Melbourne Observer - Wednesday, August 21, 2013 - Page 101
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Radio: Stations turn to streaming .................. Page 102 Review: Oliver! staged at Pakenham .................. Page 103 The Spoiler: Advance plotlines for TV soapies .......... Page 103 Jim and Aaron: Top 10, best movies and DVDs ............ Page 104 Cheryl Threadgold: Local theatre shows, auditions ........... Page 105 PLUS THE LOVATT”S MEGA CROSSWORD
NIGHT MAYBE Nathan’s success follows Eisteddfod
● Nathan Lay, winner of the 2012 Eisteddfod by the Bay Aria from Grand Opera section. ■ The Eisteddfod by the Bay Senior Classical Vocal section will be held on Sunday, August 25, commencing at 10.15am, and The Lieder and Aria from Grand Opera section commences at 7.15pm on Thursday, August 29, at the Kingston Arts Centre, Cnr South Rd and Nepean Hwy, Moorabbin. Melba Conservatorium Scholarship winner Nathan Lay was winner of the 2012 Eisteddfod by the Bay Aria from Grand Opera section, and in the same year was a semi-finalist in the Sydney McDonald Aria, semi-finalist and reserve-finalist in the 2012 Herald Sun Aria, runner-up in the Armstead Singing Award, runner-up in the Melbourne Welsh Male Choir’s ‘Singer of the Year’ competition, winner of the Kantor Encouragement Award, runner-up at the Melbourne Recital Centre’s Great Romantics Competition 2012, and was runner-up and winner of the People’s Choice Award at the 2012 Royal Melbourne Philharmonic Aria competition. Last year Nathan made his debut with Melbourne Opera, playing the role of Schaunard in Puccini’s La Bohème, followed by portraying Guglielmo in their new production of Mozart’s Cosi Fan Tutte. Nathan also made his debut with Victorian Opera as a soloist in the Richard Gill Gala Concert at Hamer Hall and as bass soloist with the Royal Melbourne Philharmonic Choir and Orchestra in their performance of Handel’s Messiah at the Melbourne Town Hall. This year, Nathan was a featured artist for Australian Music Events’ Opera In The Market, performed with Victoria Opera as a soloist in the Opera On A White Night Gala Concert at Hamer Hall, played The King in Puss In Boots, and played the roles of Billy Webster and Louis the Baker in Sunday In The Park With George. Nathan also made his first appearance with Opera Australia this year, and will soon be playing the principal role of Bunyip Bluegum in the world premiere of The Magic Pudding – The Opera, for Victorian Opera. Eisteddfod by the Bay Senior Classical Vocal section: Sunday, August 25 from 10.15am Lieder and Aria from Grand Opera section: Thursday, August 29 from 7.15pm Venue: Kingston Arts Centre, Cnr South Rd and Nepean Hwy, Moorabbin. Admission: $15 Adults, $5 Students. Enquiries: 9551 2710. - Cheryl Threadgold
By RITA CRISPIN
● Sarah Ogden in Night Maybe, at Theatre Works, St Kilda until September 1. Photo: Sarah Walker ■ A line in the program, “We meet ourselves time and time again in a thousand disguises on the path of life”, gives an indication of what lies ahead for the audience in this excellent thought-provoking, sometimes light but at times, disturbing subject. Is this our real life or our dream life? ‘What is the difference’? Is this reality or are we standing outside looking in at our life - or lives? All this and more in a remarkable play, ‘night maybe’ by Kit Brookman. The auditorium is already filled with haze prior to the audience entering. The terrific set by Mel Page, who also designed costumes, is a park at sunset dissolving into night-time. As the lighting comes up, the thick haze dissipates, but is cleverly maintained throughout the action to give the effect of low hanging mist: the brilliant lighting and visual effects are by Richard Vabre. This, together with equally brilliant original music and sound effects by composer James Brown, complete the eerie sometimes threatening atmosphere. The entire production team, led by director Luke Mullins, have produced the perfect environment and enhanced, if that is possible, the actors’ performances. The cast, Sarah Ogden, Tom Conroy, Marcus McKenzie and Brian Lipson have done Brookman’s play justice and it is a winner. The play has an adult theme and some coarse language. There are sexual references and loud noise effects and it is suitable for age 14+. Warning: potential allergy reaction to real grass used for the park set. A haze machine is used. The actors briefly smoke herbal cigarettes. Production Company Stuck Pigs Squealing, present Night Maybe as part of the 2013 Selected Works. Performances: Until September 1, Tuesday to Saturday 8 pm, Sunday 5 pm. Venue: Theatre Works, 14 Acland St, St Kilda. Tickets: $30 full, $25 concessions and groups of 8+. $20 on Tuesdays. (plus booking fee) Running Time: 75 minutes. No interval. Lockout: Once the 75 minute performance has commenced, no latecomers will be admitted into the theatre. Bookings: 9534 3388 and www.theatreworks.org.au - Rita Crispin
Laying The Ghost
● Michele Haywood (left), Debbie Rowland, Peter Hatherley, Veronica Hannebery (sitting at left), Casey Bohan and Margaret Rawlinson in Laying The Ghost at Strathmore until August 25. Photo: Peta Ripper ■ Strathmore Theatrical Arts Group presents a Simon Williams play written in 2001, titled Laying The Ghost, directed by Robert Harsley. This being a new play, and one that has not had many companies do it, was a delight to see. This is a very moving and witty play set in a retirement home for actors and the plot revolves around ex-actor Margot Buchanan (Veronica Hannebery) who does not want to be reminded that it is her 70th birthday! Margot’s psychic friend, Freda Duncan (Michele Haywood), is a resident whose husband has passed away and she sees him in the room and continually talks to him and raises her voice to pull him into line, although he is not there. Much conversation goes on between Freda and Margot with lots of clever lines that certainly makes you laugh. Enter Mrs Kidd (Debbie Rowland) the no nonsense manager of the retirement home who delivers a message to Margot. The next visitor is Sadie Croft (Casey Bohan) who wishes to talk to Margot as she is about to play in Romeo And Juliet, a role Margot played years before with Sir Leo Buchanan, a philanderer and womaniser, played on the night by Robert Harsley who stepped in at the last minute because the male lead fell ill, and Robert gave a great performance. Sadie, you see, is the latest of Sir Leo’s girl friends, and then who should arrive Lady Buchanan (Margaret Rowlinson) who is a rather uppity lady befitting her title. The dialogue between Margot and Lady Buchanan was very clever with the unexpected interruptions from Freda. Sir Leo is now confronted by all three women in his life and the conversation was rather hostile at times and at other times very funny. As with many plays of this type there is always the unexpected at the finish and this play does not let you down, A night of great performances by all that were on stage and congratulations to STAG for having the opportunity to present such a play for their audiences. I enjoyed it very much and I hope if you get the opportunity to see it you enjoy it as much as I. Laying The Ghost is at the Strathmore Theatre on the corner of Loeman and Napier Sts, Strathmore, until August 25 . Tickets: $20/$15. Bookings: 9382 6284 www.stagtheatre.org - Review by Brian Amos, Radio Eastern 98/1, Croydon