Melbourne Observer - Wednesday, December 19, 2012 - Page 43
e urn lbo Me
ver N ser IO Ob T C SE 3
www.MelbourneObserver.com.au
Observer Showbiz Every Week in the Melbourne Observer
Radio Confidential: 2012 ratings analysis .... Page 46 Country Crossroades: Rob Foenander reports .. Page 46 New Book: Christopher Martin’s music ................. Page 47 Jim and Aaron: Best movies, DVDs for Christmas ...... Page 48 Cheryl Threadgold: Shows, auditions, and a review ...... Page 49 PLUS THE LOVATT”S MEGA CROSSWORD
ROMEO AND JULIET Big night for ELT
● Jennifer Piper, Bryan Richardson, Ben Mitchell, and Xavier Ryan in Eltham Little theatre’s awardwinning production of Moonlight and Magnolias. ■ Last week’s edition of the Melbourne Observer included a full list of the Victorian Drama League Awards. See www. melbourneobserver.com.au Cheryl Threadgold notes: Congratulations to Eltham Little Theatre on their wonderful success at this year’s Victorian Drama League Awards. The company received five nominations and four awards for their production of Moonlight And Magnolias. These include: Best Set Design: Phil Holmes Best Lighting Design: Campbell Black and Terese Maurici Ryan Best Sound: Andrea Cole Best Actress in a Minor Role: Jennifer Piper (winner) Best Supporting Actor in a Comedy: Ben Mitchell Best Supporting Actor in a Comedy: Bryan Richardson (winner) Best Actor in a Comedy: Xavier Ryan (winner) Best Director, Comedy: Terese Maurici Ryan Best Comedy Production (winner)
Media Briefs ■ Nine Entertainment made a $972 million loss for the financial year ending June 30, taking its total accumulated losses to more than $2.5 billion. ■ Nicole Bland has become the Deputy Program Director at 3AW. Kate Stevenson steps up as Senior Producer for the Ross Stevenson-John Burns breakfast program. Tom Andronas is second Producer. ■ Veteran TV newsreader Brian Henderson, 81, will come out of retirement temporarily to narrate a documentary about the 1977 Granville train disaster. Some 83 people died in the disaster. ■ Rupert Murdoch last week met with Herald & Weekly Times senior editors, ahead of yesterday’s memorial service for Dame Elisabeth Murdoch at St Paul’s Cathedral.
Carols at Beaumaris ■ The 36th Beaumaris Christmas Carols will be presented on Christmas Eve, (Monday, Dec. 24) from 7.45pm to 9.30pm at the Beaumaris Community Centre, Reserve Rd, Beaumaris, compered by Roger Wilson. This much-loved annual event includes community carol singing, performances from the Southern Area Concert Band (conducted by Darryn Wright), the Accent Suzuki Singers (conducted by Katrina Pezzimenti), Geoff Hinde and the MLOC Choir. Families are invited to bring a picnic to enjoy on the lawns. The event will re-locate inside the Community Centre if weather is inclement. Donations will help defray costs of candles and carol books, with proceeds going to the Christmas Bowl Appeal. Enquiries: 0418 395 946
In the Cathedral
● Jamieson Caldwell as Romeo and Madeleine Field as Juliet ■ We know it is summer in Melbourne when the wonderful outdoor plays in the Botanic Gardens swing into action. The Australian Shakespeare Company is back again, and the evening production is Shakespeare's romantic drama Romeo And Juliet. ASC Artistic Director Glenn Elston has decided to incorporate music this year, and composer and singer Paul Norton has created what Elston says is a compelling soundtrack to go with the legendary story. "Music is universally powerful, something everyone an relate to. It will elevate the story, intensifying the terrible battles, tinkering and teasing at the market place and joyously celebrating at the party with the players," Elston explains. Much depends on the casting of the two leads, and Elston has cast two young and vibrant actors in the key roles - Jamieson Caldwell will become Romeo, while 18-year-old newcomer Madeleine Field will play Juliet. Fresh out of Canterbury Girls' Secondary College, where she was bitten by the acting bug after roles in major school productions, Madeleine is waiting on her Year 12 results before taking a gap year to travel in Europe before university. Madeleine is thrilled to be playing one of Shakespeare's biggest female roles, and she said she loves the challenge of Shakespeare. "It's such an exciting role to be playing, and a big step into professional theatre for me," she said. But being involved in theatrical productions in the Botanic Gardens isn't new for Madeleine - it's just that this is the first time she has been on the other side of the grass. "As a child, going to the shows in the Botanic Gardens every summer was such a big part of Melbourne for me, so getting to step up and actually perform under the stars in one of the productions is an absolute thrill for me,' the excited teenager explained. Australian Shakespeare Company productions are always a lot of fun, and a great way to introduce children to theatre without grumpy people telling them to sit still and be quiet as mice. But don't forget to pack your picnic, your bubbles, blankets or cushions to sit on and those essentials for dusk in a Melbourne summer - hats and insect repellent! Romeo And Juliet runs from December 20 to March 9 in the Royal Botanic Gardens. www.shakespeareaustralia.com.au, Ticketmaster 136 100 or 8676 7511. - Julie Houghton
J R Ewing laid to rest ■ J.R. Ewing, the character played by the late Larry Hagman, will be laid to rest in the eighth episode of the rebooted season of Dallas, to air in the US in March, reports David Knox at TV Tonight.
● Siobhan Stagg ■ Following sell-out performances last year of the Royal Melbourne Philharmonic's two Carols In The Cathedral concerts, this year there will be three concerts so that nobody has to be turned away. As well as the traditional 8pm concerts on Friday and Saturday (December 21-22) at St Paul's Cathedral, there will also be a matinee at 3pm on Saturday (Dec. 22). Carols In The Cathedral is a concert of traditional Christmas music, offset by readings and reflections, making it a real Christmas showcase in the atmospheric surrounds of St Paul's. There will be the usual majestic fanfares, angelic descants and stirring carols that the audience always sings along with enthusiastically, which is a spine-tingling effect when a thousand voices are raised in song in the fine cathedral acoustics. This is also a very special Carols In The Cathedral, as it may be the last time for a few years that Melburnians have the chance to hear young soprano Siobhan Stagg, a local girl who is making it big on the international opera circuit. Siobhan has returned briefly from Wales to sing for the RMP, before she takes on a full 2013, which includes a contract with Berlin's Deutsche Oper, singing in Wagner's Ring Cycle for Sir Simon Rattle, and some work at New York's Metropolitan Opera House. Joining Siobhan is the Royal Melbourne Philharmonic Choir and Brass and Percussion, Melbourne University Choral Society, the Australian Children's Choir and harpist Jacinta Dennett. Pianists Amir Farid and Stefan Cassomenos, organist Jonathan Bradley and readers Roland Rocchiccioli and Julie Houghton will add their talents to make this an evening of music in the true Christmas spirit. RMP Chief Conductor Andrew Wailes is conducting all three concerts and is passionate about the way Melbourne takes the Carols concerts to it heart. The program includes the traditional English and Australian favourite carols, and Siobhan singing This Christmastide (Jessye's Carol) which was written for the great soprano Jessye Norman, and O Holy Night. The Australian Children's Choir will get the concert off to a good start with their beautiful Once In Royal David's City as it processes the aisle. If you want your own cupful of the joy of Christmas, buy a ticket for Carols In The Cathedral with the Royal Melbourne Philharmonic at St Paul's Cathedral, cnr Swanston and Flinders Sts, Melbourne. Bookings: ticketmaster.com.au or 136 100. Enquiries: 0427 028 096