Melbourne Observer - Wednesday, March 21, 2012 - Page 55
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Observer Showbiz Every Week in the Melbourne Observer
Radio Confidential: Caro in line for award ... Page 58 Independent Theatre: Increased coverage ........ Page 57 The Spoiler: For those who have lost the plot ....... Page 58 Jim and Aaron: Best DVD-film selections ................. Page 62 Cheryl Threadgold: Community, Independent Theatre .... Page 61 PLUS THE LOVATT”S MEGA CROSSWORD
GREEN ROOM WINNERS Guess where I’m going for my birthday party
Dancer launches Kingsville firm ● Di Rolle’s column, continued from Page 10
● Dancer Sean McGrath’s dog, ‘Louie’ ■ Each cover is cut individually and all dog beds are stamped with a unique number making them one of a kind. Kingsville Recycled Furnishings offer quality, stylish, innovative products that are locally made and environmentally sound. Unique scatter cushions, floor cushions, dogs beds, leads and collars in a range of sizes and styles with exciting new products to come. All cut and constructed by hand in Kingsville, Melbourne. Kingsville Recycled Furnishing is both locally owned and operated, using local materials. (And Louie loves his new bed) “In the years leading up to the beginnings of Kingsville I worked for the most part on stage,” says Sean. “As a professionally trained actor, singer and dancer I worked on numerous music theatre productions such as Cats, Chicago, The Producers, Priscilla The Musical and also in film and television. “During this time I also learned to paint, draw and sew. Following several injuries and needing a change in direction, I pursued work in other areas including backstage management for several fashion festivals and in interior design with former Herman & Herman designer. Christopher Elliott,” Sean said “I have been an advocate for environmental and animal causes for many years giving to Oxfam and WWF for almost 10 years. “My aim is to encapsulate all that I love and to pay forward the environmental messages I have learned. Kingsville Recycled Furnishings is reshaping existing materials, offering quality, innovative product alternatives that are locally made and are environmentally sound.” Sean added. www.kingsvillefurnishings.com.au ■ Mike Munro is no longer part of the Sunday Night program hosted by Chris Bath, according to an exclusive story at the TV Tonight website. ■ Hamish MacDonald (Ten), Hugh Riminton (Ten), Matt Moran (Ten) and the ABC’s correspondent in Japan, Mark Willacy, have been nominated for the Graham Perkin Journalist of the Year Award. ■ Greg Evans devoted his entire morning breakfast radio program (3SR FM, Goulburn Valley) on Friday to anti-bullying. Producer Mandy Turner said 10 guests appeared on the show.
● Green Room Lifetime Achievement Award winner John Romeril received his award from Max Gillies ■ Contemporary Australian playwright John Romeril was presented with a Lifetime Achievement Award by Melbourne theatre identity Max Gillies at the Green Room Awards held at The Playhouse, Arts Centre, on Sunday. Gillies, a close friend, worked with Romeril at The Pram Factory. A Technical Achievement Award was posthumously awarded to Technician, Production/Stage Manager, Designer and Teacher Dori Dragon-Bicchierai. Many techs were in attendance recognising Dori's enormous contribution to both commercial/mainstream and fringe/independent theatre in Melbourne over a number of decades. The Awards celebrate excellence on the professional stage in Melbourne. The Green Room Awards Association recognises the world-class cabaret, dance, musical theatre, opera and theatre productions that grace Melbourne’s stages every year, and awards outstanding work in these industries. Malthouse Theatre was singl;e biggest winner on the day with nine awards if you count body of work recipients Iain Grandage and Anna Cordingly. Meow Meow's Little Match Girl (Malthouse Theatre in association with Meow Meow Revolution) cleaned up in the cabaret section with four awards. Back to Back Theatre's controversial Ganesh Versus The Third Reich took three awards at the weekend. It had encountered Hindu backlash when staged. Opera Australia scored six awards, with the majority of them for their acclaimed production Of Mice and Men. The Victorian Opera took three awards. Vic Opera was also nominated as part of dance co-production with Chunky. Australian Ballet received three awards, and Chunky Move was recognised with two. In musical theatre, Rock of Ages celebrated with five honours, and Love Never Dies claimed four. La Mama took six, including three for Angus Cerini's Save For Crying. ★★★★★ Alternative & Hybrid Outstanding Production: Taxi (D & Associates / Big West Festival) Conceptual Realisation: At the Sans Hotel (Nicola Gunn / La Mama) Ensemble Performance: Ganesh Versus the Third Reich (Back to Back Theatre / Malthouse Theatre / Melbourne Festival) Design Integration: Special (The Rabble / La Mama) Mise-en-Scene: Taxi (D & Associates / Best West Festival) Cabaret Outstanding Production: Little Match Girl (Malthouse Theatre in association with Meow Meow Revolution) Artiste: Meow Meow, Little Match Girl (Malthouse Theatre in association with Meow Meow Revolution) Musical Direction: Iain Grandage, Little Match Girl (Malthouse Theatre in association with Meow Meow Revolution) Original Songs: Geraldine Quinn, You're the Voice: Songs for the Ordinary by an Anthemaniac & The Last Gig in Melbourne (Geraldine Quinn) Director: Marion Potts, Little Match Girl (Malthouse Theatre in association with Meow Meow Revolution) Contribution to Cabaret: Finucane & Smith ● Turn To Page 57
● Nick Cody, comedian ■ Nick Cody could be a full forward for the AFL, a strong looking charismatic Aussie guy with a great sense of humour, red hair and a smile to die for. He is instead a comedian and a very funny guy. I urge you all to go to his show during the Melbourne International Comedy Festival, called Sinful Thinking it’s bound to be a lot of fun. Art, culture, politics, none of these things interest Nick. He prefers the simple pleasures in life, like getting pranked by a Thai lady-boy or his pet budgie swearing for the first time. After sold-out performances at the last two Melbourne Comedy Festivals, Nick Cody is back with a brand new hour of his hilariously irreverent and self-deprecating standup. I love him, you will love him … just leave your morals at home. The Herald Sun did write last year about Nick, there is something a little bit humbling about a comedian who, at the end of the show, makes sure he individually thanks every person for coming. I like that and he is only 24 years old.“Charismatic, selfdeprecating and warm …. The crowd absolutely loved him: - said Chortle UK – that is a great review! ‘Uncontrollably laugh-out-loud funny “ 4 stars – the Herald Sun You may have heard him on Nova’s Hughesy and Kate and seen on Studio A. Nick will be appearing at Softbelly Bar, 367 Little Bourke St, Melbourne with previews commencing on March 29! My birthday – so guess where I will be going! Show starts at 9.30pm. Bookings: www.comedyfestival.com.au (Sundays at 8.30pm) His shows run to April 22 – no shows Monday. - Di Rolle