Melbourne Observer - Wednesday, June 25, 2014 - Page 41
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Cabaret Festival gala opening Picnic At Hanging Rock
● Kara Swift as Miranda in Picnic At Hanging Rock. Photo: Hannah McRae ■ Purely Pensive Productions presents the stage adaptation of the Australian classic Picnic At Hanging Rock from June 26-28 at the Mechanics Institute Performing Arts Centre, Brunswick. Adapted by Laura Annawyn Shamas from the novel by Lady Joan Lindsay, the story tells of a group of Australian schoolgirls whose romantic Valentine’s Day outing ends in an intriguing mystery. What has happened to the three seniors and the mathematics teacher on top of the jagged peaks of Hanging Rock? Based on the runaway best-seller, this play explores a baffling disappearance which takes its toll on a small community in the Australian countryside, and looks delicately at crisis, greed and honesty at the turn of the century. Director Jeremy Ives says Picnic At Hanging Rock is a tale which has fascinated Australians for nearly 50 years. “We’re incredibly excited to bring the adaptation of such an iconic tale to the Melbourne stage,” he says. “It’s a glorious and diverse tale of schoolgirls who go missing on Valentine’s Day at one of Victoria’s most beautifully haunting places.” Venue: Mechanics Institute, Cnr. Sydney and Glenlyon Rds, Brunswick Bookings: www.purelypensive.com.au - Cheryl Threadgold
By DEBORAH MARINARO
● Michael Dalley performs in the Melbourne Cabaret Festival on June 26 and 27. Photo: Ponch Hawkes ■ It’s Melbourne Cabaret Festival time again. Until 6 July, audiences will enjoy a wonderful array of Australian cabaret and music theatre performers in various venues across Melbourne. Attending the Gala Opening last Thursday evening, I learnt the talent is seriously top-notch and the three-week event proves to have something for all tastes and moods. From the saucily profane ‘Mr. Sister’ Candice McQueen (aka: Spanky) and the tongue-in-cheek wit of Michael Dalley, to the ethereal magic of harpist Alana Conway and the bold-as-brass power of Geraldine Quinn’s 80s pop tribute. As the Gala was a ‘tasting platter’ of several of the festivals performances to be held at Chapel Off Chapel this year, we were treated to meeting some of this year’s performers, a gregarious bunch. Elise McCann, bubbly and delightful in her tribute to Lucille Ball, had the perfect amount of whacky, Lucy comedy and a brilliant voice. Dalley was soft spoken and polite which made his naughty, Noel Coward-esq songs even more hilarious. Quinn, whose cabaret is actually a sing-a-long, was fantastic at getting the audience participating and outrageously great at belting out her song. They’ll each be performing this weekend. Actually hailing from the UK, Spanky was an energetic host with an abundance of personality, energy, and obscenities, as well as a good singing voice. However, this reviewer would have preferred more wit and less vulgarity. More originality, in other words. Spanky is on at 9pm, June 26-28. Conway, who maintained a deep and intense connection with the music she played, was inspiring. Singing the songs of Eva Cassidy, Conway’s exquisite voice and skilful harp playing reached out to caress, soothe, and warm the crowd. Conway will perform at 6:45pm, June 26 and 27. Also showcased were legends Melissa Langton and Amanda Harrison as well as Olympic diver Matthew Mitcham. Langton was wonderfully funny and entertaining as always. Harrison shared her secrets as well as her astonishing voice, and Mitcham displayed a huge emotional range and beautiful voice. Their shows played last weekend. Performances: Until July 6 Venues: various including Chapel Off Chapel, Draculas, Fortyfivedownstairs, The Butterfly Club, Kew Courthouse, and Village Melbourne Bookings: www.melbournecabaret.com/
■ Did 3DB announcer John Stuart have a son, who perhaps worked in the diplomatic service? If you know the answer, please e-mail editor@localmedia.com.au ■ Observer Showbiz is viewing lots of old Homicide episodes from the 1960s. We noticed the credits for an episode, The Long Climb, include an extra by the name ‘Julian Birnside’. The lawyer - with slightly different spelling?
Suicide of Solitude
● Kristof Kaczmarek and Elizabeth O'Callaghan rehearse The Suicide of Solitude. ■ Exit Theatre Inc. and Rochford Wines present the Australian premiere of The Suicide of Solitude from July 11August 3 at Rochford Wines, Yarra Valley. This tragicomedy in 13 steps, one intermission and a jump, is written by award winning Ukrainian playwright Neda Nejdana and directed by Kristof Kaczmarek. The Suicide of Solitude teeters on the border of tragedy and farce as it deals with one of the essential issues of our modern society: suicide as result of isolation (whether intentional or imposed) and loss of meaning of life. Yet it allows the audience to choose the ending. The kaleidoscopic events (rescue, assault and murder investigation) provoke anticipation, laughter, fear and hope. SHE (Elizabeth O’Callaghan), a distressed and elegantly-dressed woman is ready to jump off the roof of a nine storey building. Her intentions are interrupted by HIM (Kristof Kaczmarek), a mysterious man with a gun and … a dead body. Is he going to persuade her not to jump? Or maybe the Human Cats (Suha Sini Seelin and Dawid Kaczmarek), that happen to be having a celebration of the full moon on the roof, will do so. Full of witty twists and turns, this compilation of drama, farce, thriller and fantasy constitutes philosophical parable of the two souls that crave for love, yet are too trapped in their own existence to grasp it. A maze-play with elements of the absurd and surrealism, it will bring the audience to both laugh and reflect. Venue: Rochford Winery, 878-880 Maroondah Highway, Coldstream (Mel Ref: 277) Performance dates and times (16 shows): Thursday, July 10 at 7.30pm (Preview), Friday, July 11 at 7.30pm (Opening Night), Fridays and Saturdays at 7.30pm, Sundays at 5pm, 2pm matinees on Saturday July 19, 26 and August 2. Tickets: $30 full, $25 concession, $20 Students, Groups 5+ $25 pp.; $15 Preview, Dinner and Show (Sat only) $85. Booking: Pre-booking essential until preceding Friday, subject to numbers. Phone 5962 2119, online www.rochfordwines.com.au or at the door. - Cheryl Threadgold