Melbourne Observer - Wednesday, March 26, 2014 - Page 37
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Observer Showbiz Every Week in the Melbourne Observer
Radio: Conference heads to Melbourne ............... Page 38 Country Music: More changes at CMAA ................. Page 38 Theatre: Ripping yarn at La Mama .................................. Page 39 Jim and Aaron: Jim Sherlock returns ................................. Page 42 Cheryl Threadgold: Local theatre shows, auditions ........... Page 43 PL US THE LLO OVATT”S MEGA CRO PLUS CROSS SWORD
XANADU THE MUSICAL True Confessions
● Christopher Welldon (CB), and Rohan Mirchandaney (Beethoven) in Dog Sees God: Confessions Of A Teenage Blockhead. Photo: Sarah Walker ■ Boutique Theatre opened last week to a full house with Dog Sees God: Confessions Of A Teenage Blockhead , running until March 29 at the Brunswick Mechanics Institute. Written by Bert V. Royal, the show is an ‘unauthorised parody’ of the long running, much-loved comic strip Peanuts by Charles M Schulz. CB questions whether there is an after-life and reincarnation after his dog has died from rabies. The familiar characters are now grown-up teenagers facing modern-day issues far more challenging than those encountered by Charlie Brown and Snoopy during the popular comic strip’s 50-year run. Issues include sexual identity, drug use, eating disorders, alcohol, homophobia, bullying, pyromania, violence, eating disorders and suicide. Christopher Welldon as CB leads the talented cast, joined by Carly Milroy (CB’s sister), Rohan Mirchandaney (Beethoven), Doug Lyons (Van), Claire Pearson (Tricia), Themie Zgonis (Marcy), Nicholas Rhodes (Matt) and Cazz Bainbridge (Van’s sister). The show’s first-class direction is by Byron Bache and Emma Caldwell, and Nick Casey’s ingenious set design includes a versatile bank of lockers not only showcasing items synonymous with Charlie Brown, but also storing furniture and props for quick scene changes. Matt Osburn’s lighting design compliments the script beautifully, while Nico Wilsdon’s costume design includes CB’s iconic yellow shirt with black jagged stripe, plus distinctive, colourful costumes for the other characters. The show’s cast, direction, staging and technical aspects are terrific, and while the script may drag in parts, there are funny elements as well as serious, worthwhile messages. Bert V. Royal’s teenage tale could be presented independently without piggy-backing on another writer’s work and characters. However his quirky concept is not only interesting and entertaining, but creates a sense of spirituality and connection with the past when CB’s pen-pal’s initials are revealed at the end, The show runs for 2¼-hours without interval. Performance Season: Until March 29 Times: Wed-Sat 8pm, Sun 6pm Venue: Brunswick Mechanics Institute, Cnr Glenlyon and Sydney Rds, Brunswick. Bookings: online at www.boutiquetheatreco.com or at the door (subject to availability) - Review by Cheryl Threadgold
● Emily Hall, Karl McNamara, Will Deumer, Natasha Bassett, Ruth Bishop, Luisa Tascone,Rachel Conway, Alana West,Angie Bedford, Mitchell Sanfilippo and James Terry in Xanadu presented by Fab Nobs Theatre in Bayswater.
By BRIAN AMOS of Radio Eastern 98.1FM ■ The Fab Nobs Theatre Inc at 33 Industry Place, Bayswater presents Xanadu The Musical which opened on Friday evening and continues until Saturday, April t. The music and lyrics of Xanadu are by Jeff Lynne and John Farrar from a book by Douglas Carter Beane. The story of Xanadu is set in 1980 somewhere along the beach in Venice, California. Sonny Malone becomes frustrated with the mural he has painted of the nine muses of Greek mythology. After he storms off in frustration, the muses come to life and Kira (aka Clio), Sonny’s muse, hatches a plan to inspire Sonny to artistic greatness. This was an evening of typical Fab Nob entertainment, full of colour and bursting with energy. Xanadu was directed by Stephen Valeri and his direction was excellent with ways in which he utilised the small space of the theatre for a show suited to a much larger stage. Musical direction was under the baton of Simon D’Aquino and the choreography by Sheona Gregg was well executed by all the cast. Stephen chose an excellent cast with Emily Hall as Kira/Clio who gave a superb performance and handled the roller skates very well. Her singing of the various numbers was excellent. Karl McNamara as Sonny Malone gave a wonderful portrayal in his role and worked well with Kira. Another great performance was given by Will Deumer as Danny Maguire/Zeus. Natasha Basset as Melopomene/Medusa and Ruth Bishop as Calliope/Aphrodite gave great performances with their comedy roles. All other cast members gave 100 per cent and especially towards the end of the show when all were on roller skates that really surprised the audience. Once again Fab Nobs Theatre provided another great evening of theatre. Xanadu The Musical runs until Saturday, April 5 and bookings can be made by contacting 0414 367 062. Don’t miss this night of excellent entertainment. - Review by Brian Amos ● Brian Amos presents the Local and Non-Professional Program on Radio Eastern 98.1 FM on Tuesdays from 3pm-4pm.
‘Just a jump to the left’
● Kevin Trask with Richard O’Brien ■ It was a thrill to have afternoon tea with Richard O’Brien, the creator and star of The Rocky Horror Show. The Rocky Horror Show is in its 41st year after opening as a fringe-show upstairs in The Royal Court Theatre in London. I asked Richard about his memories of the opening night. He said the Australian actress Coral Browne was doing a play in the theatre downstairs but wanted to see what all the fuss was about with this noisy popular show. So Coral came to the opening night and brought her famous actor husband. It was a stormy night, the rain was howling down and there were strong flashes of lightning. When the show began there was a flash of lightning and Coral and her husband were sitting under a skylight. There was a crash and lightening bolt and there lit in a glow under the skylight was Vincent Price. These days Richard lives in New Zealand and is playing the narrator in the show for the Adelaide season. We discovered that we were both born in the same year. The Rocky Horror Show opens at the Comedy Theatre, Melbourne, on April 24. Craig McLaughlan (Dr Blake Mysteries) stars as Frank N Furter, Christie Whelan-Browne as Janet, Tim Madden as Brad, and Erika Haynatz as Magenta. Bookings available via Ticketmaster for the limited season. I might wear my tights to the opening night.. - Kevin Trask
Page 38 - Melbourne Observer - Wednesday, March 26, 2014
Observer Showbiz
Radio Confidential News from stations from around Victoria
Radio conference in Melb.
Country Crossroads
■ Commercial RadioAustralia will hold is 2014 national conference in Melbourne on Friday, October 17. Entries are now being accepted for the awards to be held on Saturday, October 18 at the Covention Centre.
info@country crossroads.com.au Big Breakfast Show. Southern FM 88.3. Tues. 6am-9am.
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FIRST TIME AT CONVENTION AND EXHIBITION CENTRE
Radio pair at Tribunal
Porch Thoughts is on the air
Colour radio
Rob Foenander
More changes to CMAA ■ The nation's country music industry organisation, the Country MusicAssociation of Australia (CMAA), will shortly undergo major changes to its board. Chairman Jeff Chandler and Director Graham Thompson have resigned and left the Association Board, while Treasurer Marius Els has also resigned but is staying on until a replacement can be found, reported the Northern Daily Leader. President Dobe Newton of The Bushwackers fame is Acting Chairman, and said the organisation will take time to reestablish full credibility after issues in recent months.
Lachlan signs with ABC ■ Melbourne-based artist and Golden Guitar winner Lachlan Bryan has signed a publishing deal with ABC. His album Black Coffee gained nationwide airplay last year as it raced up the ARIA charts. Lachlan's music is described as being "draped with dark characters, back stories, and sub plots flavoured with dustbowl balladry, old school country and nu folk undertones."
McClymonts at Hallam ■ The McClymont sisters - Brooke, Sam and Mollie - return to the Hallam Hotel on Thursday, April 3 As part of the Two Worlds Collide tour the girls will undoubtedly be performing songs from their critically acclaimed album of the same name and the third CD release from this multi-award winning group. Tickets from Ticketmaster or at the venue.
Robinvale Music Festival
● Philip Brady ■ Is Nightline and Remember When co-host Philip Brady already planning a hair colouring ahead of his HSV-7 Good Friday Appeal appearance with Bruce Mansfield, Denis Walter and Tom Elliott?
■ Is the Sydney head office management of Melbourne’s Mix 101.1 preparing to dump breakfast show pair Chrissie Swan and Jane Hall in favour of a national show with Kyle Sandilands and Jane Hall?
■ Selling Houses Australia, Wentworth, Sky News and Showcase were the big winners of the ASTRA Awards held last week in Sydney. ● Chrissie Swan
On This Day Friday Wednesday Thursday March 27 March 28 March 26 ■ Australian actor Chips Rafferty was born as John Goffage in Broken Hill in 1909. He died aged 62 in 1971. Playwright Tennessee Williams was born in 1911. He died aged 70 in 1982. Star Trek actor Leonard Nimoy is 83. US actor James Caan is 75 today.
■ American actor David Janssen was born in 1930. He died aged 49 in 1980. English actor Michael York is 72. German actress Maria Schneider was born in 1952. She died aged 58 in 2011. Singer Mariah Carey was born in New York in 1970 (44).
Radio man at Seniors meeting
Follow the money
■ Country music’s Paul Costa and sister act Baylou are headline artists at this years Robinvale /Euston Music Festival. The event will also include the show ‘n’ shine classic cars, market stalls and a host of other local musicians. ■ Sunday, March 30 at the Robinvale trotting track, 10 am 4pm. - Rob Foenander
r Observbei z Show
● Observer columnist Mark Richardson was guest on Rob Richardson’s Monday afternoon program on Werribee-based WYN-FM. Mark is creating radio podcasts at his PorchThoughts.com website.
■ Michael Parkinson, English TV talk-show host, is 79. He was born in Yorkshire. Reba McEntire, American country singer, is 60. She was born in Oklahoma. Ian ‘Dicko’ Dickson (Perrygrove) was born in Birmingham in 1963 (51). “Dicko’ is afternoon host on 2UE.
● Bob and Judy Phillips ■ 3RPP FM Mornington hosts Bob and Judy Phillips are at the Victorian Civil and Administrative Tribunal for several days this week, in their fight against proposed dog kennels at Moorooduc. Their weekly Sugar And Spice program will not go to air tomorrow (Thu.) because of the VCAT hearing. ■ RPP held an outside broadcast last week to celebrate the opening of a Langwarrin supermarket
1000th member ● Denise Millane cuts the cake to celebrate the 10th birthday of National Seniors Dandenong. Photo: Neville Bliss ■ 3AW segment contributor and 96.5 Inner FM host Kevin Trask was guest speaker at the Dandenong National Seniors last week. Kevin, who contributes weekly to the Melbourne Observer, met with President Denise Millane, mother of the Collingwood football legend, the late Darren Millane. The club is always looking for new members and people willing to help out on committee. The club has just celebrated its first 10 years.
■ Glenn Ridge of Melbourne radio station MyMP was the 1000th member to join the Australian Radio page on Facebook, administered by the Melbourne Observer.
● Glenn Ridge Melbourne
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■ Eric Idle, one of the Monty Python team, was born in County Durham, England in 1943 (71). Model and actress Elle MacPherson (Eleanor Gow) was born in Sydney in 1964 (50). NZ actress Lucy Lawless (Xena) is 46. Actress Amy Matthews was born in in 1980 She is 34 today.
■ American singer Frankie Laine was born in 1913. He died aged 93 in 2007. Entertainer Rolf Harris was born in 1930 (84). John Astin, who played Gomez in the Addams Family, is 84. Actor Warren Beatty is 77. He was born in Richmond, Virginia.
■ American actress Shirley Jones was born in 1934 (80). She starred in The Partridge Family. US musician Herb Alpert was born in Los Angeles in 1935 (79). American actor Richard Chamerlain is 79. Scottish actor Ewan McGregor is 43. Actor Colin Farrell was born in 1976 (38).
■ April Fools Day. US actress and singer Debbie Reynolds is 82. US actress Ali McGraw was born as Elizabeth Alice McGraw in 1938 (76). US actress and singer Jane Powell is 85 (1929). Singer Susan Boyle is 53 (1961).
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
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ShowBiz!
Melbourne Observer - Wednesday, March 26, 2014 - Page 39
Observer Showbiz
St Matthew Passion
● Sally-Anne Russell ■ If the famous German composer J S Bach were to drop into Melbourne on the first weekend of April, he would be well pleased with the cast assembled to perform one of his most famous works, the St Matthew Passion. The aptly named Melbourne Bach Choir was formed specifically in 2005 to perform this Bach masterpiece, and the choir is staging it again on April 5 and 6, with a dynamic group of high profile soloists. Conducted by Rick Prakhoff, the Melbourne Bach Choir's performances will be sung in German and will feature soloists UK-based young Australian tenor Andrew Goodwin as the Evangelist, and legendary Sydney-based baritone Michael Lewis, who will be familiar to Opera Australia audiences for his many lead baritone roles over the past couple of decades. They are joined by a fine quartet or aria soloists, Brisbane bass Andrew Collis, Australia's queen of baroque, mezzo Sally-Anne Russell, young Melbourne soprano Jacqueline Porter and an opera tenor who has just resettled in Melbourne, Henry Choo. Between them, the quartet sing a total of 15 arias throughout the Passion, so the audience will get plenty of variety and wonderful singing for their money. It's all happening in the historic church of All Saints, Chapel St, East St Kilda, which dates back to 1858, with a wide, spacious interior that is well suited to host the St Matthew Passion, with its dramatically separated choirs and orchestras, arias and chorales. Performances are on Saturday, April 5 at 7pm; and Sunday, April 6 at 2.30 pm. Book at www.trybooking.com/EBNG or phone 22 617 690. Profits from these performances will benefit the Cancer Centre of St Vincent's Hospital. www.mbc.asn.au - Julie Houghton
Showbiz Briefs ■ Cricket legend Shane Warne is having a party thrown in his honour by mate and Triple M Hot Breakfast co-host, Mick Molloy, reports Greg Newman of Jocks Journal. The party – to be held on May 15 at Crown Melbourne - will donate all profits to The Shane Warne Foundation; which aims to enrich the lives of seriously ill and underprivileged children in Australia. ■ The Ten and Seven Networks will face Court on May 14 over the contract of veteran programmer John Stephens. ■ The Seven Network has leave to appeal a longfought battle against the Australian Communications and Media Authority over a news story on cheap tobacco imports. ■ Rove McManus will host the US version of SlideShow, for Fox, to be known as Riot. ■ TV Week has shown an increase in news-stand sales, reports the Australian Newsagency Blog. ■ Filming of the third series of Wentworth for Foxtel begins this week in Melbourne.
TV, Radio, Theatre Latest Melbourne show business news - without fear or favour
Dramatic opera ■ If you are an opera lover, you will know how impossible it is to resist Verdi's stirring music. Melbourne-based CitiOpera feels the same, and is keen to bring to the stage some of the great master's works and give new and emerging talent the chance to perform them. Director Stella Axarlis, a soprano who has sung on the world's stages, is bringing Verdi's Otello to life for four performances starting on Friday (March 28) at the Glen Eira Town Hall. Italian maestro Gaetano Colajanni will lead the musical forces and there's no need to worry that you won't understand it, as it will be sung in Italian with English surtitles. Based on Shakespeare's play Othello, the opera opens with a scene of a dramatic storm at sea and then unfolds its story of jealousy, arrogance and rage as a decorated military hero's life begins to unravel. Otello is full of Verdi's thrilling music, and this is a great chance to see one
● Stella Axarlis of the composer's most Hall, cnr Glen Eira and dramatic operas. Hawthorn Roads, CaulPerformances are field. March 28 and 29 and Friwww.ticketmaster.com.au day April 4 and 5 at 7.30 or 136 100. pm at Glen Eira Town - Julie Houghton
Ripping yarn ■ In 1854 Sir Roger Charles Tichborne drowned in a shipwreck off the coast of South America. Some 12 years later he came back from the dead via the Australian bush. This reincarnated cockney-Aristocrat seemed so unlikely that the only person who believed it was really Sir Roger was his mother. The return of the Tichborne prodigal son sparked the longest court case in British history. The Tichborne Claimant, as he was known, became a national sensation. Nick Backstrom’s tale of the Wagga Wagga butcher who wound up in London claiming to be the long ago lost-atsea Tichborne heir is a scintillating ripping yarn. Backstrom’s clever writing has created such warm characters that the audience is gunning for its hero from the beginning. The simple, spare set belies this production’s ingenious staging. The vaudeville scene alone is worth trekking out to see this delightful performance. Director Douglas Montgomery showcases the impressive skills of his cast of six: Nick Backstrom, Felicity Steel, Liza Dennis, Chris Palframan and Antony Okill. Actor/writer Backstrom plays Tom Castro, the Tichborne Claimant with charm and wit in this heartfelt and funny tragi-comedy. Steel is wonderful in the role of the claimant’s acerbic French mother, Lady Henriette. The considerable talents of Chris Palframan are on display as he tackles multiple roles in this standout production.
● Sir Roger Charles Tichborne The play ends on a wholly satisfying, beautiful theatrical moment. Nick Backstrom is a talented actor but an even greater writer. Leaving the La Mama theatre, I felt that I had been at the birth of a soon-tobe Australian classic. I hope that my prediction comes true. Who You Are certainly deserves this status. Performances: Until March 30 Times: Wed, Sun 6.30pm, Thu, Fri, Sat 7.30pm Venue: La Mama Theatre, 205 Faraday St., Carlton Tickets: $25/$15 Bookings: 9347 6142 www.lamama.com.au - Review by Kathryn Keeble
Festival of Living Art
● Sam Halmarack ■ The Festival of Living Art (FOLA), promises an experience that defies convention and Sam Halmarack And The Miserablites make good on that promise. I don’t want to give too much away because I hope more people get the opportunity to see this memorable show. It isn't at all what you'd expect. An original and cleverly constructed performance piece incorporating music, comedy and video, the show throws all your assumptions out the proverbial window from its intensely awkward opening. It's dated electro-pop, it's theatre, but mostly it's Sam Halmarack - dreamer, poet, believer, wannabe, survivor, a man who will never give up. And it's also great comedy. A likeable, honest, deluded but gentle creature, Halmarack's internal contradictions are laid bare in tracks like We are the Champions Of The Universe, a rock anthem as unlikely as it’s priceless. This is Romance is anything but, and the first song he ever wrote as a 16-year-old hilariously exposes the dark thoughts and hormonal tensions boys of that age experience – need I say more? Perhaps my favourite lyrical gem is “I am not a has been because I never was been”. He is quick to acknowledge the poor grammar. The action is painfully slow paced in the beginning while frontman Sam Halmarack develops a connection with the audience, but this connection is crucial and ultimately impossible to resist. Some audience members were practically falling over themselves to participate while the rest of us sang and clapped along. Lighting and staging were cleverly arranged. The deliberate clumsy and accidental nature of set changes and the rearrangement of instruments added extra humour to the performance. This is a show well worth seeing so I recommend keeping an eye out for future performances. Sam Halmarack And The Miserablites performed as part of the Festival of Living Art, at the Art House, North Melbourne Town Hall. - Review by Beth Klein
‘Not in merger talks’ ■ Seven West Media Limited issued a statement to the stock exchange on Friday saying it is not in merger talks with Fairfax Media. The statement followed a report in The Australian.
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Page 40 - Melbourne Observer - Wednesday, March 26, 2014
The Australia Council must hold firm on ‘arm’s length’ funding ■ Things to remember if you are a federal minister for the arts: ➊ In arts policy, as in the arts, how you do things matters as much as what you do. Good ideas become bad ideas if your tone is wrong or you aim at the wrong audience. ➋ Breaking news: artists are difficult to deal with. There’s no money in art, so people stick to their principles like flies to a jam tart. Trying to change those principles by threatening their funding only makes things worse. ➌ Whatever happens in politics ends up in the arts. That’s because it’s artists’ job to be socially responsive. So no Fake Shock when art ends up a battleground for the issues of the day. ➍ The arts and arts policy are not in stable orbit. They don’t revolve in a genteel way, but zoom about, like Sandra Bullock and George Clooney in Gravity, trying not to kick each other’s teeth in. There’s more, but these are the most pertinent as Senator George Brandis, the current federal arts minister, continues to respond to the ongoing furore surrounding the 2014 Biennale of Sydney. Brandis reportedly directed the Australia Council to revise its sponsorship guidelines in the wake of the Biennale boycott and has since reiterated his view that it is unreasonable for arts companies to refuse sponsorship on political grounds. Peter Tregear brought some much-needed perspective to this fractious dispute. He called the relationship between the arts and politics “awkward”, and pointed out the contradictions in Brandis' seeming determination to force arts organisations to accept sponsorship from any “commercially sound” business. The dispute involves hard issues – “hard” as in “real” and “difficult to solve”. But it also reflects trends in the provision of arts subsidy. Considerable fur has flown concerning the right of artists to protest the involvement of Transfield Services in the Biennale. What has caused less comment is the constant muddling of “public assistance” with “government funding” – and the related suggestion that if artists really want to object to the federal policy of mandatory detention, they should refuse Australia Council support on the basis that it too is tainted money. This is a ludicrous proposition with no basis in logic or reality. Why not refuse Medicare or educational services or military protection since the government provides those also? Except it doesn’t. They are provided by taxpayers, and the government of the day has a leading, but not a dictatorial, say on the purpose and extent of such expenditure. Brandis' comments about Australia Council funding indicate a fresh erosion of the “arm’s length” relationship between the agency and the government that was a principle of its foundation in 1973. Since then, ministers of all political hues have often pursued policy objectives without due regard for the agency’s statutory independence. The most notorious occasion was what Justin McDonnell, in his book Arts, Minister? (1992), calls the “Great Redistribution Debate” of 1983-4. Back then, the Australia Council imposed a A$300,000 grant limit on all arts organisations. Going behind its back, Prime Minister Bob Hawke provided Cabinet-level funding for select companies that left the agency’s strategic plan in tatters. Over time arts ministers’ arms have got shorter and shorter. They have front-loaded equity and access (Barry Cohen, Hawke’s arts minister), excellence and quality (Paul Keating), cost-effectiveness and financial stability (Richard Alston, under Howard), and innovation and technology (Simon Crean, under Gillard). In the 1990s, the Council was reorganised to make its art form boards more responsive to direction from above, while the federal Office for the Arts effectively became a rival grant body. In 2012, a review of the operation of the Australia Council prescribed “a more formalised requirement for communication and planning with the Australian Government”. The review was the basis of a new Australia Council Act, passed into law last year by the Gillard government. Former arts minister Tony Burke is right to warn of Senator Brandis’ interventionism in the arts – but it was his government that put
By JULIAN MEYRICK
Professor of Strategic Arts at Flinders University
www.theconversation.edu.au in place the legislation to facilitate it. It’s as if successive governments, having granted the Australia Council independence, then regretted it. Yet they have never had the courage to replace it with a ministry and take responsibility for their own actions. Or perhaps it’s convenient to have the agency do the government’s dirty work for it. Ministers can claim they aren’t interfering in the arts directly – while leaning on the Council to “tighten guidelines”. At first blush, the Council’s loss of independence would be no disaster. Why shouldn’t governments determine cultural expenditure? Better than having the agency a captive of its clients. But look further back, to the Council’s predecessor, the Australian Elizabethan Theatre Trust (AETT), and you’ll see that what Brandis takes as an unambiguously good thing – corporate involvement in the arts – was partly what persuaded people an independent arts agency was needed in the first place. The AETT, established in 1954, was a silvertail affair, narrow and inept in equal measure, controlled by Australia’s business and social elite. It gave out tax credits and guarantees against loss that proved unaccountable, inequitable and difficult to quantify on a Treasury ledger. The AETT was a body that had almost no artists on it. Its decisions about which projects to support became increasingly erratic. Artists’ representation at board level was a hot topic when the AETT was replaced in 1968 by the Australian Council for the Arts, and again in 1975 when the Australia Council achieved statutory independence. It is one thing to say that corporate sponsorship – which is different from corporate philanthropy (another confusion in the current debate) – is an important part of the funding mix. It is another to assert it is “the heart and soul of good funding policy”. Corporate involvement in the arts brings with it problems as well as benefits, and needs as much judicious handling as direct public assistance. The Council’s reaction will be a crucial test of how much backbone it has left after years of political traducing. It was set up as an advocacy body for the arts to the government. More often it has been the government’s representative in the field, or got caught in the middle, talking to two sides who won’t talk to each other. You only have to read Justin McDonnell’s much-underrated book on Australian arts funding over the decades to see how similar the Biennale dispute is to blow-ups in the past. But the minister and artists must also now act with some care. It is a small step from insisting arts organisations accept corporate sponsorship when offered, to insisting they meet sponsorship targets. This would affect the 28 major performing arts companies particularly – and Senator Brandis could unwittingly be paving the way for the elimination of direct subsidy to these bodies. That would make them entirely non-responsive to the government’s agenda and even more socially exclusive than they currently are. For artists, faced with the issue of how far to extend their protest, there is a need to ensure that, in pursuing activist goals, the agency isn’t further eviscerated. The Council is more than a government piggy-bank. It is a living symbol of the accord between the Australian people and Australian artists, a guarantee of free speech in the cultural arena. From a policy point of view, this freedom is neither a right nor a privilege, but an accomplishment. It relies on all parties respecting the institutional parameters in which it is enacted. Like a spreading stain, the government’s policy of mandatory detention has caught the Biennale and downed its well-intentioned patron, Luca Belgiorno-Nettis. I doubt it has finished spreading yet.
Melbourne
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Showbiz
Explainer: what is production design? ■ When we watch a movie, how do we know where and when it is taking place? This is just one of the questions a production designer working on a film or TV show helps audiences answer. They do so through the design of the physical environment that is the backdrop to the story of the film. Australian Catherine Martin scooped up two Oscars recently for her work on The Great Gatsby, one for costume design and one for production design. Whereas the work of costume designers is reasonably well understood, the contribution of production designers isn’t always clear. Here are some more questions that production design helps us answer, sometimes in very subtle ways: ■ How do we know what kind of story we are about to embark on? ■ Should we take events seriously or see the humour in them? ■ When should we be concerned for characters in this story? ■ When should we feel relaxed and confident that all will end well? ■ How can we tell what a character is feeling? ■ Where have these characters come from? ■ What has led them to this point in their lives? ■ How do we know if we can trust them? At times designers will provide audiences with very precise information. A specific date in clear view will show when the film is set, for example. But most of the time the choice is to give clues rather than being too explicit: using natural textured materials and warm natural colours in a character’s home can suggest they are more caring and humane than the character whose home appears more glossy, hard-edged and more artificial. Production designer Melinda Doring established such contrasts effectively in the TV drama The Slap through the very different home environments of the characters Hector and Aisha, compared to Harry and Sandi. Movies ask viewers to enter a world that is not their own and allow themselves to be taken on a journey that most commonly takes the form of a narrative-driven story involving human (or humanoid) characters. To make this a rewarding journey filmmakers strive for viewers to be affected emotionally. How? By empathising with some of the characters and thereby being affected by the unfolding events of the story. For this to happen, viewers have to suspend their disbelief and accept these characters exist. Actors talk about “bringing a character to life” – and production designers work hard at doing the same thing with the world around them. Each depends on the other and if there are flaws in either one, the magic can be broken and the film’s impact lost. Production design is a major contributor to the mood, or emotional tone, of a film. This is usually the starting point of the design process. Visual research is gathered that depicts the mood or atmosphere that best supports the story. Assembled, these images become mood boards and are a highly effective means for communicating what is a non-literal quality. These images are used to reach an agreement with the director on the direction that the design concept will take and form a key framework for the decisions the production designer makes from then on. Colour is one the most powerful tools production designers have at their disposal. Agreement with the director, cinematographer and costume designer on the colour palette of the film is one of the earliest decisions that is made. Controlling colour is able to not only give the film a distinct aesthetic, but also create mood, give one object greater importance than others, suggest traits of certain characters, and much more. Jess Gonchor uses a cool colour palette of mostly browns in her production design of the Coen brothers' latest film Inside Llewyn Davis to evoke the sombre mood of the central character. In the 2010 film Red, Alec Hammond also
By LEON SALOM
Lecturer in Design, Coordinator Master of Production Design for Screen at University of Melbourne
www.theconversation.edu.au
uses a cool colour palette in the house of the main character, Frank Moses, played by Bruce Willis, to represent his lack of fulfilment in retirement and possible state of depression. When a film is shot in a studio, it is easier to see what a production designer has contributed to creating the world within which the story is told. Decisions have to be made about every element that it built or brought into the studio. Under the production designer’s domain are all sets, set dressings and props (any mobile object a cast member interacts with, like a book). They will design or supervise the design of these and monitor the making, buying, painting and installation of them in preparation for the shoot. If the film is shot in existing locations, the role of the production designer can be harder to see, but is essentially the same. An agreement has been made with the director about the visual characteristics of the film and the production designer makes the locations comply with this concept. But the process of manifesting the design is different. Rather than creating a set from scratch, decisions are made about what to do to an existing space. What should be modified or taken out completely? What needs to be added in? A production designer never works in isolation. He or she is the head of a team of people known as the art department, which they lead along with the art director, who has a role much like that of a project manager. The art director’s role is to manage the realisation of the production designer’s vision and deal with the many and varied logistics of filmmaking including, schedules, budgets, and staffing. Depending on the size of the production the rest of the team can include set decorators, buyers, dressers, runners, graphic designers, draftspeople, props makers, and set builders. What is good production design? It is important to consider what design actually is. The generally held position is that it involves creating, or creating a blueprint for, something new in a way that has a refined aesthetic that meets a predetermined purpose. Good design fulfils a function and looks good at the same time. By extension, good production design is the creation of an environment with a refined aesthetic that enables the story of the film to be told to greatest effect. For some films this will mean being bold and ever-present much like an additional character. Catherine Martin’s Oscar Award winning design for The Great Gatsby is a perfect example of this. The viewer is very aware of the design throughout the film. It is startlingly beautiful, energetically filled with sumptuous colour and details creating the effect of a party so extravagant that we know it cannot last. Less recognised, but no less successful, are the production designs that go relatively unnoticed. These are for films where the best decision is for the design to still fulfil its function of creating a visually potent world for the story to be told within but to do this must remain discrete and not draw attention away from the action. Many production designers are quoted as saying that if a viewer claims they did not notice the design, they know they have done a great job.
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Melbourne Observer - Wednesday, March 26, 2014 - Page 41
Showbiz Latest
The truth about Madonna’s hairy armpits and sexy older women ■ In 1978, the cover of Patti Smith’s album Easter was sufficiently shocking and mystifying to many people that some US record stores, especially in the south, according to Smith, refused to display it. While the album did contain a song with a racial slur in the title, what was most immediately confronting was that the pose Smith adopted on the cover unselfconsciously displayed a thatch of underarm hair. Some 36 years later and a selfie posted by Madonna on Instagram, in which she adopts a similar pose to reveal a more stage-managed growth of hair, has prompted a profusion of media articles and tens of thousands of comments, many of which express repulsion. Madonna used the hashtags #artforfreedom, #rebelheart and #revolutionoflove, which indicate that she was presenting the photo, in which she wears a significant amount of make-up and a bra, as subversive. Why is a celebrity’s calculated and seemingly temporary decision not to shave significant enough for this many people to express an opinion about it? And is the response solely about beauty expectations relating to body hair? Or is it also grounded in ubiquitous ageism towards women over 40 who dare to highlight their sexuality? Certainly it’s possible to argue that the media buzz about Madonna’s underarm is symbolic of just how vapid and celebrityobsessed we have become. Yet the responses to the image reveal much about cultural attitudes towards women and the continued force of expectations about their appearance and behaviour. In the 1970s, secondwave feminism flourished. It challenged female beauty norms, such as shaved legs and underarms and the wearing of make-up. Smith’s Easter album cover, with the singer bare-faced and dressed in a plain singlet, is an apt reflection of an era in which some women sought to free themselves from the time and cost demanded by beauty regimens.
By MICHELLE SMITH Research Fellow at Deakin University
www.theconversation.edu.au
The Spoiler ● From Page 34
For Those Who Have Lost The Plot
Neighbours ■ 6.30pm. Weeknights. Eleven ■ Monday, March 31. Joshua decides to repeat Year 11; Sonya thinks Toadie is having an affair; love blossoms between Georgia and Kyle. ■ Tuesday, April 1. Sonya makes a terrible mistake; Joshua dreads his first day back at school; Georgia is annoyed with the social commentary on her relationship. ■ Wednesday, April 2. A fustrated Sheila urges Naomi to take a job; Bailey continues to search for Lauren's child; Danni is in danger when Stephen returns. onship. ■ Thursday, April 3. Has Lauren finally found her missing daughter? ■ Friday, April 4. Brennan plans a big surprise for Kate. Elsewhere, Karl returns from England with a surprise.
Home and Away
● When Madonna posted a selfie of a hairy armpit, she attracted hostile responses. Why? In the decades since, Despite the problemWhether she intended still wish to be viewed as ideas about beauty culture for the hair to look sexy, sexually attractive. atic assumptions in his have shifted dramatically. was aiming to be controThe implication in humour, Rock is correct Postfeminism em- versial, or had no particu- much of this discussion, that young women’s bodbraces the notions of indi- lar motivation for leaving and in the hetero-norma- ies are seen as commuvidual choice, agency, and the hair as nature pro- tive obsession with the sex nity property to be viewed empowerment. appeal of girls and young and admired, but older duced it, is not clear. As such, conforming to What is evident, how- women, is that men do not women’s bodies are not Western standards of ever, is that these youth- generally wish to see the supposed to be displayed beauty and sexiness need ful shots do not inspire the bodies of women over the “for all to see”. Jackson’s not be understood as a sign same degree of animos- age of 40, and especially bared breast became a of women’s oppression. ity and disgust as her new not over 50. While we are joke. In addition, consumer Instagram photo. The all indeed at our physical She was accused, like culture has ramped up at- profusion of comments at peak in our younger years, Madonna, of a kind of sad tempts to police and regu- Instagram and in re- the emphasis on women’s desperation in attempting late women’s bodies. sponse to articles usually sexual attractiveness be- to flaunt her body when Dove’s “beautiful unthe disgust with ing dependent on their she was past her prime. derarms” deodorant cam- connect Madonna is a skillful fact that Madonna is youth, and often childlesspaign, for example, at- the ness, is disproportionate. manipulator of her image. 55-years old. tempts to create a new She has miraculously It is now 10 years since She is repeatedly site of concern and embar maintained a pop music Janet Jackson’s intencalled “a hag”, “elderly”, rassment for women. “wardrobe mal- career across four deNot only must and her body is described tional function”, in which she cades in a way that has as unattractively women’s underarms be proven impossible for any hairless, but the imperfec- “wrinkled”, though only exposed her nipple during other female artist. a performance at the tions caused by shaving light creasing is visible But even a force as forSuperbowl. Comedian must be smoothed out by around her eyes. midable as Madonna is Chris Rock crudely joked Because she posed in a new product in order to no match for the renewed a bra, with her ample at the time: make them “prettier”. pressure women to “You can’t just whip conform toon Madonna had already cleavage displayed, Manarrow beauty posed in a series of nude donna has become a tar- out a 40-year-old titty, ideals and cultural demodelling shots with long, get for cultural revulsion that’s your man’s titty. 20- mands for women to beuntrimmed underarm and surrounding women who year-old titty, community come increasingly invisare no longer young, but titty. That’s for all to see.” pubic hair in 1985.
■ 7pm. Weeknights. Seven ■ Monday, March 31. John is close to breaking as Marilyn continues to impose on him. Sasha might have finally reached Matt, but threatens her relationship with Spencer Tamara helps Kyle with the restaurant and gym. Maddy tries to convince Roo to keep Colleen company. ■ Tuesday, April 1. Tamara unintentionally helps Kyle makes a life-changing decision to get Phoebe back. The Braxtons arrive in London, forcing Bianca to face Heath and a confused Spencer puts Maddy and Josh's relationship in jeopardy. ■ Wednesday, April 2. Despite their kiss, Maddy tells Spencer to leave her alone. Marilyn and John negotiate their 'sleeping over' dilemma. In London, Bianca and Heath finally talk, Casey meets a new girl and Brax's attempt to find Ricky ends in a horrible accident. ■ Thursday, April 3. Double Episode. In London, Brax's life is left hanging in the balance after the accident and Casey's relationship with Linda heats up. Chris's risotto backfires, leaving Leah in a dangerous position and Nate learns about Brax visiting Ricky.
Arts, Showbiz Briefs ■ Tussock Upstairs, Point Lonsdale, is condicting an exhibition from March 31 until April 27 - An Irish Connection: Prints by Australian and Irish Printmakers. Australian printmakers to be featured include Rosalind Atkins, Anna Curtis, Janet Goldman, Jackie Hocking, Kate Hudson, Chris Ingham, Kyoko Imazu, Martin King, Damon Kowarsky, Peter Lancaster, John McClumpha, Graeme Peebles, Geoffrey Ricardo,Anne Spudvilas and Joel Wolter. ■ Grease The Musical is returning to Melbourne from December 11 at the Regent Theatre. Most of the cast are involved in the return season. John Paul Young will takeover the role of Johnny Casino currently played by Anthony Callea. Tickets go on sale on Monday (March 31).
Page 42 - Melbourne Observer - Wednesday, March 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 ● Robert De Niro in Sergio Leone's epic prohibition crime-gangster saga Once Upon a Time in America. FILM: ONCE UPON A TIME IN AMERICA: Genre: Crime/Drama. Cast: Robert De Niro, James Woods, Elizabeth McGovern, Joe Pesci, Burt Young, Tuesday Weld, Treat Williams, Jennifer Connolly. Year: 1984. Rating: R18+. Running Time: 229 Minutes. Format: DVD and BLU-RAY. Stars: ***** Verdict: The gangster genre reached its peak here with legendary filmmaker Sergio Leone's (The Good, The Bad and The Ugly, Once Upon a Time in the West) sprawling epic stand-alone Prohibition era crime-saga of four Jewish boys and their rise from poverty to underworld power told through the eyes of one who returns to the old New York neighbourhood after three decades, where he confronts the ghosts and regrets of his past. Poetic, bold, operatic, unflinching, violent, compelling and unequalled, and topped off with a engrossing and inspired music score by the great Ennio Morricone. Sergio Leone created a whole new cinematic style and genre by reinventing and reinvigorating the western with the legendary and groundbreaking Clint Eastwood "Man With No Name" trilogy and here again is the composer of every haunting and mesmerizing note of this powerful and unforgettable anthem to a genre and to cinema. Some movies age, others, like this, mature. Compulsive viewing! FILM: WITNESS FOR THE PROSECUTION: Genre: Crime/Drama/Mystery. Cast: Tyrone Power, Charles Laughton, Marlene Dietrich, Elsa Lanchester. Year: 1957. Rating: G. Running Time: 111 Minutes. Format: DVD and BLU-RAY. Stars: **** Verdict: Legendary filmmaker Billy Wilder's (Sunset Boulevard, Ace In The Hole, Stalag 17, Some Like It Hot) of Agatha Christie's classic tale based on the stage hit of a man on trial for murder is a gem! If I'm being elusive about the plot there's a reason, I don't want to give any of it away. In true Billy Wilder fashion his firm grip drives his intelligent, tight and compelling screenplay filled with tension, flare and great wit that keeps you on the edge of your seat. Tyrone Power (in his final screen role) and Marlene Dietrich are superb, but no match against the sceneby-scene stealing performance by the great Charles Laughton as the barrister, matched brilliantly frame-for-frame by Elsa Lanchester as his nurse (Charles Laughton's real life wife). Don't miss this one! FILM: THE MYSTERY OF AGATHA CHRISTIE with David Suchet: Genre: Documentary. Cast: David Suchet. Year: 2013. Rating: G. Running Time: 56 Minutes. Format: DVD. Stars: **** Verdict: Truly fascinating, informative and entertaining documentary on the life of legendary and enigmatic murder-mystery writer Agatha Christie. Actor David Suchet, who has spent many years of his life acting out the plots of Agatha Christie's more than anyone else in the world as Christie's super sleuth Hercule Poirot, takes a journey around Britain to get under the skin of the best-selling crime author of all time, from her childhood, the people she knew, the family, her mysterious disappearance in 1926 and those who inspired her extraordinary legacy. No stones are left unturned as all the real locations of her life covered, and throughout we are exposed to never-before-seen writings, among other things, of a remarkable woman who changed the world of crime-fiction forever. Highly recommended! FILM: THE TRAIN: Genre: Thriller/War/Action. Cast: Burt Lancaster, Paul Scofield, Jeanne Moreau. Year: 1964. Rating: PG. Running Time: 133 Minutes. Format: DVD. Stars: **** Summary: With the The Monuments Men starring George Clooney, Matt Damon, John Goodman, Bill Murray, Cate Blanchett and Bob Balaban currently in cinemas around Australia, let's take a look back at one of the great similarly themed classics. The Train is the thrilling story set in 1944 as a German colonel loads a train with priceless French art treasures to send to Germany and how the French Resistance must stop it to save the priceless paintings. Top notch direction by the legendary John Frankenheimer (The Manchurian Candidate), outstanding production design and stand-out performances from a first rate cast right at the top of their game, but it's the trains that are the stars here, and it's all real, every frame of it, no computer effects at all. There's not a dull moment in this truly exciting, suspense filled, edge-ofyour seat WWII drama based on an extraordinary true story.
Nymphomaniac
● Charlotte Gainsbourg and Stellan Skarsgard in the controversial new movies Nymphomaniac Vol. 1 and 2. ■ Nymphomaniac Vol. 1 (R). 118 (Stellan Skarsgard) to be God, the minutes. Opens at Cinema Nova on Devil, Jesus, Light and Dark, Science and Faith, Logic or Lust, or just Man March 27. If you are faint of heart or sensi- and Woman, tive in nature, it would be best to steer Von Trier fills the film with long fasclear of Nymphomaniac, the latest of- cinating discussions, referencing art, fering from controversial Danish di- literature, biology, and religion, beaurector Lars Von Trier, whose varied tifully combined with plenty of symbolism. career now spans two decades. Performances are bold, strongly From his stylish and moody debut feature Element Of Crime in 1984 to defined and incredible (even Shia his notorious Antichrist in 2009, Von LeBeouf is bearable, even though he Trier has hit both the highs of lows of sports an awful English accent), featuring a fearless supporting cast that cinema. The low came in the mid 1990s includes Uma Thurman, Connie when Von Trier, along with other na- Nielsen, Christian Slater and Stacy tive film-makers, devised the Dogme Martin. The film is similarly structured like 95 manifesto in an attempt to achieve 'pure cinema', using low-grade tech- Breaking The Waves, and its dark look niques that resulted in the absolute at human nature via a two-person disopposite of what the term should mean cussion also reminds one of Cormac (the legendary Carl Theodor Dreyer, McCarthy's play-turned-HBO movie also from Denmark and who made a The Sunset Limited. Nymphomaniac Vol. 1 will shock number of groundbreaking films in the 1920s and 30s, would have been turn- many people with its openly graphic scenes, but for those who see past the ing in his grave). This execrable gimmick pushed physical will find an involving, the viewer away, distracting us from thought-provoking film that stimulates the story and characters we were try- the audience in a different way than what the title might suggest. ing to become involved with. RATING - ****½. As such, Von Trier's subsequent works have felt (to me) repetitive, onenote, and hollow, made in a needlessly ■ Nymphomaniac Vol. 2 (R). 123 self-destructive format that has unfor- minutes. Opens at Cinema Nova on tunately allowed would-be directors March 27. to not-only enter the film industry, but Lars Von Trier completes his epic maintain successful, long-term em- look at human nature and its tumultuployment (Michael Bay is a glaring ous mix of mind and body with Nymexample, while Battle : Los Angeles phomaniac Vol. 2, and it's a concluperfectly encapsulates how most ac- sion that is thoroughly satisfying. tion films now use this annoying, lazy We see Joe (Gainsbourg) conapproach. tinue to talk about her lustful life to the Which brings me back to Nympho- patient and logical Seligman maniac Vol. 1, Lars Von Trier's best (Skarsgard), leading to more flashwork since Breaking The Waves in backs that now involve characters 1996. played by Willem Dafoe, Mia Goth, Instead of obsessing on the tech- Jamie Bell and Jean-Marc Barr, while nique, Von Trier concentrates on the also seeing the re-appearance of precharacters, and the thoughts, beliefs, vious cast members Shia LeBeouf and and emotions that these people feel Connie Nielsen. and endure, delivering the kind of senThe intensity of dialogue and charsory and cerebral experience that is acter continues in a hypnotically pownothing short of a revelation, an elec- erful manner, and visually the film trifying reminder of how talented Lars looks stunning, only occasionally Von Trier truly is (we did get a threatening to fall into Von Trier's glimpse of that genius during the first Dogme-style mannerisms. eight minutes of Melancholia). Gainsbourg and Skarsgard comLargely gone is the pointless mand the screen, delivering Von shaky-cam, overly extreme close-ups Trier's pungent words with such skill and choppy editing; instead we are and conviction that it is a joy in itself given an intense study of two people seeing these two wonderfully gifted who meet by chance, but whose con- actors at work. nection resonates through the comNymphomaniac Vol. 2 perfectly finplete physical, intellectual, and spiri- ishes off what was started in Vol. 1 tual make-up of the human race, and (with a healthy dose of black humour), is genuinely exciting in the way it chal- making this a double-feature experilenges its audience. ence you will never forget. Whether you perceive Joe (CharRATING - ****½. lotte Gainsbourg) and Seligman - Aaron Rourke
Top 10 Lists THE AUSTRALIAN BOX OFFICE TOP TEN: 1. THE MONUMENTS MEN. 2. 300: RISE OF AN EMPIRE. 3. NEED FOR SPEED. 4. NON-STOP. 5. VAMPIRE ACADEMY. 6. 12 YEARS A SLAVE. 7. THE WOLF OF WALL STREET. 8. TRACKS. 9. WOLF CREEK 2. 10. THE DALLAS BUYERS CLUB. NEW RELEASES AND COMING SOON TO CINEMAS AROUND AUSTRALIA: MARCH 20: CUBAN FURY, I, FRANKENSTEIN, POMPEII, RIDE ALONG, THE MISSING PICTURE, WADJDA. MARCH 27: MR. PEABODY AND SHERMAN, NOAH, NYMPHOMANIAC, ROMEO & JULIET, THE RAID 2. THE DVD TOP RENTAL & SELLERS: 1. THE HUNGER GAMES: CATCHING FIRE [Action/Jennifer Lawrence, Donald Sutherland]. 2. CAPTAIN PHILLIPS [Drama/ Tom Hanks, Barkhad Abdi]. 3. THOR: THE DARK WORLD [Action/Fantasy/Chris Hemsworth, Natalie Portman]. 4. GRAVITY [Drama/Sandra Bullock, George Clooney]. 5. THE COUNSELOR [Thriller/ Michael Fassbender, Penelope Cruz, Javier Bardem, Cameron Diaz]. 6. BLUE JASMINE [Drama/Cate Blanchett, Alec Baldwin, Peter Sarsgaard]. 7. TURBO [Animated/Family/Paul Giamatti, Samuel L. Jackson, Michael Pena]. 8. CLOUDY WITH A CHANCE OF MEATBALLS 2 [Animated/Family]. 9. THE BUTLER [Drama/Forest Whitaker, Oprah Winfrey, Alan Rickman,JaneFonda]. 10. PRISONERS [Crime/Drama/ Thriller/Hugh Jackman, Jake Gyllenhaal, Maria Bello]. Also: ESCAPE PLAN, RUSH, PATRICK, MR. PIP, ALAN PARTRIDGE: ALPHA PAPA, THE FAMILY, ABOUT TIME, 2 GUNS, RIDDICK, DIANA. NEW RELEASE HIGHLIGHTS ON DVD THIS WEEK: ONE CHANCE [Comedy/Drama/ James Corden, Julie Walters]. ADORATION [Drama/Naomi Watts, Robin Wright, Ben Mendelsohn]. JACKASS PRESENTS: BAD GRANDPA [Comedy/Johnny Knoxville, Jackson Nicholl]. 20 FEET FROM STARDOM [Documentary/Darlene Love, Lisa Fischer, Merry Clayton]. NEW & RE-RELEASE CLASSICS ON DVD HIGHLIGHTS: None Listed for This Week. NEW RELEASE TELEVISION, DOCUMENTARY AND MUSIC DVD HIGHLIGHTS: WWI: Monash the Forgotten Anzac. 20 FEET FROM STARDOM [Documentary/Darlene Love, Lisa Fischer, Merry Clayton]. VIKINGS: Season One. LINE OF DUTY: Season One. RECTIFY: Season One. ELTON JOHN: GOODBYE YELLOWBRICK ROAD. Turn to Page 49
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Melbourne Observer - Wednesday, March 26, 2014 - Page 43
Observer Showbiz
Local Theatre With Cheryl Threadgold
‘A Few Good Men’ at Macedon SHOWS ■ The Mount Players: A Few Good Men (by Aaron Sorkin) Until April 5 at The Mountview Theatre, 56 Smith St., Macedon. Director: Neil Coulson. Tickets: $25/$22. Bookings: 5426 1892 www.themountplayers.com ■ Theatre Works: Credible Likeable Superstar Role Model March 26 - 28 at 7.30pm, March 29 at 2.00pm, April 1 - 5 at 7.30pm, April 6 at 5.00pm at Theatre Works, 14 Acland St., St Kilda. Tickets: $32/$25. Bookings: 9534 3388 or www.theatreworks.org.au ■ Beaumaris Theatre Inc: The Great Gatsby Until March 29 at Beaumaris Theatre, 82 Wells Rd., Beaumaris. Director: Kristina Doucouliagos. Tickets: $27/$22. Bookings: www.beaumaristheatre.com.au ■ Nat Cursio Co (Commissioned by Theatre Works): The Middle Room Until March 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 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. ■ Red Stitch Theatre: This Year's Ashes (by Jane Bodie) Until April 19 at Red Stitch Theatre, Rear 2 Chapel St., St Kilda East. Director: Tim Roseman. Bookings: 9533 8083 or email boxoffice@redstitch.net ■ Word of Mouth Productions: Who You are (by Nick Backstrom), Until March 30,, Wed, Sun at 6.30pm, Thurs, Fri, Sat at 7.30pm at La Mama Theatre, 205 Faraday Street, Carlton. Director: Douglas Montgomery. Tickets: $25/$15. Bookings: 9347 6142 www.lamama.com.au ■ Eltham Little Theatre: Gary's House (by Debora Oswald) Until March 29 at Eltham Little Theatre, 1603 Main Rd., Research. Director: Samuel Chappell.Tickets: $22.50 and $17.50. Bookings: 0411 713 095. ■ Fab Nobs Inc: Xanadu Until April 5 at 33 Industry Place, Bayswater. Director: Steven Valeris; Musical Director: Simon D'Aquino; Choreographer: Sheona Grigg. Bookings: www.fabnobstheatre.com.au ■ Essendon Theatre Company: The Glass Menagerie (by Tennessee Williams) March 27 - 30, April 3 - 5, Thurs - Sat at 8.00pm, Sun 2pm at the Bradshaw St. Community Hall, Bradshaw St, Essendon (enter from Buckley St.). Theatre restaurant style. BYO refreshments. Bookings: 0422 029 483 or www.essendontheatrecompany.com ■ Theatre Works: Person of Interest - Nicola Gunn. Until March 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. ■ Savage Amusement (Commissioned by Theatre Works): Far Away … So Close Until March 30 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. ■ Theatre Works: Fright Until March 30 at Theatre Works, 14 Acland St., St Kilda. Tickets: $25/$20. Bookings: www.theatreworks.org.au (please bring proof of payment to theatre), or phone 9534 3388 between 10.00am and 3.00pm MonFri, or tickets available at door unless sold out. Box Office opens 45 minutes before start of the show. ■ Zin (Commissioned by Theatre Works): Make the Call Until March 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. ■ Theatre Works: Tears before Bedtime: A Live Art Exhibitionist Until March 29. Yana Alana and Tha Parana at Theatre Works, 14 Acland St., St Kilda. Bookings: www.theatreworks.org.au (please bring proof of payment to theatre), or phone 9534 3388 between 10.00am and 3.00pm MonFri, or tickets available at door unless sold out. Box Office opens 45 minutes before start of the show. ■ Theatre Works in Association with Soho Theatre: Sex Idiot (part of the Melbourne International Comedy Festival) Until April 6 at Theatre Works, 14 Acland St., St Kilda. Writer/Director: Bryony Kimmings; Music and Co-Director: Tom Parkinson. Tickets: $32/$25. 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. ■ Melbourne International Comedy Festival (MICF): March 26 - April 20 at various venues. For full show details and bookings, visit: http://www.comedyfestival.com.au/2014/season/
Melbourne
Observer THE GLASS MENANGERIE
Dead Curtain
● Brendan Allan (Michael) and Denise Wellington (Elizabeth) in Dead Certain. Photo: Josie Parrelli ■ The Adelphi Players Theatre Company presents the Australian premieres of Dead Certain, a thriller by Marcus Lloyd from April 6-13 at Labassa, Caulfield. In the tradition of Sleuth and Deathtrap comes this exciting edge-of-your seat thriller about an out of work actor show is hired by a reclusive, theatre-obsessed ex-dancer to have him act out a play she has written. Soon truth and illusion become almost inseparably entangled in this real-life game of cat and mouse. The suspense builds as this taut thriller gathers speed at an alarming rate toward a gripping climax. Performances: April 6-13 Venue: Labassa, 2 Manor Grove, North Caulfield Tickets: $18/$15. Bookings: 9690 1593.
SHOWS ■ Boutique Theatre: Dog Sees God: Confessions of a Teenage Blockhead (by Bert V. Royal) Until March 29 (Tues - Sat at 8.00pm, Sun at 6.00pm) at the Brunswick Mechanics Centre Performing Arts Centre, 270 Sydney Rd., Brunswick. Directors: Byron Bache and Emma Caldwell. Tickets: $36/$29 $28 Preview. Bookings: www.boutiquetheatreco.com ■ La Mama Theatre: Dropped (by Katy Warner) March 26 April 6 at La Mama Courthouse, 349 Drummond St., Carlton. Director: Prue Clark. Performers: Matilda Reed, Brigid Gallacher. Tickets: $24/$15. Bookings: 9347 6142 www.lamama.com.au ■ Theatre Works: In Deep Water March 29 - 30 at Theatre Works, 14 Acland St., St Kilda. Artists Katie Sfetkidis and Ian Moorhead. Tickets: $10. 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.
● Katie Macfie (left), Travis Handcock and Stephanie Gonelli in The Glass Menagerie. Photo: Dawn Hinrichsen ■ Essendon Theatre Company presents Tennessee Williams’s The Glass Menagerie from March 27- April 5 at the Bradshaw St. Community Hall, Essendon. Directed by Rachael Holt, the story tells of Amanda Wingfield living in a St Louis slum apartment, who clings frantically to another time and place when she was a southern belle with a myriad of 'gentlemen callers'. Living with her are son Tom and crippled daughter, Laura. Tom spends every spare moment ‘losing himself’ at the movies, while Laura's separation from reality increases until she is like one of her glass collection, too fragile to move from the shelf. Season: March 27-30, April 3-5 Times: Thurs-Sat at 8.00pm, Sun 2.00pm Venue: Bradshaw St. Community Hall, Bradshaw St, Essendon (enter via Buckley St.). Presented in theatre restaurant style. BYO refreshments. Bookings: 0422 029 483 or www.essendontheatre company.com
THE HALLELUJAH GIRLS
AUDITIONS ■ Williamstown Little Theatre: Six Dance Lessons in Six Weeks (by Richard Alfieri) on March 27 from 7.30pm at the Newport Baptist Church, Mason St., Newport. Director: Alan Burrows. Audition bookings: 0412 077 761 ■ Playhouse Players Inc: 12 Angry Men (by Reginald Rose) March 29, 30. Director: Andrew Burns. Audition booking and audition kit: 0420 329 198. ■ Encore Theatre Company: Arsenic and Old Lace April 6 from 2.00pm, April 7 from 7.30pm at the Monash Arts Storage Complex (aka Fleigner Hall), 31 Highland Ave., East Oakleigh. Director: Richard Burman. Audition bookings: 9885 5276. ■ Essendon Theatre Company: Something With a Twist - One Act Play Season April 6 at 2.00pm, April 8 at 7.30pm at the West Essendon Community Centre, Bradshaw St., West Essendon (Enter via Buckley St.). Enquiries: Dawn 0416 073 649. ■ SPX Waterdale Players: Little Shop of Horrors April 7, 8, 13, 14. Director: Rachel Collins; Choreographer: Emma Kiely; Musical Director: Sophie Antoniou. Audition bookings: waterdale.org.au/LSOH Enquiries: 0400 837 739. ■ Heidelberg Theatre Company: Little Murders April 13, 14 at 7.30pm at 36 Turnham Avenue, Rosanna. Director: Paul King. Audition enquiries: htc@htc.org.au ■ Malvern Theatre Company: The Vortex (by Noel Coward) April 13 at 1.30pm at Malvern Theatre, 29a Burke Road, Malvern East. Director: Horrie Leek. Audition bookings: 0412 474 255. ■ Frankston Theatre Group: Our Man in Havana (by Graham Greene) April 13 at 1.00pm, April 14 at 7.00pm at the Mechanics Hall, Nepean Highway, Frankston. Director: Keith Gledhill. Audition bookings: 9708 8498.
● Joan Krutli ■ Golden Days Radio presenter Joan Krutli was barely recognisable when she portrayed Mavis in Peridot Theatre Company’s production of The Hallelujah Girls. Mavis ends up becoming a ‘party animal’ after taking a break from Miller, her husband of 46 years. One of Joan’s fellow cast members couldn’t resist taking this photo of ‘new look’ Joan in the dressing-room.
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Page 44 - Melbourne Observer - Wednesday, March 26, 2014 Melbourne
Observer
Lovatts Crossword No 18 Across
1. Blizzard 6. Wattle tree 11. Villain 15. Dried grass piles 20. Exclamation of pain 21. Genuine thing, the real ... 22. Numerous 23. Underground molten rock 25. Relaxation art (1'2,3) 26. Coral organisms 27. Dinners or lunches 29. Venice canal boat 32. Singer, ... Diamond 34. Famous British school 36. Type of spanner 39. Condemns to hell 41. Harnessed (oxen) 43. Rubs with emery 46. ... of Troy 48. Beneath 49. Dad 51. Hooter 52. Co-venture 55. Coarse file 56. Acorn bearers 59. Kills 61. Sit for portrait 62. Once again 63. Screw 64. Ripens 67. Halfway through pregnancy 68. Fortified wine 70. Culmination 71. Actress, ... Loren 72. Nag 73. Naked 74. Renovate (ship) 75. Rose-shaped award 77. Stop! (nautical) 78. Survives 79. Style 82. Mob 86. Jelly/sponge dessert 87. Eye lustfully 89. Belief in the supernatural 92. Pond plant 94. Capture 96. News 98. Floating log platform 100. Live coal 101. Computer input 103. Princess Royal 105. Resided 106. Press 108. Burn 111. Commoner 112. Very lazy (4,4) 114. Amaze 116. Spy, ... Hari 119. Bullets 120. German WWII fascist 121. Anticipated touchdown (1,1,1) 123. Freezes, ... over 124. As far as (2,2) 125. Omits (6,3) 126. New York borough 127. Blackberry shrub 130. The masses, ... polloi 131. Dawn to dusk 135. Alternate, every ... 138. Calf-length skirt 139. US astronaut, ... Shepard 141. Acute remorse 144. Unchanged, the ... 146. Cheerio! 147. Unfasten 148. Male swan 149. Young sheep 150. Uncle Sam (1,1,1) 151. Type of saxophone 152. Print with raised design 153. Taj Mahal city 155. Closing 157. Part of eye 158. Method 160. Braid 161. More ancient 162. Up to the time of 163. Overly cute 165. Less frequent 166. Snake, ... constrictor 167. Rowing aid
Across 168. Guitar sound 169. Servant 171. Accessory 172. Female title 175. In vain, to no ... 176. Light sleeps 179. Arid US state 180. Schoolgirl 182. Prison 184. Opens door to (4,2) 185. Balmy 186. Crooner, ... King Cole 188. Quiet 189. Pod vegetable 190. Dull 191. Snow-runner 193. Betting chances 194. Jogs 196. Match before final 197. Unreliable 198. Revolving tray, lazy ... 200. Modesty 205. AFL great, ... Barassi 207. Angrily 210. Impetuous 211. Concealing 212. Stupefy 213. Trading centre 214. Banned pesticide (1,1,1) 216. Irish sweater style 218. Actual 219. Ellipse 220. Repaints (vehicle) 224. Moodier 227. Depend 229. Space flight organisation 230. Tethers 231. Latin American dance 232. Nipple 233. Aware of 235. Prophetic signs 237. Go up 239. Printing error 241. Type of orange 244. Child's toy (2-2) 246. Pet's neck band (3,6) 249. Please reply (1,1,1,1) 252. Stingier 254. Former English cricket captain, ... Hussain 256. Outrageous 258. Arrange 259. Fuss, song & ... 260. Introducing in stages, ... in 263. Rest on knees 264. Outcome 265. Rot (of leather) 267. Paltry 270. Niece & ... 271. Avoided 272. Entertainer 273. Additional items 274. Welsh vegetables 277. Witnessed 279. Carpenter's spike 281. More rational 284. Hurry 286. Sum owed 288. Absorbed 292. Whisky ingredient 294. Kiss & cuddle 295. Fire remains 298. Smallest 300. Nominated 301. Mention, ... to 303. Monastery superior 306. Decorative shrub pot 308. Encounter 309. Concludes 311. Pink-eyed rabbits 314. Last Greek letter 315. Ketchup, ... sauce 316. Powerful 317. Fruit mash 318. After that 319. Deserve 320. Mafia, ... Nostra 321. Treats with drugs 322. Rewrite on keyboard 323. Unhappier 324. Muscle toning therapists
Down 1. Cosy 2. Furnace 3. Polynesian island group 4. Heart or lung 5. Complain 6. Movement 7. Blackboard marker 8. Drumming insects 9. Amongst 10. Fuel energy rating 11. Go around 12. Playful water mammal 13. Propel 14. Christian festival 15. Sacred song 16. Long (for) 17. Try out (food) 18. Cudgel 19. Obscene material 24. Charity offerings 28. Youths 30. Milky gem 31. June 6, 1944 (1-3) 33. Eagle nests 35. Equal (2,1,3) 37. Raven 38. Deer 40. Yelling 42. Geological division 44. Positive electrodes 45. Least moist 47. Fencing blades 48. Great disturbance 49. Prepared mentally, ... up 50. Sports ground buildings 53. Wed again 54. Impedes 57. Rescued by plane 58. Examines closely 60. Brighter 63. Temper fit 65. Hatchets 66. Settee 68. Cry weakly 69. Corrode 76. Outstanding 79. Fellows 80. Not anybody (2-3) 81. Lodge firmly 83. Boundary 84. Media tycoon, press ... 85. Pixie 88. Disadvantage 90. Team 91. Tiny amount 93. Skin irritation 95. Paradise garden 97. Flourish of trumpets 99. Friends star, Jennifer ... 100. Periods 102. Degrade 104. Kinder 107. From Italy's capital 109. Rectify 110. Arabian prince 111. Ode 113. Glancing 115. Summer footwear 117. Cousin's mother 118. Nuclear explosive, ... bomb 121. Morally sound 122. Friendly 127. Chest 128. Gave weapons to 129. Childbirth contractions (6,5) 132. In unison (3,8) 133. Relative by marriage (2-3) 134. Call up (feelings) 135. Vigilant 136. Magician's cry (3,6) 137. Idealists 138. Rissoles 140. Of course 141. Document summaries 142. Blameless
Down
143. Tent cover 145. Corrected (text) 151. Former IOC president, Juan ... Samaranch 154. Wanders 156. Fragrance 159. Reproductive cells 164. Sixth sense (1,1,1) 169. Imitative performer 170. Wood surface design 173. Hoped (to) 174. Versus 177. South American mountains 178. Effeminate 181. Facility 183. Commissioned soldier 187. Random 192. Hopping marsupials 195. Office workers 199. Usefulness 201. Chooses 202. Weather feature, El ... 203. Milan opera house, La ... 204. Bright signal light 206. Seductress, ... fatale 207. Map 208. Nimble 209. Executive jet 213. Car race city, Le ... 215. Small plums 217. Advertising sign 221. Jetties 222. Incidental comment 223. Complacent 224. Soccer net 225. Policy reversal (1-4) 226. Courtyard 228. Ambassadors' residences 234. Loud-hailer 236. Hypodermic syringes 238. Charged particle 240. Enquire intrusively 242. Showy flowers 243. Poetic name for Ireland, ... Isle 245. Apple groves 247. Parentless kids 248. Boost 250. Blood feud 251. Mesh 253. Rodents 255. Copied 257. Former Italian money unit 258. Fix 261. Respiratory ailment 262. Shoe lining 265. Rounded stone 266. Brainwaves 268. Put up with 269. The Queen's third son 275. Sitcom, My Name Is ... 276. Ruler, Genghis ... 278. Tidal river mouth 280. Carbonated 282. Opposed to 283. Resound 285. Throat-clearing noise 287. Wobble 289. Wage 290. Polluted 291. Assumes (attitude) 292. Guru 293. Ready, willing & ... 296. Impassive person 297. Upright 299. Make reparation 302. Wooden barrier 304. Farm sheds 305. Overly fat 306. Prudish 307. Elderly 308. Rugs 310. Luncheon meat 312. Bobs head 313. Timber cutters
Melbourne Observer - Wednesday, March 26, 2014 - Page 45
Solution on Page 36
MEGA
CROSSWORD No 18 1
2
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20 23 29
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32 40
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66
94
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114 121
128
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214 221
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39 49
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ROBINVALE WINES. Certified bio-dynamic and organic wines. Free wine tasting. Cellar door sales. 243 Sea Lake Rd, Robinvale. Phone: 5026 3955. Mobile: 0408 663 695. Door to door delivery Australia wide. www.organicwines.com. au
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AUTOSOL is available at all Super Cheap auto stores. See the display ad in this edition. Free sample offer: send self-addressed envelope to PO Box 309, Freshwater, NSW 2096. Shine and preserve metal forever. Power to treat dull, corroded metal
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WHAT’S ON FOR SALE BBQ. Slate green. Size 1m x 1m. New. $15 ONO. Bentleigh East. 9579 1857.
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BIKES. Mountain. ‘Repco’. Max tracks. 10DS. Size: 26”. With basket and helmet. EC. $130 ONO. Bentleigh East. 9579 1857.
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FOOD PROCESSOR. ‘Morphy Richards’. Metallic silver. Model No 48950. Still in box. Never been opened. Cost $399. Sell $350 ONO. Bentleigh East. 9579 1857.
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JUICE EXTRACTER. ‘Panasonic’. High quality, super eficient, wide feeder tube, circuit breaker to prevent motor burn out. Used once. Still in box. Size 25 x 25cm. $150 ONO. Bentleigh East. 9579 1857.
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LATEST NEWS
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At Convent ■ The Abbotsford Convent Foundation is presenting the five successful recipients of the 2014 Spiritous program, designed to enhance and deliver artistic activity across the Convent's site. This year’s projects include two art installations in areas of the site that are currently unrestored, a selfguided audio tour and sculpture walk, a contemporary classical music performance and an evocative theatre production. Benji Bradley and Liz Bird’s Pilgrimage to the Moon Doctor, is a multi-media site specific installation will fill the Sacred Heart Courtyard. Yandell Walton’s Impermanence is a thoughtful concoction of projected imagery. Kasia Lynch has curated a selfguided sound and sculpture walking tour, Mediumistic, that will commence at the Convent Courtyard and continue through the Convent Building and throughout the Heritage Gardens. Classical collective Cathexis presents Reckless Abandon, a classical music performance that will challenge the audience with the energy of a rock band and the fragility of crystal. And showing in the newly restored Sacred Heart Oratory, will be Ricercar – The Many Voiced Fugue of the Human Mind, an evocative performance by Present Tense Theatre that explores the nature and role of music in contemporary life.
Fined $140K
■ The operators of a Melbourne migration agency have been fined a total of $140,790 for underpaying five young Chinese immigrant workers tens of thousands of dollars. The agency offers services to international students seeking Australian visas and entry into educational institutions. Liu Ming Pan, the owner-operator of the Australian Chinese Centre for International Education, has been fined $22,079. And Pan’s private company, Australia China Trading Investment Consultancy Group Pty Ltd, has been penalised a further $118,711. The penalties were imposed in the Federal Circuit Court in Melbourne, follow legal action by the Fair Work Ombudsman. The five employees, who worked as clerks at the centre, were underpaid a total of $76,186 between 2009 and 2013. Aged in their 20s, they are now permanent residents in Australia. The workers were paid flat hourly rates of $9 to $10 for ‘trial and training periods’ of two to four months. After that, their flat hourly rates ranged from $13.74 to $16. Under the Clerks Private Sector Modern Award 2010, the employees were entitled to be paid more than $16 an hour for all work performed, with higher rates payable for overtime and public holiday work.
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 PO Bo x 200 erbury ic 3126 Box 200,, Cant Canterbury erbury,, V Vic
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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 4. Hold Wha ou'v e Got 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
Page 48 - Melbourne Observer - Wednesday, March 26, 2014
www.MelbourneObserver.com.au
Melbourne
Observer Victorian Sport
Pair entitled to earn their living ■ There were plenty of critical comment about former Essendon premiership player Dean ‘Wally’ Wallis venturing into the lucrative ‘Sportsmen Luncheon’ field with a sell-out crowd for the Crown Plaza ‘do’ featuring among others the controversial sports scientist Steve Danks as the keynote speaker. The critics are the usual suspects who chase the ‘exclusive headline’ stories irrespective of fact or fiction. The event was a fund-raiser for the local Riddell Football and Netball Club which desperately needs funds. It appears at the present time neither ‘Wally’ nor Steve Danks are on the AFL’s preferred employment lists and need to make a dollar. So why the ‘holier than thou’ criticism from the major media moguls who kept up the endless, sensational daily reporting of the ASADAEssendon saga? Their articles may have helped destroy the current and perhaps future employment of both Danks and Wallis without at this time a ‘public hearing of the facts’. \ Surely the pair are entitled to earn a dollar telling their side of the story. It seems obvious the powerful scribes have inside information to publish their stories but I prefer to wait and see if Danks is guilty as he has been painted. After all it is 2014 and Australia – not the ‘Wild West’ hanging spree of John Wayne and company. Melbourne
Observer
Finally the supporters must come first especially when it involves the cost for a family to see their team play. Speak up and be heard.
Memo: Andrew
Harry Beitzel www.squidoo.com/harrybeitzel Footy topics ■ There are some football topics I wish to share: First, I urge you to look for a great read. It is a Fairfax story on the indomitable Dustin Fletcher – how proud to even see him play. The next topic was inevitable from ‘experts’ who have analysed ‘Buddy’ Franklin after one match. The man is a champion and he will prove it. The Guiardian has an interesting insight.
■ Andy D, you have given ‘your soul’ to build the AFL cause. Your contribution is mammoth. You reached the mountain peak on the pedestal of achievers. You are the leader of those who dare to dream and then toil to the point of exhaustion, casting aside other pursuits to religiously turn your outrageous dreams into reality. You are the leader who inspires others to turn the impossible into possible and achievable. On the journey you have encountered two of the ‘seven deadly sins’ – greed and envy – in your case better described as jealousy. These are prevalent in life and more so in sport as the goal is to win and in the media it is to get the exclusive no matter if you break confidentiality or destroy trust, friendships and the ‘hand which feeds you’. I would have liked you to stay on until the end of 2016 to enjoy the fruits of success with your biggest challenge, the introduction of new teams Gold Coast Suns and Greater Western Sydney Giants. The past two seasons have been controversial and you have had to wear the endless media criticism.
This Week ROUND2 Thursday, March 27 Richmond vs. Carlton (MCG) (N) Friday, March 28 Essendon vs. Hawthorn (ES) (N) Saturday, March 29 St Kilda vs. GWS GIANTS (ES) Port Adelaide vs. Adelaide Crows (AO) (T) Sydney Swans vs. Collingwood (ANZ) (N) Fremantle vs. Gold Coast SUNS (PS) (N) Sunday, March 30 Brisbane Lions vs. Geelong Cats (G) Melbourne vs. West Coast Eagles (MCG) Western Bulldogs vs. North Melbourne (ES) (T) I accept some clubs and players over the years have used what they believed to be performance enhancing supplements provided by ‘quacks’. And clubs have rorted the salary cap and probably the draft with ‘tanking’ but as time highlights and exposes the cheats the AFL under your guidance have moved and put in place corrective policies. I do not and never will accept the handful of prejudicial media attacking our game with snide and unsubstantiated comments which fans turn into fact. - Harry Beitzel
Sport Extra
One step closer at Sale track ■ Sale and District Greyhound Racing Club, one of the most successful country clubs of its kind in Australia, is one step closer to embarking on a massive redevelopment of its track and facilities. A combined planning scheme amendment and a planning permit application will be submitted to the Minister for Planning for approval after Wellington Shire Council agreed to support the club’s cause at its Council meeting last Tuesday night (Mar. 18). Close to 18 months ago the S&DGRC submitted a request to council for the establishment of a greyhound racing track and multi-use hospitality venue on land located diagonally opposite their existing venue at the Sale Showgrounds. Their current facilities, which opened in 1982 and have been progressively remodelled since, are leased from the Sale Agricultural Society. By 2016, the present racetrack and kennel block will require extensive rebuilding. The track presently contains a sharp bend which can impact on the chances of dogs in races, and it is believed some trainers avoid racing their dogs on the track because of its shape. Given the club’s successful operations of a gaming venue for more than two decades, they are in a position to finance a relocation, rather than upgrading the existing facilities. During the public consultation process undertaken by council, one objection was received, however the concerns raised by the objector were resolved and the objection was subsequently withdrawn.
Greyhounds
with Kyle Galley Should the Minister for Planning approve the project, the club will be required to prepare a development plan for Council before any works commence, to ensure that the project is appropriately planned and that steps are taken to protect the amenity of the surrounding area, and any future residential developments regarding noise, light spill and traffic issues. Ultimately a new venue at Sale will compliment proposed works at nearby Traralgon, and the redevelopment of the racetrack at Warragul which occurred in 2010.
Charges laid ■ Greyhound Racing Victoria last week announced charges against several industry participants as it continues its crusade to detect the use of prohibited substances on racing dogs. Five licence holders – Graeme Bate, Beverley Bate, Amy Cole, Joseph Briffa and Robert Camilleri have all been charged for alleged breaches of various rules of racing relating to the administration of a pro-
hibited substance to a greyhounds, failing to present a greyhound free of a prohibited substance, the procurement of a prohibited substance and/or misleading a stewards investigation. These charges will now be heard by the independent Racing Appeals and Disciplinary Board at a date to be fixed. Graeme Bate is constantly lauded by many within the industry as one of Australia’s greatest trainers, and is a member of the greyhound racing Hall of Fame. In 2002 he appealed an 18-month disqualification and served a three month ban after one of his greyhounds tested positive to morphine, and he is currently serving a nine-month suspension after one of his dogs tested positive to testosterone.
Awards night ■ More than 100 people recently attended an awards night at the Shepparton Greyhound Racing Club. Tony Duncan was the delighted recipient of the 2013 Local Trainer of the Year award for the Shepparton region. He is based in nearby Harston and prepared 38 winners during 2013, mostly on his local track. Tony said he predominately raced at Shepparton, Bendigo and The Meadows due to his work commitments, and did manage to prepare a couple of doubles and trebles at Shepparton during the year. He is typical of many greyhound trainers in Victoria, who work fulltime while enjoying racing dogs as a hobby.
● At Sale and District Greyhound Racing Club
In Tony’s case, he works driving a truck as a delivery driver. The highlight of his 2013 racing year was seeing kennel star All In Brady finish third to Queensland champion Glen Gallon in a prelude of the Melbourne Cup at Sandown Park. Other awards presented at the Shepparton function were: Greyhound of the Year – Twilight Vixen (trained by Fay Vantaarling), Trainer of the Year – Graeme Bate, Young Trainer of the Year – Jess Fothergill, Staff Appreciation Award – John Donaldson, Volunteer Award – Sandra McGrath and Appreciation Award – Jeanette Powell MP.
Classic Final ■ The Traralgon Puppy Classic Final takes place tomorrow afternoon (Thurs., Mar. 27) with a first prize of $7000. The traditional highlight on the Latrobe Valley club’s calendar attracted three heats of reasonable quality last Thursday (Mar. 20). Short-priced favourite Campaspe Will ran a near track record time in the first heat.
Kennel mates Hold On Wincup and Hold On Special both scored somewhat surprise wins in the other two heats for Drouin West trainer Eddie Leishout, who will also have a third dog as a reserve for the race. Denison trainer Rose Kleeven will also be represented by two starters in the Final.
Upcoming race meetings ■ Wednesday: The Meadows (Day), Bendigo (Twilight), Cranbourne (Night), Ballarat (N); Thursday: Traralgon (D), Warragul (T), Sandown Park (N), Warrnambool (N); Friday: Bendigo (T), Geelong (N); Saturday: Shepparton (T), The Meadows (N); Sunday: Sandown Park (D), Shepparton (T), Sale (T); Monday: Ballarat (D), Geelong (T), Shepparton (N); Tuesday: Horsham (T), Warragul (N). - Kyle Galley
www.MelbourneObserver.com.au
Melbourne Observer - Wednesday, March 26, 2014 - Page 49
Melbourne
Observer Victorian Sport
Showbiz Extra ■ From Page 42
Top 10 Lists
No moves on Slipper ■ There is not much movement in markets for the Golden Slipper to be run at Rosehill on Saturday, April 5. As mentioned in my last column there was a whisper about Earthquake, the short priced favorite, having had shed some weight after her brilliant win in the Blue Diamond Stakes. This was backed up by the stable, but appears to have come good, and at present is $ 2.60 favourite, from the brilliant Hawkes team filly, Mossman She has had only two runs and remains undefeated. In the Silver Slipper Stakes at her second start, Mossman spreadeagled a good field of two year-olds including Unencumbered, who won the Magic Millions in good style, but he missed a place, the daughter of Mossman bolting in. The Gai Waterhouse colt Law was never in it, likewise the smart South Australian colt, Risen From Doubt, prepared by Tony Mc Evoy. When Mossfun won at Rosehill over the 1100 metres that was on a wet track which she relished, come Golden Slipper Day, if it is wet, she will be very hard to beat.
Champ covered ■ Former top galloper, All Too Hard, is set to be one of the stars of the breeding barn. Three times Melbourne Cup winner, Makybe Diva, Coolmore Classic winner, Bollinger, and the dam of Group One winning colt, Zoustar were among a spectacular book of mares presented to the internationally acclaimed stallion, at the Vinery Stud in the spring of 2013. All Too Hard claimed the champion three-year-old colt Award last season, in what was acknowledged as a stellar year for three-year old colts and geldings, polling 264 votes, with another top notcher, Pierro on 148 and It's A Dundeel with 119 points. Indeed in any other year, All Too Hard
Ted Ryan
● Fat Al Photo by SLICKPIX, phone 9354 5754
would have been the nation's undisputed Horse of the Year, but while his half-sister, Black Caviar, was still racing, he was going to find it hard to deny her despite his four Group 1's, and a second in the Cox Plate. All Too Hard earned the Champion Colt Title during an awesome three-yearold season. After powering past Pierro in the Group 1 Caulfield Guineas, he lost no friends when caught on the line by top New Zealander, Ocean Park, in the Cox Plate at Moonee Valley. Team Hawkes brought him back for an unbeaten WFA Autumn campaign that included the C.F.Orr Stakes and Futurity Stakes, both Group ones in Melbourne, before a break and finishing with a brilliant victory in the Group one All Aged Stakes at Randwick. "All Too Hard is just an absolute athlete and is right up there with the likes of Lohnro, co-trainer Michael Hawkes said.
"He's got the family, the pedigree and a big heart". All Too Hard's first season saw him cover an initial book of impeccable class and quality. All Too Hard covered no less that 18 Group One winners including Allez Wonder, Bel Mer, Bollinger, Devil Moon, Fashions Afield, Headway, Mid Summer Music, Makybe Diva, Mirjulsa Lass, Regimental Gal, Scarlett Lady, Serious Speed and Sun Classique in addition to covering another 54 individual group of listed winners. Also in the first book were the dams of a dozen Group One winners including that of NZ champion two year old of last season, Ruud Awakening, three times Group one winner and champion miler in Singapore, Better Life, Cox Plate winner, Savabeel, and Golden Slipper winner, Polar Success. All Too Hard was also the chosen mate for the dams of another 22 Group One
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Sulky Snippets winners, and the full or half relations to a further 16 Group One winners, including Carry On Cutie, Catbird, Hurtle Myrtle, Igugu, Laisserfaire, Royal Descent, Samaready, Snitzel, Snitzerland,Typhoon Tracy etc. You may say the writing is on the wall for the former champion galloper. Our thanks to Conor Phelan from Vinery Stud for the update and details about their great stallion All Too Hard. .
Long day ■ The Bendigo Jockey Club was already to have a great day when they ran their popular, Bendigo
● Commanding Time Photo by SLICKPIX, phone 9354 5754 Golden Mile meeting Everything was goon Saturday, March ing along beautifully 15. until dark crowds The day started off started to get blacker with brilliant sunshine and blacker, then and racegoers rolling bang, the heavens in, among them the opened up, and heavy Premier, Dr Denis rain, thunder and lightNapthine, and his en- ning, hit the track not tourage and many per- long before the main sonalities. race of the day, the Fashions On The Yalumba Golden Field, always popular, Mile, worth total had a bevy of beauties prizemoney of and well-dressed $150,000. gentlemen line up to One of Australia's strut their stuff for the best performing artists big prizes on offer. the singer and harpist, One of the big high- Alana Conway, was to lights of the day away play and sing the Nafrom the Sport of tional Anthem prior to Kings was the appear- the event. ance of the girls from After a long delay the Bendigo Spirit and a track inspecNetball side who had tions and meetings just won the Austra- with jockey, the races lian title again. re-commenced with A great bunch of races put back 43 mingirls, all very tall, tow- utes with the last getered over the wither- ting underway at ing Ted, as I escorted 6.23pm. them down to the preYes, it was a long sentation area to be day, and it was bad introduced to the luck for the Club as it crowd. was the major race The Carlton Cly- meeting in Victoria desdales made their that day. way down the main straight in between races and these magnificent docile giants ■ The Yarra Valley always prove very Club is looking forpopular with all and ward to their big sundry. ANZAC Day race First Light Racing meeting on Friday displayed a group of April 25. yearlings in the Hope you can get mounting yard much along, I will be running to the admiration of the the Two-Up. racing folk.
ANZAC
● All Too Hard.
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Photo: Conor Phelan
■ Presidential Ball/Little Miss Voodoo filly Mumbai Majik proved that her last start $67 victory at Yarra Valley was no fluke, my chalking up another win at Bendigo on Thursday, taking out the Mother Courage 3-Y-0 Vicbred Pace over 2150 metres at odds of $21.30. Trained at Toolern Vale by Gary Hoban and driven by son Craig, Mumbai Majik starting from gate three on the second row settled mid-field in the running line, easing three wide to follow Neishars Jet three wide in the final circuit. Sweeping home out wide on straightening, Mumbai Majik nosed out a death-seating Wheres Bub in a rate of 1-59.2, with Im All Show third after trailing the weakening leader Lohi Liz. ■ Melton mentor David Manning is going to have plenty of fun with ex-Kiwi 5-Y-0 Julius Caesar/Franzwa gelding Romes Burning who registered his third victory in four Australian outings by taking the Loddon Valley Football League Pacers Handicap for C1 or better class over 2150 metres at Bendigo. Taking a concession for Zac Phillips, Romes Burning coming from the 20 metre mark was off and running early in the piece, trailing Hellfire Angel forward three wide to park outside the 10-Y-0 leader Myrniong Panorama. Always travelling under a tight rein, Romes Burning dashed away on turning, safely defying all challengers to score by 9.3 metres in advance of Myrniong Panorama in a rate of 2-01.7, with Sir Dasher Dee (three wide last lap after a bad beginning) third. ■ Rockbank's Gaita Pullicino is running hot at present and 7-Y-0 Western Terror/Eden Chanel gelding Lovable Larrikin was a big winner of the Bendigo Umpires Association Pace for C7 or better class over 2150 metres. Accommodated by Exciteusinthecity (one/ one) coming out ahead of him, Lovable Larrikin gained a sweet passage home and when taken wide on the home turn, rushed home at a great rate to overhaul the pacemaker Machin Out and register a 2.8 metre victory in 1-57. Exciteusinthecity battled away to finish third. - Len Baker More on Page 50
Page 50 - Melbourne Observer - Wednesday, March 26, 2014
www.MelbourneObserver.com.au
Melbourne
Observer Victorian Sport Racing Briefs
Challenge at Ballarat ■ Very smart Armbro Variable/Maoris Lass colt Asdenro brought up four wins in succession by taking the Windmill AG Vicbred Trotters Mobile for T0 class over 2200 metres at Ballarat on Monday March 17 in a rate of 2-02.6. Trained at Maiden Gully (Bendigo) by David Van Ryn, Asdenro driven by stable reinsman (nephew) Haydon Gray led throughout from gate four to account for the roughie Brisharlo (three back the markers) which gave the leader a scare on turning when moving up swiftly to issue a challenge. Tiroroa Tom ran on late from mid-field for third.
Breeders are happy ■ The Laser Electrical Trotters Mobile for T1 & T2 class over 2200 metres at Ballarat saw Nagambie maestro Chris Lang in the winners stall, when talented Dream Vacation/Invasions Pride four year old gelding Lord Liam greeted the judge much to the delight of Port Fairy owner/breeders Richard and Pauline Matthews. Trained and driven by Chris, Lord Liam had little difficulty in retaining the inside running from the pole and despite being covered by a hard pulling Frances Annie from the bell, was never really let go in defeating the last start Ballarat winner Happy Hombre which trailed by 4.1 metres in a rate of 2-02.4. Frances Annie fought on extremely well to finish third.
Followed favourite ■ It's not often that a trotter can beat the pacers, but it happened in the Goulburn Murray Credit Union Pace for C0 class over 2180 metres at Kilmore on Wednesday when Sunbury trainer/driver Ahmed Taiba's 5-Y-0 Sundon/Sandihurst gelding Sandys Boy greeted the judge in a mile rate of 2-02.6. Settling in the back half of the field after starting from gate five on the second row, Sandys Boy received a lovely trail home three wide following the favourite Glenmars Tiger ahead of him. Peeling wide on turning, Sandys Boy ran home strongly to overhaul Glenmars Tiger by 1.4 metres, with Pagans Gift third after leading.
Three wide trail home ■ Avenel trainer Wayne Potter snared the Harness Thursday Trackside Treats Pace for C1 class over 1690 metres at Kilmore with American Ideal/Bring Her Back 4-Y-0 mare Sophies Choice with Nathan Jack in the sulky. Gaining a three wide trail home in the last lap on the back of Khaleesi, Sophies Ideal when eased four wide on the final bend, rushed home at a great rate to defeat Popeye Village which led, with Broadway Play third. The mile rate 1-59.
At home at Kilmore ■ Monegeetta's David Miles has been running hot of late and was successful at his home track Kilmore on Wednesday with 4-Y-0 Art Major/Duel Castle mare Jewel Castle to the delight of the Raceapacer Jewel Syndicate's many owners. Settling with most of the field ahead of her after starting from gate four on the second row, Jewel Castle gained a lovely ride home three wide on the back of Broadway Classic in the last lap, sweeping home in the straight. Although both So It Goes and the heavily backed Royal Deviate finished full of running out wide, Jewel Castle held on to score by a half neck in a rate of two minutes even over So It Goes, with Royal Deviate a neck away in third place.
Nine wins out of 41 ■ Bolinda's Chris Alford was also a winner at Kilmore, when 5-Y-0 Bettors Delight/Spirited Storm entire Stormed Out led throughout from the pole in the Classic Cars 23rd March Pace for C4 & C5 class over 1690 metres, defeating Our Eastwood Cullen from last and Goodtime Slater which faced the breeze. The mile rate 1-57.9. It was Stormed Out's ninth victory in 41 outings.
Large crowd for Boort Cup ■ The Choice Hotels Carnival of Country Cups continued at Boort in Central Victoria on Sunday March 16, with the oldest surviving trotting club in the state (established 1891), staging their once a year event in front of a very large crowd. The feature of the day - the $14,505 Loddon Valley Stud Boort Pacing Cup for C5 or better class (Discretionary Handicapped) over 2612 metres on the small 712 metre circuit attracted a disappointing field of eight, with Tontine winner Flaming Flutter an almost unbackable favourite ($1.20). Trained at Bannockburn by Geoff Webster, Flaming Flutter with regular reinsman Greg Sugars handling the ribbons scrambled slightly from barrier five, before being sent forward once balanced to tackle Flash Of Freedom for the front running, taking over at the judge on the first occasion. Although Narra Operative shadowed him most of the way, Flaming Flutter was coasting at the head of affairs and kicked clear on the home turn to register an untouched 5.2 metre victory over Narra Operative who stuck to his guns well in a new track record mile rate of 2-02.7 (last half mile 57.6 - quarter 27.4). Farmersntradies finished third 8.7 metres away after a one/one trip. Raced by Geelong residents Ron Anderson, Neil Richmond and Garth Allen, Flaming Flutter a Kiwi bred four year old entire by Bettors Delight from Twice As Hot has fronted the starter on 25 occasions for 12 wins and has plenty more to come his way.
Ran clear
Baker’s Delight
Harness Racing
This Week’s Meetings ■ Wednesday - Charlton/Terang, Thursday Cobram/Kilmore, Friday - Melton, Saturday Geelong, Sunday - Robinvale @ Mildura, Monday Yarra Valley, Tuesday - Bendigo.
Horses To Follow Melbourne
Observer
len-baker@ bigpond.com
with Len Baker
and was tailed off. Keeping the leader honest all through the race, Paparazzi Snapshot crossed to lead approaching the final bend, with Theywannacallmesue (one/two - three wide at bell) joining her to issue a serious challenge and momentarily take a slender margin on the home turn. Under vigorous driving, Paparazzi Snapshot rallied in the straight to record a strong 5.8 metre victory over Enjoy A Coldie along the sprint lane after being held up by the weakening Gazoline which he followed throughout, with Theywannacallmesue dying on his run to be 1.4 metres away in third place.
2 from 2 ■ Impressive Wind Cries Maori/Tachometer gelding Glintintheeye trained at Bolinda by Brent Lilley made it two from two when successful in the Porter Industries 2-Y-0 Trotters Handicap over 1710 metres at Ballarat on Monday March 17. Driven once again by Chris Alford, Glintintheeye coming from 10 metres avoided a number of gallopers on the first turn, settling four back along the markers, with Welkin Park leading from barrier two for Graeme Whittle. Moving to trail the pacemaker at the bell, Glintintheeye joined Welkin Park in the run along the back straight to stride clear on the home turn, assisted by Welkin Park galloping. Cruising to the wire, Glintintheeye scored by 12.7 metres from Welkin Park which got going again, with Trade Wind (four back the markers at bell) a further 14 metres away in third place. The mile rate 2-10.7
■ The other attraction of the afternoon being the $14,505 Doyles Boomspraying Boort Trotters Cup for T5 or better class (D-H) over 21612 metres which saw injury plagued seven year old pacing bred Grinfromeartoear/Hiclass Souix mare Paparazzi Snapshot successful in a mile rate of 2-07.4. Trained at Armstrong (Ararat) by Brook Hansen for her family, Paparazzi Snapshot driven by Kerryn Manning stepped safely from barrier two on the second line to immediately possie outside the leader Gazoline which bounded clear from barrier five as the tapes released, whereas the red-hot favourite Unico Crown ■ Doreen trainer John galloped away from bar- Yeomans and stable forerier two refusing to settle man Shane Gallagher
Success
were successful with beautifully bred 4-Y-0 Art Major/Indigenous mare Koori Art in the Decron Horse Care Vicbred Pace for C1 class over 1609 metres at Cranbourne on Tuesday March 18. Driven by Gavin Lang, Koori Art led throughout from the pole to score from Inclinator along the sprint lane from three back the markers, with The Smirker third after racing in the open from gate three. The mile rate 1-58.2.
Local win ■ At Kilmore on Wednesday, local trainer Rita Burnett combined with daughter Monique to land the Easter Saturday Harness Racing @ Kilmore Trotters Mobile for T0 class over 1690 metres with 6-Y-0 Wind Cries Maori/Equally Supreme mare Charliesbaby. Driven with aggression from outside the front line to lead, Charlies Baby which had been racing consistently of late, was never in any danger, racing clear on straightening to register a 15 metre victory in 2-03.6 from Poetsnpirates (one/one three wide home turn) and My Turn My Turn (four back the markers at bell).
Flag flies ■ Robbie Walters kept the home flag flying after winning the Viive 2-Y-0 Pace over 1690 metres with Village Jasper/Casino Princess gelding Teddy Jasper. Driven with vigour from outside the front line to lead, Teddy Jasper was allowed to set a muddling speed through the middle stages, before kicking away on the final bend to defeat a very green Atticus (one/one) and a death-seating Macterra Hawk. The mile rate 200.5.
● Listen to Len Baker on Harness Review, 8pm10pm Mondays, on 97.9 FM, 979fm.com.au
■ Wheres Bub, I Am Louie, Mister Wickham, Oils Jay Bee, Beachstar, Atticus, Eisenhower, So It Goes, Equateur, Welkin Park, Brisharlo, Hens Party.
‘Bingo’ for David ■ Euroa trainer/driver David Jack has been enjoying some success of late and landed the Trackside Bingo Friday 3-Y-0 Vicbred Trotters Mobile over 2180 metres at Kilmore with Zharis Idol, a daughter of Majestic Son and Zhari Belle. Settling three back along the markers after starting from the pole, Zharis Idol finished hard along the sprint lane to score from a death-seating Tiavons Dream and the first starter Nica MacDonon in a rate of 2-03.1.
Shayne’s strong hand ■ Wednesday night trotting was held at the Swan Hill Racing Centre when the Nyah HRC conducted a neat seven event card, highlighted by the running of the $25,505 Alabar Bloodstock Northern Region Championship Final for C1 & C2 class over 2240 metres which contested the heats and SemiFinals held at Mildura on March 6 and 12. Mildura's Shayne Cramp (Victoria's leading trainer of last season) held a strong hand with four of the 12 runners in the final and snared the quinella with four year old Mach Three/Aldebaran Bromac gelding Aldebaran Macha defeating Changing Code in a rate of 1-57. Driven by Nathan Jack, Aldebaran Macha starting from gate three on the second line settled a mile off the Lake Boga leader Gollahman (gate four). In a race where the position outside the leader chopped and changed several times as three of the Cramp runners took turns to face the breeze, Aldebaran Macha latched to the back of Beach Star from four back in the running line at the bell which originally parked outside the leader as the start was effected. Gaining a lovely ride home, Aldebaran Macha after an easy time raced to the front halfway up the running and in a punishing finish, held off Changing Code from mid-field by a half neck in a thrilling finale, with Beachstar a game third after leading on turning.
Locals cheer on ■ Wood Wood owner/breeder/trainer Greg Fleming does a grand job with his small team and captured the Ray & Grace Hepworth Memorial 3Y-0 Pace Final over 2240 metres with Armbro Operative/Highly Rated gelding Rate Highly, giving the locals something to cheer about. Driven by Ararat's Mick Bellman, Rate Highly possied three back in the moving line form gate six, with Dawson Street leading from gate three. Taken three wide in the final circuit, Rate Highly ran home stylishly to gain the day in advance of Billy Mack which raced in the open from the bell, with Glitzy Gal running home late from last to finish third. The mile rate 1-58.9.
Debut at Swan Hill ■ The wraps were huge on the first starter Midnitedelite in the Courage Under Fire 2-Y-0 Pace over 1609 metres at Swan Hill and the Bettors Delight/Aimee Sheffield colt on debut didn't let his supporters down. Trained at Elmore by Keith Cotchin and driven by Bendigo based Scott Dyer, Midnitedelite led throughout from the pole to easily account for Justbritell which raced outside him in a rate of 157.9. Will Cooper (one/three - three wide last lap) finished third.