Melbourne Observer - Wednesday, October 24, 2012 - Page 39
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Observer Showbiz Every Week in the Melbourne Observer
Radio Confidential: Mix 101/1’s giveaway .... Page 40 Kevin Trask: Melb. boy stars in Jersey Boys ...... Page 41 The Spoiler: Neighbours, Home and Away ............ Page 41 Cheryl Threadgold: Local theatre shows, auditions .... Page 43 Jim and Aaron: Latest movies, DVD selections .............. Page 42 PLUS THE LOVATT”S MEGA CROSSWORD
HAPPY FEEL-GOOD NIGHT Di Rolle’s column
Music marathon at Hamer Hall
● From Page 8
Horses, frocks for me ■ Thank heavens for the Spring Racing Carnival I say. I am so sick of hearing about people whinging about politics and Facebook. I did think Neil Mitchell’s effort in getting rid of certain Facebook pages was excellent during the week. US political debates are becoming bit tiresome too! So it’s horses and frocks for the next few weeks. I do love it. I am not going to track this year. I enjoy sitting at home and going through the form guide and watching the actual races on the tele. Overseas horses are the ones to watch this season. And there are heaps of them . I am not going to encourage betting, however watch the overseas horses.
Music crosses boundaries ■ These two guys touched my heart. From the seeds of one of the world’s most enduring conflicts comes an inspiring musical collaboration, as two classical pianists find a harmony that their nations are yet to enjoy. Both just 28 years old, piano virtuosos Yaron Kohlberg, who has become my pen friend, and Bishara Haroni are the pre-eminent pianists of their generation in their respective homelands: Israel and Palestine. For the past four years they have performed together as Duo Amal, their finesse and energy taking them to some of the world’s most prestigious auditoriums, from the Beijing Concert Hall and New York’s Carnegie Hall to the legendary Beethovenhalle in Bonn. Whether playing two grand pianos nestled together or sharing the same keyboard, Kohlberg and Haroni create a music that rises above the national barriers that would see them pushed apart. Across a wide-ranging repertoire, their pieces sweep from masters through to the new breed of Israeli and Palestinian composers, exploring the myriad sounds and possibilities afforded by the piano duo, a form of classical music almost lost in the modern age. Bringing the voice of youth to bear on a conflict they have endured their whole lives, Kholberg and Haroni’s exhilarating performances are a transcendent plea for peace, and a vital celebration of the capacity of music to join people across the boundaries of culture and place. Performing tonight (Wed.) at Melbourne Recital Centre, Elisabeth Murdoch Hall at 7.30pm. Presented by Melbourne Recital Centre in association with Melbourne Festival. This concert has been made possible with assistance from the Embassy of Israel. Tickets at the door tonight. - Di Rolle
● Bishara Haroni and Yaron Kohlberg
● Will Deumer (Wilbur Turnblad) in Hairspray at the Darebin Arts Centre. Photo: Aaron Walker ■ After a five year absence, Catchment Players have returned to their original home venue the Darebin Arts and Entertainment Centre, to stage a first-class production of the colourful, joyous musical Hairspray. Based on the film written and directed by John Waters, Hairspray is set in Baltimore in the early 1960s. The 50s are out and change is in the air. Loveable, plus-size Tracy Turnblad has a passion for dancing and wins a spot on the local TV dance program The Corny Collins Show. Overnight she finds herself transformed from outsider to teen celebrity. Catchment Players' show has much going for it - the masterly co-directorial team of Nathan Firmin and Brad Fischer, Firmin's splendid choreography, Andrew Houston's tip-top musical direction, a stellar cast and orchestra, Jason Bovaird's striking lighting design, Jacob Battista's innovative set and Nathan Firmin and Susan Schulz's vibrant costume design. Philippa Chalke is sensational as protagonist Tracy Turnblad - a dynamic all-round dancing, singing and acting package. At times Adrian Carr and Will Deumer steal the show in their respective roles of Edna and Wilbur Turnblad, particularly their song and dance show-stopper You're Timeless To Me. Other stand-out performances to me were Gemma Foster (Penny), Johnathon White (Seaweed), Bianca Giorgetti (Velma), Ryan Purdy (Link) and Alice Bottomley's vocals as Motormouth Maybelle. It seems a little unfair to select individual performances because all the cast delivers first class entertainment. If looking for a happy, feel good night of musical entertainment with some valuable moral messages, then this is the show to see. Congratulations to Catchment Players. The company has been entertaining in the northern suburbs for more than35 years and it's great to see you back in your home base. Season: Until October 27 at 8.00pm Venue: Darebin Arts and Entertainment Centre, Preston. Tickets: $42/$37/Ch. U16 $29. Bookings: 8470 8280 or www.darebinartscentre.com.au - Review by Cheryl Threadgold
● Brett Kelly ■ The Impossible Orchestra takes over Hamer Hall from 5pm Saturday (Oct. 27) until 5pm Sunday (Oct. 28) in a world-first music marathon designed to raise awareness of the vital job our carers do for people who often need aroundthe-clock care. Under the auspices of Care Aware, the National Carer Awareness Initiative, conductor Brett Kelly has embraced the mammoth task of providing music for 24 hours, and he is being joined by his Melbourne Symphony Orchestra fellow players, their Orchestra Victoria colleagues, musicians from Australian National Academy of Music, and some from interstate and New Zealand, all keen to be part of such a worthwhile project. Entrance is free - all you have to do is go online to www.artscentremelbourne.com.au and register and book tickets and they will arrive in your mailbox a few days later, at no cost at all. The music is being provided in three-hour chunks, and the musicians will be tag-teaming to beat fatigue. Conductor Brett Kelly will tag team with eminent young conductor Warwick Stengards, and when they both need a break, comedian Shaun Micallef will be taking over the baton! Other arts luminaries who are lending their talents to keep everything moving are actor and author William McInnes, Charlie Pickering, Josh Thomas, Tracy Bartram and Francis Greenslade. Brett Kelly says the music will include lots of popular classical favourites. www.artscentremelbourne.com.au or 1300 182 183. For more information on the Care Aware campaign, visit www.careaware.com.au - Julie Houghton
7 minutes to sell tickets ■ Tickets for The Rolling Stones’ two London concerts went on sale on Friday and sold out in record time. It took a mere seven minutes for fans to snap up all the tickets when ticket outlets opened up for business at 9am. The Stones ticket-rush came the morning after the band attended the world premiere of a highly acclaimed new documentary film, ‘Crossfire Hurricane’ at the London Film Festival, says publicist Kerry O’Brien.