Melbourne Observer. 120516C. Wednesday, May 16, 2012. Part C. Pages 47-64

www.MelbourneObserver.com.au

Melbourne Observer - Wednesday, May 16, 2012 - Page 47

Keith McGowan’s Outback Album

● Kings Canyon

● Station boss Bob at Marla

● At Ayers Rock

● Opal diggings at Coober Pedy ● At Ayers Rock

● Aboriginal dance group at The Olgas

● At Woomera

Page 48 - Melbourne Observer - Wednesday, May 16, 2012

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Melbourne Observer - Wednesday, May 16, 2012 - Page 49

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ver N ser IO Ob T C SE 3

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Observer Showbiz Every Week in the Melbourne Observer

Radio Confidential: John Vertigan recalls ..... Page 50 Independent Theatre: Latest shows ................. Page 53 The Spoiler: Next week’s ‘soaps’ plotlines ............ Page 53 Jim and Aaron: Best DVD-film selections ................. Page 52 Cheryl Threadgold: Community Theatre - it’s a wrap ...... Page 56 PLUS THE LOVATT”S MEGA CROSSWORD

10-MINUTE QUICKIES Jim Sherlock reports on Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy: P52

Breathing Corpses at Sunshine

The Witches of Eastwick

■ Susie McCann (left) as Sukie Rougemont, Erin Keleher (Alexandra Spofford) and Lucy MacVicar (Jane Smart) enjoy rehearsals with Michael Young (Darryl Van Horne) for The Witches Of Eastwick, being presented by MLOC Productions from June 15 – 23 at the Phoenix Theatre, 101 Glenhuntly Rd., Elwood.

This musical comedy by John Dempsey and Dana P. Rowe is directed by Jane Court, with musical direction by Martine Wengrow and choreography by Merilyn Young.

Performances: June 15, 16, 21, 22 and 23 at 8pm, June 17 at 5pm and June 23 at 2pm.

Tickets: $32 Full price, $30 Concession, $28 Child 15 and under. Group discount available.

Bookings: www.mloc.org.au or 9570-4052.

Photo: Adrian Morris

● Trudi Walters, Phil Holmes, Jean Russell and producer Paula Armstrong (foreground).

Photo: Tim Bushell ■ After months of intense preparation, the production team for Eltham Little Theatre’s forthcoming Ten Minute Quickie play festival looks forward to this exciting event opening on Thursday, May 24 at the Eltham Performing Arts Centre, 1603 Main Rd., Research.

Ten plays were selected from 137 submissions received from around Australia, plus a Youth Category winner.

The successful playwrights are Bill Condon, Gerry Greenland, Kevin Martin, Peter Malicki, Richard Graham, Vee Malnar, Cerise de Gelder, Kristen Field, Kylie Rackham, Naples Harrold and Sarah King.

The winner of the People’s Choice Award, voted by the audience, receives $500.

The winning playwright of the Best Play, as decided by the judges, will receive $1000.

Kristen Field, winner of the Youth Category, will be awarded her prize of $300.

The judges are Chris Baldock, Damien Millar, David Snowden and Cheryl Threadgold.

An exhibition by local artists will be held in the theatre’s new Rehearsal Room, one hour prior to each Quickies performance.

There are some seats left for three performances of the Ten Minute play festival, but the Gala Night on Saturday evening, May 26 is now sold out.Available performances: Thursday, May 24, Friday, May 25 at 8.00pm and Saturday, May 26 at 3.00pm.

Tickets: $20.

Bookings: 9437 1574 or book online www.elthamlittle

John Vertigan on Golden Days Radio - Page 50

● Abbi Berecz checks on Adrian Valentta during rehearsals for Sunshine Community Theatre’s production of Breathing Corpses, running from May 17 – 19 at the Dempster Park Hall.

Photo: Stephen Andrews.

■ Sunshine Community Theatre presents Breathing Corpses from May 17 – 19 at 8.00pm at the Dempster Park Hall, 82 Phoenix St., North Sunshine.

Written by Laura Wade and directed by Tess MauriciRyan, Breathing Corpses is a gripping drama about the people coming to grips with death.

These people are the forgotten, the unfortunate who were in the wrong place at the wrong time.

The story is not of murders and suicides, but of being the first person to discover the victim and the impact that the dead body has every other day for the rest of their lives.

Tickets: $15 Full price, $12 Concession.

Bookings: 0407 802 165. www.sunshinecommunitytheatre.com.au - Cheryl Threadgold

Nothing Prepared Me For This

● Artistic Facilitator Rebecca Lister at the recent launch of the new book Nothing Prepared Me For This.

Photo: Malcolm Threadgold

■ Last week two impressively presented sell-out performances at La Mama Carlton Courthouse launched a new book titled Nothing Prepared Me For This.

This anthology of works aims to assist those affected by suicide, ranging from people directly involved with a loss, to family and friends struggling to know the ‘right’ things to say and do.

Over eight months, writers and performers touched by suicide wrote and workshopped poetry, short stories, memoirs and performance pieces.

The final result comprises contributions from fifteen participants who have lost children, parents, siblings or partners.

The powerful and emotional performances to launch Nothing Prepared Me For This raised compelling issues such as how to work through grief … at times “grief” even became a

character, a doctor prescribed anti-depressants “as they can fix anything”, a loved one questioned “Where do they go?”, and another “I Just want my grief to be acknowledged … people to listen, not judge.” .

The individual stories were interwoven between a chorus of gossipy women representing the perspective of those who do judge others through ignorance and/or lack of understanding.

As the book title suggests, most people feel unprepared for the complex thoughts, feelings, stigma and reactions associated with a devastating loss from suicide.

The Nothing Prepared Me For This project was funded by the State Government, Arts Victoria and Jesuit Social Services through their Support After Suicide program, funded by the Department of Health and Ageing under the National Suicide Prevention Strategy.

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Page 50 - Melbourne Observer - Wednesday, May 16, 2012

Observer Showbiz

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Radio Confidential News from stations from around Victoria

RICH HALF-CENTURY IN RADIO

Country Crossroads

JOHN VERTIGAN CHATS ON GOLDEN DAYS 95.7FM

info@country crossroads.com.au ● Big Breakfast Show.

Southern FM 88.3.

Tues. 6am-9am. ● Country Crossroads.

Casey Radio 97.7.

Wed. 10pm-12 Midnight

■ 3AW ‘Drive’ host Derryn Hinch was back in hospital for a day last week.

Hinch underwent surgery for a stent in his liver.

Next day Hinch heard about his growing ratings results.

Hinch last made an entry in his ‘My Liver, My Life’ blog last July.

Rob Foenander

CARRIE TO TOUR AUSTRALIA

■ American country music star Carrie Underwood will tour Australia next month for the first time.

The tour starts in Melbourne on June 26, Tamworth June 29, Brisbane June 30 and Sydney July 2.

Promoter Michael Chugg expects the tour to sell out quickly.

"Tickets to Carrie's Royal Albert Hall concert (in London) sold out in 90 minutes," he said.

"We're expecting Australian fans will be equally as quick."

Carrie has won five Grammy awards throughout her career.

PLATINUM FOR LIONEL

■ Tuskegee, the new album for Lionel Ritchie has been certified platinum after selling more than one million units in just five weeks.

The country duets album has held the No 1 spot on the Billboard Top 200 for two consecutive weeks and is at No. 1 on the Billboard Country Albums chart for the fourth week since its March 26 release.

TASTE OF TAMWORTH

■ The successful Taste of Tamworth concerts continue on for 2012.

Featuring high profile artists Jetty Road, Tamara Stewart and Carter & Carter, the tour kicks off 26 July 26 at Bairnsdale RSL and will travel extensively around Victoria with numerous country and regional locations included.

All enquiries regarding the tour call 0416 075 638

● John Veritgan ■ Congratulations to Alex Hehr and Golden Days Radio 95.7 on the weekend interview with radio legend John Vertigan.

John spoke of his early days in Launceston, his cadetship at 3GL Geelong, and early days at 3UL Warragul before joining 3UZ. Alex’s chat with JV included memories of early radio industry personalities including Lewis Bennett, Henry Gay, Graham Kennedy, Rod Spargo, Bob Cornish and Mike Webb.

John also spoke of early days at 3DB, which he described as a career low point, his return to 3UZ, and retirement in 2008.

■ Melbourne radio-TV man John Deeks joined 3AW’s Simon Owens for a 90-minute extended interview at the weekend.

Deeks traced his professional career, both as a TV voiceover performer, and also in radio including stints at 3UZ. Simon is posting a series of interviews at his website: www.melbradcast.com

Radio Flashback

STARS SONGS REVISITED

● Derryn Hinch

Service for Sylvia Coleman

● Sylvia Coleman

Derryn back in hospital

■ Fans of the 70s country rock group Stars can relive the bands songs in a concert scheduled for June 2 at the Caravan Music Club ,Oakleigh.

Former lead singer Mick Pealing will join with local band The Prairie Oysters and perform the music from the classic Stars albums, Paradise, Land of Fortune and 1157.

More information 0411569180. www.caravanmusic. com.au - Rob Foenander

r Observbei z Show

John Deeks looks back

● A young Ken Sparkes appeared in a video production, Radio Boom, in 1966. Then at 3UZ, the promotional film is aimed at describing how radio fought back as a medium after the introduction of television.

The production includes Melbourne radio personalities including Les Heil (3KZ),, Gary Day (3AK), Keith Livingston (3UZ) , Dean Reynolds (3UZ), Stan Rofe (3KZ), Graham Boyd (3AK), Bob Baeck (3XY), Curteis Crawford (3DB), Ron Fowell (3AW), Lewis Bennett (3UZ) and Arthur Wyndham (ABC).

The Radio Boom video can be viewed at the ‘Australian Radio’ group established by the Melbourne Observer on Facebook.

■ A stylish ‘send-off’ funeral service is being held this morning (Wed.) in Sydney for Sylvia Coleman, mother of radio-TV personality Jonathan Coleman.

Mrs Coleman passed away on Wednesday last week (May 9) at the age of 86.

She was widow of Maurice Coleman, and mother of Jono and Sharon.

“OK it’s a funeral but I intend to give her a great and high spirited send off ... beacause she deserves it ... and thats what she told me she wanted,” Jono told Facebook friends this week.

Melbourne

Observer

On This Day

Wednesday, Thursday, May 17 May 16

Friday, May 18

Saturday, May 19

Sunday, May 20

Monday, May 21

Tuesday, May 22

■ Actor Henry Fonda was born in Nebraska in 1905. He died aged 77 in 1982.

Liberace (Wladziu Liberace), flamboyant pianist, was born in 1919. He died aged 67 in 1987.

Irish actor Pierce Brosnan was born in 1953 (59). He played James Bond.

■ American singer Perry Como was born in 1912. He died aged 88 in 1901.

Australian record producer Ron Tudor is 88 today. He was born in Gippsland in 1924.

Dwayne Hickman (Dobie Gills) is 78.

Newsreader Sandra Sully was born in Queensland in 1965 (47).

■ Dame Nellie Melba (Helen Mitchell) was born on this day in 1861 at Lilydale. She died aged 69 in 1931.

Pete Townshed, guitarist for The Who, was born in 1945 (67).

Actress Claudia Karvan was born in Sydney in 1972 (40).

Actor Nancy Kwan was born in 1939 (71).

■ Actor Jimmy Stewart was born in 1908.

He died aged 89 in 1997.

Musician Joe Cocker was born in Sheffield, England, in 1944 (68).

Cher (Cherilyn Le Pierre) was born in California in 1946. The singer and actresss is 68.

■ Jazz pianist and composer Fats Waller was born in 1904. He died aged 39 in 1943.

Perry Mason’s Raymond Burr was born in Canada in 1017. He died aged 76 in 1993.

Singer and musician Joe Camilleri was born in Malta in 1948 (64). His band was Jo Jo Zep and The Falcons.

■ Scottish writer Sir Arthur Conan Doyle was born in Edinburgh in 1859. He died aged 71 in 1930.

US-born radio and TV host Bob Dyer (Dies) was born in 1909. He died aged 74 in 1984.

Singer Linda Goerge was born in England in 1949 (63).

■ The late Professor Julius Sumner-Miller was born in the US in 1909.

He died aged 78 in 1987.

Actor Dennis Hopper, besdt known for Easy Rider, was born in 1936.

He died aged 74 in 2010.

Irish singer/songwriter Enya (Eithne Ni Bhraonain) is 51 (1961).

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

Find out more at www.birthdaybulletin.com.au

www.MelbourneObserver.com.au

Melbourne Observer - Wednesday, May 16, 2012 - Page 51

Page 52 - Melbourne Observer - Wednesday, May 16, 2012

Observer Showbiz

Movies, DVDs

With James Sherlock

Reviews by Aaron Rourke

Top 10 Lists

DVD & Blu-Ray Recommendations

● Screen great Gary Oldman (with John Hurt) gives an outstanding Oscar nominated performance as legendary spymaster George Smiley in the acclaimed Cold War thriller Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy. FILM: TINKER TAILOR SOLDIER SPY: Cast: Gary Oldman, Colin Firth, Toby Jones, Mark Strong, John Hurt, Tom Hardy.

Genre: Drama/Mystery.

Year: 2011.

Rating: MA15+.

Running Time: 127 Minutes.

Format: DVD and BLU-RAY. Stars: ***** Verdict: Set in the bleak days of the Cold War, British espionage veteran George Smiley is forced from semi-retirement to uncover a Soviet agent within MI6, also known as The Circus. This big screen adaptation of the classic spy novel by John Le Carre is a knockout, a thrilling and spellbinding tale of mystery and deception. Previously filmed for television in 1979 with the great Alec Guinness giving an unforgettable performance as the legendary George Smiley, this time it's Gary Oldman filling the coveted shoes and he is simply brilliant in an Oscar nominated performance, cementing the character firmly as his own, yet remaining faithful to the George Smiley we have come to know and respect from both the books and classic TV series without copying from either territory. Extremely intelligent, beautifully paced, enormously suspenseful, wonderfully atmospheric, with a magnificent cast all at their peak, this is the thinking man's James Bond, brimming with a visual inventiveness that perfectly captures the look and feel of the European Cold War climate thanks to the skilled direction by Tomas Alfredson from a compelling and totally believable screenplay by Bridget O'Connor and Peter Straughan. I can't wait for the next installment in the George Smiley saga, but in the meantime, this is not only one of the best films of this year, but any year by far, and destined to become a true classic!

FILM: THE MUPPETS: Cast: Jason Segal, Amy Adams, Chris Cooper, Rashida Jones.

Genre: Comedy/Family/Music/adventure.

Year: 2011.

Rating: G. Running Time: 99 Minutes.

Format: DVD and BLU-RAY. Stars: **** Verdict: The Muppets are back, and a delight it is to see them! The late great genius Jim Henson's wonderfully eccentric and mischievous bunch of furry friends are all here, Kermit, Miss Piggy, Fozzie Bear, Gonzo, Animal, Sam Eagle, Beaker, as well as the two oldest and cynical critics in the world, Waldorf and Statler, and many others, as they reunite in this fun filled family musical adventure to save the old Muppet theatre from a greedy oil tycoon, with the help of some fans along the way.

There's plenty for everyone to enjoy here, for Mum and Dad it's a laugh out loud journey down memory lane and for the kids it's simply great fun, and in true Muppet tradition there are a few familiar faces along the way including screen legends Mickey Rooney and Alan Arkin, as well as Whoopi Goldberg, Emily Blunt, and a few surprises. The Muppets shake, rattle and rock the screen with music and laughter as only they can do in one of their most enjoyable adventures to date, a journey that will put a smile on your face, a sprint in your step and a warmth in your heart, deliciously good old fashioned fun that grabs the kid in us all!

FILM: BADGE 373: Genre: Crime/Drama.

Cast: Robert Duvall, Verna Bloom, Eddie Egan.

Year: 1973.

Rating: TBC. Running Time: 116 Minutes.

Format: DVD. Stars: ** Verdict: The exploits of New York cop, Eddie "Popeye" Egan, were first brought to the screen in director William Friedkin's searing Oscar winning thriller The French Connection in 1971 with Gene Hackman as "Popeye" in his first Academy award winning performance, with the reallife Eddie Egan as his boss. Egan's adventures continued in the fictionalized sequel The French Connection II, and then back to the more realistic, and hugely underrated, The Seven Ups in 1973, and then came the thriller, Badge 373, Egan's actual badge number. This crime thriller has Eddie Ryan (played Robert Duvall), a tough, no-nonsense and abrasive Irish cop, who has to turn in his badge after a suspect falls to his death from a rooftop, but that doesn't stop him from heading out on a one-man crusade of revenge that leads him to a drug kingpin, and once again the real life Eddie Egan appears as Duval's Lieutenant. If this fourth outing sounds exciting, sadly it isn't. This is a bland and unimaginative attempt to recapture the thrills and excitement of the first three, with tireless results, it's only saving grace being a curiosity piece and nothing more.

- James Sherlock

Melbourne

Observer

The Wicker Man ■ (M) (1973). 100 minutes (Director's Cut) / 84 minutes (Theatrical Version). Now available on DVD. One of the most influential films to emerge from 1970s British cinema, The Wicker Man has lost none of its power to intrigue and unsettle.

The story centres on police sergeant Neil Howie (Edward Woodward), a devout Catholic and diligent officer who, after receiving an anonymous letter informing him that a yearold girl has gone missing, travels to the Scottish island of Summerisle, where the disappearance has occured.

Once there, Howie discovers that the people hold very different beliefs, and a faith that the visitor sees as outright paganism.

The island is run by Lord Summerisle (Christopher Lee) who embraces this way of life, but Howie is offended by the community's nonChristian behaviour, and starts to believe that this way of thinking may be linked to the child's disappearance.

What makes The Wicker Man so involving is its completely convincing atmosphere, and a story that develops cleverly and naturally, rather than throwing every twist and turn in your face.

The townsfolk seem authentically tight-knit, and the music plays an integral part in expressing how these people feel and how they view life.

The impressive locales are beautifully captured by cinematographer Harry Waxman (The Day The Earth Caught Fire / She), and Paul Giovanni's evocative score is also a major plus.

Woodward (Breaker Morant / Callan / Hot Fuzz) is excellent as the bemused but also conflicted Howie, and is in perfect harmony with the material. Lee (Dracula : Prince Of Darkness / Lord Of The Rings trilogy) is commanding as always, Britt Eklund (Get Carter / The Man With The Golden Gun / Scandal) is alluring as Willow, the woman who tests Howie's faith, and there is a nice appearance by Ingrid Pitt (The Vampire Lovers) as the local librarian.

The script by Anthony Shaffer (Sleuth / Frenzy) is intelligently structured, featuring colourful characters and witty dialogue, and director Robin Hardy allows everything to develop gradually, letting the intoxicating surroundings envelop us as the mystery slowly unfolds, leading to a truly memorable finale.

After many years of only being available in a severely truncated 84 minute version, we can now see the full 100 minute Director's Cut, which now gives Woodward's Howie character a much stronger foundation, as well as other moments that give the island inhabitants added flavour and detail.

A cult movie that definitely de-

serves its considerable following, The Wicker Man is a unique experience, and is unforgettable viewing (whatever you do, don't watch the terrible 2006 remake with Nicolas Cage).

RATING : *****

The Wicker Tree ■ (MA) (2011). 96 minutes. Coming soon.

While not in the same league as its predecessor, The Wicker Tree is sufficiently unusual to make it interesting, if uneven, viewing.

Set nearly 40 years after the original, we are introduced to Beth Boothby and Steve Thomson (Brittania Nicol and Henry Garrett), a young Texas couple who have recently found God and want to spread the word to others.

When they are invited (Beth is a successful singer) to the small Scottish town of Tressock they see this as the perfect opportunity to do so, particularly since the townsfolk seem to follow pagan-style beliefs.

As the two settle in at the expansive estate of rich businessman Lachlan Morrison (Graham McTavish) and his wife Delia (Jacqueline Leonard), they find it increasingly difficult to understand the community's specific convictions.

There are plenty of fascinating ideas and themes running through The Wicker Tree, but returning director Robin Hardy (now 82 years old) is not as strong a writer as Anthony Shaffer, and the satiric religious commentary sometimes feels clumsy and obvious, which stops the film's combination of humour and thriller from fully coming together.

There are however a number of clever modern touches to keep the material mildly compelling (with a near-end confrontation that is genuinely unsettling).

The biggest problem though is the acting, with performances being all over the place.

McTavish (Rambo) and Leonard are effective, especially towards the end; Prue Clarke is okay as the Morrison's housekeeper, and Honeysuckle Weeks (Foyle's War) and Clive Russell are barely adequate as Lolly and Beame respectively.

Garrett, but especially Nicol are just too weak as the young couple, muting the story's central power, and makes the finale feel somewhat flat and anti-climactic.

The film may have seemed more substantial with two strong actors in the leads (Edward Woodward is sorely missed here).

While not a complete success, The Wicker Tree still stands out for the simple reason that it wants to give audiences something different, and contains enough positives to make it worthy viewing.

RATING : *** - Aaron Rourke

THE AUSTRALIAN BOX OFFICE TOP TEN: 1. THE AVENGERS. 2. THE FIVE YEAR ENGAGEMENT. 3. THE LUCKY ONE. 4. THE BEST EXOTIC MARIGOLD HOTEL. 5. ACT OF VALOUR. 6. THE HUNGER GAMES. 7. AMERICAN PIE: REUNION. 8. BATTLESHIP. 9. SALMON FISHING IN THE YEMEN. 10. WISH YOU WERE HERE. NEW RELEASES AND COMING SOON TO CINEMAS AROUND AUSTRALIA: MAY 10: ANTON CHEKHOV'S THE DUEL, DARK SHADOWS, IRON SKY, SAFE, TRISHNA. MAY 17: THE DICTATOR, OVER THE HILL BAND, SILENT SOULS, WOMAN IN BLACK. THE DVD TOP SELLERS: 1. SHERLOCK HOLMES: A GAME OF SHADOWS [Adventure/Robert Downey Jr, Jude Law].

2. THE DESCENDANTS [Drama/ Comedy/George Clooney, Amara Miller, Shailene Woodley].

3. WAR HORSE [Drama/War/Jeremy Irvine, Peter Mullan, Emily Watson].

4. MISSION IMPOSSIBLE: GHOST PROTOCOL [Action/Tom Cruise, Jeremy Renner].

5. THE ADVENTURES OF TIN TIN [Family/Animated/Jamie Bell, Andy Serkis, Daniel Craig].

6. THE IRON LADY [Drama/Meryl Streep, Jim Broadbent].

7. HAPPY FEET TWO [Family/Animated/Robin Williams, Elijah Wood, Matt Damon].

8. WE BOUGHT A ZOO [Drama/ Matt Damon, Scarlett Johansson].

9. TOWER HEIST [Action/Comedy/ Matthew Broderick, Ben Stiller, Casey Affleck, Alan Alda].

10. PUSS IN BOOTS [Animated/ Family/Antonio Banderas, Selma Hayek].

Also: STRAW DOGS, THE TWILIGHT SAGA: BREAKING DAWN Part One, ATTACK THE BLOCK, DRIVE, THE EYE OF THE STORM, MIDNIGHT IN PARIS, MONEYBALL, THE IDES OF MARCH, MACHINE GUN PREACHER, MELANCHOLIA. NEW RELEASE HIGHLIGHTS ON DVD THIS WEEK: TINKER TAILOR SOLDIE SPY [Drama/Gary Oldman, Colin Firth, Tom Hardy].

THE MUPPETS [Family/Adventure/ Amy Adams, Jason Segal, Chris Cooper].

YOUNG ADULT [Drama/Comedy/ Charlize Theron, Patton Oswalt, Patrick Wilson].

30 MINUTES OR LESS [Action/ Comedy/Fred Ward, Jesse Eisenberg, Danny McBride].

THE WOMAN ON THE 6TH FLOOR [Comedy/Natalia Verbeke, Fabrice Luchini].

NEW & RE-RELEASE CLASSICS ON DVD HIGHLIGHTS: BADGE 373 [Action/Crime/ Drama/Robert Duvall, Verna Bloom, Eddie Egan].

Turn To Page 59

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ShowBiz!

Melbourne Observer - Wednesday, May 16, 2012 - Page 53

Observer Showbiz

Sing-a-long Sound of Music

TV, Radio, Theatre Latest Melbourne show business news - without fear or favour

REASONS TO BE PRETTY

The Spoiler For Those Who Have Lost The Plot

Neighbours ■ 6.30pm. Weeknights. Eleven.

■ M

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

■ Mon

● Paul Denny in Reasons To Be Pretty at Theatre Works from May 31-June 17.

Photo: Sarah Walker ■ Square Peg Productions presents the Melbourne premiere of Neil LaBute’s Reasons To Be Pretty, from May 31 to June 17 at Theatre Works, St Kilda.

This work is a fierce addition to LaBute’s ‘Beauty Plays’, which include his other works Fat Pig and The

by Cheryl Shape of Things.

LaBute wrote these plays over a Threadgold 10-year period as a comment on our culture’s determined fixation with vanity and physical attractiveness.

With this acid-laced comedy, he pointedly asks us: how much is pretty ■ Circus Oz presents From The worth?

Ground Up from June 20 – July 15 in Greg’s tight-knit social circle is the Circus Oz Big Top, Birrarung thrown into turmoil when an offhand Marr, between Federation Square remark about a female co-worker’s and Batman Avenue, Melbourne. pretty face gets back to his girlfriend.

The Circus Oz 2012 ensemble will When Greg’s best friend and his include new faces Ghenoa Gela, wife also enter the picture, the emo- Ruby Rowatt, Shane Witt and Dale tional equation becomes more com- Woodbridge, who have just complicated. pleted The Lab 2012 – an eight-week As their relationships crumble, research and creative development four friends are forced to confront a program identifying and refining new sea of deceit, infidelity and betrayed performance ideas – while the poputrust on their quest to answer an all lar Steampowered tour concluded in important question.

America.

Starring AFI nominated actor Paul With a spring-loaded love of the Denny, Square Peg Productions in absurd, Circus Oz ‘s new show From conjunction with Sassy Red Produc- The Ground Up is a rebellion against tions, brings together an experienced the generic. T team of professional actors and he diverse home-grown mob of creatives for this premiere season. quick-witted stunt jumpers come fully Season: May 31 – June 17Times: charged and ready to go. PowerWed – Sat 8.00pm, Sun 6.30pm, Sat packed aerialists, knockabout jugmatinee 2.00pm. glers, live-wire musicians, all acroVenue: Theatre Works, 14 Acland batically suspended in disbelief.

St., St Kilda.

Season: June 20 – July 15. DuraTickets: $32 Full, $27 Concession, tion: 2 hours (including 20 minute in$25 Groups 10+ terval). Venue: Circus Oz Big Top. Bookings: 9534 3388 or Bookings: ticketmaster.com.au and www.theatreworks.org.au 136 100. www.reasons2bepretty.com - Cheryl Threadgold

Independent Theatre

● Chelsea Plumley ■ The hugely popular Sing-A-Long-A Sound of Music returns to the Arts Centre Melbourne, State Theatre for three performances only: (Friday-Saturday, July 20-21, 7.30pm), and matinee (Saturday, July 21 at 1pm).

Talented and effervescent Chelsea Plumley returns to hosting duties to guide the audience through an interactive experience and tribute to The Sound of Music.

Sound of Music is an audience participation event where the host Chelsea Plumley leads a vocal warmup, gives a guide to the use of the interactive fun pack and accompanying actions and judges the Costume Parade - a highlight of the night that separates the diehards from the dabblers!

Fans cheer on Julie Andrews, wolf-whistle Christopher Plummer, hiss the Baroness and boo the Nazis!

A sea of black and white floods the foyer of the State Theatre year after year as fans eagerly dressed as nuns gather for the show and sing a few of their favourite songs. Audience members have dressed as anything and everything from the movie: Maria, girls in white dresses with blue satin sashes, plumbers (Christopher Plummers!) the Alps, brown paper packages tied up with string, goats (with or without lonely goatherds), larks that are learning to pray - the possibilities are endless ... limited only by imagination.

The Sound of Music is the most successful movie musical of all time and the number one family film. It features one of the most irresistible scores in movie history.

Released in 1965 by 20th Century Fox - written by Richard Rodgers and Oscar Hammerstein and directed

by Robert Wise the film was shot in the Austrian Alps of Salzburg; and is based on the true story of Austrian singing family ‘von Trapp’, who became famous and toured the States in the 1940s.

When The Sound of Music screened in Germany, the film was cut after the wedding, shedding a third of the movie's length and nearly all of the anti Nazi content. When Fox got wind and demanded the footage be reinstated the film bombed badly.

Venue:: Arts Centre Melbourne, State Theatre Dates: Friday-Saturday, July 20-21at 7.30pm and Saturday, July 21 matinee at 1pm Bookings: www.artscentremelbourne.com.au Phone: 1300 182 183; www.ticketmaster.com.au 136 100 Prices:: Adults $52 / Group (8 or over) $47 / Concession $45 / Family (2 Adults 2 Children) $150 / Child (under 15) $35

Circus Oz

● Mason West and Shane Witt rehearse with Stevee Mills for Circus Oz’s latest show From The Ground Up, running from June 20 – July 15 at Birrarung Marr.

Photo: Rob Blackburn

Nine must improve

■ The Nine Network’s GTV 9 Melbourne has agreed to measures aimed at improving its captioning service, following an Australian Communications and Media Authority investigation into its broadcast of the program, Two and a Half Men last year.

The ACMA found that GTV 9 breached its licence condition by failing to provide a captioning service for Two and a Half Men. This was because the captions actually broadcast were not adequately synchronised with the visual component of the program.

The significant delays (typically in excess of six seconds) meant much of the comedy program (which is heavily reliant on timing for jokes and story) was inaccessible for deaf and hearing impaired viewers.

Under the Broadcasting Services Act, commercial television broadcasting licensees must provide a captioning service for all television programs broadcast during prime viewing hours (6pm to 10.30pm) and all news and current affairs programs.

The ACMA say it welcomes GTV’s initiatives to address issues relating to captioning. The station has agreed to assign a staff member to manage the captioning of late arriving programs.

The station will make special arrangements for late arriving programs required to be live captioned , and follow specific procedures, such as sourcing any original USA caption file.

The station has agreed to provide the ACMA with monthly compliance reports and quarterly reports prepared by an independent auditor to identify any systemic captioning problems.

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Solution on Page 40

Melbourne Observer - Wednesday, May 16, 2012 - Page 55

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Page 56 - Melbourne Observer - Wednesday, May 16, 2012

Observer Showbiz AUDITIONS ■ Peridot Theatre: Me and Jezebel (by Elizabeth Fuller) May 20 from 3.00pm at the Unicorn Theatre, Lechte Rd., Mt Waverley. Director: Helen Ellis. 1 female required in 35 - 55 years age group. Enquiries: 0429 355 465 or ellisproductions@me.com ■ Williamstown Musical Theatre Company: Disney's High School Musical, May 18 - 21 at MDX Dance Studios, Unit 2/ 1 Akuna Drive, Williamstown. Directors: Ang Cuy and Stuart Dodge. Audition bookings: 1300 881 545.

■ Altona City Theatre: Sweeney Todd May 20, 22, 24, 27 at the Hobsons Bay Community Workshop, 280 Queen St., Altona. Director: Dean Mitchelmore; Musical Director: Ian Nisbet. Audition bookings: 9398 5508.

■ Croydon Parish Players: HMS Pinafore May 28, 29 at the Croydon Uniting Church Hall, Tallent St., Croydon. Director: Phillip Crompton: Musical Director: Andrea Crompton.

Enquiries: cromptstar@aanet.com.au ■ Strathmore Theatrical Arts Group (STAG): Doubt (by John Patrick Shanley) June 3 at 6.00pm and June 4 at 7.00pm at the Strathmore Community Hall, Loeman St., Strathmore.

Director: Mel de Bono. Audition bookings: 9467 1502.

■ The Basin Theatre Group: Over My Dead Body June 13 at 7.30pm at The Basin Theatre, Doongalla Rd., The Basin.

Director: Joe Tuppenney. Audition enquiries: 8711 3076.

SHOWS ■ Brighton Theatre Company: Three Days of Rain (by Richard Greenberg) May 24 - June 9 at Brighton Theatre, Cnr. Wilson and Carpenter Sts., Brighton. Director: Doug Bennett.

Tickets: $20/$18. Bookings: 1300 752 126 www.brightontheatreco.com ■ Moreland Theatre Company: Twelfth Night (by William Shakespeare) May 24 - June 2 at the Mechanics Institute, 270 Sydney Rd., Brunswick. Director: Sam Browne. Tickets: $20/ $15. www.moreland.org.au ■ Phoenix Theatre Company: A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum May 25 - June 2 at the Doncaster Playhouse. Director/Choreographer: Renee Maloney; Musical Director: Katie Packer. Bookings: ■ Werribee Theatre Company: Busybody (by Jack Popplewell) May 25 - June 2 at the Crossroads Theatre, Cnrs.

Synnot St and Duncans Rd., Werribee. Tickets: $20. Bookings: 0401 800 196 www.werribeetheatrecompany.org.au ■ Lilydale Athenaeum Theatre Company: MASH May 30 - June 16 at 39-41 Castella St., Lilydale. Director: Adrian Carr. Tickets: $25/$22. Bookings: 9735 1777 www.lilydaleatc.com

Local Theatre Melbourne

Observer

With Cheryl Threadgold

SUNSET BOULEVARD SHOWS ■ CLOC Musical Theatre: Sunset Boulevard Until May 19 at the National Theatre, Cnr Barkly and Carlisle Sts., St Kilda.

Bookings: 1300 362547 or online www.cloc.org.au ■ Mordialloc Theatre Company: The Heiress (by Ruth and Augustus Goetz) Until May 19 at the Shirley Burke Theatre, 64 Parkers Rd., Parkdale. Director: Vicki Smith. Tickets: $24/$22/ $20. Bookings: 9587 5141.

■ Williamstown Musical Theatre Company: Red Hot and Cole Until May 19 at 8.00pm, at the Williamstown Mechanics Institute, Cnr Melbourne Rd and Electra St., Williamstown. Director: Anna Marinelli; Musical Director: Malcolm Fawcett; Choreographer: Carla Gianinotti. Tickets: $32/$28. Opening Night Black Tie $35. Bookings: 1300 881 545. www.wmtc.org.au ■ Gemco Players Community Theatre Inc: A Season of Ken Purdham (Three plays on love, life and death written by Ken Purdham) May 18, 19 at 8.00pm and May 19 at 2.30pm at the Gem Performing Arts Centre, Kilvington Drive, Emerald. Bookings: 0411 723530 www.gemcoplayers.org ■ Southern Peninsula Players: Fawlty Towers (John Cleese and Connie Booth) Featuring: The Anniversary, The Psychiatrist and Kipper and the Corpse. May 17, 18, 19 at 8.00pm, May 20 at 2.00pm at the Rosebud Memorial Hall. Director: Evan Knoble.

Tickets: $20/$15. Bookings: 5982 2777 or visit Rosebud Carpets, Pt. Nepean Rd., Rosebud.

■ Nova Music Theatre: Miss Saigon Until May 26 at the Whitehorse Centre, 397 Whitehorse Rd., Nunawading. Director: Noel Browne; Musical Director: John Clancy; Choreographer: Wayne Robinson. Bookings: www.novamusictheatre.com.au or 1300 305771.

■ The Basin Theatre Group: Bullshot Crummond Until June 3, Thurs - Sat at 8.00pm, Sun at 2.00pm at The Basin Theatre, Doongalla Rd., The Basin. Director: Cameron South. Tickets: $22 (incl. program, refreshments, supper, parking). Bookings: 1300 784 668 (7-9pm only) or www.thebasintheatre.org.au ■ Torquay Theatre Troupe: Rabbit Hole (by David Lindsay Abaire) May 17 - 26 at 16 Price St., Torquay. Director: Gay Bell.

Tickets: $19/$15. Bookings: 5261 9035.

■ Strathmore Theatrical Arts Group (STAG): Scrubbers (written and directed by Cenarth Fox) May 31 - June 9 at the Strathmore Community Hall, Loeman St., Strathmore. Tickets: $20/$15. Bookings: 9382 6284.

■ Swan Hill Theatre Group: Oliver! May 31 - June 16 at the McCrae St. Theatre, Swan Hill. Director: Nikki Holt. Evening performances: 7.30pm, matinee at 2.00pm. Bookings: 0438 006274.

Presidents together

● From left is Janine Chugg (President of Beaumaris Theatre), Margot Sephton (President of MLOC) and Trish Angliss (President of Aspect).

■ On April 28, Aspendale Gardens-based Aspect Theatre, held a fund-raising Trivia Night and was well supported by members from Beaumaris Theatre, MLOC Productions and Aspect, which made for a very successful evening.

Former President John Egan was able to photograph the three company Presidents together on the night.

SHOWS

■ Mansfield Music and Drama Society: Footloose the Musical May 18 - 26 at the Performing Arts Centre, View St., Mansfield.

Director: Michael Isbister. Tickets: $20/$15. Bookings: 0413 740069.

■ Warragul Theatre Company: Carmen - The musical, May 18 - 26 at the West Gippsland Arts Centre. Director: Michelle Carrigy; Musical Director: David Williams; Choreographer: Emmalee Meisels. Bookings: 5624 2456 www.wgac.org.au ■ 1812 Theatre: I Hate Hamlet (by Paul Rudnick) May 24 June 16 at 3-5 Rose St., Upper Ferntree Gully. Director: John Mills. Tickets: $25. Bookings: 9758 3964 or www.1812theatre.com.au

Cheryl Threadgold on 3AW ■ Non-Pro Theatre columnist Cheryl Threadgold is heard weekly on 3AW Melbourne Overnight program hosted by Andrew McLaren. Cheryl presents a segment with the latest community theatre news at 12.45am Wednesdays.

INDEPENDENT THEATRE ACROSS MELBOURNE

■ Arts House and Next Wave Festival have formed a strong and creative partnership to present The Exchange, a reciprocal process of development, presentation and exchange, facilitated by artist and creative producer Jeff Stein.

The first program will be presented from May 19 – 22 and the second from May 24 – 27 at Arts House, North Melbourne Town Hall, The Exchange features two programs by two groups of exciting young artists: Australians Justin Shoulder, Toby Knyvett and Nick Wales and the next generation of Castellucci family, who together with Eugenio Resta, form Italy’s Dewey Dell.

The 2012 Next Wave Festival is a nine day explosion of new art experiences where Arts House will host eight contemporary performance projects at the North Melbourne Town Hall and five audacious arts collectives in residence at the Meat Market as a reciprocal development and presentation between Australia and Italy.

Arts House creative producer, Angharad Wynne-Jones, explained that The Exchange is an opportunity for audiences to witness the connections and sensibilities in the creation of this adventurous new performance, “The double bill of Dewey Dell and Justin Shoulder and collaborators in two very different programs over a two week period is very exciting partnership between all the artists involved.”

Venue: Arts House, North Melbourne Town

Hall, 521 Queensberry Street, North Melbourne Program 1: Saturday, May 19 – Tuesday, May 22 at 9pm. 75 minutes with interval.

Program 2: Thursday, May 24 - Sunday, May 27 at 9pm. 85 minutes with interval.

Tickets: Full $30 / Conc $25 . Programs 1 and 2: Full $50/Conc $40 artshouse.com.au or 9322 3713 www.melbourne.vic.gov.au/ArtsHouse/ Program/Pages/ExchangeProgram1.aspx www.melbourne.vic.gov.au/ArtsHouse/ Program/Pages/ExchangeProgram2.aspx

Bindjareb Pinjarra ■ The Footscray Community Arts Centre will be the venue for the official Melbourne season of the Bindjareb Pinjarra national tour from June 12 – 16.

Produced by the Pinjarra Project, auspiced

by Deckchair Theatre, with tour coordination

by Country Acts WA, Bindjareb Pinjarra is locally presented in a creative partnership between Ilbijerri Theatre Company and the Footscray Community Arts Centre to present a highly acclaimed interstate produced work performed across Australia to more than 25,000 indigenous and non-Indigenous audiences.

The presentation of this project extends Footscray Community Arts Centre’s established Indigenous Cultural Program that provides opportunities for the Indigenous communities

of Melbourne’s west to participate in cultural, artistic and creative outcomes that enhance cultural safety and promote strong Indigenous identity and pride.

Created and performed by Nyoongar and Wadjella (whitefella) actors, Bindjareb Pinjarra is an improvised comedy about Western Australia’s Pinjarra Massacre.

The work demonstrates extraordinary risk talking through its fusion of history, outrageous comedy and physical theatre.

With its enormous amount of humour and goodwill, Bindjareb Pinjarra is not a grim, finger-wagging exercise, but is lively and entertaining.

As an important example of shared history, Bindjareb Pinjarra acknowledges that black and white Australians can move forward together to create a better future as one people.

The catalyst for this theatrical history lesson is the mass killing of Nyoongar people at Pinjarra (approximately 100 kilometres south of Perth) on October 28, 1834 – an event recorded as the Battle of Pinjarra, but mourned by local Nyoongar as a massacre.

Performances: June 13, 14 at 1.00pm and 7.00pm, June 15, 16 at 7.00pm Venue: Performance Space at Footscray Community Arts Centre, 45 Moreland St, Footscray Duration: 120 minutes, including interval and post-show Q&A with the cast

Cost: $20 full, $15 concession Bookings: www.trybooking.com/BJOA Enquiries: 9362 8888 Warning: Some coarse language.

Further information www.pinjarramassacresite.com ● From Page 49

The project was facilitated by writer and performer Rebecca Lister, with assistance from Support After Suicide counsellor, Martin Ryan.

A copy of the book Nothing Prepared Me For This can be obtained from www.supportaftersuicide.org.au , email aftersuicide@jss.org.au or phone 9421 7640.

- Cheryl Threadgold

www.MelbourneObserver.com.au

Melbourne Observer - Wednesday, May 16, 2012 - Page 57

Page 58 - Melbourne Observer - Wednesday, May 16, 2012

www.MelbourneObserver.com.au

www.MelbourneObserver.com.au

Melbourne Observer - Wednesday, May 16, 2012 - Page 59

Melbourne

Observer Victorian Sport

Showbiz Extra ■ From Page 52

Top 10 Lists

MAGIC MILLIONS WINNER

■ Australia's finest breeding stock will go under the hammer at the upcoming Magic Millions National Sales on the Gold Coast.

Comprising an outstanding lineup of weanlings, yearlings, fillies, broodmares, breeding stock, and racehorses, will make up their National Sales on May 28.

Ted Ryan

Observer Racing

National Broodmare ■ More than 600 quality lots have been catalogued for the 2012 sales, highlighting more than 120 stakes performed mares and over 100 maiden mares straight off the track, including 22 who have achieved Black type.

Among them Group One winners, Diana Cazadora, France Soir, the well performed Ha Ha, formerly trained by Gai Waterhouse, Kirby's Song, Miss Keepsake, Penny Gem, Smart Choice, the very smart, Scarlett Lady, Sixty Seconds, Vitesse Dane, and Zola.

Among the Group Two winners we have: Catnipped, Champagne Harmony, Conquistar, Eureka Jewel, Funtantes, Haliberry, Mulan and Vintedge.

Group Three winners include the talented Bliss Street, Chenar, Clothilde, GracefulAnna, Magic Millions two year old winner, the highly respected Karuta Queen, Patronyme, Pride of Class, Princess Pulse, Triple Asset, Twilight Savings, and Vietnam.

Among the better known listed winners are: Born to Rock, Dowager Queen, Impressive Eagle, Permissive and Satin Robes.

Top class ■ The covering sires list reads like a Who's Who. They include the all conquering Bel Espirit, Sire of Black Caviar, Casino Prince, sire of All Too Hard, a half brother to Black Caviar out of the same mare Helsinge, Charge Forward, Choisir, Commands, Danehill Dancer, Danzero, Encosta De

Lago, Exceed and Excel, Falvelon, Fastnet Rock, sire of champion filly, Atlantic Jewel, Flying Spur, Haradasun and High Chaparral, who sired the brilliant twice winner, of the Cox Plate, now an international star, So You Think.

Then you have Hussonet, Jet Spur, and Australia's leading sire, Lohnro, who sired the brilliant Pierro, winner of his only six starts including the Golden Slipper, the Sires and the Champagne stakes.

To round it off you have Magic Albert, More Than Ready, who produced Blue Diamond Stakes winner, Samaready, NotA Single Doubt, Shamardal, sire of Victoria Derby winner, Shamrocker, another top producer, Show A Heart, boom sire, Snitzel, then Starcraft, Stratum, Street Cry, sire of Whobegotyou, Tale of the Cat, and the top Victorian sire, Testa Rossa, who has taken all before him.

Sizzling ■ Another son of the top sire, Snitzel, returned to racing with a vengeance at the Gold Coast recently.

Top Queensland colt, Sizzling, showed he back to his best with a tough win in the listed Ken Russell Memorial over the 1200 metre trip.

Racing for the first time since finishing a close fourth in the $2 million BMW Magic

Millions 2 year-old Classic, he couldn't have been more impressive, streaking home to win by 4.5 lengths.

However starting a short priced favorite, Snitzel, gave his connections some concerns early in the run, when he struggled to go the early pace.

Despite being forced off the track rounding the turn, the son of top sire, Snitzel, quickly gathered in the leaders to race away to win brilliantly.

Winning rider, Chris Munce, said the colt doesn't possess early speed , but is very strong in the run home.

"He's all class, but very laid back; not a bounce and run type".

A $260,000 purchase for renowned bloodstock agent, John Foote, from the Evergreen Stud farm draft at last year's Magic Millions Gold Coast Yearling sales, he is certainly an exciting colt, who looks the type to clash with the best.

● Sizzling. Photo: Dan Costello This now takes his ■ If a horse has a red ject of jumps racing; earnings to just under ribbon on its tail, it is a especially after a great carnival at Warr$200,000, with plenty sign that it kicks.

There you have it, nambool, jumps racmore to be added for his connections and now I am with it; you ing returns to Sporttrainer, Kelso Wood at are never too old to ing Bet Park learn.

(Sandown), on SaturEagle Farm. day June 2, with the running of the Australian Hurdle and ■ I was intrigued to ■ In a couple of Steeple on the same read an interesting item weeks I will have an day.

Then jumping rein the latest edition of update on the Big Keeping Track, the Gold Rush and jumps turns to Sandown on magazine put out to meeting at Bendigo on Sunday July 15, with the Grand National members of the Sunday, June 17.

I was in touch with Hurdle the main atMelbourne Racing Bendigo Jockey Club, traction, and then two Club.

It makes very inter- CEO, Ian Hart, who weeks later the Grand esting reading, espe- is finalising everything National Steeple will be run at Sporting Bet cially if you are into the for the big day.

While on the sub- Park. quirky things about anything that moves.

Did you know?

■ Leonardo Da Vinci liked to draw horses.

■ Horses teeth never stop growing speed, moving to a ■ It takes 9-12 lovely one/one spot months to re-grow an ■ Popular Nagam- following David entire horse hoof. trainer Aiken's red-hot ■ A horse's knee joint bie/Avenel is the equivalent to a Michael Hayes was in favourite Sapphire Lil human wrist, and their the winners stall at which had moved forhock joint is similar to Kilmore, when 6-Y-0 ward from inside the Village Jasper/Spy second line to park the human ankle.

■ You can tell if a Catcher mare Village outside the surprise horse is dehydrated by Spy scored a well leader Western Conpinching their skin, if it overdue victory in the nection. takes time to return Kliger Partners LawEased wide on turnfrom the pinch, they yers Pace for R2 & R4 class over 2180 metres ing, Village Spy ran need water. home stylishly to gain ■ As well as using at Kilmore.

With Leigh Sutton the day over Sapphire them to fly swat, horses use their tails to send in the bike, Village Spy Lil who tried hard, but signals to each other from the dreaded out- had nothing to offer about how they are side front line was able over the concluding to angle in just off the stages, giving Avenel feeling. the quinella, with Western Connection holding down third.

The mile rate 2-01.4.

Facts

To Bendigo

Sulky Snippets

At Kilmore

At Melton

● Magic Millions sales ring

■ David Aiken's iron horse 7-Y-0 Tinted Cloud/Cabsav Jaccka was again a tough victor, when successful in the Radio Sport National Bold David Free For All over 2240 metres at Melton. ● More from Len Baker on Page 60

NEW RELEASE TELEVISION, DOCUMENTARY AND MUSIC DVD HIGHLIGHTS: YOU DON'T KNOW JACK [Drama/TV/Al Pacino, John Goodman, Brenda Vaccaro].

MILDRED PIERCE [Drama/TV/Kate Winslet, Guy Pearce, Evan Rachel Wood].

TEMPLE GRANDIN [Drama/TV/Claire Danes, Julia Ormond, David Strathairn].

LAND GIRLS: Series One [Drama/War/TV].

LAND GIRLS: Series Two [Drama/War/TV].

FRY'S PLANET WORLD [Comedy/TV/Stephen Fry, Brian Blessed].

ONEDIN LINE: Series 6.

RUSH: Series 4.

MAPPING THE WORLD [Documentary/TV].

SESAME STREET: ELMO'S SHAPE ADVENTURE. SESAME STREET: ELMO'S MUSIC MAGIC. TOP BLU-RAY SELLERS: 1. SHERLOCK HOLMES: A GAME OF SHADOWS [Adventure/Robert Downey Jr, Jude Law].

2. THE DESCENDANTS [Drama/Comedy/ George Clooney, Amara Miller, Shailene Woodley].

3. WAR HORSE [Drama/War/Jeremy Irvine, Peter Mullan, Emily Watson].

4. THE ADVENTURES OF TIN TIN - 3D & 2D Blu-ray [Family/Animated].

5. MISSION IMPOSSIBLE: GHOST PROTOCOL [Action/Tom Cruise, Jeremy Renner].

6. HAPPY FEET TWO - 3D & 2D Blu-ray [Family/Animated/Robin Williams].

7. PUSS IN BOOTS 2D, 3D + DVD [Animated/Family/Antonio Banderas, Selma Hayek].

8. THE IRON LADY [Drama/Meryl Streep, Jim Broadbent].

9. TOWER HEIST [Action/Comedy/Matthew Broderick, Ben Stiller, Casey Affleck, Alan Alda].

10. WE BOUGHT A ZOO [Drama/Matt Damon, Scarlett Johansson].

Also: Straw Dogs, The Twilight Saga: Breaking Dawn Part One, Drive, Attack The Block, Machine Gun Preacher, Midnight in Paris, The Ides of March, Moneyball, The Eye of the Storm, Melancholia.

NEW RELEASE HIGHLIGHTS ON BLU-RAY THIS WEEK: TINKER TAILOR SOLDIE SPY [Drama/Gary Oldman, Colin Firth, Tom Hardy].

THE MUPPETS [Family/Adventure/Amy Adams, Jason Segal, Chris Cooper].

MILDRED PIERCE [Drama/TV/Kate Winslet, Guy Pearce, Evan Rachel Wood].

YOUNG ADULT [Drama/Comedy/Charlize Theron, Patton Oswalt, Patrick Wilson].

30 MINUTES OR LESS [Action/Comedy/Fred Ward, Jesse Eisenberg, Danny McBride].

THE WOMAN ON THE 6TH FLOOR [Comedy/Natalia Verbeke, Fabrice Luchini].

- James Sherlock

The Goat or, Who is Sylvia?

■ Following the success of their 2011 season, 5pound Theatre’s first play for 2012 opens on May 29 with the award winning Edward Albee play, The Goat, or Who is Sylvia?

The Goat or, Who is Sylvia?, is a bitingly funny, tragic and controversial discourse on the limits of love, and makes no apologies for pushing moral boundaries through themes of homosexuality, infidelity, incest, pedophilia and bestiality.

With a surprisingly funny and deft touch, Albee doesn’t preach or teach, but rather asks us to examine our own limits of acceptance, and challenges our views of love, family and morality.rthday and his recent career successes.

Dates: May 29 – June 9 Tuesday - Saturday Time: 7.30pm Location: The Collingwood Underground Car Park. 44 Harmsworth St, Collingwood Full $23. Concession $18. Groups $15.

Children $10. www.5pound.com.au - Julie Cavanagh

Page 60 - Melbourne Observer - Wednesday, May 16, 2012

www.MelbourneObserver.com.au

Melbourne

Observer Victorian Sport Racing Briefs

Good start at Nyah ■ First starter Sonny Capall, a 6-Y-0 Armbro Operative/Killarney Lass gelding trained by Colin Lyon in the Echuca area, opened proceedings by taking out the Nyah Vicbred Trophy for C0 class over 2170 metres at Nyah on Tuesday May 8.

Driven by Brian Gath, Sonny Capall led throughout from gate four in defeating the consistent Modern Star (one/three - three wide at bell), with Shakas Magic (one/one) third. The mile rate 2-04.1.

Pressure on pacemaker ■ Echuca's Wayne Lear was in the winners stall at Nyah following the victory of in-form 5-Y-0 Safely Kept/Macraysheezallthat gelding Run Forest in the Coburn's Earth Moving Pace for C2 class over 2170 metres in 2-02.5.

Caught outside the leader Demolition Dave (gate two) from outside the front row, reinsman Duncan Dornauf applied pressure to the pacemaker within a lap to cross and assume the front running role.

Always travelling nicely, Run Forest which had received a concessional claim, defied all challengers to score from a game Jordylan which raced outside him, with Demolition Dave third after having every chance on turning.

Landed the Handicap ■ At Maryborough on Monday, Kialla's Steve O'Donoughue landed the Harness Breeders (Vic) Trotters Handicap for T0 or better class (mares) over 2190 metres with recent stable addition Heather Castleton, a 4-Y-0 daughter of Sundon and Anna Castleton.

Driven by Jodi Quinlan, Heather Castleton was given an easy time at the head of affairs from the pole, defeating Atego Lilly which raced outside her in a rate of 2-09.5, with Duchess Pat (one/one) third.

Coated to front ■ Rochester duo Graham Locke (part-owner/ trainer) and reinsman son Dwayne brought up victory number nine with 4-Y-0 Village Jasper/Diva La Diva gelding Road To Rock when successful in the Hunter Rural Pace for C2 & C3 class over 2190 metres at Shepparton on Wednesday.

First up since January, Road To Rock from gate three on the second line settled four back in the moving line for a short period, before being sent forward approaching the bell to park outside the pacemaker and second favourite Educated Lady for the final circuit.

Coasting to the front prior to the home turn, About To Rock registered a 5.3 metre victory in 1-59.6 over Our Maylan (one/one at bell), with Lifes A Lombo running home late from four back the markers for third.

10th win from 48 runs ■ Nagambie's Chris Lang (Snr and Jnr) snared the quinella in the Saddleworld Trotters Handicap for T1 or better class over 2190 metres at Shepparton with Amelia Darling and Topnotch Dream.

Despite a bad beginning from a 20 metre handicap, Amelia Darling (Jnr) proved too strong for her stablemate Topnotch Dream over the concluding stages, with the pair both trailing three wide in the last lap. Sparks Ignite one/one finished third.

A 5-Y-0 daughter of Kadabra and Africa, Amelia Darling returned a mile rate of 2-05.1 in chalking up her 10th victory in 48 outings.

Horses To Follow ■ Miss Dilly, I Want Candy, Mach Robyn, La Bella Aurora, Arjays Bonus, Taw, Our Maylan, Finedropofred, Georgefromguam.

VICBRED SUPER SERIES EXCITES ■ Super Series racing continued throughout the week in Victoria, with heats held at Shepparton on Wednesday, Geelong on Thursday and two Semi-Finals at Tabcorp Park Melton on Friday.

Hopetoun Park trainer/driver Greg Sugars' quality Bettors Delight/ Machane filly La Machane was a comfortable winner of the 4th Heat for Three Year Old Fillies over 2190 metres at Shepparton on Wednesday.

Beaten for speed from gate three by a flying Kensington Palace outside her, La Machane enjoyed a cosy passage trailing the pacemaker, before using the sprint lane to gain the day in advance of Ymbro Toto (one/one) in a rate of 1-59.4, with Hexam Heartbeat a game third after racing in the open.

Keayang Steamer (Riverboat King/Alimar Star) landed the 2nd Heat for Three Year Old Colts and Geldings over 2100 metres at Geelong.

Trained at Terang by Marg Lee and driven by nephew Glen Craven, Keayang Steamer from the pole trailed the leader Barkers Hall (gate five), before making full use of the sprint lane to score from a most unlucky Mr Nickel (near last at bell), with Barkers Hall holding down third. The mile rate 2-00.1.

The two Semi-Finals at Melton for Four Year Old Entires and Geldings over 2240 metres were exciting affairs, the first going the way of the Alan Tubbs trained and Greg Sugars driven Melpark Maestro (Armbro Operative/ Golden Forest), a half brother to former Victoria Cup winner Melpark Major by Iraklis.

Settling mid-field in the moving line, Melpark Maestro followed the hot favourite Abettorpunt home three wide from the bell, with the pair drawing away on straightening.

In a thrilling two horse war all the way up the running, Melpark Maestro prevailed by a half head in 1-56.6, with Keayang Cullen running home late for third.

Heat two was even more thrilling, with beautifully bred Falcon Seelster/Jadah Rose entire Jadahson scoring by a half head in a tricky finish over semi-stablemate Ronald George in 1-58.3.

Trained at Smythes Creek by Emma Stewart and driven by John Caldow, Jadahson from the extreme draw settled a ‘mile’ off the leader Keayang Rustler, with the favourite Suave Stuey

Baker’s Delight

Harness Racing

This Week’s Meetings ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ Melbourne

Observer

lenbaker@ bigpond.net.au

with Len Baker

Lombo ahead of him.

Easing into the three wide line at the bell with Timeless Era leading up that division, both Jadahson and Suave Stuey Lombo were very wide approaching the home turn, with Keayang Rustler still at the head of affairs.

With runs coming from all directions on straightening, Ronald George after trailing the leader and using the sprint line appeared as though he was going to cause a major upset, while Jadahson sprouted wings down the outside fence to gain the judge's nod on the wire in advance of Ronald George, Keayang Rustler, Cut For An Ace and Lombo Flashlight in a rate of 1-58.3. The margins being a half head, head, head and a half neck.

Unfortunately Suave Stuey Lombo failed to qualify for next week's Final.

Tatlow Classic ■ Heats of the time honoured Tatlow Stakes for Two Year Old Colts and Geldings over 2240 metres were held at Tabcorp Park Melton on Thursday - the winners being Guaranteed and Almost El Eagle.

Rochester ownerbreeders Mark and Sue Thompson's Artsplace/ Jadah Rose colt Guaranteed made it four from four with an all of the way victory in Heat One. Trained by Emma Stewart and Clayton Tonkin at Smythes Creek (Ballarat), Guaranteed from the pole with Chris Alford in the sulky was never out of second gear in accounting for Raid The Stakes (three back the markers) and All The Cards which trailed the winner. The mile rate 200.8.

Orrvale trainer Steven Duffy combined with Greg Sugars to capture

Heat Two with Mcardle/ Nuclearraccelerator gelding Almost El Eagle.

Given a lovely passage trailing the well supported pacemaker Keayang Starzzz after leading out from the pole, Sugars not wanting to use the sprint lane on turning, eased Almost El Eagle to the outside on straightening and he ran home best to score by a half neck from Keayang Starzzz in a rate of 1-59.7, with Lennytheshark third after being last at the bell.

Racing well ■ Bolinda trainer Vince Vallelonga's team are racing well at present, with 5-Y-0 Courage Under Fire/Make Em Count gelding Fiery Count taking the Michael and Catherine Tarranto Pacers Handicap for C4 or better class over 2190 metres at Maryborough on Monday May 7.

Driven by Damian Wilson, Fiery Count stepped safely from barrier five, spending most of the race three back in the moving line, with Bressingham leading from barrier six.

Moving forward three wide solo in the final circuit, Fiery Count joined Bressingham on the final bend, before drawing away on turning to score in a rate of 2-04.5 over Christian World which followed the winner home, with Bressingham weakening to finish third.

Restricted ■ Kyneton trainer/driver Tony Xiriha was successful with 4-Y-0 Sierra Kosmos/Anders Belle gelding The Dutchman in the Kilmore Timber and Hardware Trotters Mobile for TR0 & TR1 class over 2180 metres at the Kilmore Restricted meeting on Friday.

Raced by trotting devotee Rod Pollock and wife Anne, The Dutchman first up since December, led throughout from gate four to score from Last Sunrise which raced outside him, with Conchs Critter running home from near last to finish third. The mile rate 2-05.3.

Wednesday - Maryborough/Ballarat, Thursday - Melton/Bendigo, Friday - Ouyen@Mildura/Melton, Saturday - Cranbourne, Sunday - Shepparton, Monday - Horsham, Tuesday - Kilmore.

Front-line restraint ■ Melton co-trainers Maree and John Caldow's very smart Kiwi bred Mach Three/Flight To Freedom filly Madam Pom Pom was ultra impressive in taking out the $8,000 Challenger Series Final for Three Year Olds 3C0 & 3C1 over 2190 metres at Maryborough on Monday.

Driven by John, Madam Pom Pom raced by long time harness enthusiast Tony Conte in partnership with Cleo Pilakis settled a mile off the heavily supported leader Real Hammer (gate three) after being restrained from the dreaded outside front line draw.

Moving into the three wide line three back in the final circuit, Madam Pom Pom gradually made ground on the leading division and despite being very wide on the final bend, when asked for an effort on straightening, sprinted brilliantly to put the race beyond doubt in a couple of strides to score by 5.5 metres over the roughie Machin Out from near last, with Real Hammer third after over racing. The mile rate 1-58.4.

Raced wide on last lap ■ Rockbank neighbours Sam Chircop and Richard Caruana part-owners of 4-Y-0 Sierra Kosmos/ Columbias Gindin mare Eurasian Hanover were in a happy frame of mind following the running of the Geelong Major Events Trotters Handicap for T0 class over 2100 metres at Geelong on Thursday, when she scored in a mile rate of 2-06.8.

Trained by Sam and driven by Richard, Eurasian Hanover from the extreme draw stepped safely, settling mid-field, running on strongly over the concluding stages to defeat the leader Dartrenzac and Alabamas Smoken which raced wide for the final circuit.

Tricky finish at Nyah ■ Its been a long time between drinks for the Hamilton father and son combination of Jim and Rod Barker in Victoria, breaking the drought when 6-Y-0 Safe And Sound/Moonlight Beauty gelding Hale And Handsome greeted the judge in a thrilling finish to the Nyah IGA Pace for C0 class over 1765 metres at Nyah on Tuesday May 8.

Settling four back in the moving line, Rodney weaved a passage in-between runners in the last lap to be just off the speed on straightening.

Gaining a late split halfway up the running, Hale And Handsome sprouted wings to blouse Glenn Bull's Peppiesastar along the sprint lane in the last bound by a half head in a tricky finish, with the pacemaker Artesian Bore 1.3 metres away in third place.

Returning a mile rate of 2-05.1, it was Hale And Handsome's first victory since ANZAC Day 2010, when successful at Mt Gambier.

To front on home turn ■ Avenel trainer Greg Norman was victorious with 5-Y-0 Modern Art/Yquem Gammon gelding Modern Saint at Shepparton on Wednesday May 9, taking out the Elite Horse Transport Vicbred Pace for C1 class over 2190 metres.

Driven by Tasmanian junior Alex Ashwood on loan to Andy Gath in Long Forest, Modern Saint possied mid-field in the moving line from gate three on the second line before gaining a beaut ride home in the final circuit on the back of Lord Lancelot.

Sweeping to the front on the home turn, Modern Saint defied all challengers in the run to the wire, defeating the favourite Mister Pickles which followed him throughout, with Razar Orn third after trailing the pair. The mile rate 1-58.7.

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Melbourne Observer - Wednesday, May 16, 2012 - Page 61

Page 62 - Melbourne Observer - Wednesday, May 16, 2012

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Melbourne

Observer Victorian Sport

ROUND 8 WILL BE A RIPPER!

■ Congratulations to the AFL – Round 7 turned the season around from what looked like an exclusive fight of five into a real stoush.

A fight not only for the top 4 but also for the Final 8.

How did you go with your Team Tips?

What was the deserved highlight of the action packed weekend?

For me, and probably Andrew D, plus all the GWS group was the Giants first win.

Importantly it was in the ACT. It was a tough, fierce contest in which sportsmanship was always predominant.

It brought so many happy smiles to the sports loving locals of the nation’s gloom and doom capital after another week of ‘muck-throwing’ taunts.

Pity ‘pollies’ don’t emulate the best in sport!

And it was capped off with Giants ACT Fan Day on Sunday!

Great timing ‘DD’ (Dynamic Dave Matthews CEO), Sheeds and the Team.

But Bombers, Crows, Tigers, Freo and Bulldog fans are saying “Great Giants! But what about us? We’ve arrived!”

Adelaide gutted Geelong with a 50 points demolition to prove under Brenton Sanderson they are the real thing.

They intend to stay humble and forget the ‘Cocky Crows’ tag.

Sam Jacobs like Hawk Hale is now accepted as an all-round ruckman and genuine mark, kick player.

The Cats are by no means a spent force but there are problems, holes to be filled and they could not afford the loss of veterans Jimmy Bartel and Matty Scarlett.

What other team could cover the exit of star leaders Cameron Ling, Brad Ottens, Cam Mooney, Darren Milburn and last year Gary Ablett Jnr? The Bulldogs 18 points win may have knocked North chances to make the Final 8.

Essendon 61 points victors over leaders WCE can further improve with return of injured stars, David Hille, Michael Hurley, Michael Hibberd, Scott Gumbleton, Jason Winderlich and Brent Prisnall.

What depth to call upon. The Dons look Top 4 for sure. the Eagles injuries are bigger, Mark Le Cras season, Andrew Embley, Josh Kennedy, Mark Nicoski and Bradd Dalziell all 8-10 weeks while Nic Naitanui, Adam Selwood and Mitchell Brown to be tested.

The Tigers, Dogs and Freo looked good and are on the improve.

Superman Matt Pavlic booted his 500th goal.

Melbourne is shaping as a real ‘basket-case’ except for chasing Mitch Clark (Bris) and hopefully coach Mark Neeld.

Hawthorn must be thankful they signed discards David Hale (North Melb) and Shaun Burgoyne (Port Adel), for its past two wins as the road ahead has loomed rockier than anticipated, Freo (H), Rich, North Mel, Port Adel (A.).

The experts have rated you four wins and a return to the Top 8 but two results could spell danger.

Sydney without Adam Goodes, Shane Mumford, Lewis RobertsThomson and Sam Reid’s loss of confidence and form is in trouble.

Injuries are cause of concern

Harry Beitzel www.squidoo.com/harrybeitzel The Swans were outclassed by Richmond once again on the bogey, hallowed turf of the MCG. What a golden opportunity for the much tried Jesse White, Andrejs Everitt and Trent Dennis-Lane.

If picked to play against Melbourne take your chances, back yourself to outgun your opponent.

You would not have got this far with your career if you had little or no ability, so “play for your AFL life”.

Round 8 will be a ripper!

AFL Milestones ■ 900 games – Ablett Extended Family. The extended Ablett family is due to reach 900 VFL / AFL games this week, with the family record as follows: Geoff (229 games with Hawthorn, Richmond and St Kilda), Kevin (38 games with Hawthorn, Richmond and Geelong), Gary Senior (248 games with Hawthorn and Geelong), Luke, son of Kevin (133 games with the Sydney Swans), Gary Junior, son of Gary Senior (217 games with the Geelong Cats and Gold Coast Suns) and Nathan, son of Gary Senior (34 games with the Geelong Cats and Gold Coast Suns).

Club Record Games Coached – John Worsfold. John is due to coach his 243rd game for West Coast this week, since taking over as senior coach in 2002.

This equals the club record established by Mick Malthouse between 1990-99.200 games – James Kelly, Geelong Cats 200 games – Chris Newman, Richmond. At this point, Chris is yet to play in a final in his career. Trevor Barker (230 games with St Kilda), Geoff Cunningham (224 games with St Kilda), Steven Smith (203 games with Melbourne) and Ted Pool (200 games with Hawthorn), remain the only players in VFL / AFL history to play 200 or more career games without a final.

Former Melbourne captain Robert Flower had the longest wait to play in finals, before playing three finals with the last three matches of his 272game career.

150 games. Jarrad Waite, Carlton; Ryan Griffen, West Bulldogs; Lance Franklin, Hawthorn 100 games – Clinton Young, Hawthorn; 100 games – Cheynee Stiller, Brisbane Lions 50 games – James Podsiadly, Geelong Cats, Hayden Ballantyne,

Fremantle, 50 games umpired All-time VFL/AFL attendances at the MCG. All-time attendances for VFL/AFL matches at the MCG since the competition began in 1897 will break the 100 million mark during Friday night’s round eight match between Collingwood and Geelong.

Prizes will be available to fans in attendance on the night.2012.

Indigenous players ■ The AFL advises that since the 2012 AFL Record Season Guide went to print, it has been notified of changes to the list of current indigenous players that is recorded on pages 667-670: Clancee Pearce (Fremantle) and Lincoln McCarthy (Geelong Cats) should not be listed as indigenous players while Jordan Wilson-King (Fremantle), Koby Stevens (West Coast) should be listed as indigenous players.

2012 Foxtel Cup ■ The 2012 Foxtel Cup – a knockout competition for state league teams across the country -- is underway.

So far, Morningside, the Port Adelaide Mapgies, Werribee, West Perth, Claremont, Mt Gravatt and South Adelaide have progressed to the second round.

The remaining round one matches are: May 19 – NT Thunder (NT) v Port Melbourne (VFL)

Nominated rookies ■ The AFL advises the following list changes were made in the pre-season period under the AFL player rules regarding Nominated Rookie Players.

Under the Nominated Rookie Rule, a club is eligible to nominate a rookie player who can play during the premiership season and finals series if a club has 38 players on its list (not including veteran players) and it satisfies the Total Player Payments requirements.

Adelaide Crows – Ian Callinan.

Carlton – Ed Curnow.

Carlton – Zach Tuohy.

Melbourne – James Magner.

North Melbourne –Aaron Mullett.

Port Adelaide – Darren Pfeiffer.

■ A huge concern is the severe injuries to the big stars in so many teams even down to new clubs GC Suns and GWS Giants.

It is yet another worry for Adrian Anderson as to what more can he do to prevent these injuries.

The Rules have been regularly tinkered with in an endeavour to lessen mishaps but they keep happening.

The regular publicity by coaches and the media about “ducking and diving” for ‘charity’ frees is inconclusive.

The ‘slide’ tackles by feet and knees is on the way out as too is ‘putting, poking, sticking or leading headfirst into an opponent or pack’ to cop a free for ‘head-high’ tackle.

Interestingly most of the current injuries are for legs, ankles, knees and arms not head high concussions.

Indeed many are without body contact by an opponent but caused by twisting and turning in open general play.

What’s the answer - is the ’$64 question?’

Round 8 Indigenous Round Friday, May 18 Collingwood vs. Geelong Cats (MCG) (N) Saturday, May 19 Port Adelaide vs. North Melbourne (AS) Hawthorn vs. Fremantle (AU) Sydney Swans vs. Melbourne (SCG) (T) Essendon vs. Richmond (MCG) (N) Western Bulldogs vs. Gold Coast SUNS (TIO) (N) Sunday, May 20 Brisbane Lions vs. GWS GIANTS (G) (E) Carlton vs. Adelaide Crows (ES) West Coast Eagles vs. St Kilda (PS) (T)

workers across Australia who have helped build our country,” Matthews said.

“I can’t think of a more fitting way to do this than at an Australian football match between the Giants and Collingwood at our home ground, the newly constructed Skoda Stadium here in Western Sydney where AFL fans will able to enjoy state of the art facilities.”

Cbus Property CEO, Adrian Pozzo said: “Cbus Property is pleased to be joining the Giantsto pay tribute to our fantastic construction and building workforce around Australia.

“Over 62,000 construction and building workers have partnered with Cbus Property to help create our premium assets across Australia.”

Workers across Australia will have the opportunity to nominate someone they think has made a significant contribution to building the nation.

For more information about the Building Australia Tribute Game and to nominate a mate, go to the website at www.buildingoz.com.au

Tribute to building industry workers Grand Final ■ The Greater Western Sydney Giants will pay tribute to the people who tickets have helped build Australia with the inaugural ‘Building Australia’ match against Collingwood at Skoda Stadium on July 28.

In another first for the Ginats, Head Coach Kevin Sheedy said the `Building Australia’ game would recognise everyday Australian heroes and become a regular fixture in the AFL premiership season.

Sponsored by Cbus Property, the `Building Australia’ match will celebrate these men and women with a parade before the Giants’ Round 18 match against the Magpies. to the men and women who helped construct the great infrastructure icons Australians use every day.

“These are everyday heroes who have helped build this nation’s highways, bridges, hydro schemes, mines and city skyscrapers. We are incredibly lucky in this country to also enjoy great stadiums like the MCG, ANZ Stadium and the new Skoda Stadium,” Sheedy said.

“This is important but also tough and often very dangerous work. The `Building Australia’ game sponsored by the Giants and Cbus Property is a chance for the rest of us to say ‘thank you’ for this magnificent contribution.”

Giants Chief Executive David Matthews thanked Cbus Property for partnering with the club to help create what it’s hoped will become an iconic game on the AFL calendar.

“I want to thank Cbus Property for their partnership and also Kevin Sheedy for bringing to life what will be a great way to recognise those

■ The AFL has announced an increase in the number of Grand Final tickets available to fans of the two Clubs competing for the 2012 Toyota AFL Premiership, along with a price rise as part of an overhaul of the Club, Corporate and Member ticket allocations.

Under the new ticketing model, Club members will have a better chance than ever before to see their team play on the last Saturday in September, with the AFL making an additional 5000 tickets from the Club corporate ticket allocation available to members of those AFL Clubs competing in the 2012 Toyota AFL Grand Final.

This takes the total member ticket allocation for competing Clubs from 25,000 to 30,000 tickets.

Operations, Darren Birch, said: “The changes in ticketing allocations and price levels are the result of consumer feedback and work with our Clubs to ensure we can better meet the expectations of fans, members and clubs, particularly around access to the biggest AFL game of the year.

Ticket prices for the 2012 Toyota AFL Grand Final are: · Standing Room $176.50 Bronze $200 Silver $300 Gold $355 Platinum $390 All prices listed are adult tickets and are inclusive of GST - Harry Beitzel

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Observer Alarm Australia

Melbourne Observer - Wednesday, May 16, 2012 - Page 63

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