnatural Habits, where Phryne investigates the mysterious disappearance of a nosy young reporter, Polly Kettle, and three young Melbourne girls, who themselves had disappeared and sparked Polly's interest in tracking them down.

The three young girls had committed that unmentionable sin in 1920s society of falling pregnant out of wedlock, and had been taken in to work at the Magdalen Laundry at the Abbotsford Convent, a place of misery and judgment back in those days.

These days, Abbotsford Convent is a delightful arts complex, hosting the famous bakery and the radio station I work at, 3MBS-FM, and it often hosts writers' festivals.

At one such festival, Kerry Greenwood was on a panel and she went for a wander around the convent and walked past a particular window where she had a ghostly encounter on later enquiry, she found she had walked past the original Magdalen Laundry.

And so the scene was set for a new Phryne Fisher mystery!

Kerry Greenwood has been delighted with the greater exposure of her Phyrne Fisher stories through the TV series.

“Lots more people have bought the books, God bless them!

People who hadn't ever read the books saw the TV series and then went out and bought the books,” Kerry said gleefully.

There wouldn't be an author on earth who didn't love the fact that their work is now being read by a wider audience thanks to the influence of the small screen, and Kerry is no exception.

Unnatural Habits is another 'great read' from a lady who is an absolute mistress of her craft.

And I'm betting that it's going to fill quite a few Christmas stockings in a couple of months.

■ Published by Allen and Unwin - RRP $22.95 - Julie Houghton Melbourne

Observer

www.MelbourneObserver.com.au

Local Theatre Melbourne

Observer

With Cheryl Threadgold

‘FOOTLOOSE’ AT FRANKSTON SHOWS

SHOWS

■ Panorama Theatre Company: Footloose Until October 13 at the Frankston Arts Centre. Bookings: 9784 1060 www.artscentrefrankston.vic.gov.au ■ Croydon Parish Players: HMS Pinafore Until October 13 at Mahon Theatre, Aquinas College, Great Ryrie Street, Ringwood.

Director: Phillip Crompton. Tickets: $30 Adults, $26 Con., $20 Child. Bookings: 0447 014584 or www.CroydonParish Players.com ■ 1812 Theatre: The Lonesome West (by Martin McDonagh) October 11 - November 3 at 3 Rose Street, Upper Ferntree Gully.

Director: Grant Lepan-Walker; www.1812theatre.com.au ■ Sherbrooke Theatre Company: Slim Chance (by Peter Gordon) October 12 - 27 at the Doncaster Playhouse, 679 Doncaster Road, Doncaster. Director: Helen Ellis. Tickets: $25/$23. Bookings: 1300 650 209.

■ Encore Theatre Company: The Kingfisher (by William Douglas-Horne) October 12 - 27 at the Clayton Community Centre Theatrette, Cnr Cooke Street and Centre Road, Clayton. Director: Lesley Batten. Tickets: $20 Adults, $18 Concession. Bookings: 1300 739 099 www.encoretheatre.com.au ■ Sunshine Community Theatre: There's More to Life Than Money and Sex (by John Marshall) October 12 - 27 at 82 Phoenix Street, North Sunshine. Directors: Donna and David Prince. Tickets: $15 Adults, $12 Concession. Bookings: 0407 802 165.

■ Catchment Players: Hairspray October 19, 20, 25, 26, 27 at 8.00pm, October 20 at 2.00pm, October 21 at 5.00pm at the Darebin Arts and Entertainment Centre, Preston. Co-Directors: Brad Fischer and Nathan Firmin; Musical Director; Andrew Houston; Choreographer; Nathan Firmin. Tickets: $42, Conc. $37, Ch. U16 $29. Bookings: 8470 8280 or www.darebinartscentre.com.au ■ Nova Music Theatre: 42nd Street, October 26 - November 11 at the Whitehorse Centre, Nunawading. Director: Tim Schwerdt; Choreographer: Lisa-Maree Callaghan; Musical Director: Phillip Osbourne. Tickets: $38/$33 Ch.15 and Under $28.

Bookings: 1300 305 771 or www.novamusictheatre.com.au ■ MLOC Productions: The Wizard of Oz November 9 - 17 at the Phoenix Theatre, 101 Glenhuntly Road. Director: Lucy Nicolson; Musical Director: Tanya Chaves; Choreographer: Keir Jasper. Bookings: 9570-4052. www.mloc.org.au ■ Beaumaris Theatre Inc: The Vicar of Dibley (by Richard

Curtis) November 9 - December 1 at Beaumaris Theatre, 82 Wells Road, Beaumaris. Director: Fred Pezzimenti. Cabaret style. BYO drinks and nibblies. Tickets: Bookings: www.beaumaristheatre.com.au Enquiries: 9583 6896.

■ The Basin Theatre Group: Over My Dead Body (by Derek Benfield) November 9 - December 1 at The Basin Theatre, Doongalla Rd., The Basin. Director: Joe Tuppenney. Bookings: 1300 784 668. www.thebasintheatre.org.au ■ Fab Nobs Theatre: The Drowsy Chaperone November 9 - 24 at 44 Industry Place, Bayswater. Director: Karl McNamara; Musical Director: Vicki Quinn. Bookings: 0401 018 846.

AUDITIONS ■ Windmill Theatre Company: Phantom of the Opera October 19 at 7.30pm, October 21 at 9.00am and October 24 at 7.30pm callbacks at the Berwick Leisure Centre, Manuka Rd., Berwick.

Director: Chris Hughes; Musical Director: Julia Buchanan; Choreographer: Robert Mulholland. Audition bookings: call Kylie after Bus. Hours 9700 6603.

■ Encore Theatre Inc: Summer of the Seventeenth Doll (by Ray Lawler) October 21 from 2.30pm and October 23 from 7.30pm at Fleigner Hall, 31 Highland Ave., East Oakleigh. Director: Trevor Trask. Audition bookings: 9830 1669.

■ Arc Theatre: The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee October 21 from 10.00am - 6.00pm and October 22 from 6.30pm to 10.00pm. Director: Carl Whiteside; Musical Director: James Mustafa. Audition bookings: 0435 062 087.

■ The 1812 Theatre: The Farndale Housing Estate Townswomen's Guild Dramatic Society Murder Mystery (by David McGillivray and Walter Zerlin Jnr), October 28, 29 from 7.30pm at the 1812 Theatre, Rose St., Upper Ferntree Gully.

Director: Tanya Ryder-Barnes. Audition Bookings: 0408 102323.

■ Brighton Theatre Company: The Female of the Species (by Joanna Murray-smith) November 18, 19 from 7.30pm at Brighton Theatre, Cnr Wilson and Carpenter Streets, Brighton. Director: Deborah Fabbro. Audition bookings: orbbaf@ozemail.com.au ■ Lilydale Athenaeum Theatre Company: Steel Magnolias (by Robert Harding) November 17 from 1.30pm, November 19 from 7.30pm at 41 Castella St., Lilydale. Director: Lyn Carr. Audition bookings: 0422 441 489 or email lindacarr5@bigpond.com

Victorian Sport

SWANS FLAG LIGHTS UP STATE

■ The Sydney Swans AFL premiership win has lit-up New South Wales and its capital Sydney.

One thing we ex-pats learn about this great city is the people love winners.

And if you as an individual or a team don’t perform they don’t turn-up because there are so many other attractions to enjoy.

The AFL as a commercial enterprise will always be indebted to the Swans for laying the foundation of partial acceptance in this exciting city.

It has been a hard slog, often left to battle alone, but this town, this state is proud of the(ir) Swans.

Perhaps analogous of NRL premiers Storm in Melbourne and Victoria.

I highlight Sydney’s premiership Street Parade and Premier O’Farrell’s ‘Swans Celebration Luncheon’ as the most significant AFL accomplishment in NSW and particularly Sydney in the 130 years history of our game in the state.

Big and all was the Swans 2005 flag and parade celebrations, I repeat this 2012 win will prove to be of greater significance.

Why? Because there is now AFL every week with GWS who will struggle in the Swans shadow for the next three years.

But we’ll talk, write, watch and

Harry Beitzel www.squidoo.com/harrybeitzel cover on TV and Radio the AFL daily ‘doings’!

To the ‘doomsayers’ who surround me with taunts AFL will never capture NSW and GWS will fail, here are my predictions.

Sydney Swans to win back-toback with the 2013 flag especially if they sign Kurt Tippett.

If Tippett is to be in the Lance

Franklin, Gary Ablett ‘diamond cut’ $million class he should join the Swans.

The one deficiency I’ve noted in his game is his inconsistency in fierce tackling for contested ball .

Indeed at times he appeared disinterested except in the Preliminary Final against Hawthorn when he was superb. The leadership group and

John Longmire will not cop this approach.

GWS has appointed Leon Cameron as Sheeds senior assistant.

A sublime appointment as he is the right age for the young Giants.

Giants Chief Executive David Matthews said Cameron had signed a four-year contract and would succeed Kevin Sheedy as Head Coach at the end of 2013.

Matthews said the Giants were delighted that Cameron had agreed to join the club and take up one of the most exciting opportunities in Australian football.

"After a distinguished playing career, Leon has served an extensive coaching apprenticeship with the Western Bulldogs and Hawthorn.

“He has many outstanding attributes as a coach but also as a person and will make a wonderful addition to this club," Matthews said.

"The next 12 months will give him an opportunity to work closely with one of the greatest coaches of all time in Kevin Sheedy and develop our young playing list before becoming Head Coach in 2014."

Chairman Tony Shepherd said the announcement followed approval by the board after an extensive search by a selection panel comprising General Manager of Football Graeme Allan, director Gus Seebeck, Kevin

Sheedy, David Matthews and himself.

Shepherd said the Ginats were in discussions with Kevin Sheedy about a major role at the club beyond 2013.

"Since he came to Sydney at the end of 2009 on a three-year contract, Kevin Sheedy has worked tirelessly to build this club.

“Nobody has given more to the Giants than Kevin and we felt it was important to re-appoint him as Head Coach for 2013 and we see him having a significant, long term role with the Giants," Shepherd said.

Cameron, 40, said he was thrilled to be joining the Giants. "To be involved in such an exciting journey for the game in Western Sydney and Canberra and also develop an outstanding young playing list was too good an opportunity to pass up," he said.

www.MelbourneObserver.com.au

Melbourne Observer - Wednesday, October 10, 2012 - Page 63

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