Melbourne Observer - Wednesday, March 13, 2013 - Page 69
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www.MelbourneObserver.com.au
Observer Showbiz Every Week in the Melbourne Observer
Radio Confidential: Op shop radio history ...... Page 70 Veritas: Media reforms promised by Minister ........ Page 71 The Spoiler: Neighbours, Home And Away ............... Page 71 Jim and Aaron: Favourite movies, DVDs ...................... Page 72 Cheryl Threadgold: Local theatre latest .......................... Page 73 PLUS THE LOVATT”S MEGA CROSSWORD
AUDIENCE DECIDES EUROBEAT WINNER Passion Play soon at Doncaster
● A scene from the Melbourne Passion Play, depicting the crucifixion scene with the Centurion Quintus Cassius (Gino Gammaldi), Jesus (Dirk de Kauwe) and Roman Legionnaires, Simon Costa and John Smith. ■ The 17th Annual Melbourne Passion Play will be presented this year on Palm Sunday, March 24 at 1.30pm and on Good Friday, March 29 at 10am at Ruffey Lake Park, Doncaster (entry from King St, via Church Rd). For further details visit www.passionplay.info or contact the secretary on 0411 957 164.
Surprise inside
● What was the ‘surprise inisde’ when radio man Craig Huggins discovered this record at a Diamond Creek op shop this week? See Page 70.
Review by CHERYL THREADGOLD
● The cast of Eurobeat, from left, are Ang Cuy, Tony Burge, Zachary Alaimo, Andrew Amos, Gemma Considine, Lauren Cox, Janette Diab, Sheona Gregg, Thomas Kitt-Thompson, Robbie Medica, Colin Morley, Shannon Pendrey and Sarah Somers. Photo: Karl McNamara ■ Fab Nobs Theatre opened last week with a terrific version of Eurobeat: Almost Eurovision, which runs until March 23 at 33 Industry Place, Bayswater. Based on the Eurovision Song Contest, the show is set in Sarajevo. Contestants from 12 countries, Russia, Ukraine, Ireland, Sweden, Italy, Greece, UK, Germany, Morocco, Norway, Iceland and Hungary, present their varied and entertaining items. The audience decides the winning entry by completing voting slips at interval, and the winning country returns later to reprise their act. Director Patt Ryan has assembled a top notch cast of fourteen talented musical theatre all-rounders, whose strong vocal and dance abilities are showcased in the items. Ryan’s creative interpretation and vibrant choreography, Kendrie Coonon’s specialised choreography, Jason Lord’s superb lighting, and Vicki Quinn’s musical direction and vocal harmonies, combine to give a ‘wow’ factor to this production. Ang Cuy and Tony Burge are great as hosts Boyka and Sergei. Their contrasting personalities never fail to entertain - Cuy with her commanding presence and stunning outfits, and Burge as her stylish, delightful comedy foil. The sensational array of costumes has been coordinated by Kerryn Puckey and Leane Gooding, with Boyka and Sergei’s costume changes throughout the show cleverly creating additional visual interest. It was warm in the theatre last week, but the audience did not mind. This is a most enjoyable show and wonderful to watch enthusiastic, polished performers in a wellstaged production. Congratulations to Fab Nobs Theatre Inc. Do try to see it before it finishes on March 23. Bookings: 0401 018 846 www.fabnobstheatre.com.au - Cheryl Threadgold
Verto supports Jackie Trent honour ■ Melbourne radio man John Vertigan believes musician Jackie Trent is being denied a musical honour whilst her husband Tony Hatch is being saluted. “Jackie Trent, together with her writing partner Tony Hatch, became two of the biggest songwriters of the 60s and 70s,” says Veritgan. “Their jointly written tracks for many artists in-
cluding Petula Clark and Scott Walker saw worldwide success. “They also penned the TV theme for the global hit Neighbours. The US Songwriters Hall of Fame plans to induct Tony Hatch this June into its ranks but there is no mention of Jackie's inclusion. “They should be inducted together, as they
● Jackie Trent
were a partnership in their professional career and personal life too. “We must make the US Songwriters Hall of Fame aware of our feelings and ensure they induct the partnership Hatch-Trent when the ceremony takes place later this year.” Veritgan had more than 50 years experience with stations including 3UZ and 3DB.
Robyn Nevin in Other Desert Cities
● Robyn Nevin with Sue Jones ■ Having two such major Australian theatrical talents as actors Robyn Nevin and John Gaden on stage together is a good reason to head to the Melbourne Theatre Company's latest production at the Sumner Theatre in Southbank. The play that has drawn them together is Other Desert Cities by Jon Robin Baitz, and which has been nominated for five Tony Awards including Best Play and Pulitzer Prize for drama. Former Republican Senator Lyman Wyeth and his Hollywood screenwriter wife Polly were the ultimate Republican power couple before a family incident made them withdraw from public life. Fast forward to Christmas, when the whole family gathers together in the quiet desert town of Palm Springs. But as happens when extended families get together tensions soon arise when novelist daughter Brooke announces she has written about the awkward incident from the family archives. Dealing with this will either split the family apart or draw them together, and it's ripe for dramatic possibilities. If the name of author Jon Robin Baitz may seem familiar, you will have seen it in the credits of the highly successful TV drama Brothers And Sisters, as that is his creation. Family tensions are always great theatrical fodder, and Nevin and Gaden will no doubt bring them to the surface with great flair. Joining them on stage are Sacha Horler, Sue Jones and Ian Meadows, and it's directed by MTC Associate Director Sam Strong. Other Desert Places is running until April 17 www.mtc.com.au or 8688 0800 - Julie Houghton ■ Friday’s EG (Entertainment Guide) in The Age has been reduced to several pages, and been incorporated into a new Shortlist feature that also runs in The Sydney Morning Herald. ■ Street press mag Beat has introduced a new Eat guide on Melbourne’s better restaurants. ■ Gold 104.3 is sponsoring the Time Of My Life concert next month featuring Daryl Braithwaite.