Melbourne Observer - Wednesday, March 12, 2014 - Page 37
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Radio: Smooth 91.5 host releases new book ..... Page 38 Theatre: The voice of Shirley Bassey ......................... Page 39 Country Music: Kristofferson tp play The Palais ....... Page 38 Jim and Aar on: Top 10, tribute to Harold Ramis .............. Page 42 Aaron: Cheryl Threadgold: Local theatre shows, auditions ........... Page 43 PL US THE LLO OVATT”S MEGA CRO PLUS CROSS SWORD
WINDOWS OF OPPORTUNITY Madame Butterfly
● Antoinette Halloran in Melbourne Opera’s Madame Butterfly, opening on March 22 at The Athenaeum Theatre, Melbourne. ■ Melbourne Opera presents Madame Butterfly from March 22-24 at The Athenaeum Theatre, Melbourne, and on May 3 at Monash University’s Alexander Theatre. Director Caroline Stacey and Melbourne Opera are restaging their production of Puccini’s Madame Butterfly, 10 years after it was first mounted to great acclaim and nominated for seven Green Room Awards. Madame Butterfly tells the moving tale of Cio-Cio San, a young Japanese geisha tricked into marrying cynical American Lieutenant Pinkerton. After the marriage of convenience he departs, promising to return soon. When he finally does, it is with tragic results. The cast is led by international soprano Antoinette Halloran and Chinese-Australian soprano Emily Wang who share the role of the doomed Cio-Cio San, the tragic heroine. Tenors Jason Wasley and David Rogers-Smith will share the role of Lieutenant Pinkerton. Giacumo Puccini’s moving melodies will be brought to life by the full Melbourne Opera Chorus and Orchestra, conducted by Greg Hocking. Tickets: via Ticketek. www.melbourneopera.com - Cheryl Threadgold
By CHERYL THREADGOLD
● Tony Leatch ■ Young Tony Leatch’s wish in 1956 was for his Mum to take him to see the first Myer Christmas windows, which in that year combined the Olympics, Santa and television. Fast forward to 1964, Tony’s last year at school, when his teacher asked him what he was planning to do. He replied straight away he wanted to work as a window dresser (visual merchandiser) at Myer’s. Not long after leaving school Tony had a job at Myer, ending up over the years working for most of the leading department stores, and says he loved every day. In the early 1970s, Tony started to get involved with theatre and can remember auditioning for the first Melbourne production of Grease at the old Playbox Theatre. He recalls turning up looking like a real hippie in purple flares, long hair and beard. Tony also took acting lessons at St Martins Theatre with English actor John Forgeham, who was starring in a Channel 7 series called Catwalk. Around this time, Tony started to learn the drums, first from Lou Toppano, and then from Billy Hyde at his house studio, and enjoyed the fun of playing in a pop group. After getting married, Tony focussed on working in visual merchandising only, but some years later returned to theatre. As well as having designed and built many stage sets, Tony has also worked as an actor and stage manager. Past casual employment has included being a funeral director, home interior decorator and men’s wear fashion designer. These days he works as a ‘simulated patient role player’ for student training for many university and medical groups, and enjoys working in film and television as an extra and in character roles. Tony says the key to all this and other roles is a passion for the work. “I have to do things that excite me, and have been very lucky to have the career I have,” he says. “Whether decorating, theatre, or as an extra in television, I would (and will) do it all again! “So, thanks Mum for taking me to see Myer’s Christmas windows!” Tony Leatch’s outstanding stage set designs can be seen in Strathmore Theatrical Arts Group (STAG) productions. www.stagtheatre.org - Cheryl Threadgold
House warming for Circus Oz ■ After 10 years of dreaming, hoping and planning, Circus Oz has moved to a new home on part of the former Collingwood TAFE site, purpose-built for by the Victorian Government. Renowned for their work on heritage listed and public buildings and spaces, award-winning architects Lovell Chen have designed an inspiring creative hub for the next phase and future sustainability of Circus Oz. Two years in construction, the new
building features two rehearsal spaces that allows the Circus Oz artistic team to create and develop new shows under performance like conditions and also enables Circus Oz to expand their public and community classes, programs and activities. Later this year, Circus Oz is scheduled to set up its spectacular 100-year old Melba Spiegeltent at the Collingwood site, which will run as a live venue space for emerging and cutting edge artists and
support the development of contemporary circus. Circus Oz flings open its doors on Saturday, March 29 and hosts a housewarming like no other. 50 Perry St., Collingwood (between Smith St and Wellington St). It’s an extended invitation to Melbourne, the wider circus community and all who have helped shape the company over the past 36 years. Turn to Page 39
Benefit concert
● Samuel Sakker ■ Melbourne-based tenor Samuel Sakker, 28, (pictured) is to join a handful of singers accepted into the Jette Parker Young Artists Program at the Royal Opera House, Covent Garden, London, in Septembe. Out of more than 390 applicants from 58 countries, five talented young singers, three of themAustralian, will reap the benefits of this extraordinary opportunity. A benefit concert Operation: Covent Garden will be held in the Iwaki Auditorium, ABC Southbank, to help Samuel raise much needed funds to relocate to London. The concert starts at 2pm on Sunday, April 13. Australia’s opera stars including soprano Emma Matthews, mezzo-soprano Deborah Humble and baritone José Carbó will be performing in Operation: Covent Garden with accompanist Raymond Lawrence. They will present a selection of their favourite songs, arias and duets, including works by Brahms, Verdi and Puccini. Sam says that getting into the Royal Opera House program is better than a dream come true. “I will have the resources of one of the world’s greatest opera houses at my disposal to continue my professional development,” he says. “Their collective knowledge, guidance and mentorship will give me a clear career pathway to maximise my artistic potential.” Benefit Concert: Sunday, April 13 at 2pm Venue: The Iwaki Auditorium, ABC Southbank Bookings and further information: www.trybooking. com/EJXG or 0449 963 396. - Cheryl Threadgold
Showbiz Briefs ■ On Sunday (Mar. 16) Britain’s Channel 4 is to broadcast footage of 9/11 New York attacks filmed from space. Video, filmed by an astronaut from the International Space Station, shows a huge plume of smoke from the World Trade Centre. ■ John Stephens has been appointed Director of Scheduling and Acquisitions at Network Ten. ■ Mercedes Corby has apologised to Indonesia for a Seven Network interview that sparked calls for her sister Schapelle to go back to jail.