Melbourne Observer - Wednesday, April 20, 2011 - Page 33
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Observer Showbiz Every Week in the Melbourne Observer
Radio Confidential: Perso atClassic Rock ..... Page 34 Veritas: Melbourne TV, Radio, Theatre Latest .... Page 35 The Spoiler: Next week’s ‘soaps’ plotlines ............ Page 35 Jim and Aaron: Best DVD-film selections ................. Page 36 Cheryl Threadgold: Community Theatre - it’s a wrap ...... Page 37 PLUS THE LOVATT”S MEGA CROSSWORD
SAVOY’S ‘TRIAL’ AND ‘PINAFORE’ Di Rolle’s column ● From Page 8 ■ In 2000, Liquid Paper was acquired by Newell Rubbermaid. In some regions of the world, Liquid Paper is now endorsed by Papermate, a widely known writing instruments brand. Bette Smith Nesmith's son, Mike Nesmith, was in the 1960s pop band The Monkees. There are stories like this one over the years that go far back in history, like Erik Rotheim who invented the aerosol can, Thomas H. Gallaudet who in 1897 invented American sign language, Felix Hoffman Bayer who in 1897 invented the aspirin; Don Wetzel who in 1968 invented the ATM machine; Earle Dickson who in 1921 invented the Band-Aid; American Mary Phelps Jacob who invented the bra; Ezra J. Warner the can opener; Jacques E.Brandenburger, cellophane; John Harvey Kellogg, cereal flakes in 1894; Frank McNamara and Ralph Schneider, the credit card which became Diners Club in 1950; Clarence Birdseye, frozen food in 1924 and so the list goes on, Why is it that I didn't invent any of these things? I didn't see it was missing it's as simple as that, If it wasn't for Albert J. Parkhouse in 1903, we wouldn't have coat hangers; if it wasn't for John Callcott Horsley who in 1843 saw that greeting cards at Christmas were missing so he created them; in 1934 J.F Cantrell in the USA saw that washing facilities for the public was missing so he created the laundrette; Maurice Levy in 1915 created the lipstick tube and so it goes on, and thank heavens for Douglas Englebart who in 1963-64 created the computer mouse! The paper clip was created in 1899 by Johann Vaaler in Norway, bless him. And on Friday a media release landed in my ‘in-box’announcing Great2TweetU social media specialists and I raised my hands in the air and said, hallelujah! I am too busy to learn how to tweet, to load up my Facebook and the more I read about Social Media the more I want to learn and learn and learn, but someone as yet hasn't invented how to slow down the days and I never manage to get the time, and lo and behold this fabulous social media proposal lands on my desk. Social media, more specifically Facebook and Twitter, is a necessity these days. Many companies now employ a full-time staff member as their social marketer, they see the value in using social marketing and are prepared to pay for it. Getting a handle on the medium, being able to get a consistent message across in as little words as possible is a skill. Daniel Hoy, founder of Great2tweetU, is a journalist with more than 12 years' experience at Australia's largest selling daily newspaper, the Melbourne Herald Sun. he is the answer to my prayers, at last someone with a bright idea of helping me decide on my message and implement it across Facebook and Twitter every day of the year! He will set the whole thing up and its perfect for me as a publicist to spread the word on all my clients. A recent Nielsen study found Australia's social media audience is estimated at over 10 million. Social media is with us whether we like it or not, it is the way to spread the word and fast. Twitter has more than 2.5 million users in Australia. The average Twitter's audience levels grew by more than 40 per cent in 2009 The key to building an online social media presence is consistency, I need to be updating daily. It took initiative for Daniel Hoy to get this up and running, for more information visit www.great2tweetU.com.au - Di Rolle
■ Savoy Opera Company Inc is commemorating the life of Sir W.S. Gilbert, who lived between 1836 - 1911. And Melbourne is to be treated to a special Gilbert and Sullivan celebration. "Folly Was His Foe, and His Weapon Was Wit" - so reads the inscription on the memorial to Sir William Schwenck Gilbert which stands in London on the Embankment of the Thames River. Because of his collaboration with Sir Arthur Sullivan in 14 ● Sir William Gilbert comic operas, Gilbert remains amongst the most beloved humorists in the English language. This year marks both the 175th anniversary of Gilbert's birth and the Centenary of his passing. To commemorate this double milestone, Savoy Opera Company, Inc. is presenting new productions of Trial By Jury and HMS Pinafore in a strictly limited season at the Alexander Theatre. Before turning to the professional theatre, Gilbert trained as a barrister, so it was natural for him to turn to the law courts in Trial By Jury, his first success with Sullivan. Privately, Gilbert was a keen amateur yachtsman with a passion for the sea. It was fitting then that his nautical opera HMS Pinafore was to catapult Gilbert and Sullivan to worldwide fame. Stee Dixon is directing both new productions, with musical direction by Brian Clough, performed with full orchestra and chorus. Some of Melbourne’s most accomplished G&S soloists will appear. They include Rick Burman, Stephen McNealy, David Campbell, Matthew Cookson and Andy Payne. ● Turn To Page 35
Real Mink!
Shakespeare’s ‘The Tempest’
● Brian Lipson (centre front holding paper boat) and fellow cast members prepare for opening night of William Shakespeare's The Tempest on May 3 at Theatre Works, St Kilda. ■ Inotrope Productions and the St Kilda Uniting Care Drop In Centre present William Shakespeare's The Tempest on May 3, 4, 5, 6, 7 at 7pm and May 8 at 5.30 pm at Theatre Works, St Kilda. This new adaptation with music performance by Christ Bolton is directed by John Bolton in collaboration with participants from the St Kilda Uniting Care Drop In Centre and Sharon Kirschner, Brian Lipson, Bagryana Popov, Joseph Sherman and Sue Thomson. A show of journeys, The Tempest is a landscape between dream and reality, which interweaves Shakespeare’s language, personal story and music. The production is supported by Arts Victoria and City of Port Phillip Cultural Development Fund. Performances: May 3, 4, 5, 6, 7 at 7pm; May 8 at 5.30pm Venue: Theatre Works, 14 Acland Street, St Kilda Tickets: Concession $20 , Full $30 (plus booking fee) Bookings are essential: 9534 3388 or www.theatreworks.org.au
Dave Hughes welcomes bub
● Melbourne’s showbiz fraternity turned out in force for the opening night of Doctor Zhivago at Her Majesty’s Theatre on Thursday night. John-Michael Howson joined in the Russian theme. “Real mink”, he says.
● Dave Hughes, Nova 100 breakfast co-host and 7PM Project co-anchor, was on hospital duty last week whenhe and wife Holly welcomed the birth of Sadie May. Young son Raff was also there to welcome Sadie. Pete Helliar stood in with Kate Langbroek on the Nova radio program, and a number of extra guests called in to the Channel 10 program to support Carrie Bickmore and Charlie Pickering.