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www.MelbourneObserver.com.au

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Radio: Profits should follow changes ................... Page 38 Melbourne Theatre: Pacific Overtures .................. Page 39 Country Music: Brunswick Music Festival .................... Page 38 Jim and Aar on: Top 10 lists, movies, DVDs ....................... Page 42 Aaron: Cheryl Threadgold: The Play’s The Thing at La Mama ....... Page 43 PL US THE LLO OVATT”S MEGA CRO PLUS CROSS SWORD

ROYAL VARIETY PERFORMANCE Glass Menagerie

● Clare Hayes (Laura), Ian McGregor (Tom) and Warren Logan (Jim) in Heidelberg Theatre Company’s The Glass Menagerie.

Photo: David Belton ■ Tennessee Williams fans would be happy to hear Heidelberg Theatre Company is presently playing a tender and true-to-Williams’s-vision production of The Glass Menagerie.

Beautifully staged, the show features some phenomenal acting and exquisite underscoring composed specially for this production.

For those who are not familiar with the play: Tom Wingfield recounts his memories of a claustrophobic and unhappy life, living in a small apartment with his manipulative and overbearing mother and his eccentric sister, Laura.

Laura is disabled and fatally shy. Unable to face reality, she spends her time admiring her glass figurines and listening to records.

To support them, Tom works begrudgingly in a factory and despairs at not fulfilling his dream of being a poet. Yet his sense of duty to his family is so strong, he submits to his mother’s desire to see Laura married and agrees to his end of a scheme: to bring home a gentleman caller.

HTC’s production, directed by Karen Wakeham, does well to highlight the characters themselves and underline the universality of the themes of the play.

Marianne Collopy, as the insufferable mother Amanda Wingfield, dominates the show with her polished characterisation and enduring energy. Collopy fully explores the intricate nuances of Amanda, presenting a very complex personality thoroughly entertaining to watch and analyse. Ian McGregor as Tom is also wonderfully engaging to watch. He later finds a deep honesty in his performance that is very moving.

The beautiful Clare Hayes gives a delicate performance that satisfies the characterisation of Laura, but remains one-dimensional throughout. Playing the gentleman caller, Jim, Warren Logan is extremely charming in a solid and honest performance.

While the set, designed by Marie Mackrell, is beautifully and skilfully crafted, certain choices and uses of the space puncture any sense of ‘being in an apartment’ that would reflect the suffocation felt by Tom. However, other choices made are imaginative and quite effective. Costuming (Wendy Drowley, Lois Connor, Dianne Brennan) deserves a worthy mention here too.

Particularly effective and delightful is the emotive piano underscoring, composed by David Cheshire and performed by his brother John.

Performance Season: Until March 8 Times: Thurs, Fri, Sat 8pm; Wed March 5 only, 8pm Venue: Heidelberg Theatre, 36 Turnham Ave, Rosanna Bookings: www.htc.org.au or 9457 4117 - Review by Deborah Marinaro

By FRANCES ELIZABETH LAWRENCE

● Edward Smith ■ One of the great things about going out for Chinese Yum Cha or Spanish Tapas is the chance to sample a little of many different delicious dishes.

And the same delight can be found in a top-class musical afternoon, such as the first concert in the Arden Crescent Concert Series for 2014.

Arden Crescent Uniting Church hosts A Royal Command Variety Performance on Sunday (Mar. 2) at 2pmfeaturing the queen of Australia's finest mezzo-sopranos, Roxane Hislop.

Roxane will be joined by a host of up and coming young classical music stars, including soprano Piera Dennerstein, tenor Michael Edwards, baritone Christian Smith and bass Edward Smith, in an afternoon of songs from opera, music theatre and the lighter classics, all accompanied by pianist David McNicol.

Making this a musical afternoon with a difference will be new young classical a capella quartet Tacet, which won the Melbourne University Conservatorium Chamber Music Competition last year. If you love the jazzy sounds of the famed Kings Singers, you will definitely enjoy Tacet.

The program includes hits from Bizet's popular opera Carmen and Verdi's Il Trovatore, English folk songs, much loved songs from West Side Story and Chess, with some jazz standards and modern classics.

Add in duets from Showboat, Mame and a good sprinkling of Gilbert and Sullivan and you have a program that will appeal to all.

Melbourne Observer columnist and 3MBS broadcaster Julie Houghton will host the afternoon, and join Roxane and Piera in some duets and trios.

Tickets are $25 adults and $20 concession, with reduced prices for students and children, and a post-concert afternoon tea is included.

While tickets will be available at the door, this popular concert series often sells out so if this sounds like your cup of tea, book by calling 9457 2595.

■ Arden Crescent Uniting Church is at 21 Arden Cres, Rosanna.

- Frances Elizabeth Lawrence

● Julie Houghton

Passion Play

● From left: Roman legionnaire [John Smith], Jesus [Dirk de Kauwe], Pontius Pilate [John D’Silva] and Centurion [Gino Gammaldi] depict the ‘Washing of hands by Pontius Pilate’ in the 2013 Melbourne Passion Play.

■ Calling actors and stage crew members. The Melbourne Passion Play is recruiting cast and crew to take part in this year’s one special performance, which will take place on Palm Sunday, April 13 at Ruffey Lake Park, Doncaster.

There will be no performance on Good Friday.

Former acting experience is not essential to participate in this popular outdoor epical re-enactment, which is produced by Pat La Manna .

If interested in joining the cast or crew, call the Secretary, Dawn, on 0411 957 164 www.passionplay.info - Cheryl Threadgold

Western Wynde ■ Lovers of good choral music have a treat coming their way if they live in Warragul, Macedon or Melbourne.

The Australian Chamber Choir is kicking off its 2014 concert season with a program called Western Wynde, a tribute to contemporary choral composer Sir John Tavener, who died in November last year.

Western Wynde will feature works of both the Renaissance era and the 20th century, paying tribute both to the modern day John Tavener and his revered ancestor, the master of Renaissance English choral music, John Taverner. Only one letter and several hundred years separate the two musical masters.

The older Taverner's signature work The Western Wynde gives the concert its name and will be the central piece in the program.

The younger John Tavener's well-known work Song For Athene, which was sung at the funeral of Diana, Princess of Wales, will also feature in the program.

Music by Thomas Tomkins and Australian composers Brett Dean and Brenton Broadstock will also make an appearance.

The 18-member Australian Chamber Choir enjoyed a most successful tour of Europe last year under their director, Douglas Lawrence, and are always well received in Australia.

The musical gene blessed the Lawrence family richly, with Douglas's wife, harpsichordist and fine alto Elizabeth Anderson being part of the choir, along with son Jacob Lawrence, a tenor who is starting to make people sit up and listen with the beauty of his voice.

The Australian Chamber Choir can be heard in action on Sunday, March 9 at 3pm at Wesley of Warragul, 62 Victoria St, Warragul; Saturday, March 15 at 3pm at the Church of the Resurrection, cnr Mt Macedon Rd and Honour Ave, Macedon; before the Melbourne performance at St Fidelis, 49 Clarendon St, Coburg on Sunday March 16 at 3pm.

Bookings and further information at www.auschoir.org - Julie Houghton

Page 38 - Melbourne Observer - Wednesday, February 26, 2014

Observer Showbiz

Radio Confidential News from stations from around Victoria

Profits should follow changes

Country Crossroads info@country crossroads.com.au Big Breakfast Show. Southern FM 88.3.

Tues. 6am-9am.

www.MelbourneObserver.com.au

Rob Foenander

Brunswick Music Festival ■ The Brunswick Music Festival celebrates its 26th year with the best of new local talent and brilliant international acts. Scheduled to run from March 2-16, this year's program features a Mongolian folk/rock band, the world's best harmonica player, a family string orchestra from Alaska, plus a variety of multi music genres to keep audiences entertained.

The events will be held in a number of venues in the Brunswick area. www.brunswickmusicfestival.com.au/

Three Prairie Oysters ■ Melbourne band The Prairie Oysters have released their much awaited new album Three. Tony Bonnici, Dave Miles and Rob Street have all contributed to the eight original songs on the CD that is sure to be a winner with their fans and those new to the band over the past few years. The sound is authentic Prairie Oysters without the bells and whistles, and is already getting significant Australia-wide radio play.

The band is regarded as one of Australia's finest country rock outfits that is able to blend blues, country and rockabilly into a live performance that has them in demand right around the country. www.theprairieoysters.com.au

Food, wine at Mordy ■ Community radio station 88.3 Southern FM will be broadcasting live from the Mordialloc Wine Food and Music Festival on Saturday and Sunday (Mar. 1-2).

The festival program is set to feature a great line up of jazz and blues acts such as Deep Street Soul, Blue Shaddy, Kylie Auldist and the Glenroy All Stars, Jimi Hocking and Bert Deivert, plus Andrea Marr and the Funky Hitman.

■ Increased profits should follow changes in formats at Fairfax Radio, says CEO Greg Hywood.

The company operates Melbourne radio stations 3AW and Magic 1278. The radio group reported revenue of $54.5 million for the six months ending December 31, down 1.1 per cent.

The Fairfax Radio group’s performance dropped 0.8 per cent, at a time when the overall industry result rose by 2.8 per cent.

3CR drives for cash ■ Melbourne’s original community radio station is concluding February with a drive for subscribers.

It suggests that supporters on a wage should donate $65, with a concession gift recommended at $35.

3CR has a donation page at its website, and also invites listeners to drop into the studio at 21 Smith St, Fitzroy, 10am5pm weekdays, to pay.

Pacific Star profit up ■ Pacific Star Network, operators of 1116 SEN and My

New from Cooper ■ Local singer songwriter Cooper West has released his brand new single titled Why which explores the subject of mental illness colliding with reality. It's released to Australian radio via CRS. The Macedon Ranges artist has also produced a video clip to go with the song.

Cooper will perform as part of the Elmore B & S Party on Friday, March 7 at the Railway Hotel Elmore. www.cooperwest.com.au - Rob Foenander

r Observbei z Show

● Barrie Quick

MP reports its half-yearly before tax profits up 62 per cent, to $785,000.

The stations, led by CEO Barrie Q uick, had revenue for the half-year of $7.7 million, described as “flat”/ The company publishes SEN Inside Football newspaper, and plans to expand its digital publishing options.

The newspaper had halfyear revenue of $438,000, with profit registered at $66,000. It is valued at $797,000.

Blurred?

■ Should breakfast radio comedians cross the line and get into editorials?

Meshel Laurie, one of the Nova 100 co-hosts, lists herself as a comedienne, but also launched into an opinion piece on Wendy Harmer’s Hoopla website last week.

“I Am Meshel And I Am Concerned” was the title of her opinion piece, critical of Australian Immigration Minister Scott Morrison and the Manus Island issue.

Radio Briefs ■ First radio ratings for 2014 are due to be released on Tuesday, March 11.

■ An Austin Powers impersonator (Mark Andrew) joined Denis Walter on 3AW on Friday afternoon. Do they wonder why ratings are down for this program?

■ Sydney radio shockjock Ray Hadley’s wife filed and then withdrew an AVO against him, last week.

■ APN Media is purchasing the half-share held in Australian Radio Network, whicj operates the Melbourne radio stations Gold 104.3 and Mix 101.1 FM.

On This Day Saturday Friday Wednesday Thursday February 26 February 27 February 28 March 1 ■ Actor Jackie Gleason was born in New York in 1916. He died aged 71 in 1987.

Actor Tony Randall was born as Leonard Rosenberg in 1920.

US actress Betty Hutton was born in 1921. She died at 86.

Singer Fats Domino was born in New Orleans in 1928.

■ Singer Guy Mitchell (Al Cernik) was born in Yugoslavia in 1927.

He died aged 72 in 1999.

Actress Joanne Woodward was born in 1920 (83). She is the widow of Paul Newman.

Dame Elizabeth Taylor was born in London in 1932.

She died in 2011.

■ US actress Gavin MacLeod was born as Alan See in 1931 (83).

Racing driver Mario Andretti was born in Italy in 1940 (74).

Politician Mark Latham is 53.

Film director Vincente Minnelli was born in 1910. He died aged 76 in 1986. He married Judy Garland.

■ American dance band leader Glenn Miller was born in 1904. He died aged 40 Scottish actor David Niven was born in 1910.

He died aged 73 in 1983.

Football identity Leigh Matthews is 62.

American actor Ron Howard was born in Oklahoma in 1954.

Local Theatre:

Out Of The Water

● Emily Milledge (Cat) and Brett Cousins (Graham) in Out Of The Water at Red Stitch Actors Theatre until March 8.

Photo: David Parker.

■ An unexpected catch-up between former mutually-loathing step-siblings Polly (Kate Cole) and Graham (Brett Cousins) at Graham’s father’s funeral, soon leads to a lusty affair, in Out Of The Water at Red Stitch Actors Theatre.

There’s one problem, however - Graham is married with a wife, daughter and two sons - and the seemingly selfserving couple knows they have entered forbidden territory each time one seeks out the other.

Contemporary American playwright Brooke Berman’s narrative takes a delightful turn when Graham’s religious daughter Cat (Emily Milledge) declares she will travel to New York to find her father, who “needs someone to tell him where he lives!”

The rattle of Cat’s Amtrak train, interspersed with her father and Polly enjoying domesticity and ‘guilty pleasures’, builds audience anticipation of imminent collision between Graham’s two worlds.

Superb direction by Nadia Tass ensures a seamlessly staged production, well-complimented by Jason Bovaird’s evocative lighting design.

The three terrific actors embody their characters beautifully in naturalistic style, and envelop the audience into sharing the intensity of their emotions.

Each character experiences a journey of self-discovery during the play, even conservative young Cat, who yearns for her own relationship.

Recurring references to The Odyssey lead us to share Polly’s view that Graham will eventually return home to his Penelope.

So, was this adulterous affair worth it in the end? It shouldn’t be – too many people get hurt. Strangely though, in the case of Graham, Polly and Cat, they appear to emerge as more complete, self-aware individuals.

Out Of The Water provides food for thought for those considering such a risky, futile liaison, and offers good entertainment for those of us who enjoy observing other peoples’ lives.

Congratulations Red Stitch on a great opening to your 2014 program.

Season: Until March 8 Venue: Red Stitch Theatre, 2 Chapel St, St Kilda Bookings: 9533 8083 www.redstitch.net - Cheryl Threadgold Melbourne

Observer

Sunday March 2

Monday March 3

Tuesday March 4

■ Dr Seuss (Theodore Seuss Geisel) was born in the US in 1904. He died aged 87 in 1991.

Desi Arnaz, Cuban bandleader and actor, was born in 1917.

He died aged 71 in 1986.

Actress Belinda Giblin was born in Tamworth in 1950 (64).

■ Inventor Alexander Graham Bell was born in Scotland in 1847.

He died aged 75 in 1922.

Singer Ronan Keating was born in Dublin, Ireland, in 1977 (36). He also appears as a TV talent show judge.

Actress Jean Harlow was born in 1911. She died aged 26 in 1937.

■ Shakin’ Stevens, Welsh singer, was born as Michael Barratt in 1948 (66).

Musician and producer Emilio Estefan was born in 1950 (64).

British singer Chris Rea was born in 1951 (63).

Australian actor Steve Bastoni was born in Rome in 1966 (48).

Thanks to GREG NEWMAN of Jocks Journal for assistance with birthday and anniversary dates.

Jocks Journal is Australia’s longest running radio industry publication.

Find out more at www.jocksjournal.com

www.MelbourneObserver.com.au

ShowBiz!

Melbourne Observer - Wednesday, February 26, 2014 - Page 39

Observer Showbiz

This Is What If Feels Like ■ La Mama’s latest offering, This Is What It Feels Like, written by Lauren Bailey and Adam J C Cass, is a lively, often perplexing play that explores naivety, self-doubt and the difficulties of maintaining relationships.

The story revolves around Eliza O'Brien, played

by Lauren Bailey, a young women whose poor choices in life should haunt her more than they do.

Instead, she has wandered through her 20s shrouded ‘in a fog’ of delusion and uncertainty.

The drama and horror of Eliza’s situation is divulged while being interviewed by renowned, hardhitting investigative journalist, Rebecca Soznowski.

While most of us immediately and instinctively distrust the slick interviewer Ms Soznowski, Eliza's blind faith doesn’t, giving an insight into her psyche.

It’s a pity we don’t see more of Rebecca Soznowski, played by Kasia Kaczmarek, whose commanding stage presence is quite compelling.

The promise of a play that ridicules sensational and manipulative journalism never evolves. Nevertheless the theme of manipulation is well seeded.

Director and co-author Adam J A Cass picked his cast well. Jessica Hackett as Eliza’s overly exuberant sister was a beacon of bubbles in an otherwise doleful ensemble during the ‘engagement party’.

Sophie Cole as Georgie, captured beautifully a vulnerable woman's transformation from the submissive and complacent, providing one of the show’s performance highlights.

Inflamed by her fiance’s no-show at their engagement party no less, she delivered, with conviction, a new-found strength that enabled her to find what the others couldn’t – a sense that she deserved better.

Dallas Palmer and Cat Commander played their characters with an edginess that left you wondering.

Perhaps there was something missing in the dialogue or narrative that left these characters dangling and unconnected.

Lauren Bailey portrayed the conflicting contradictions and doubt of Eliza with tenacity.

The set worked well and the dramatic use of entrances and light, in this very small and confined place, were fabulous.

Performance season: Wednesday and Sunday at 6.30pm; Thursday to Saturday at 8pm until March 2 Venue: La Mama Theatre, 205 Faraday Street Carlton Tickets: $25/$15 Bookings: www.lamama.com.au or 9347 6142 - Review by Beth Klein

AUDITIONS ■ Peridot Theatre: Play Readings: One Act Plays February 26 at 7.30pm. Plays for the June One Act Play season include No Strings (by John Tilbrook), By the Half (by Jimmie Chin) and Peter Stone (by Alison Knight). If attending, please contact Alison Knight on a8knight@bigpond.net.au ■ Strathmore Community Theatre Group (STAG): Barefoot in the Park (by Neil Simon) February 26 at 7.00pm, March 2 at 10.00am at the Strathmore Community Centre, Corner Loeman and Napier Streets, Strathmore. Director: Natasha Boyd. Enquiries: 0413 188 513.

■ Peridot Theatre: No Strings (by John Tilbrook) March 3 at 7.00pm. Audition Bookings: 0410 567 834 or email lm.mcniven@optusnet.com.au ■ Peridot Theatre: In by Half (by Jimmie Chin) March 5 at 7.00pm. Director: Alison Knight. Audition bookings: 0437 380 533 or email a8knight@bigpond. net.au ■ Playhouse Players Inc: 12 Angry Men (by Reginald Rose) March 22 - 23. Director: Andrew Burns. Audition booking and audition kit: 0420 329 198.

■ Peridot Theatre: Peter Stone (by Alison Knight) March 9 at 5.00pm at the Unicorn Theatre, Lechte Rd., Mt. Waverley. Director: Trevor Bickenstaff. Audition bookings: 9802 9545.

- Cheryl Threadgold More Local Theatre news on Page 43

TV, Radio, Theatre Latest Melbourne show business news - without fear or favour

Pacific Overtures

● Reece Budin (left), Andrew Kroenert, Sonya Suares, Noni McCallum, Jacqui Hoy, Emma Clair Ford and Bianca Baykara in Pacific Overtures, until March 9 at Theatre Works.

Photo: Jodie Hutchinson ■ The story from the and French Admirals, of one of Stephen Sondbook by John Weidman each desperate to intro- heim’s least-performed with additional material by duce Western trade and shows.

Hugh Wheeler, is about civilisation to Japan conProduced in a strong the arrival of the Ameri- trast with the poignant Po- clear way with all the elecan Navy in Japanese ems. ments of cast and crew The cast of 13 double absolutely right, as they waters in 19th century Japan in an early attempt at or treble roles producing are in this production, it is gunboat diplomacy, and clear characterisations an interesting and enjoythe desperation of a samu- and strong singing with able experience. rai and a fisherman clever choreography dePerformances: Until charged with ‘stopping the signed by Michael Ralph. March 9. Tuesday to SatSet designer Eugyeene boats’.

7.30pm. Sunday Sondheim’s style is Teh makes the black and urday 5pm. evident in the Prologue white set look simple, but Tickets: $39 full/$35 with the orchestra led by it is brilliantly conceived Robyn Womersley intro- giving the feeling of the groups 8+/$29 concesducing Japanese instru- lines of Japanese design sions.

Venue: Theatre Works ments as the play pro- and period. theatre, 14 Acland St, St In particular, a painted ceeds. The story is moved along easily in strong clear circle of a pool of water Kilda, Melbourne.

Running time: two voice by Narrator Anton framing the set, clearly Berezin, who also doubles demonstrating Japan’s hours with twenty minute fiercely protected feudal interval. as Shogun.

Bookings: Tel 9534 Jacqui Hoy’s song isolation in that era and with ensemble of Chry- reinforced in the song The 3388 or Theatre Works santhemum Tea as she Advantage Of Floating In online ticketing system. poisons her son the The Middle Of The Sea .

Warning: 15+ (alAlister Smith is to be though no explicit content, Shogun, is deliciously sincongratulated for his suc- parental guidance recomister.

Please Hello by the cessful direction of this mended).

Russian, British, Dutch Manilla Street production - Rita Crispin

Charlotte found dead ■ TV personality Charlotte Dawson was found dead in her Sydney home on Saturday (Feb. 22). She was a former member of Australia’s Next Top Model.

Dawson, 47, has long fought depression. She was admitted to hospital in 2012 after suffering from bullying on social media.

She had then tried to commit suicide and was admitted to the psychiatric emergency unit at St Vincent’s Hospital, Sydney.

She suffered from a panic attack in November last year, and admitted herself to hospital.

News Limited journalist Melissa Hoyer wrote: “Having known Charlotte for 20 years, she was always bright, funny, beautiful and with a turn of phrase that would just make you laugh, no matter what she was talking about.”

● Charlotte Dawson

Heart Thy Neighbour

● Catherine Larcey and Arta Mucaj in Heart Thy Neighbour. Photo: Teri Cooper ■ ReAction Theatre’s Heart Thy Neighbour can be seen in the Melbourne International Comedy Festival from April 9 – 12 at the Brunswick Mechanics Institute Performing Arts Centre.

Written by Australian playwright Camilla Maxwell and directed by Louise Howlett, Heart They Neighbour highlights the narrow mindedness and undercurrent of envy that exists between neighbours.

We meet the neighbours Eliza and Doug, Rossco and Sarina and the new guy in the street Fitzo, and unearth what really goes on in suburban Australia.

Are your friends really your enemies? Are your enemies your friends? Or are they simply your neighbours?

Venue: Brunswick Mechanics Institute, 270 Sydney Rd, Brunswick.

Dates: April 9 – 12.

Times: 7.30 pm.

Tickets: Full $28, Conc $22, Group (8 or more) $22.

Bookings: TryBooking, or 9378 8671, or at the door. www.reactiontheatre.com.au

Festival of Live Art ■ As part of the inaugural Festival of Live Art (FOLA), Arts House will erupt between March 19 – 23 with a giant four-day live art experience, animating every space with over 20 projects including oneoff encounters, durational works, short performances, club nights and more.

FOLA at Arts House incorporates a program that is more than 80 per cent free experience, featuring weird, strangely seductive, sometimes confronting live art performances, talks, suppers, sleep overs and dance offs.

Catch Game Show from Thursday, Sam Halmarack and the Miserablites (UK) from Friday, and Live Art Dance Party on Saturday, plus at Arts House, North Melbourne Town Hall on Friday night and Saturday, more than 15 live artists will animate every space, creating durational, one-off encounters, short performances, works in development, installations and general good times – all free events.

Explore, hang in the bar, see a show, watch a band and grab one or all of the experiences on offer.

Plus at the FOLA club will continue from 9.30pm at the Arts House, Meat Market from Thursday to Saturday.

On Sunday head to the Arts House, Meat Market to come and go between a 10-hour endurance printmaking performance complete with live bands (culminating in a human live branding) at Performprint; as well as The Long Table, a freeform discussion hosted by UK artist Lois Weaver.

On the hour, every hour, are performances throughout Arts House: Meat Market, North Melbourne Town Hall and Warehouse.

Information www.melbourne.vic.gov.au/ ArtsHouse/Program/FOLA/Pages/ FestivalofLiveArt.aspx Booking: fola.com.au/ - Cheryl Threadgold

www.MelbourneObserver.com.au

Page 40 - Melbourne Observer - Wednesday, February 26, 2014

Bollywood and Australia: worth making a song and dance about

By AMIT SARWAL

Alfred Deakin Postdoctoral Research Fellow at Deakin University

www.theconversation.edu.au ■ It’s 101 years since the birth of Bollywood, the world’s largest and most vibrant movie industry and, of course, that’s more than enough time to mature and alter, to grow arms and legs.

For some time, but since the 1990s particularly, the connections between Australia and Bollywood have really taken hold. So sit back and enjoy a cinematic journey that’s sure to entertain.

Bollywood (a portmanteau for Bombay and Hollywood), the informal term for the Hindi-language popular film industry based in Mumbai, often becomes the face of “Indian cinema” as a whole.

As a genre it has grown and developed over a period of 100 years, coloured by India’s history, politics, socio-economic conditions, culture, sensibilities, dreams, fantasies, hopes and expectations.

In the 1990s Bollywood emerged, post-economic liberalisation of India, as a strong, globalised industry and India’s biggest cultural ambassador to the world.

Many films are accused of being copied or inspired from world cinemas but in the moment of “inspiration” Bollywood creates a unique cultural adaptation packaged with romance, melodrama, action, costumes, songs and dance extravaganzas that suit global Indian audiences’ desires and their understanding of the world around them.

The ever-increasing presence of the Indian diaspora in different parts of the world has helped to realise what we might think of as Bollywood’s cultural diplomacy project.

Switzerland, USA, UK, Mauritius, SouthAfrica, Canada, Dubai and Singapore have all been leaders in attracting Bollywood film-makers. The present day Indian-Australian co-productions are part of that larger continuum and ever-expanding cosmopolitan outlook of Bollywood and the Indian diaspora.

There are strong links between India and Australia, generated through our shared colonial history, Indian diaspora, cricket, tourism, and our governments’ strategic interest in the sub-continental region.

The 1996 film Indian has been credited for featuring the first appearance of kangaroos in Indian cinema. But I have noticed that as early as 1974, a Hindi film Majboor made first reference to Australia and its iconic boxing kangaroo. It featured Bollywood superstar Amitabh Bachchan with a poster captioned: “Just hop, skip and jump every Thursday to Perth Sydney.”

Concrete partnerships and projects between the Indian and Australian film industries began in the late 1990s, and included films, music videos, and TV commercials being shot at picturesque Australian locations.

Various Australian state tourism bodies have since supported Indian productions and used Bollywood stars as ambassadors to promote Australia as a welcoming nation.

Australia is now a hot destination for Bollywood as well as regional language film-makers, with a successful foray of films from Soldier (1998) to Bhaag Milkha Bhaag (2013).

Indian-Australian Bollywood entrepreneur Anupam Sharma is credited with working on more than 200 co-production projects between the two countries.

Within Australia, in the late 1940s and 1950s, only development-based documentary films were showcased at the Indian High Commission.

Post-1960s, Greek subtitled versions of some Indian classics such as Mother India (1957) were screened in Australian cinemas.

Today, most Australian multiplexes screen all big-banner Bollywood films. Many leading Australian directors of photography, stunt directors and postproduction companies are working in India.

There has even been some reciprocal interest in producing Australian films in India.

Over the past two decades, Australian films such as Holy Smoke! (1999), The Waiting City (2009), Save Your Legs! (2012), and My Cornerstone (2013).

Melbourne

Observer

Showbiz Latest

Springsteen live, or how I learned to stop worrying and love the Boss ■ A number of my friends have a fervour for Bruce Springsteen I have never been able to understand.

I have always thought of his work as prosaic and literal.

His songs teeter on the edge of despair at the lack of possibilities of industrial and post-industrial America.

His music, and particularly his bracing, straining vocal performances, are what suffuse much of his output with a sense of hope.

Innately masculine, his work can walk a line between passion and bluster.

Springsteen is the muscular rock god and man of the people, his empathetic tales of everyday travails and fuck-ups blasted reliably upon a road-worn Telecaster, and through a throat of steel.

At the age of 64, he plays three- to four-hour shows that seem to spring from, and continue to generate in his fans, a belief in the redemptive power of rock and roll.

As a first-timer, I now realise, there’s nothing that can really prepare you for a Bruce Springsteen concert. I cannot remember ever witnessing so much unbridled joy in a performer.

At the Allphones Arena on Wednesday evening, Springsteen looked like he was having the time of his life, and this was contagious. He loves his music, he loves his fans, he loves his band.

Over a long show (three hours almost to the minute) there was never once the sense of going through the motions, of anything less than full commitment.

Over eight dates in Australia so far this tour, he has played about 100 different songs.

This show opened with a stomping cover of the Easybeats’ Friday On My Mind (other shows on the tour have opened with AC/ DC’s Highway To Hell) and he had his Australian audience salivating at the first line.

In the second song, Springsteen made use of the special track that’s been constructed around the general admission standing area to do semiregular laps of honour, singing, high-fiving, receiving hugs, giving it out and lapping it up.

The E Street Band is 17-strong – brass, backing

Review: Cock

By STUART RICHARDS

Researcher and Tutor in Screen and Cultural Studies at University of Melbourne

www.theconversation.edu.au

By JOHN ENCARNACAO

Musician, lecturer at University of Western Sydney

www.theconversation.edu.au

● Bruce Springsteen vocalists, two keyboardists, four guitarists … good old American excess in a way.

New addition Tom Morello, of Rage Against The Machine fame, shines with his noisy, experimental approach to lead guitar, but fits in well with E Street regulars, most of whom who have been playing with Springsteen since the 1970s – Stevie Van Zandt and Nils Lofgren on guitars, Garry Tallent on bass, Max Weinberg on drums, and Roy Bittan on piano.

The group affords Springsteen a large variety of musical options, and the set roams from Phil Spector-ish pop to the blues, from the bright rock ‘n’ roll to The Ghost of Tom Joad, which authoritatively carries on in the tradition of Dylan and Guthrie.

Soul, rhythm and blues and gospel are also part of the mix. American Song is a broad church at which Springsteen worships fervently, and from which he gives sacraments to his devotees.

After another Australian cover – The Saints’ Just Like Fire Would – we enter what in hindsight is a set-piece, but in the moment was totally beguiling.

Eerie organ on the border of horror movie soundtrack and gospel service backed Springsteen’s monologue, which began seriously but took a humorous turn when a computerised toilet seat was invoked as a manifestation of “the spirit”.

This set up Spirit In The Night, a song from 1972, and rather than the jazzy shuffle of the original, this performance haunted like old blues in the vein ofSt James Infirmary.

Springsteen finished the song on the catwalk at the back of the standing area, points towards the stage, and launched himself, crowd-surfing on his back for a couple of minutes.

The audience delivered him on a sea of upstretched hands. It sounds like a gimmick, but there was something magical about the moment. Upon arriving back on stage, Springsteen said: “Thanks for not killing me. It got a bit hairy there for a minute!”

About 40 minutes in, Springsteen announced the group would play the Darkness At The Edge of Town album in its entirety.

One wonders if the E Street Band has learnt the man’s entire back catalogue.

At the two-hour mark, it seemed the set was over, but Springsteen barely left the stage before bouncing back with a cover of INXS’s Don’t Change, which is a great fit – simple chord progression, life-affirming lyric.

While the crowd’s adrenalin was peaking, he gave us Born To Run and Dancing In The Dark.

The first suffers a false start – which Springsteen laughed off – the second featured various members of the audience being invited up to dance.

The show ended in an unexpected way with a solo version of Suicide’s Dream Baby Dream on harmonium that developed from solemnity to passionate invocation. In a seamless gesture, Springsteen’s live harmonium became a pre-recorded synthesised string part, and Springsteen walked to centre stage invoking the crowd to keep dreaming.

As with the whole show, the sleight-of-hand, the virtuosic showmanship is in Springsteen’s innate sense of pacing, both in terms of navigating a set-list of nearly 30 tunes and in the ways in which individual songs wax and wane, hitting crests of energy and delivering the crowd to places both familiar and unfamiliar.

● Should sexuality play a central role in constructing our own identity?

MTC, photo Jeff Busby ■ British playwright Mike Bartlett’s contemporary comedy of manners Cock opened on the Melbourne Theatre Company (MTC) main stage this month.

Highly anticipated after winning an Olivier Award with its London production, this play about a unconventional love triangle tries to push beyond the usual limits of sexual identity. But does it succeed?

Protagonist John (Tom Conroy) is torn between loving two people. Act 1 sees him dissatisfied in his relationship with M – for man – (Angus Grant). He reveals he has slept with someone else. To M’s disgust this person is a woman.

Act 2 is from the competing perspective as we see John’s burgeoning relationship with W – for woman – (Sophie Ross). The palpable chemistry between John and W is in direct contrast to the toxic relationship with M. John is tirelessly indecisive (some have suggested infuriatingly so) as he continues relationships with both M and W telling them both the same story – that he will leave the other to be with them. The play culminates in an uncomfortable dinner party where both M and W it seems will stop at nothing to win John over, from using emotional blackmail to cheesecake.

Victorian College of the Arts graduate Marg Howell’s set design is perhaps the strongest aspect of this production. The play opens with the stage covered in identical white cushions, which the cast rearrange – sometimes laboriously – throughout the play. The changing set culminates in the pillows being moved outwards to create an arena for the showdown between M and W. Lighting designer Rachel Burke emphasises John’s changing state of mind. When with M, we have a blue shaft of light; with W, the stage is lit pink – an emphasis of gender differences that’s a little too unassuming for my liking.

While localised with Australian accents and a musical score by local singer-songwriter Missy Higgins, there were a few misplaced references (consistent with the play’s English origins) that were quite jarring, such as catching “the Tube” or spending “seven pounds” on a bottle of wine.

At its core, the play questions the rigid dichotomy between gay and straight. John’s wearisome uncertainty about his choice of partner is a result of this rigidity. Does John stay with the familiar M, who he has been with for several years? Or does he pursue a relationship with W and lead a more socially conventional heterosexual life. John – we soon realise – is a passive figure who defines himself through his relationships.

The script sees M and W, for their own ends, pointing to the ugly sides of these options. M reacts with disgust at the thought of John being with a woman. Intending to somehow soften the blow, John lies and says that she is manly – leading M to ask if W is a “tranny” with big hands. M also reveals a level of misogyny that is uncomfortable to sit through.

W offers an ultimatum laced with hackneyed stereotypes, which I found quite homophobic. If John chooses her they can have six children and romantic trips to Paris, where if he chooses M, all he has is M – glossing over the fact that gay men can and do adopt.

For both M and W, John is a blank slate where they can write their own desirable future and John’s indecisiveness appears to stem from this social pressure.

The accompanying theatre program expands upon this history of sexual identity. There is an historical account of the development of homosexual identity as theorised by various thinkers from the fields of medicine and psychiatry, such as Freud, Evelyn Hooker and Alfred Kinsey. Turn To Page 41

www.MelbourneObserver.com.au Melbourne

Observer

Melbourne Observer - Wednesday, February 26, 2014 - Page 41

Showbiz Latest

My Kitchen Rules pair are all the rage on social media – for now ■ The launch of the current series of My Kitchen Rules has undoubtedly been successful, both in terms of television ratings and in capturing a social media audience, clearly winning the battle for the Twitter audience on premiere night, and maintaining a lead over both The Block and The Biggest Loser since then.

But it is the controversy surrounding Perth contestants Kelly Ramsay and Chloe James that has dominated media coverage, detailing the abuse to which they have been subjected on social media, with Facebook posts of the sort: “I wish these girls would f** off and die”, and images shared with the “pair being hung from a tree and others of them having their eyes poked out”.

Why were they subjected to this abuse?

They’ve been characterised as “bitchy princesses” by TV critics and accused of cheating by using pre-made ingredients when they served a low-scoring Great Gatsby themed meal to judges.

Such controversy is nothing new in the realm of reality TV, which often turns contestants into caricatures in order to engage the public.

British media studies scholar Janet Jones argued back in 2003 that Big Brother contestants are seen as “characters rather than participants or contributors”.

Similarly, in her 2006 review of international studies of reality TV, Dutch scholars Liesbet Van Zoonen and Minna Aslama concluded that one of the big draws of Big Brother is “discovering and assessing the ‘authentic’ versus ‘artificial’ behavior of the participants”.

Negative reaction from fan communities is also fairly common.

One need only look to the case of Jade Goody in the United Kingdom, who in 2002, before the advent of current social media platforms, was being described as “a nasty slapper”, “public enemy number one”, and “the most hated woman in Britain".

The Spoiler ● From Page 34

For Those Who Have Lost The Plot

Neighbours ■ 6.30pm. Weeknights. Eleven ■ Monday, March 5. Danni isin trouble, can Kyle and Brennan save her in time? A betrayed Chris orders Sonya to stay out of his life; Kyle and Brennan pine for Kate and Georgia despite vowing to move on.

■ Tuesday, March 6. Callum encourages Bailey to go for hot Josie; Kate makes another attempt to be friends with Georgia; Georgia and Kyle take a step towards reconciliation; Rebecca learns that it is her fault that Kate and Brennan broke up.

■ Wednesday, March 7. Lauren's long-buried grief returns to haunt her.

■ Thursday, March 8. Chris discovers a shocking secret; Callum and Bailey mess up their double date; Josh needs more drugs and is at risk of losing Amber; Kyle reaches out to Georgia.

■ Friday, March 9. Amber discovers a shocking secret; Chris blames Sonya for his mother's crime; Rebecca finds herself up close and personal with Paul.

Home and Away ■ 7pm. Weeknights. Seven ■ Monday, March 5. Matt, Jett and Maddy start to plot against Sasha in the campaign for school captain. Marilyn is scared when she thinks John is going to propose and Bianca learns of Jess' pregnancy.

■ Tuesday, March 6. Bianca tries to come to terms with the news that Heath got Jess pregnant. Oscar and Evelyn try to figure out a way to get Denny to stay in the Bay. The new School Captains are announced.

■ Wednesday, March 7. Casey tries to convince Adam to help Brax, while Zac and Hannah hit a bump in their relationship. Bianca is devastated to discover more news about Heath and Jess.

■ Thursday, March 8. Hannah is escaping life at the Farm House while, Adam refuses to help Casey.

Roo struggles with life without Harvey and Phoebe asks Kyle about what happened in Melbourne. Irene is set up on a blind date.

Similarly, and more recently, Big Brother series 15 in the United States saw contestant Aaryn Gries make racist remarks, and a torrent of abuse was directed at her (very quickly made private) Twitter account: Belgian film scholar Daniel Biltereyst has argued that “some reality programs are engaged in the intentional production of a perfume of scandal and controversy”.

In both the United Kingdom and United States, racism controversies and their fallouts have led to an increase in ratings – and the following episode of My Kitchen Rules also recorded a boost.

While the hateful comments are given the most attention, it is rarely a one way street.

The hashtag #Team Aaryn was being used by Twitter users defending Aaryn and supporting her on the show – and a cursory glance at that evening’s #MKR stream also showed some support mixed in for Chloe and Kelly.

Given the immediacy of social media, such behaviour presents moral and ethical challenges for both producers and the audience.

While in the case of Big Brother, Goody and Gries were protected from much of the real-time reaction as they remained contestants, pre-recorded shows such as My Kitchen Rules expose participants to the public’s reaction immediately; an experience Kelly Ramsay described as “like a car wreck”.

Similarly, Kaitlin Barnaby, evicted from Big Brother series 15 while the racism controversy was prominent in the United States, described “hateful” comments from “cyber-bullies” that she had received through Twitter following her eviction.

After reality TV, who are the winners?

History suggests that life post-show may not be so bad for those portrayed as reality TV villains.

Goody (who died in 2009 following a very public period with cancer) went on to build a substantial brand based on her name, although slowed by the subsequent 2007 racism scandal.

Similarly “Evil Dick” (Dick Donato), a contestant from Big Brother 8 in the United States, has built a brand around his negative image, now hosting an unofficial pay-per-view talk show on Vimeo.

In the more recent case, Big Brother 15’s Aaryn Gries saw a rapid turnaround in attention af-

By DARRYL WOODFORD

Postdoctoral Research Fellow at Queensland University of Technology

and KATIE PROWD

Research Assistant at Queensland University of Technology

www.theconversation.edu.au ● From Page 40

Bollywood

● Is it worse to be hated or forgotten as a reality-show contestant? Photo: Seven Network ter her eviction from Big viewers would re-evaluBrother 15, becoming a ate as the season evolves.

Twitter “celebrity”.

Perhaps the worst thing Twitter users no longer for reality contestants, focused on the racism however, is not being scandal – but rather hated, but being forgotten, wanted to receive atten- for it is memorable chartion from Aaryn, a phe- acters that get invited nomenon Alice Marwick back for “all-star” seaand Danah Boyd have de- sons, or for crossovers scribed as “a public per- with other Reality TV forformance of access”, in mats, and it is memorable which users see “receiving a message from a characters that are able to highly followed individual build a brand for them[as] a status symbol in it- selves through social media platforms such as self”.

Kelly Ramsay is Twitter.

As evidenced by this quoted in the Brisbane Times as saying “People month’s coverage, have no idea that we’re Ramsay and James have real people, we’ve been the spotlight; now they just made the villains of the need to work out how best series”, and that she hoped to leverage it. ● From Page 40

Review: Cock We are given the history of homosexuality in the theatre followed by the categorisation of bisexuality in light of Kinsey’s findings. Missing from these accompanying accounts is any queer critique of identity.

Grounded in gender and sexuality, queer thinking is born out of questioning whether sexual orientation and gender identity are inherent to our essential selves or socially constructed. For me, this appears to be the major theme of the play.

John’s blank-slate identity demonstrates how sexual labels are socially constructed and that we are the products of our own culture. In this sense, queer marks a suspension of identity as something fixed, coherent and natural and can be seen to give voice to previously obscured voices within this hetero/homo binary constructed by M and W. Cock sees John struggle as a queer figure. The final result of this struggle never seems fully realised, which leads me to think Cock, as an exploration of identity, is rather underdeveloped.

For a play about the limitations of identity politics and the gender binary, Cock isn’t all that transgressive.

■ Melbourne Theatre Company’s production of Cock plays at the Arts Centre Melbourne, Fairfax Studio, February 7 – March 22.

Forthcoming films such as Defiant and Color of Darkness feature India, not just as a background location but as an integral part of the plot.

There was also an Indian classics and Bollywood-inspired moment in Baz Luhrmann’s Moulin Rouge (2001).

Bollywood’s influence on Australia can be gauged by the direction of Australian film careers.

In 2013, Indian-Australian actress Pallavi Sharda was seen romancing one of Bollywood’s biggest heartthrobs Ranbir Kapoor in Besharam.

Before her, Australia’s bowling sensation Brett Lee was bowled over by the Bollywood bug and seen singing in the album Asha and Friends (2006) and showcasing his cricketing skills in Victory (2009).

Before them, in the 1940s and 50s, Mary Ann Evans – AKA Fearless Nadia – ruled the hearts of millions of Indians as a star of India’s booming Hindi film industry.

She became a superstar of Indian cinema with her Hunterwali films and today is known as the “original stunt queen of Bollywood”.

Australian ballet dancer and stage manager Louise Lightfoot worked with filmmaker K. Subramanyam, and Australia’s leading cinematographer Tom Cowan shot films in South India.

In the 1980s, Bob Christo, a name synonymous with the evil face of an “angrez” (Englishman), had a very successful career as a villain.

Other Australian artists who had their tryst with Bollywood are: Tania Zaetta (Salaam Namaste), Nicholas Brown (Kites), Tabrett Bethell (Dhoom 3), Rebecca Breeds (Bhaag Milkha Bhaag), Kristina Akheeva (Yamla Pagla Deewana 2), Emma Brown Garett (Yamala Pagla Deewana), Vimala Raman (Mumbai Mirror), Anusha Dandekar (Delhi Belly), and Maheep Sandhu (Shivam). Charles Thomson (Marathi) and Japji Khaira (Punjabi) have made a name in regional films and are all geared-up for their Bollywood debuts.

For many Australians, Bollywood is India and India is Bollywood, and both are inscrutable! Australian films such as Holy Smoke!, literature and travel narratives (see Wanderings in India) have frequently portrayed India as a perfect hippie escape, the land of sadhus, and batsmen (Save Your Legs!).

Bollywood has presented Australia, in Prem Agan, Salaam Namaste, Crook, Bachna Ae Haseeno and many other films, as sexually liberating, visually romantic, and fantastical land of beaches and beauties.

A 2013 survey by the Lowy Institute for International Policy, the India-Australia Poll, found that Indians generally have a positive perception of Australia and regard Australians as welcoming people.

The survey didn’t mention the degree to which this image may be a result of stories of Indian diaspora, media and Bollywood, which portrays Australia as a popular tourist destination full of fun sports and easy-going people.

For Indian-Australians, Bollywood films are a test of identity, as in the unfolding narrative of a film in which they not only connect with their roots, culture and family values but also try to find a lost piece of their soul.

There always are and will be different perceptions about Australia in India and India in Australia but the artistic skill lies in emphasising the distinctiveness, highlighting multiple facets, telling a yarn and using cultural diplomacy in a positive way.

Page 42 - Melbourne Observer - Wednesday, February 26, 2014

www.MelbourneObserver.com.au

Movies, DVDs With Jim Sherlock and Aaron Rourke

What’s Hot and What’s Not in Blu-Rays and DVDs

● Oscar winning Australian acting great Geoffrey Rush gives a masterful and unforgettable performance in the wonderfully haunting, dark and obsessive mystery drama The Best Offer, a must see.

FILM: THE BEST OFFER: Genre: Mystery/Crime/Drama.

Cast: Geoffrey Rush, Jim Sturgess, Sylvia Hoeks, Donald Sutherland.

Year: 2013.

Rating: M. Running Time: 131 Minutes.

Format: DVD and BLU-RAY. Stars: **** Verdict: Geoffrey Rush gives one the most mesmerizing and compelling performances of his career as a master European auctioneer who becomes obsessed with an extremely reclusive heiress who calls him to valuate her families extensive collection in an mysterious rundown mansion. Beautifully filmed and with a haunting music score by the legendary Ennio Morricone, The Best Offer is a multi-layered, intelligently written, moody, intense and methodically told drama by Oscar winning director Giuseppe Tornatore (Cinema Paradiso). It requires special attention and concentration, but as you are slowly drawn into this dark world where obsession and mystery clash, you are compelled to take the journey into the unknown that all started with a simple phone call, all leading to a conclusion that will keep you thinking long after the credits have finished.

FILM: THE FAMILY: Genre: Crime/Comedy/Drama/Action.

Cast: Robert De Niro, Michelle Pfeiffer, Tommy Lee Jones.

Year: 2013.

Rating: MA15+.

Running Time: 111 Minutes.

Format: DVD and BLU-RAY. Stars: *** Verdict: The story of a former mafia Mob Boss and family who are relocated to France under the witness protection program, where everything doesn't quite work out as planned. Robert De Niro and Tommy Lee Jones are well cast in roles they have covered many times before, as the former Mafia boss and Law Enforcement Agent, and even though this is no classic, lacking a bit of a sting in its tail, all the elements of dark humour, drama, comedy and action fall into place with good solid results, and Michelle Pfeiffer is a delight as the strong willed wife of the family. Action director Luc Besson (Leon: The Professional) pulls off an above average effort in what could have been an otherwise formula driven scenario and won't disappoint too many fans of Mob movies.

FILM: ESCAPE PLAN: Genre: Crime/Action.

Cast: Sylvester Stallone, Arnold Schwarzenegger, Sam Neill, Jim Caviezel.

Year: 2013.

Rating: MA15+.

Running Time: 115 Minutes.

Format: DVD and BLU-RAY. Stars: *** Verdict: When a professional security authority finds himself set up and incarcerated in the world's most secret and secure prison, he has to use his skills to escape with help from the inside. 1970's, 80's and The Expendables action icons Sylvester Stallone and Arnold Schwarzenegger join forces again in this popcorn action romp in which they try to outwit a brutal prison warden and escape a mysterious hi-tech prison with no connection to the outside world or their whereabouts. Even though it never reached cinemas in Australia it's doesn't mean it's a bad film.

Here Stallone and Schwarzenegger don't disappoint as the thrills, gunplay, pyrotechnics and villains flow thick and fast in this well enough executed and satisfying fun ride for fans of the genre.

FILM: THE MISFITS: Genre: Drama.

Cast: Clark Gable, Marilyn Monroe, Montgomery Clift, Eli Wallach.

Year: 1961.

Rating: PG. Running Time: 124 Minutes.

Format: DVD and BLU-RAY Stars: ***½ Verdict: Oscar winning director John Huston's compelling drama of a beautiful divorcée who falls for an aging and brooding cowboy who is struggling to maintain his romantically independent lifestyle in early 1960's Nevada. An engrossing character driven drama, John Huston keeps a tight grip throughout on the complex and intelligent screenplay written for the screen by Marilyn Monroe's then husband Arthur Miller (Death of a Salesman) with solid and intense performances by all. This is unlike anything Monroe had done before, and would tragically be her last completed film, as she would die the following year during the filming of 'Something's Got To Give' in 1962, and would also mark the final screen appearance of screen great Clark Gable, who would die only days after filming completed.

Oscars 2014 ■ The awards season comes to a close with its glitziest presentation, the Academy Awards, which will screen here in Australia on March 3.

While there are a number of worthy nominees, this year seems to be recognising the competent rather than the best-of-the-best.

Do serviceable, even forgettable films such as Her, Captain Phillips and Philomena really deserve to be selected as a candidate for Best Picture?

Even the brilliantly acted American Hustle doesn't quite reach those cinematic heights to warrant a nod for the top prize.

If the Academy deem these films meritorious of a Best Film nomination, then it is puzzling how superior efforts such as Inside Llewyn Davis, Prisoners, All Is Lost and Mud were overlooked, while other, smaller releases like Stoker, The East, Only God Forgives and Upstream Colour could have been afforded the kind of greater exposure they most definitely deserve.

The much-lauded American Hustle was certainly enjoyable viewing, but the other, surprisingly forgotten Christian Bale film, the Deer Hunter-inspired Out Of The Furnace, is more dramatically satisfying, and almost everyone on screen could have received a nomination.

If US producer Harvey Weinstein had have got his act together, the highly acclaimed Snowpiercer could have been up for several awards.

It is interesting that the three Best Foreign Film nominees I've seen (The Broken Circle Breakdown, The Great Beauty, The Hunt) are stronger than those up for Best Picture, and even those that missed out, including France's Blue Is The Warmest Colour and Japan's Like Father, Like Son, feel like better contenders.

It seems a peverse joke that The Croods and Despicable Me 2 are nominated for Best Animated Film, while weightier, gorgeously animated features such as Approved For Adoption and Padak are completely ignored.

There are also a number of absentees in the technical categories, especially Pacific Rim and Elysium, and if the CGI-crazy The Great Gatsby can get a nomination for Best Production Design, then why can't the visually dazzling Upside Down or the gloriously designed Lords Of Salem receive the same recognition. Good luck with all your predictions, and here are my reviews for the Best Film nominees.

American Hustle (MA). 139 minutes. ***.

This 70s-set story about a shrewd con-artist and the myriad of problems he encounters is elevated by wonderful acting and some strong writing, but the overt Scorsese homage stops it from working as a stand-alone film.

Captain Phillips (M). 134 minutes. ***.

Moderately engaging but protracted drama starring Tom Hanks never fully involves. Director Paul Greengrass (United 93) has done better.

Dallas Buyers Club (MA). 117 minutes. ****.

Matthew McConaughey excels as a homophobic Texan who contracts the AIDS virus in the mid 1980s. This

● DVDs and Blu-Rays kindly supplied by Video Vision, 177-179 Carlisle Street, Balaclava.

Phone 9531 2544 true life drama is directed in an unsentimental manner by Jean Marc Vallee (C.R.A.Z.Y).

Gravity (M). 90 minutes. ****½.

Exceptional, big-screen sci-fi/ drama is full of genuine wonder, while giving us two characters we can actually care about.

Her (M). 130 minutes. **.

Writer/director Spike Jonze takes the 1980s hit Electric Dreams and updates it for the Facebook generation, with dull and empty results.

Reminds you of other movies (2001, Simone, Gattaca, The Clone Returns Home, to name some), and Jonze's predictable treatment of the story makes you feel like you're watching out-takes from Being John Malkovich. Joaquin Phoenix and Amy Adams do rise above the material.

Nebraska (M). 115 minutes. ****.

This intelligent, low-key study of America trying to repair itself, as shown through a fragile father-son relationship, is touching, funny, and ultimately rewarding. Bruce Dern and June Squibb are fantastic (it's also terrific to see Stacy Keach back on the big-screen), and its black-andwhite presentation convincingly captures a country that suffered badly from the GFC. Philomena (M). 99 minutes. **½.

Based on a true story, this mild drama about an Irish Catholic (Judi Dench) who was forced to give her baby up for adoption in the 1950s is too soft-centred to make any real emotional impact, and despite good work from co-writer/co-producer/costar Steve Coogan, just doesn't challenge the audience in any way.

For a much more powerful experience, watch Peter Mullan's excellent The Magdalene Sisters (2002). Judi Dench's wandering Irish accent proves quite distracting at times.

12 Years A Slave (MA). 134 minutes. ****½.

This searing, masterfully directed look at one man's horrific experiences attains a crushing, oppressive atmosphere that is impossible to shake.

Another great movie from Steve McQueen (Hunger/Shame).

The Wolf Of Wall Street (R). 180 minutes. ****½.

Savage and suffocating, this brutally funny work from Martin Scorsese so convincingly creates the bubble that these Wall Street slimeballs live in that it brilliantly disconnects you from the real world.

This and Blue Jasmine deal with similar themes and morally bankrupt characters, but there are no restrictive Woody mannerisms here.

Oscar Picks Best Film - Gravity; Best Director - Gravity; Best Actor - Dallas Buyers Club; Best Actress - Blue Jasmine; Best Supporting Actor - Captain Phillips; Best Supporting Actress - 12 Years A Slave; Best Original Screenplay - American Hustle; Best Adapted Screenplay - 12 Years A Slave; Best Foreign Film - The Great Beauty; Best Animated Film - The Wind Rises.

- Aaron Rourke

Top 10 Lists THE AUSTRALIAN BOX OFFICE TOP TEN: 1. THE WOLF OF WALL STREET. 2. ROBOCOP. 3. LAST VEGAS. 4. ENDLESS LOVE. 5. ARE WE OFFICIALLY DATING? 6. 12 YEARS A SLAVE. 7. WINTER'S TALE. 8. THE BOOK THIEF. 9. THE DALLAS BUYERS CLUB. 10. FROZEN. NEW RELEASES AND COMING SOON TO CINEMAS AROUND AUSTRALIA: FEBRUARY 20: LE WEEK-END, LONE SURVIVOR, NEBRASKA, WOLF CREEK 2, THE LEGEND OF HERCULES. FEBRUARY 27: 3 DAYS TO KILL, GLORIA, MYSTERIES OF THE UNSEEN WORLD, NON-STOP, OUT OF THE FURNACE, THE WIND RISES, WELCOME TO YESTERDAY. THE DVD TOP RENTAL & SELLERS: 1. RUSH [Biographical/Drama/ Action/Chris Hemsworth, Daniel Bruhl].

2. BLUE JASMINE [Drama/Cate Blanchett, Alec Baldwin, Peter Sarsgaard].

3. ESCAPE PLAN [Action/ Sylvester Stallone, Arnold Schwarzenegger].

4. THE FAMILY [Action/Comedy/ Crime/Robert De Niro, Michelle Pfeiffer].

5. RED 2 [Action/Comedy/Bruce Willis, Helen Mirren, John Malkovich, Anthony Hopkins].

6. 2 GUNS [Action/Crime/Mystery/Mark Wahlberg, Denzel Washington].

7. ALAN PARTRIDGE: ALPHA PAPA [Comedy/Steve Coogan, Colm Meaney].

8. ABOUT TIME [Comedy/Romance/Tom Hollander, Rachel McAdams, Bill Nighy].

9. RIDDICK [Science Fiction/Action/Vin Diesel, Katee Sackhoff.

10. NOW YOU SEE ME [Crime/ Mystery/Jesse Eisenberg, Mark Ruffalo, Woody Harrelson].

Also: WE'RE THE MILLERS, DIANA, RUNNER RUNNER, LOVELACE, GROWN UPS 2, THE WOLVERINE, WHITE HOUSE DOWN, THE BEST OFFER, PERCY JACKSON: SEA OF MONSTERS, PACIFIC RIM, THE HOBBIT: AN UNEXPECTED JOURNEY - The Extended Edition.

NEW RELEASE HIGHLIGHTS ON DVD THIS WEEK: GRAVITY [Drama/Sandra Bullock, George Clooney].

FREEZER [Action/Thriller/Dylan McDermott, Peter Facinelli].

Tim Winton's THE TURNING [Drama/Rose Byrne, Hugo Weaving, Cate Blanchett].

NEW & RE-RELEASE CLASSICS ON DVD HIGHLIGHTS: THE EMPEROR'S NEW GROOVE [Animated/Family/Adventure/ David Spade, John Goodman].

NEW RELEASE TELEVISION, DOCUMENTARY AND MUSIC DVD HIGHLIGHTS: SCHAPELLE: The Tele-Movie.

DOCTOR WHO: Web of Fear.

MISFITS: Series 5.

BATTLEGROUND. ARCHAEOLOGY: A Secret History.

DORA THE EXPLORER: Dora's Butterfly Ball.

THE SYNDICATE: Series 2.

Turn To Page 49

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Melbourne Observer - Wednesday, February 26, 2014 - Page 43

Observer Showbiz

Local Theatre With Cheryl Threadgold

La Mama: The Play’s The Thing SHOWS ■ La Mama Theatre: The Play's the Thing (written and directed by Brenda Palmer) Until March 2, Wed, Sun 8.30pm, Thurs, Fri, Sat at 6.30pm at La Mama Theatre, 205 Faraday St., Carlton. Tickets: $25/$15. Bookings: www.lamama.com.au ■ La Mama Theatre: Two Mortals (Devised and performed by Rachael Dyson-McGregor and Mike McEvoy).

■ Red Stitch Actors' Theatre: Out of the Water (by Brooke Berman) Until March 8 at the Red Stitch Theatre, 2 Chapel Street, St Kilda. Director: Nadia Tass. Bookings: 9533 8082. www.redstitch.net ■ Williamstown Little Theatre: Almost, Maine (by John Cariani), Until March 1 at 2 Albert Street, Williamstown. Director: Kris Weber. Tickets: $25/$22. Bookings: wlt.org.au/bookings 9885 9678.

■ Mordialloc Theatre Company: Quartet (by Ronald Harwood) Until March 1 (two Sunday matinees) at the Shirley Burke Theatre, 64 Parkers Road, Parkdale. Director: Eric Heyes. Bookings: www.mordialloctheatre.com ■ The Basin Theatre Group: Quartet (by Ronald Harwood) Until March 8 at 8.00pm (Sunday matinees at 2.00pm) at The Basin Theatre, Corner Doongalla and Simpson Roads, The Basin. Director: Graham Fry. Tickets: $25, Groups of ten plus $20.

Bookings: 1300 784 668 (between 7.00 and 9.00pm only). www.thebasintheatre.org.au ■ Eltham Little Theatre: Natural Causes (by Eric Chappell), Until March 1 at 8.00pm at the Eltham Performing Arts Centre, 1605 Main Road, Research. Director: Mel de Bono. Bookings: 0411 713 095 or www.elthamlittletheatre.org.au ■ La Mama Theatre: This Is What It Feels Like (by Lauren Bailey and Adam J. A. Cass) Until March 2 (Wed, Sun at 6.30pm, Thurs, Fri, Sat at 8.30pm) at 205 Faraday Street, Carlton. Bookings: 9347 6142 www.lamama.com.au ■ Theatre Works: Pacific Overtures by Stephen Sondheim and John Wiedman Until March 9 at Theatre Works, 14 Acland Street, St Kilda. Director: Alister Smith; Musical Director: Robyn Womersley; Choreographer: Michael Ralph. Tickets: $39 full, $20 concession, $49 Gala Night. Bookings: 9534 3388.

■ Brighton Theatre Company: As Bees in Honey Drown (by Douglas Carter Beane) Until March 8 at the Brighton Arts and Cultural Centre, Corner Wilson and Carpenter Streets, Brighton.

Director: Peter Newling. Tickets: $23/$21. Bookings: 1300 752 126.

■ Heidelberg Theatre Company: The Glass Menagerie (by Tennessee Williams) Until March 8 at 8.00pm, 2.00pm matinee on March 8 at 36 Turnham Ave., Rosanna. Director: Karen Wakeham. Tickets: $25 full, $22 conc. (not Seniors). Bookings: 9457 4117 htc.org.au ■ Cardinia Performing Arts Centre (CPAC): Whistle Down the Wind Until March 7 at the Cardinia Cultural Centre, Lakeside Blvd., Pakenham. Tickets: $32 Adults, $29 Concession, $25 Children U15, Family $100. Bookings: 0407 090 354.

■ Strathmore Theatrical Arts Group (STAG): The Secret Tent (by Elizabeth Addyman) February 27 - March 9 at the Strathmore Community Hall, Corner Loeman and Napier Streets, Strathmore. Tickets: $20/$15. Bookings: 9382 6284 www.stagtheatre.org/reservations ■ The 1812 Theatre: Inspector Drake and the Black Widow (by David Tristram) February 27 - March 22 at 3-5 Rose St., Upper Ferntree Gully. Director: Anne Simons. Tickets: $27. Bookings: 9758 3964 www.1812theatre.com.au ■ Malvern Theatre Company: Trap for a Lonely Man (by Robert Thomas) February 28 - March 15 at 29 Burke Rd., Malvern.

Director: Kevin Trask. Tickets: 20. Bookings: 1300 131 552 www.malverntheatre.com.au ■ Chapel Off Chapel: Show-Off-At-Chapel February 28 from 10.30pm onwards at 12 Little Chapel St., Prahran. Host: Trevor Jones. A late-night, post-show, foyer showcase of new and loved acts performed for you by emerging or established talents, or those simply game enough to get up and Show-off their skills.

Email showoffatchapel@gmail.com with details of two songs you would like to perform. Free event.

■ La Mama Theatre: La Media (Adapted and directed by Laurence Strangio) March 5 - 9, Wed - Sun at 7.30pm at La Mama Courthouse, 349 Drummond St., Carlton. Tickets: $25/ $15. Bookings: www.lamama.com.au ■ Lilydale Athenaeum Theatre: Double Act (by Barry Creyton) March 5 - 22 at 39 - 41 Castella St., Lilydale. Director: Alan Burrows. Tickets: $25/$23. Bookings: 9735 1777 www.lilydaleatc.com ■ Dionysus Theatre: Arete (a short play festival for emerging artists) March 6, 7, 8 at 8.00pm at McClelland College Performing Arts Centre, Karingal (entry off Alexander Crescent). Tickets: $30/$25. Bookings: http://www.trybooking.com/EGRY ■ La Mama Theatre: Orphanage of the Animals March 6 - 16 at La Mama Theatre, 205 Faraday St., Carlton. Directors: Catherine Samsung and Karen Corbett. Tickets: $25/$15. Bookings: www.lamama.com.au

Melbourne

Observer MAJOR BRUCE SESSIONS

Review

● Maureen Hartley in The Play’s The Thing at La Mama Theatre until March 2.

■ Playing at La Mama Theatre in Carlton and utilising the set that has been made for the next production to the fullest, The Play’s The Thing is a hilarious and cleverly written new production directed Brenda Palmer.

Maureen Hartley, Louise O’Dwyer and Peppa Sindar make up the cast of dedicated actors, writers and directors, playing actors and directors who are rehearsing for a play which is about rehearsing for a play (if you can wrap your head around that).

Each actor uses their own physicality in unique and humorous ways, even when completely still, and each gives the space a presence that is awkward, funny and somewhat moving all at the same time.

The egos and the personal truths that lie behind each character left the audience in stitches from start to finish; there was not a moment of the show that wasn’t delivered with perfect timing and delivery.

Brenda Palmer is to be congratulated on a fantastic new production.

Although written as a tribute to those who have shared a rehearsal space with her, this show is truly for anyone who knows or understands the egos, coffee, parking, re-writes, cuts, warm-ups and endless hours that go with making a production a real reality, and how one good idea can become a truly brilliant idea.

Well done to the entire cast and crew on a thoroughly entertaining and engaging new production.

Season: Until March 2 Times: Wed, Sun 8.30pm , Thu, Fri, Sat 6.30pm Venue: La Mama Theatre, 205 Faraday St, Carlton Tickets: Tickets $25 Full, $15 Concession Bookings: www.lamama.com.au or 9347 6142 - Review by Stephen Leeden

SHOWS ■ Malvern Theatre Company: Trap for a Lonely Man (by Robert Thomas) February 28 - March 15 at 29 Burke Road, East Malvern. Director: Kevin Trask. Tickets: $20. Bookings: 1300 131 552.

■ La Mama Theatre: The Family Tree March 5 - 16, Thurs, Sat at 8.30pm, Wed, Fri, Sun at 6.30pm at La Mama Theatre, 205 Faraday St., Carlton. Tickets: $25/$15. Bookings: 9347 6142 www.lamama.com.au ■ Subtext Theatre: Danny and the Deep Blue Sea March 6 - 8, March 11 - 15 at 7.30pm, March 9 at 5.00pm and March 8, 15 at 3.00pm at The Owl and the Pussy Cat, 34 Swan Street, Richmond (opposite Richmond station). Tickets: $25/$20. Bookings: http://www.owlandcat.com.au ■ Encore Theatre Company: Love, Loss and What I Wore (by Nora and Delia Ephron), March 7 - 21 at the Clayton Theatrette, Clayton Community Centre, Cooke St., Clayton. Director: Helen Ellis. Bookings: 1300 739 099 (9.00am - 9.00pm).

■ La Mama Theatre: Stray (by R. Johns) March 12 - 23, Wed, Sun at 6.30pm, Thurs, Fri, Sat at 7.30pm, March 13, 20 at 11.00am, March 19 at 1.00pm at La Mama Courthouse, 349 Drummond St., Carlton. Director: Kat Henry. Tickets: $25/$15. Bookings: www.lamama.com.au ■ The Mount Players: A Few Good Men (by Aaron Sorkin) March 14 - April 5 at The Mountview Theatre, 56 Smith St., Macedon. Director: Neil Coulson. Tickets: $25/$22. Bookings: 5426 1892 www.themountplayers.com ■ Sly Rat Theatre Company (in conjunction with Revolt Artspace Melbourne): Doomsday Devices (by Andy Harmsen) March 14 - 22 at Revolt Artspace, 12 Elizabeth St., Kensington.

Tickets: $25 full $20 conc. Bookings: http:// www.revoltproductions.com

● Stars of Margaret Fulton: Queen of the Dessert, Zoy Frangos, Zoe McDonald, Amy Lehpamer, Josh Price and Laura Burzacott , will each be performing in the Major Bruce Sessions at Ruby’s Music Room.

Photo: Gerard Assi ■ Maverick music theatre makers the Present Tense Ensemble re-imagine five legendary albums as part of The Major Bruce Sessions: Volume 1, a monthly residency at Ruby’s Music Room, 132 Little Lonsdale St, Melbourne.

The next production in the series will be Like A Prayer By Madonna on Wednesday, March 19 at 6.30pm, with Anna Boulic and Mark Leahy, followed by Bat Out of Hell by Meatloaf on Wednesday, April 16 at 6.30pm, with Amy Lehpamer, Josh Price and Quyen Le. Born In The USA by Bruce Springsteen will be presented on Wednesday, July 23 at 6.30pm with Laura Burzacot and Jack Howard, then Tapestry by Carole King on Wednesday, August 27 at 6.30pm with the best recent graduates of the Ballarat Arts Academy Curated and arranged by Nate Gilkes and Bryce Ives, Major Bruce will feature the hallmarks of the Present Tense Ensemble: glorious vocal arrangements and impulsive live performances led by Nate Gilkes, sitting at a sensational Steinway piano.

“Most of our contemporaries are dealing with the works of Shakespeare, Beckett or Churchill. We’re more interested in Madonna, Meatloaf and Bruce Springsteen. This monthly residency gets us out of the theatre; as we jam, make music and reflect on the poetry that inherently exists in popular music,” says Bryce Ives.

“We’re excited about the intimacy offered within Ruby’s Music Room. It will give the audience the opportunity to be up close and personal with the lyrics and music of some of our greatest rock and pop artists,” says Nate Gilkes.

Venue: Ruby’s Music Room: 132 Lt. Lonsdale St, Melbourne Tickets: $25 on the door, or $20 online www.rubysmusicroom.com

SHOWS ■ SLAMS: The 25th Annual Putnum County Spelling Bee March 14 - 22 at 8.00pm at the Knox Community Arts Centre, Crnr. Scoresby Rd. and Mountain H'way, Bayswater. Director: Joel Batalha; Musical Director: Ben Franklin; Choreographer: Hayley Wood. Tickets: $32/$28 Groups 10+ $25. Bookings: www.trybooking.com/69740 or 9720 3205.

■ Beaumaris Theatre Inc: The Great Gatsby March 14 - 29 at Beaumaris Theatre, 82 Wells Rd., Beaumaris. Director: Kristina Doucouliagos. Tickets: $27/$22. Bookings: www.beaumaristheatre.com.au ■ Mockingbird Theatre: The Judas Kiss (by David Hare) March 14 - 22 at Theatre Works, 14 Acland St., St Kilda. Director: Jason Cavanagh. Bookings: www.mockingbirdtheatre.com.au ■ Nat Cursio Co (Commissioned by Theatre Works): The Middle Room March 17 - 21 and March 24 - 28 at Theatre Works, 14 Acland St., St Kilda. Strictly one visitor at a time.

Tickets: $25/$20. Bookings: www.theatreworks.org.au (please bring proof of payment to theatre), or phone 9534 3388 between 10am and 3pm Mon-Fri, or tickets available at door unless sold out. Box Office opens 45 mins before show.

■ Present Tense Ensemble: The Major Bruce Sessions: Volume 1: Like a Prayer by Madonna Wednesday, March 19 at 6.30pm at Ruby's Music Room, 132 Little Lonsdale St., Melbourne. Curated and arranged by Nate Gilkes and Bryce Ives. Tickets: $25 on door, $20 online. www.rubysmusicroom.com ■ Fab Nobs Inc: Xanadu March 21 - April 5 at 33 Industry Place, Bayswater. Director: Steven Valeris; Musical Director: Simon D'Aquino; Choreographer: Sheona Grigg. Bookings: www.fabnobstheatre.com.au ■ Theatre Works: Person of Interest - Nicola Gunn. March 24 - 29 at Theatre Works, 14 Acland St., St Kilda. Tickets: $15. Bookings: www.theatreworks.org.au (please bring proof of payment to theatre), or phone 9534 3388 between 10.00am and 3.00pm Mon-Fri, or tickets available at door unless sold out. Box Office opens 45 minutes before start of the show.

www.MelbourneObserver.com.au

Page g 44 - Melbourne Observer - Wednesday, y y February 26, 2014 Melbourne

Observer

Lovatts Crossword No 7 Across

1. Portion 5. Appliance, ... cleaner 8. Gluttony 11. Coloured-tile design 14. Nit-picker 18. On the sick list 19. The U of IOU 20. Zigzag pattern 23. Chef's garment 24. Scandalous 27. Entice 28. Beeped (horn) 29. Debates 31. Fuzzy leather 32. Crush (fly) 34. Roof edges 36. Fantasise 37. Not even once 38. Toddlers 39. More unfriendly 41. Ardent 44. Certainly 47. Dance 49. Equally balanced 50. Gazed fixedly 52. Bill 54. Recess 56. Restaurant list 58. Throw out of house 60. Most awful 62. Young dogs 64. Rain heavily 66. Egyptian snakes 67. Avoided 70. Measuring rod 71. In control, at the ...

72. Singing voices 73. Finished 74. Cupid's shaft 75. Climbing vegetable 77. Armoured vehicle 79. Dominate (market) 83. Pummelled 85. Unusually 87. Exhaust (supply) 89. Wandering 91. Gratifying 94. Stressed 97. Declare 98. Scenes 99. Questionable 100. Court fine 103. Column 105. Custodian 107. General pardon 110. Pork cut, ... ribs 111. Relaxes 114. Renovate (ship) 116. Frosty 118. Exclusive 120. Expressing contempt 122. Hue 124. Screen collie 126. Vibrated noisily 129. Divides 132. Castle entrance 136. Borders 139. Falsify 140. Quantity of paper 142. Fracas 145. Edit (text) 146. Splendid sight 148. Halt 150. Chopped down 152. Outlook 154. Remain

Across

Down

1. Covering for feet 156. Ticket remnant 2.

Pained expression 157. Become septic 3.

Orient 159. Hand-make (jumper) 4.

Duration of presidency 161. Eiffel Tower city 5. Long narrow prospect 164. Surplus 6. Greatest 167. Essential 7. Glove 169. Slightest 8. Cheer 171. Canoodle 9. Ghostly 10. Charismatic 173. Happen 11. Assaulted & robbed 174. Periodic 12.

Tranquil 177. Socially excluded 13.

Bring about 180. Anglican parish priest 14. Price of passage 183. In an unspecified way 15. Aromatic herb 187. Leaps over 16. Advocate 190. Pencil rubber 17. Walrus teeth 192. Constant 21. Body's building blocks 194. Book publicity hype196. Ever 22. Phantom Of The ...

25. Engine booster 197. Of the sun 26. Befuddle 198. Musical pace 28.

Gently 200. Peace offering, ... branch 30.

Calming drug 201. Male sibling 33. Language 203. Root vegetable 35. Compete 205. Sport, Rugby ...

38. Toughen (steel) 207. Willingly 40. Moral 209. Drain 42. Utter (cry) 43. Location 211. Improper 45. Tidings 213. Undergarment 46. Wheat tips 215. Powered bike 48.

Guacamole ingredient 217. Ambience 49.

Furthest limits 220. Portable light 51. Dashes 222. Lockjaw 53. Mulish 224. Nobleman 55. Well-behaved child, little ...

227. Recognition 57. Unmoved 228. Welcoming 59. Relinquish (land) 61. Ready for business 232. Kitchen flooring 62.

Pluto or Earth 234. Circuit-breaker 63.

Suggestion 237. Leather strap 65. Planned movement 239. Golf club 66. * symbol 240. Goodbye 68. Hard Italian cheese 241. Warm & cosy 69. Dentist's tools 242. Port style 76. Likely 244. Considering 78. Much ... About Nothing 245. Small religious group 80. Fleur-de-lis 81. Jittery 247. Booming 82.

Dog, cocker ...

250. Stimulates 84.

Water tank 251. Adversary 85.

Matures 252. Type of bee 86. Dozes 253. Depart 88. Wicked 255. Packing boxes 90. Approachable 257. Shattered 92. Meeting schedule 260. Skin eruptions 93. Diaper 95. Rock or jazz 264. Comfort 96. Scope 266. Affixed with spikes 101.

Rainbow shapes 267. Judas' payment, ... pieces of 102.

Determined individual silver 103.

District 270. Astonish 104. Zone 273. Principles 106. Acting sovereign 274. Jetty 108. North American deer 275. Craze 109. Prince Edward, ... of Wessex 277. Not drunk 110. Sluggish 112. TV studio filming area 279. Treadle 113. Feminine pronoun 281. Seethe 115. Excursion 283. In force (of license) 117. Secretes 285. Ledger entry 119. Pine or palm 286. Annul 121. Notion 287. Dreary 123. Unnerve 290. Dries up 124. Beach rescuer 291. Follow 125. Caustic 292. Salad dressing 127. Docile 128. High hits 293. Mongrel 130. The same 294. Pose for artist 131. Cheek whiskers 295. Loathes 133. Wonderment 296. Paper hanky 134. Nags 297. Sloop or ketch 135. Grass colour 298. Ice-cream dessert 137. Deadly poison 299. Topic 138. Fury

Down 141. Keenly perceptive 143. Raise (children) 144. Belonging to whom?

147. Hopeless wish, ... in the sky 149. Mountains 151. Labours 153. Is able to 155. Lovable 157. Room base 158. Bladder 160. Decorate with pictures 162. Tiny particle 163. Creep (towards) 165. Beast of burden 166. Here ..., gone tomorrow 168. French brandy 170. Additionally 172. Loose hood 175. Hanker after 176. Hatchets 178. Slothful 179. Dodge 181. Plant seed 182. Written material 184. Elect 185. Deciduous tree 186. Woodwind instrument 188. Second-hand 189. Suit-maker 191. Regal 193. Speaking to crowd 195. Fixed procedure 196. Ward off 199. Copious 202. Legacy 204. Traitor 206. Female relative 208. Hunger 209. Wound mark 210. Bombard 212. Residences 213. Beat up 214. Current units 215. Interim 216. Camera stand 218. Arm joints 219. Each person 221. Sped on foot 223. Flightless bird 225. Bore diameter 226. On fire 229. Lungs & liver 230. Plagiarised 231. Home (duties) 233. Single thing 235. Acidic 236. Civilian wartime prisoner 238. Honey drink 243. Heavenly spirits 245. Half 246. Blister-like pouch 248. Gambling chances 249. Extinct bird 254. Inaccurate 255. Free from blame 256. Allow in 258. Enigma 259. Serious-minded 261. State further 262. Undulating 263. Four-door car 265. Straddling 268. Pester 269. Minimise 271. Hosiery garment 272. Improvement (in economy) 274. Beg 276. Skilled 278. Fundamental 280. Die down 282. Flour cereal 283. Promises 284. Schoolboys 288. Geological eras 289. Handle

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Page 46 - Melbourne Observer - Wednesday, February 26, 2014

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Melbourne

Observer

CONVERT YOUR UNWANTED GOODS INTO CASH Take a free Classified ad in the Melbourne Observer, and sell your unwanted goods. Simply complete the form on the facing page, and mail to PO Box 1278, Research, 3095.

Melbourne

Observer

WINNERS OF TICKETS TO THE ‘ROCKY HORROR SHOW’.

Congratulations to the winners in this Melbourne Observer competition, each person (named below) winning double tickets to the show at the Comedy Theatre on Friday, April 25.

Tickets will be mailed sirect to winners by the publicists: ■ Brian Hickey, 4 Windsor Ave, Wyndhamvale 3024.

■ Judith Ingles.

33 Menzies St, Rye 3941 ■ Alice Mercieca.

6/24 Wright St, Clayton 3168.

■ Leonie Charlesworth. 229 Elder St, Greensbororough, 3088.

■ Ed Smith. 5/14 Osborne Ave, Glen Iris 3146.

Special ‘Observer’ Reader Offer SHOWS Diana Trask Daughter of Australia CD

A newly released CD by one of Australia's popular singers

$20 including postage Diana was one of the first popular Australian singers to be successful in the USA but soon after many others followed: Helen Reddy, Olivia Newton-John and in recent times Keith Urban.

Diana's success began on the Sing Along with Mitch TV Show from New York. Coming back to Australia she had a national hit TV show The Di Trask Show. A little later Diana moved to Nashville and a string of hit songs and albums in the country music field followed.

Dear Friends, I am so happy and excited to release our new CD Daughter of Australia Australia.. The response to the songs on this album during my recent Victorian tour was overwhelming. I trust the readers of The M elbourne Observer will Melbourne enjoy this CD which is a collection of my old hits and some of my new compositions.

With love, Diana To: T erprises Trrask Ent Enterprises x 200 erbury ic 3126 Box 200,, Cant Canterbury erbury,, V Vic PO Bo

LATEST THEATRE NEWS

LATEST THEATRE NEWS

Atlantis In Concert

Atlantis - continued

■ Melbourne theatregoers were treated on Sunday evening to the premiere of Atlantis In Concert, presented in two musically superb performances at Chapel Off Chapel.

Award-winning composer/lyricist Matthew Robinson’s 18 songs and dialogue in this epic event musical tell the fascinating story of the days leading up to the destruction of the ancient mythical kingdom of Atlantis, including a mystery female stranger (Maia) arriving by boat.

Directed by Chris Parker and with musical direction by Matthew Robinson, the wonderfully skilled music theatre cast included Kellie Rhode (Maia), Gareth Keegan (Theo), Lucy Durack (Thalia), Anne Wood (Lotti), Emily Langridge (Chora), Melissa Langton (Lyra), Bert LaBonte (Aeon), Cameron MacDonald (Solon), Lisa-Marie Parker (Cleo), Ben Nicholson (Alexi), Sophie Carter (Peria) and Joel Parnis (Bias).

The end result of this combination of stellar musical theatre performers presenting Robinson’s brilliant compositions was nothing short of sensational.

Australians should feel very proud of this home-grown musical. The first draft of Atlantis was workshopped in 2012 at the Western Australian Academy of Performing Arts and since then, the script’s exciting journey has included readings in New York City on two occasions, feedback from Stephen Schwartz and representatives from Disney Theatrical Productions, Manhattan Theatre Club, Stuart Thompson and the Araca Group. Draft seven was presented at Pearl Studios late last year and soon Matthew Robinson, the youngest ever recipient of Australia’s richest theatre-writing award, the Pratt Prize for Music Theatre, will be relocating abroad.

The intriguing tale of Atlantis also contains recognisable modern-day social issues, such as fear of boat arrivals to our shores, environmen-

tal concerns, female jealousy and the age-old boy-wants-to-be-with-girl situation.

It was a privilege to experience the premiere of this marvellous new musical in Melbourne, and every good wish goes to Matthew Robinson and his team for well-deserved overseas success.

- Cheryl Threadgold

Melbou rne

C/- 30 Glen Gully Rd, Eltham, Vic 3095

Yes! Please send me the CD Diana Trask Daughter of Australia. I enclose my Cheque/Money Order for $20.

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Songs on the Daughter of Australia CD include 1. Daughter of Australia 2. Lock Stock and Tear dr ops eardr drops 3. Run Boy Run ou'v e Got 4. Hold Wha Whatt Y You'v ou've 5. This Must Be My Ship 6. All Of The People 7. S tirrin' Up F eelings Stirrin' Feelings 8. Her e's T oY ou Bab y Here's To You Baby 9. Star of the Sea (Gabe's Song) 10. Old Country Church

Acrobat comp.

■ Melbourne is set to host Australia’s first national competition showcasing their aerial acrobatic skills. Pole and Aerial All Stars is the first competition of its kind and will feature 18 competitors in the Pole division and seven competitors in the Aerial division plusperformances by international artists. The event takes place on March 1at the Forum Theatre.

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Australian Ballet

■ Tickets to The Australian Ballet’s 2014 Melbourne season at Arts Centre are now on sale.

The public can now book tickets to the company’s popular ballets, including Peter Wright’s family favourite, The Nutcracker; Sir Kenneth MacMillan’s Manon; and Stanton Welch’s exotic take on the ballet classic La Bayadère.

Bookings are also open for The Australian Ballet’s 2014 Public Programs.

Sir Kenneth MacMillan’s Manon. March 14-24.

Chroma. June 6-14.

Bodytorque.DNA, June 17-24.

Imperial Suite. June 20-28.

Stanton Welch’s La Bayadère. August 28– September 6.

Peter Wright’s The Nutcracker. September 12-25.

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Page 48 - Melbourne Observer - Wednesday, February 26, 2014

www.MelbourneObserver.com.au

Melbourne

Observer Victorian Sport

Cup carnival concludes at The Meadows ■ The rich Australian Cup Carnival concludes this Saturday night (Mar. 1) at The Meadows with the staging of one of the premier events on the greyhound racing calendar, the Australian Cup Final.

Nearly $360,000 in stakemoney is on offer for the Group One race. In addition, the $142,000 SuperStayers event for the long distance dogs will support an outstanding night of racing and entertainment.

Well known football identities Joel Selwood and Billy Brownless will mingle with the crowd, while live music, free kids entertainment and showbags will also be on offer.

Patrons will also have the chance to win the ultimate sporting holiday for two valued at $20,000 among some great prizes to be given away.

Gates open for the premier event at 6pm.

Arden St tales ■ The Australian Cup boasts a rich history, dating back to 1958.

In those days, the Melbourne Greyhound Racing Association conducted their race meetings at Arden St, around the outside of the North Melbourne Football Ground.

A dispute with the City of Melbourne over rental costs at Arden St saw the MGRA pull up stumps, and relocate to a new circuit in the Olympic Park precinct, which opened for business in August 1962.

The Australian Cup remained at this popular inner city location until the land was acquired for the Burnley

Greyhounds

with Kyle Galley and Domain Tunnels in 1996. After a short stint at Sandown Park while the MGRA looked for a new home, the Australian Cup landed at The Meadows where it has been staged since that venue opened in 1999.

Among the many wonderful dogs which have tasted Australian Cup success over the years were inaugural winner Rookie Rebel, Tangaloa (who also later sired Cup winners Tangairn and Eaglehawk Star), the only dual victor China Trip, top sprinter Brett Lee and Queensland legend Bogie Leigh.

For many years when the race was staged at Olympic Park, the event was part of Melbourne’s Moomba celebrations, and Moomba Monarchs such as Daryl Somers, Ian ‘Molly’ Meldrum and Kevin Bartlett were on hand to present the Cup to the winner.

Country focus ■ The country greyhound focus shifts to Horsham in the Wimmera

for their annual Cup series. Qualifying heats are staged next Monday night (Mar. 4) and the $43,750 Final comes up on Saturday week (Mar. 8).

The Horsham Cup is run over 480 metres, and the Showgrounds circuit gives all runners a fair chance, as the straights are long which allow runners plenty of room to find their stride.

Horsham began racing in the early 1970’s and, despite their relative isolation from other racing venues, the club still attracts plenty of entries for their regular meetings, and I expect that many of the state’s leading trainers will make the long trip there for the Cup series.

The rich event is also likely to gain the attention of some Adelaide trainers as Victorian prizemoney is well ahead of what is on offer in South Australia.

A number of other support events will compliment the Cup night card which should be well attended.

Top speaker ■ Australia's premier greyhound owner and breeder Paul Wheeler will be in attendance at The Meadows on Saturday, March 15 where he will speak at a free Trainers Education Seminar, organised by Greyhound Racing Victoria.

New South Wales based Wheeler and his family have dominated greyhound breeding and ownership in Australia in recent years.

Paul Wheeler bred the first seven greyhounds home out of the field of

eight starters in the 2011 Melbourne Cup. He will talk on subjects such as: education of greyhound pups, breeding litters, how he built a dynasty in greyhound racing from humble beginnings, and how his 1400 acre property operates.

No doubt many participants in the industry will be in attendance, eager to pick up some ideas to adapt for their own operations.

Other presenters at the forum will include well known local trainers and greyhound breeders Paul Westerveld, Karen Leek, David Knocker, Paul Anderton and Troy Iwanyk and Dr Alistair Smith.

Places at the seminar are limited, with bookings advised through Greyhound Racing Victoria.

Gold Rush ■ The Bendigo club is busy planning for its Easter Gold Rush Carnival which will be upon us before we know it.

There will be eight meetings staged at the Lord’s Raceway circuit in 10 days, and new feature races will compliment the established big events during the Carnival.

As the Carnival draws closer, this column will cover the exciting array of feature events in more detail.

● Ian ‘Molly’ Meldrum

Upcoming race meetings ■ Wednesday: The Meadows (Day), Bendigo (Twilight), Horsham (Night), Ballarat (N); Thursday: Sale (D), Traralgon (T), Sandown Park (N), Warrnambool (N); Friday: Bendigo (T), Geelong (N); Saturday: Shepparton (T), The Meadows (N); Sunday: Healesville (D), Sandown Park (D), Geelong (T), Sale (T); Monday: Ballarat (D), Geelong (T), Shepparton (N); Tuesday: Sale (T), Horsham (N) - Kyle Galley

www.MelbourneObserver.com.au

Melbourne Observer - Wednesday, February 26, 2014 - Page 49

Melbourne

Observer Victorian Sport

Aust. Guineas open ■ With Victoria Derby winner Polanski continually under a cloud with minor complaints this has left the door wide open for the Australian Guineas at Flemington on Saturday (Mar. 1).

Polanski's trainer, Robbie Laing, has been unable to run him due first of all to ring worm, then he scratched himself on the barrier stalls and will go into the Guineas needing runs.

A big ask, even for a Derby winner, although he has plenty of upside.

The South Australian Hucklebuck has stormed into favoritism for the classic after a brilliant win at Flemington in the C.S.Hayes Stakes.

The three year-old by former top galloper, Elvstroem, out of Kondari, an O'Reilly mare, is beautifully bred and has a ton of ability at the long run in of the mile at Flemington will be to his liking.

He has had only seven starts for four wins a second, and a third.

In the Hayes Stakes he proved too strong for the Tony Vasil trained colt, Prince Harada, who put in an improved run after being ridden up on the pace, by new race rider, Craig Williams.

While another with ability is the Robbie Griffiths trained youngster, the Quarterback, who will improve further out to the 1600 metres.

He is part owned by RSN'S turf expert, Dean Lester.

Another with a big chance is the Gai Waterhouse prepared Bull Point, to be ridden by top postillion Damien Oliver, an impressive winner at Caulfield.

Bull Point won the Manfred Stakes with authority beating Worth A Ransom and the Quarterback, with Prince Harada on that occasion running a disappointing fourth.

He too will be suited by the 1600 metre trip at Flemington.

Then there is the Cox Plate winner, Shamus Award, who should be nearing his best, after a good second at his last start.

His trainer, Danny O'Brien, especially wants to win the Guin-

Ted Ryan

● Hucklebuck Photo by SLICKPIX, phone 9354 5754

eas, because his value as a stallion.

Of the others the Bart Cummings trained Eurozone, is very smart, and was beaten narrowly by top sprinter, Moment of Change in the C.F.Orr Stakes at Caulfield over 1400 metres.

He could be top class, and is in it right up to his ears.

The only filly in the race, Solicit, will have her work cut out matching with the colts and geldings, but is very smart.

N’market tough ■ Like the Australian Guineas there a number of chances in the Lexus Newmarket Handicap with some of the country's best sprinters having a go at the straight six, 1200 metre event.

After the first nominations were finalised there were a number of chances, who could win the Blue Ribbon event.

In alphabetical order, starting off with

the young Sydneysider, Bernabeau, who went amiss in the Lightning Stakes and finished well back, but his trainer, John O'Shea, must feel he's spot on to enter him for though 1200.

Down the list is the most improved sprinter in Australia, the Mick Price trained, Lankan Rupee, who has shot to favoritism for the Newmarket, after three brilliant wins at his last three starts, after being gelded.

It certainly has turned his form around, and although he won well at Caulfield over the 1200 metres, there a few skeptics who felt the distance would see him out, but were they wrong.

The Son of Redoute's Choice blitzed them and deserves his nod as favorite for the Newmarket. Mick Price has entered three of his top sprinters, Lord of Belfort, who shows promise, but I felt he was disappointing at Caulfield when unplaced.

Showbiz Extra ■ From Page 42

Top 10 Lists

TOP BLU-RAY RENTAL & SELLERS: 1. BLUE JASMINE [Drama/Cate Blanchett, Alec Baldwin, Peter Sarsgaard].

2. RUSH [Biographical/Drama/Action/Chris Hemsworth, Daniel Bruhl].

3. ESCAPE PLAN [Action/Sylvester Stallone, Arnold Schwarzenegger].

4. 2 GUNS [Action/Crime/Mystery/Mark Wahlberg, Denzel Washington].

5. ABOUT TIME [Comedy/Romance/Tom Hollander, Rachel McAdams, Bill Nighy].

6. THE FAMILY [Action/Comedy/Crime/Robert De Niro, Michelle Pfeiffer].

7. RED 2 [Action/Comedy/Bruce Willis, Helen Mirren, John Malkovich, Anthony Hopkins].

8. ALAN PARTRIDGE: ALPHA PAPA [Comedy/Steve Coogan, Colm Meaney].

9. RIDDICK: Directors Cut [Science Fiction/ Action/Vin Diesel, Katee Sackhoff].

10. NOW YOU SEE ME [Crime/Mystery/Jesse Eisenberg, Mark Ruffalo, Woody Harrelson].

Also: We're The Millers, Diana, Grown Ups 2, Runner Runner, White House Down, The Wolverine, Lovelace, The Best Offer, Percy Jackson: Sea of Monsters, Pacific Rim. NEW RELEASE HIGHLIGHTS ON BLU-RAY THIS WEEK: GRAVITY [Drama/Sandra Bullock, George Clooney].

GRAVITY 3D + Blu-Ray [Drama/Sandra Bullock, George Clooney].

FREEZER [Action/Thriller/Dylan McDermott, Peter Facinelli].

Tim Winton's THE TURNING [Drama/Rose Byrne, Hugo Weaving, Cate Blanchett].

- James Sherlock

Sulky Snippets

One of his charges with a great show is the brilliant mare, Samaready, a winner of the Blue Diamond, who was a little unlucky in the Lightning Stakes when third behind Snitzerland, and Sham Express.

Then you have the Peter Moody trained, Moment of Change, a very good sprinter who was narrowly beaten by Sham Express in the Newmarket last year.

He fell in the Orr Stakes, after having everything go his way, and although he is coming back to the 1200 metre trip¸ I just feel that the others might have the wood on him.

The Robert Smerdon trained

● Solicit Photo by SLICKPIX, phone 9354 5754

● Shamus Award Photo by SLICKPIX, phone 9354 5754 Shamal Wind, is a top the Equestrian sprinter and a big Victoria Fire Relief chance, after his first Fund. up win over General Donations can be Truce after giving him made by depositing to a big start at Caulfield in the listed W J the account at NaAdams Stakes, at tional Australia Bank Caulfield, after draw- Werribee. ing the car park.

BSB No. 083961.

He always goes Account No. 84 250 well fresh as indicated 4766. by his first up win over All donations will the consistent sprinter, be treated as confidential unless otherwise specified.

■ Equestrian These funds will be Victoria, is working used solely for the prowith other equestrian vision of goods for groups in the state, those impacted on. principally HRCAV, People wishing to pony clubs, Victoria donate goods are and individual clubs, after some of the worst aszked to contact fire conditions for Werribee Park many years.

Equestrian Centre, Many people have phone 9741 7672. been impacted on seIf you would like to verely, with some los- donate feed/ fodder, ing homes, stock, fencing and injury to stock please contact: also being a significant ■ Hoofs 2010. Mobile: 0428 280 597. factor.

They have all come Becc Todder. to the view that provid- ■ Woodend Pony ing a coordinated ap- Club. Peter Lane on. proach to assistance, mobile 0412 029 409. either by way of donated funds, donation ■ Project Hope Welof goods or the volun- fare. Phone 1300 881 teering of time to as- 606 or mobile 0419 sist people with re- 876 696. building of their propIf you can help in erty and equestrian any way it would be grounds impacted on most appreciated, for by fires was the best a very worthy cause. way to go.

Thank you.

A bank account has - Ted Ryan been established being

Relief

■ Avenel trainer Wayne Potter produced a smart type by the name of Naevia to take the Peter Egan Bi-Rite Electrical 2-Y-0 Pace over 1690 metres on debut at Maryborough on Thursday.

Bred and raced by Peter and Craig Judd, Naevia backed as if there was no settling to run at $1.40, raced outside another first starter Laforce (gate two) after starting from gate five, before crossing to lead for the final circuit.

Given full rein by Nathan Jack approaching the final bend, Naevia scored by 2.8 metres from Winkn Nod which raced parked for the last lap, with Jodan (one/one last lap) third. The mile rate 2-01.7.

Potter and Jack were to bring up a double when Four Starzzz Shark/Cedar Valley gelding Frankie Valley scored in the David Clausen 3-Y-0 Vicbred Pace over 1690 metres in a rate of 1-56.9.

Leading out from gate three, Frankie Valley surprising surrendered the front running at the bell, allowing Grinning Cheer to assume control.

Using the sprint lane, Frankie Valley sailed away to defeat a game Jay Dee Zed which raced in the open for most of the race, with Baranduda also switching down to the sprint lane from mid-field in the running line third.

■ Dunnstown trainer/driver David Murphy snared the ADE Turf Equipment Pace for C0 class over 2080 metres with It Is I/ Medarlinone 4-Y-0 entire Vote Pedro in a rate of 2-02.3.

Given an easy time from gate six on the back of the pole line leader Just For Laughts, Vote Pedro made full use of the sprint lane to gain the day over the pacemaker, with Wills Son (one/two) third.

David was again a winner at Geelong on Thursday, when It Is I/Live And Learn 4-Y-0 mare Here And Now greeted the judge in the Jams & Son Pace for C1 class over 1609 metres.

Raced by wife Erin, Here And Now (gate five) faced the breeze all of the way, proving too strong at the business end for the leader Illawong Joyful and Exotic Native (three wide last lap) in a mile rate of 159.3.

- Len Baker ● More harness racing, Page 50

Page 50 - Melbourne Observer - Wednesday, February 26, 2014

www.MelbourneObserver.com.au

Melbourne

Observer Victorian Sport Racing Briefs

Fave assumes control ■ It was David Miles again in the winners stall at Maryborough on Thursday after 4-Y-0 Badlands Hanover/Sokysokylala gelding Sookin Up greeted the judge in the Eddie & Ronnie Rich 80th Birthday Twins Pace for C1 class over 2190 metres.

Sent forward to lead from gate six, Sookin Up was restrained to allow the well supported favourite Western Gretel to assume control within a lap.

Using the sprint lane, Sookin Up sailed away over the concluding stages to defeat Blended Family and Sirladyn Reba in a slick rate of 2-00.5.

No doubt owner Terry Wait made sure that the twins enjoyed their birthday.

Punters sour ■ Echuca trainer Wayne Lear left a sour taste in the mouths of punters at the Shepparton fixture on Wednesday after winning the Betta Home Living Trotters Mobile for T0 class over 2190 metres with $41.60 chance Fortunate Dreams who was making her seventh race appearance..

Driven by Steve Boyington, Fortunate Dreams (Dream Vacation/Fortunate Girl) settled three back the markers from gate two, with the border hopper Ok Paco outside the front line crossing the hot favourite Unsolved Mystery (gate three) shortly after the start.

Easing away from the inside approaching the final bend to follow Nomistakingpegasus three wide after a sweet one/one trip, Fortunate Dreams finished best to score by an easy 9.9 metres over Nomistakingpegasus in a rate of 2-04.4, with Ok Paco holding down third.

Not that flash ■ A massive plunge was landed at Geelong on Thursday, when the Bruce Donaldson (Bullengarook) bred, raced and trained 5-Y-0 D M Dilinger/Natural Winner gelding Black Coyote was a strong victor of the Apco Easy Shops Pace for C2 class over 2100 metres.

Driven by Gavin Lang, Black Coyote (gate four) wasn't all that flash away from gate four, but once balanced, was urged forward to park outside the pacemaker Lierre Noir.

Joined by the favourite Our Missionary Man three wide on the final bend, Black Coyote cruised to the wire to register a 3.5 metre margin in advance of Lierre Noir which fought on, with Our Missionary Man dying on his finish to come in third.

The mile rate 1-58.8.

10th success in 46 ■ Geelong's feature event for the evening - the Fox Digital Web Pace for C5 & C6 class over 2100 metres went the way of ultra-consistent It Is I/Billy Rae five year old gelding Cyrus for Portarlington's Henderson family.

Trained by Neville Henderson, Cyrus with regular reinsman Mick Bellman in the sulky led throughout from the pole to defeat Johnny Quid (one/one at bell) prior to dropping down to the sprint lane on the final bend, with the odds-on favourite Sapphire Swayze which moved to the breeze from near last at the bell finishing third. The mile rate 1-57.2 (last half 55.9 - quarter 27.7).

It was Cyrus' 10th success in 46 outings.

Used sprint lane ■ Locals John and Matt Newberry landed the Neatline Homes Pace for C0 class over 1690 metres at their home track with 4-Y-0 Big Tom/Shez Madam Jasper mare Chain Of Gold in a rate of 1-58.7.

Quickly angling to the back of the leader Starzzz Delight (gate five) outside her to receive the run of the race, Chain Of Gold used the sprint lane to score at Supertab odds of $26.00 over Starzzz Delight and Bromac Del Mar which threw away chance when badly out from gate two.

Manning wins at Horsham ■ It's nothing new for the name Manning to appear in the winners’ list at the majority of Horsham meetings, only this time it wasn't Peter or Kerryn, but long time passionate harness participant David Manning who is based in Melton and has trained horses as a hobby for a number of years.

David was successful with five-year-old former Kiwi Romes Burning, a gelded son of Julius Caesar and Franzwa which was making his Australian debut in the Bayview Eden Melbourne Pace for C0 class over 2200 metres on Monday February 17.

Driven by Meltonian Zac Phillips, Romes Burning first up since December settled with most of the field ahead of him after starting solo on the second line, with The Conmans Luck taking over from outside the front row shortly after the start.

Set alight racing for the bell, Romes Burning crossed to lead at the post, before running his rivals ragged to score untouched by 34.8 metres in a rate of 1-59.3 over The Conmans Luck, with Mayorofshinetown (one/one at bell) 1.7 metres away in third place.

It was Romes Burning's fifth victory in 43 outings and first since August last year.

David is heard over the airwaves of Radio Sport National on a regular basis throughout the week co-ordinating most trots broadcasts.

Greeted judge ■ St Arnaud trainer Brian Kiesey was in the winners stall at Horsham when six-year-old John Street North/Trouble Chaton mare Latoya Lass greeted the judge in the Compass Powder Coating & Metal Work Pace for C1 class over 2200 metres.

Making her 91st race appearance, Latoya Lass with Ararat's Mick Bellman in the sulky possied three back in the moving line from the extreme draw, before being sent forward three wide in the last lap to join the leader Iconic Art prior to the home turn.

Gaining the upper hand on straightening, Latoya Lass had a 7.1 metre margin up her sleeve on hitting the wire in advance of Partnersinvancelot which followed her home and Nicmac Bromac a stablemate of the winner.

The mile rate 2-01.5.

Baker’s Delight

Harness Racing

This Week’s Meetings

Melbourne

Observer

len-baker@ bigpond.com

with Len Baker

Very fast ■ Great Western's Michelle Wight has her trotters going great guns at present and after winning with Frances Annie at Melton the previous Saturday, snared the Horsham Trots Centenary 10 March Trotters Handicap for T0 or better class over 2200 metres with six year old Sundon/ Foreign Interest gelding Idle Suntime.

Beginning very fast from the 40 metre mark, Idle Suntime raced in the open outside the heavily supported A Stylish Jewel throughout, before surging clear on the final bend to register a 8.9 metre victory from the Kiesey stablemates Candy Digger and Master Kiesey in a rate of 2-05.2.

No speed ■ The Dunn-Ezy Seed Cleaning Pace for C2 & C3 class over 2200 metres at Horsham went the way of Terang trainer/driver Robert Arundell's five year old Armbro Operative/Hi Ho Fitz mare Big Mumma Fitz raced by the Fitzgerald family in a mile rate of 2-01.2.

Showing no speed from the pole, Big Mumma Fitz was quickly angled away from the markers to settle three back in the moving line with the roughie Your Invited leading from gate three.

Sent forward in the back straight on the final occasion, Big Mumma Fitz joined the front runners Your Invited and Big Gorilla on the home turn, before drawing clear over the concluding stages to score by 3.9 metres from Kerryn Manning's Ardlussa Express which followed her home, with Shanira (one/one) third.

Death seat ■ Bolinda trainer Vince Vallelonga was victorious with Kiwi bred 7-Y-0 Courage Under Fire/

Make Em Count gelding Fiery Count in the Condo's Horse Transport Pace for C2 & C3 class over 1609 metres at Cranbourne on Tuesday February 18.

Taking a concession for the stable's Cory Bell, Fiery Count whizzed across the face of the field from outside the front line to lead and was never headed, accounting for a death-seating Bronze Destiny and Flying Indi Air (three wide last lap).

The mile rate 2-00.1.

Smooth ■ At Shepparton on Wednesday, Monegeetta's David Miles landed the Grenada Park Pace for C2 class over 2190 metres with 4-Y-0 Art Major/Duel Castle mare Jewel Castle in a rate of 1-59.1.

Using a mares concession, Jewel Castle from the pole was given the run of the race trailing the heavily supported The Ole Buckeroo next to her and was always travelling smoothly.

Not wanting to use the sprint lane, Jewel Castle was eased off the back of the leader on straightening and finished best to overhaul The Ole Buckeroo, with Niquero using the sprint lane from four back the markers at the bell for third.

2 min even ■ Sebastian's Ray Sutton made the trip to Cranbourne on Tuesday a successful one after snaring the quinella in the Trios Sports Club Vicbred Pace for C1 class over 1609 metres with Mystic Soldier and Innocent Vance.

An 8-Y-0 gelded son of Our Sir Vancelot and Austral Magic, Mystic Warrior driven by Greg Sugars led throughout from the pole to score by 6.6 metres over Innocent Vance (one/two) and More Than Alright (one/one) in a mile rate of two minutes even.

■ Wednesday - Maryborough/Mildura, ■ Thursday - Kilmore/Ararat, ■ Friday - Melton, ■ Saturday - Shepparton, ■ Sunday - Sebastian @ Melton, ■ Monday - Geelong, ■ Tuesday - Cranbourne.

■ Australasia's biggest harness event, The Inter Dominion, will be held at Tabcorp Park Menangle (NSW) this Sunday afternoon supplemented by a feast of quality racing.

Horses To Follow ■ Cullen Regent, Flyin Indi Air, Im Smouldering, Umi, Forbidden Forest, Bromac Del Mar, Blended Family, Always Treasure, Johnny Quid.

Good win at Shepp.

■ Tooleen trainer/driver Clinton McSwain's smart Lombo Mandingo/My Petite Lombo 5-Y-0 Miz Lulabell Lombo chalked up her seventh victory when successful in the Langstar Racing Pace for C1 class over 2190 metres at Shepparton.

Starting from gate two after taking a mares concession, Miz Lulabelle Lombo led for the majority of the journey to defeat Quick Jet (three back the markers) and Earls Reign which trailed in a rate of 1-59.7.

Double at Geelong ■ Maiden Gully trainer David Van Ryn snared a trotting double at Geelong on Thursday - 4-Y-0 Armbro Variable/Pepperell Mistral mare Paris Pepperell (Rod Petroff) taking the APG Sydney Sales March 1 Trotters Mobile for T1 & T2 class over 2100 metres, defeating Always A Treasure and Tawonga South in a pedestrian 2-12.3 and Armbro Variable/Maori Lass colt Asdendro (Chris Alford) the Northern Bay Fish & Chips 3-Y-0 Trotters Mobile over 2100 metres, outstaying the leader Guiltless, with Zharis Idol third. The mile rate 2-05.

Father and son win ■ Mernda trainer Ian Dornauf and son Matthew combined to land the Cranbourne Trainers Bonanza Pace for C1 class over 2080 metres at Cranbourne on Tuesday February 18 with speedy Life Sign/Illawong Julie 6-Y-0 gelding Royal Deviate in a mile rate of 2-02.7.

Taking a concession, Royal Deviate from gate two began fast, but couldn't head off the well supported favourite Three Gold Bars inside him.

Persisting running into the first turn, Royal Deviate crossed and was never headed, winning by an easy 6.8 metres over Cullen Regent (four wide home turn from last) and a disappointing Three Gold Bars.

Brilliant time ■ At Shepparton on Wednesday, Avenel's David Aiken snared the Shepparton BMW Pace for C1 class over 1690 metres with 4-Y-0 Mach Three/ Arty Alice mare Earth Angel.

Given a lovely trip one/one from gate two by David, Earth Angel was eased wide on straightening before finishing strongly to defeat a game Dieing Secret which raced in the open and Illawong Travel (three wide last lap) in a brilliant 1-55.9.

Short let up ■ Six year old Sundon/Insulated mare Aleppo Midas returned from a short let up to be a brilliant winner of the Empire Stallions Vicbred Trotters Mobile over 1720 metres at Friday night's Tabcorp Park Melton meeting.

Trained at Shelbourne by Michelle Eastman assisted by husband Dale, Aleppo Midas having her first outing since January 11, was sent forward from gate six to lead, before running her rivals ragged in defeating Blitzthemcalder by 15.2 metres in a rate of 1-56.3, with up and comer Josephine Jones third.

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Horses

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Melbourne Observer - Wednesday, February 26, 2014 - Page 53

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Page 54 - Melbourne Observer - Wednesday, February 26, 2014

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Horses

“COLEYCHELLE FARM� Ph: 07 5467 1800 E: info@hairtestlab.com.au

www.hairtestlab.com.au

We have used HTL products for many years and have always been very impressed with the results and the personal service always given by Alison and her team.

This same outstanding service was also offered to our clients when referred from our saddlery over the 10 years we were there.

Alison is always willing to listen to our concerns and has been able to solve an enormous number of problems for ourselves and our friends and clients. Her products are very effective and her personal experiences over many years have been invaluable.

Our hack Nadal is currently on Formula Bronze, Formula White, Balanced Minerals and Formula Yellow, since introducing these products his general condition and coat has improved in leaps and bounds.

Nadal has had many successes culminating in Top 10 Hack Barastoc 2012 and was the Equestrian Victorian Champion Small Hack 2012.

We highly recommend HTL and are sure that if you give them a try your horses will also benefit. ... Kerry Mulgrew / Peter Ronzio, Naruni Park Pony Stud

www.MelbourneObserver.com.au

Melbourne Observer - Wednesday, February 26, 2014 - Page 55

Page 56 - Melbourne Observer - Wednesday, February 26, 2014

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AFL TEAM FOR TASMANIA ATTENTION: AFL COMMISSION, TAKE NOTICE Dear friends, I just created a campaign: AFL Team for Tasmania.

It would mean a lot to me if you took a moment to add your name in support of this issue ● www.communityrun.org/petitions/aflteam-for-tasmania ● www.communityrun.org/petitions/aflteam-for-tasmania?source=facebookshare-button&time=1391050829 ● twitter.com/wwwsafetycove After you've signed the petition please also take a moment to share it with others.

It's super easy: post it on facebook, tweet about it, or you could simply forward this email onto your friends and family.

Real change happens when everyday people like you and I come together and stand up for what we believe in. Together we can reach many people and create change around this important issue.

Thank you, Rex Mapley Sea Change Safety Cove

Why is this important?

1.Tasmania is a Sovereign state. It is not a national competition without Tasmania in it.

2. A generation of Tasmanians have been deprived of the pleasure of AFL, which they are passionate about. 250,000 spectators attended an AFL game in the 1960s.

3. The Australian Constitution provides equality of Trade between states.