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Melbourne Observer - Wednesday, March 26, 2014 - Page 7
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Roller coaster of emotions Observer in ‘Madame Butterfly’ In This 88-Page Edition
Mark Richardson: Special Feature ..... Pages 4-5 Ash Long: The Melbourne Observer ......... Page 8 News: Spy camera in bathroom ............ Page 9 Di Rolle: “I love my job” .................... Page 10 Melb. Confidential: Derryn is flying high . Page 11 Long Shots: The Editor’s column .......... Page 12 Gavin Wood: Live from West Hollywood .. Page 15 David Ellis: Travel and Wine .................Page 16 Yvonne Lawrence” Life and Style .......... Page 17 Kevin Trask: Whatever Happened To ...... Page 18 Observer Readers Club: Your stars ........ Page 19 Jim Sherlock returns, Page 42 Cheryl Threadgold Julie Houghton
Madonna - Like A Prayer
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● Anna Boulic in The Major Bruce Sessions: Volume 1, Madonna – Like a Prayer. ■ Music theatre makers The Present Tense and the audience were engaged as part of the Ensemble have jammed, improvised and show, being allowed to choose the order in delved deep into the queen of pop herself, which the tracks on the album were played Madonna to re-imagine the album Like A out. Prayer like never before seen or heard. Each song was done in a truly unique fashArtistic directors Bryce Ives and Nathan ion, with moments of happiness, sadness, deGilkes, as well as voice director Anna Boulic spair, and true celebration. (who also plays the harp majestically throughHighlights included moving and haunting out the concert) have utterly transformed this versions of Oh Father and Spanish Eyes, an iconic album. rendition of Cherish by the barberCollaborating with The Twoks (Xani Kolac adorable shop quartet, and the title song itself Like A on vocals and violin, and Mark Leahy on perPrayer played not only on just the fiddle and cussion), as well as a barbershop quartet sang beautifully by Xani Kolac, but also re(Aaron Holland, David MacNamara, Morgan Phillips and Jack Swann), the perfor- imagined once again to close the show in a mance comes together as a spectacle of mu- manner that would have had Madonna hersical genius unfolding before your eyes and self out of her seat and joining the chorus. Well done to the entire ensemble on a fantantalizsing your ears. To begin , I must admit I was concerned tastically entertaining evening of song (and that the music would remain on one level, a dance), and for thinking outside the box enough level in which you can appreciate the talent and having the foresight to imagine what could but are not quite sure whether it is actually be and for paying homage to one of the world’s what you yourself enjoy listening to. most loved pop stars in a truly contemporary I was very quickly however brought back and inventive manner. to my senses as the atmosphere transformed - Review by Stephen Leedin
● Antoinette Halloran ■ This is Melbourne Opera Company’s first production for the 2014 season. Director Caroline Stacey has two casts of lead singers for the season and in the performance I saw at the Athenaeum Theatre, the roller coaster of emotions was all there from the start to the finish. The audience was enthralled and visibly moved by characterisation by David Rogers-Smith as Pinkerton with strong clear tenor voice and looking handsome in white American Naval uniform. The graceful Emily Xiao Wang as CioCio seemed a little overpowered in the first act by the very large and loud orchestra under the baton of Greg Hocking. However, she quickly warmed into the role producing a clear strong soprano hitting those top notes spot on. Great characterisation by James Payne as the US Consul and Paul Biencourt as the crafty Marriage Broker. The scene in which Cio-Cio and her maid Suzuki Angela Hogan sing the duet Flower Song is particularly sweetly choreographed by Bettin Kurten with both singers moving gently forward in swaying motion from upstage to front in unison as they sing. ● Turn To Page 8
Real estate agent reprimanded ■ Melbourne real estate agent Eric Cohen has been reprimanded after being found guilty of unprofessional conduct. He must also pay $5000 to the Victorian Property Fund. Victorian Civil andAdministrative Tribunal Member Dr Rebecca French found that Cohen made disparaging comments about a property to an onlooker at an auction. The onlooker was a relative of the vendor. Cohen has been ordered to undertake courses in professional ethical training provided by a firm of solicitors or a real estate industry professional organisation. Cohen must take the courses at his own expense. The action was brought by the Acting Director of Consumer Affairs Victoria. VCAT was told that Cohen
had been asked to undertake an assessment of the property, but did not win the authority to sell. Dr French said that Cohen had a conversation with the daughter-in-law of the vendor of the property. He had expressed an interest in being property manager for the property. Dr French said there was a professional obligation upon Cohen to “do nothing at the auction that might in any way detract from its success”. Dr French commented: “A reprimand is a serious sanction. It is justified in light of the inappropriateness of the comments I found (Cohen) made to the vendor’s daughter-in-law.
“An order for the respondent to undertake education or re-education (as the case may be) is appropriate,” Dr French said. “Such education directly addresses protection of the public, ensuring that (Cohen) will have (as he says he has) ‘learnt his lesson’.” Dr French said Cohen did not wish to do these courses because he considered they involved training in basic sales and property management for a junior estate agent who lacks his years ofr experience. Cohen says he has lost $35,000 in ‘lost business revenue and costs’ that followed publication of a newspaper article giving Dr French’s reason for decision. Cohen says his family was targeted on Facebook. Dr French says Cohen has not shown remorse over his conduct.
Jailed for 3 months ■ Colac man Stephen Flanigan claimed to have taken 30 Xanax tablets before assaulting Police. The 45-year-old has been jailed for three months, reports the Geelong Advertiser.
Something smells ■ Mackay Casings has received three pollution abatement notices over excessive odour emissions, reports the Wangaratta Chronicle.
Fatal bushfire case ■ Grahame Earnest Code, 76, of Aberfeldy, accused of lighting a devastating local blaze last year, has been found guilty of failing to ensure adequate measures were taken to prevent the spread of the fire. Magistrate Peter Mellas said it could not be proved beyond reasonable doubt the fire had spread from Code's property to cause the fatal bushfire, reported the Latrobe Valley Express.
Website buy-up ■ Joy Thomas, owner-operator of Mildurabased web business Trondez, registered at least four domain names in the names of aspiring local politicians, reports the Sunraysia Daily. The domains were in the name of Jo Clutterbuck, Ali Cupper, Glenn Milne and Mark Cory.
Weather Forecast ■ ■ ■ ■ ■
Today (Wed.). Chance of rain. 16°-27° Thurs. Chance of storm. 16°-27° Fri. Chance of storm. 15°-27° Sat. Chance of rain. 14°-28° Sun. Clear. 15°-28°
Mike McColl Jones
Top 5 THE T OP 5 C OMMENT S HEARD TOP COMMENT OMMENTS WHEN THE POPE MET RUS SELL CRO WE RUSSELL CROWE 5. "Pay attention Cardinal Pell, he's not Wolverine!" 4. "Russell ... you should have called ‘The Drain Man’.” 3. "It is pretty authentic, but I don't think Noah ever said 'watch out for global warming’.” 2. Sister, I think you'll have to do better than Earl Grey ... check to see if we've got some DOM Benedictine left.” 1. "Russell ... I'll pray for 'Noah' if you get me Kylie's autograph.”