Melbourne Observer - Wednesday, June 11, 2014 - Page 43
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Country Music: Artists at APRAs ......................... Page 44 Radio: Richard Wilkins honoured for charity works ...... P44 Theatre: Melbourne’s latest shows .................................... Page 45 Jim and Aar on: Top 10 lists, movies and DVDs .............. Page 46 Aaron: Cheryl Threadgold: Local shows, auditions, people .......... Page 47 PL US THE LLO OVATT”S MEGA CRO PLUS CROSS SWORD
THE BIG TEASE Theatrical journey
● James Ness ■ Epping resident James Ness says he has been a performer since welcomed into this world. Starting with cameo roles in television, he was advised to discover the world of theatre to learn and develop varied skills. It worked, and ignited his passion for the arts. After performing in Grease with Windmill Theatre Company, he went on to doing three to four shows a year. Later becoming involved in the directorial side of productions, James’s first show was the Victorian premiere of The Wedding Singer. This led to new roles such as set , costume and lighting design, with the latter leading to employment with theatre companies as a lighting and sound technician. James has also found performing skills useful in the television world of presenting, and has enjoyed bringing Melbourne arts and events to audiences with Media Strikes Back on Channel 31. He is also sometimes the MC at events such as exhibitions and weddings. James has particularly enjoyed playing the lead role of George Dunn in Joel Batahla’s You, Me, Us in 2011, directing Bare for PEP Productions in 2013, and most recently, playing Mitch in Love Taps at La Mama Theatre. James says his love of theatre is not just about the passion of performing or directing. “It’s all about appreciating the journey, bringing a story to life and dragging the audience in and leaving them with something more,” he says. “I love a challenge these days and encourage those out there to make contact and present me with these challenges.” - Cheryl Threadgold
By KATHRYN KEEBLE
● Kathryn Keeble ■ If you believe the hype, the neo-burlesque revival is all about empowering women. Coy and camp at the same time, burlesque is all about the tease rather than the strip. The Australian Burlesque Festival’s gala event, The Big Tease, displayed plenty of feathers, fans and fishnets. Hosted by Miss Lizzy Squizzy, the show was a combination of stand-up comedy and clothing removal. There were a few misses among the talents on show but there were also highlights. As Mazeppa, Electra, and Tessie Tura tell Louise in the musical Gypsy, “you gotta get a gimmick”, and there were plenty of gimmicks on show. Melbourne performer Evie Red’s fabulous lampshade hat lit up as she shimmied and shook her way around the stage. Brisbane’s double act, The Fanny Bam Bams, featuring Miss BB le Buff and Magnolia Knife delighted the audience with their synchronised classic, retro fan dance. L’amour, who teaches ‘Bump and Grindercise’ classes when not performing, not only twirled the fringes of her nipple tassels but also managed to twirl the tassels pasted on her derriere to the delight of the audience. When done well, neo-burlesque is about creating a pastiche but in a way that engages the audience to join in on the joke. Miss Burlesque Tasmania, Lucy Sky Diamond, gave a polished and elegant performance accompanied by huge smile and a knowing wink and the audience loved it. As a showcase of the state of the art of seduction the burlesque revival is more cheesecake than social commentary with nipple tassels. At its best it keeps its tongue firmly in its cheek. - Review by Kathryn Keeble
Showbiz Briefs ■ Popular race caller Wayne Wilson has died, aged 66, after a long battle with cancer. He found he had a knack for calling races and began his trade as a 12-year-old at Ferguson Park in Gladstone, Queensland. He is survived by Sally, their children Jamie and Honi and four grandchildren. ■ Robert Malherbe is exhibiting his New Works at James Makin Gallery, 67 Cambridge St, Collingwood, until July 6. The opening night celebrations will be held tomorrow (Thurs., June 12) from 6pm-8pm. ■ Opening night for The King And I, starring Lisa McCune and Jason Scott Lee, will be held at the Princess Theatre tomorrow (Thurs.). ■ Jo Hall is celebrating her 35 years at Nine News. We first remember her as Joanne O’Keefe, a cadet reporter at the Waverley Gazette local newspaper.
Empress Erotique
● Award-winning New Zealand burlesque artist MisRed Delicious ■ Melbourne’s wintry nights brightened last week when the Australian Burlesque Festival performed at various venues as part of a national tour. Presented by Green Fairy and produced by Dolores Daiquiri and Rosy Rabbit, one show, Empress Erotique, played to a packed house at Northcote’s Regal Ballroom. The friendly, positive audience experience started with producer Dolores’s warm greeting, then glamorous, delightfully pleasant ushers escorted us into the atmospheric, dimly lit ballroom. Dynamic MC Leila set the scene looking spectacular wearing a gold lame hot-pants outfit with black top-hat and gloves. Singing Show, Don’t Tell she expertly worked her audience amid flashing stage lights and pulsating music. Then followed a varied smorgasbord of top-line international and national burlesque acts, gender-balanced with well-buffed males strutting their stuff alongside sleekly toned females. Show highlights for me were Russian duo Mimi and Simon, with their impressive blend of burlesque with graceful adagio and acrobalance, and New Zealand’s multi award-winning MisRed Delicious, whose finely choreographed routine, music and Burlesque skills were superb. Another highlight was chatting with Texan burlesque performer Coco Lectric, who although starring in another show, came to support her colleagues. A university English graduate trained in ballet and opera, this charming, intelligent young woman also works as a psycho-therapist, and teaches burlesque to students. Coco explained there is more to burlesque than the allure and mystery we see onstage, referring to the art as an “empowering” liberation for people of all shapes and sizes, and pointing out it improves body image, too. It struck me that burlesque is developing a cult following in Melbourne, with many audience members enjoying dressing up in their own glitz to feel part of the scene. While not purchasing any titillating accessories from the foyer merchandise shop, or enrolling in classes, I can definitely recommend attending a well-presented burlesque show such as this for an entertaining night of sparkle and light-hearted fun. - Review by Cheryl Threadgold