Melbourne Observer - Wednesday, November 14, 2012 - Page 57
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Radio Confidential: Victorian radio news ...... Page 58 Veritas: Tribute to Paul Barber ......................... Page 59 The Spoiler: Home And Away, Neighbours .......... Page 59 Jim and Aaron: Best movies, DVDs .......................... Page 60 Cheryl Threadgold: Latest local theatre news ................ Page 61 PLUS THE LOVATT”S MEGA CROSSWORD
MORE FAREWELLS THAN MELBA Gypsy romance
Susan Boyle returns to Melb.
■ If a group of musicians describes itself as 'a hot-blooded collision of classicism, gypsy romance and tango', you might be wondering what you are in for in a concert. But when that group of musicians is Cosmo Cosmolino, you will soon be saying 'what's not to like?' This vibrant group of Judy Gunson (piano accordion and vocals) Sue Simpson and Andrea Keeble (violins), Helen Mountfort (cello) and lone male Dan Witton (contrabass) always bring fun and toe tapping music to their concerts. There's a big gypsy influence in their music, and they pride themselves on touching their audience's heart with their quintet of strings and accordion. Cosmo Cosmolino loves to mix their program and have well-known tunes performed in their unique style, plus original compositions designed to stir the emotions. The Substation at 1 Market St Newport on Friday (Nov. 16) at 8pm to be inspired by a bit of gypsy musical magic. Bookings: www.thesubstation.org.au or 9391 1110. - Julie Houghton
● From Page 12
● Susan Boyle ■ The Susan Boyle Musical, I Dreamed A Dream tells of a life story - from her humble beginnings of being born into a large working class family, and sharing a three-bedroom council house with a family of 10. The show traces her life to where she is today – a global star and an inspiration to millions – a woman who beat the odds and changed the way the world looked at people. Australian producer Paul Dainty said: “This is a fascinating and moving story that has received many accolades and outstanding critical acclaim since it opened in the UK earlier this year. “We are thrilled that the cast will include stars direct from the UK and after consulting and working with the Media, Entertainment & Arts Alliance the production will also integrate a stellar Australian company. “It will be the first production outside of the UK and we are delighted that we have been able to assemble a truly international company. “ I Dreamed a Dream will take the audience through the experiences which have made Susan Boyle the woman she has become; the pain of lost love, the heart-breaking tragedy and loss of the anchors in her life, and being cut adrift in a lonely, threatening world, then finding strength and solace in her faith, to the life changing experience of Britain’s Got Talent. An orchestra, a multi-talented cast, and cutting edge multimedia technology, along with many of the well-known songs from Susan’s record-breaking albums, will take audiences on Susan’s journey. I for one cannot wait to see it, it promises to be a magical theatrical experience. I Dreamed a Dream will be at Her Majesty’s Theatre for five weeks only from Friday, May 31, 2013. Tickets through ticketek.com.au or phone 132 849. ■ I discovered the Christmas present I am buying a special friend: Susan’s new album Standing Ovation: The Greatest Songs From The Stage. It is set to be released on Friday (Nov. 16) through Sony Music. In fact I might buy two lots, what a great present! - Di Rolle
● Dame Nellie Melba as Rosina ■ Many readers will be familiar with the phrase 'more farewells than Melba'. The phrase worked its way into popular culture following the legendary Dame Nellie Melba's penchant for staging a seemingly never-ending series of Farewell Concerts to satisfy her adoring fans in the early 20th century. Melba's memory and legacy is being celebrated in a special tribute concert, Melba Returns, at St John's Anglican Church, 80 Clendon Rd, Toorak on Saturday, November 24 at 2 30 pm. Rising young star Cristina Russo will share her voice in an afternoon that will shed new light on the life and career of an Australian girl who rose from obscurity to become an international superstar during opera's Golden Age. Cristina is familiar to audiences of Savoy Opera Company, from her principal soprano roles with the company in The Gondoliers and Iolanthe this year. She will be joined by fellow Savoy Opera performers, mezzosoprano Lydia Klimek and baritone Jamie Moffat, to bring the era of Melba alive in story and song, all accompanied by Konrad Olszewski at the piano. The concert will include arias by opera composers Rossini, Gounod, Bizet, Puccini and Delibes, among others. Readers may recognize the host for the afternoon, as Melbourne Observer arts columnist Julie Houghton moonlights as a performer with Savoy Opera. The afternoon will also feature a display of rare Melba memorabilia, such as photographs, posters and programs form the diva's career and a very special fan carried by Melba in the Barber Of Saville. The fan is being seen in public for the first time since 1903. The concert is a fundraiser for Savoy Opera Company, and tickets are $20, with children under 12 being admitted free, so bring the ankle biters for an afternoon of cultural fun. Tickets at the door or by calling 8711 8865.
Fashion film series ■ The L’Oreal Melbourne Fashion Festival , together with Australian Centre for the Moving Image , Portable.tv and Federation Square, is announcing the launch of the inaugural LMFF Fashion Film Series, designed to showcase innovative Australian fashion films at the 2013 Festival. The Fashion Film Series will form an integral part of the LMFF Cultural Program which runs for the the entire month of March and the Festival is putting the call out for filmmakers across the country to submit short fashion films for selection.
● From left: Helen Mountfort, Andrea Keeble, Dan Witton, Judy Gunson and Sue Simpson
Mother’s Milk ■ There was an immediate sense of unease as one entered the theatre (fortyfivedownstairs) for this play. On either side of the stage were a huge number of cardboard boxes. Three ‘children’ sat with their backs to us, and a woman just stood and stood staring out almost comatose as the audience filtered in. Music became steadily louder and intrusive until projected disconnected words appeared which seemed to begin some recognition in the woman. Slowly we became aware of a mother’s mind in turmoil as she realized that neither another new father for her kids, nor a new home for them all, nor anything at all foreseeable would give her children the metaphoric milk needed for a decent future. And then relentlessly we followed’Kitty’s’ alternating mind arguments until tragedy ensued. The packing boxes , often rummaged through, cleverly symbolised the constant moving on from failed relationships, the chaos of Kitty’s mind as she attempted to build a new safe, motherly home for her children, as she had to pack yet again to move on. Music underlined growing tensions at conflict in her head. At times and particularly during her alter ego/conscience’s speech this was a little too loud. Likewise the song lyrics from Earthwire were not clear enough to define any message. The modern projections of broken attempts at communication seemed somewhat at odds with the female costuming , but perhaps intended to add to the fractures all around ... This somewhat harrowing piece was well handled by writer/director Joanne Trentini, Leila Rogers, Gerard Lane, Stefan Bramble and director Clare Phillips. In the psychotheatre genre it is certainly worthy - Maggie Morrison