Melbourne Observer - Wednesday, May 28, 2014 - Page 51
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SAD PASSING OF PETER CURTIN The Light In Winter
‘Ghosts’ proves scary
● Robyn Archer ■ I am always happy to hear about The Light In Winter. Now in its eighth year, Federation Square’s annual winter program is directed by arts luminary Robyn Archer. It will bring together local and international artists for a nightly program of free events, performances and exhibitions, culminating in the Solstice Celebration on the true winter solstice, Saturday, June 21.. The Light In Winter has had seven remarkable incarnations and the eighth will shine even brighter. Melbourne’s winter behaviour has clearly changed as so many people are visiting Federation Square and enjoying the program from dusk in the evening. The celebration of light and enlightenment really has made a difference to Melbourne. The three-week program will illuminate Federation Square after dusk with the world premiere of Radiant Lines - an interactive, illuminated, large-scale, sculptural shrine from UK design wunderkind, Asif Khan, who was involved with the London Olympics and Sochi Winter Olympics. There are some wonderful events. I highlight Indonesia’s Papermoon Puppet Theatre, and Melbourne–based media artists, Cake Industries, who have collaborated to create Anachron, three illuminated moving sculptures combining electromechanical mastery and kinetic technology. This project is co-commissioned by City of Melbourne through the Arts Participation Program. The tradition of the indigenous campfire Leempeeyt Weeyn , which burns continuously throughout The Light In Winter, returns to the Square. Designed by Vicki Couzens and programmed by Rob Bundle. it extends a welcome from the traditional owners and creates the hub for a rich program of fireside events. For the first time in the program’s history, the much loved tradition of the Solstice Celebration coincides with the program finale on June 21. The free, mid-winter celebration marks the longest night of the year and the new journey toward spring. I will be there, it sounds so beautiful and a perfect place to be. - Di Rolle
● Linda Cropper ■ Human nature being what it is, we are all fascinated by the concept of ghosts, especially when they are the emotional ghosts that linger in our past.. Melbourne Theatre Company is combining the famous Henrik Ibsen play Ghosts with renowned director Gale Edwards and popular actors Philip Quast, Linda Cropper and Richard Piper, a combination which should guarantee success. Written more than 100 ago, Ghosts created quite a stir when it was written, ringing alarm bells with censors, upsetting critics but pleasing audiences, by critically examining marriage and social convention. Pastor Manders has come to Mrs Alving's home to discuss the opening of an orphanage in her late husband's name, permanently honouring his goodness and generosity. For Mrs Alving, however, the dedication will be the final great lie in a marriage filled with lies. As the façade begins to shatter, Mrs Alving is forced to reveal the truth about her husband's secret indiscretions, in a desperate attempt to exorcise the ghosts of her past and save her son Oswald. This new production at the Sumner Theatre features an Edvard Munch-inspired set and costume designs, with a cast including Linda Cropper, Philip Quast, Richard Piper, Pip Edward and Ben Pfeiffer. Linda Cropper will be familiar to fans of the television mini-series Melba, in which she played Dame Nellie Melba, and for those with long memories, she played the eldest daughter in the ABC series Palace Of Dreams. More recently she was seen on stage last year in the Agatha Christie thriller A Murder Is Announced. Philip Quast had a generation of mothers swooning when he was a Play School host, before heading to the bright lights of London and making his name as Javert in Les Miserables on Broadway and embracing television work such as Midsomer Murders. Richard Piper is one of Melbourne's most dynamic performers and a definite audience favourite, while Gale Edwards is one of our most esteemed directors. You can see this talnented cast in action Ghosts at the Sumner Theatre in Southbank until June 21. www.mtc.com.au - Julie Houghton ● Stage Whispers critic Coral Drouyn reviewed the show at the weekend: “What a mess ... and I had looked forward to it for months!” Coral called it a “poorly realised production full of altered text and linguistic anachronisms.” www.stagewhispers.com.au
● Peter Curtin ■ Actor Peter Curtin has died at the age of 70. He was familiar on television and radio, with appearances on MDA, White Collar Blue, All Saints, Ponderosa, Blue Heelers, Something in the Air, The Games, SeaChange, Backberner, Stingers, A Country Practice, Embassy, Mission Impossible, The Bodysurfer, Here Comes Bucknuckle and Winner Takes All. His is screen appearances included Till Human Voices Wake Us, Don’t Peek and Blood Money. Melbourne Theatre Company says it is is saddened by the news that Curtin had died. His ccareer began when he joined the Melbourne Theatre Company in 1973, appearing as a member of the ensemble in The Plough And The Stars with Wendy Hughes. His subsequent performances include Summer of the Seventeenth Doll, A Touch of Silk, Little Murders, A Streetcar Named Desire, Privates On Parade, A Doll’s House, Bremen Cafe, Shakespeare the Sadist, Antigone, The Beaux Stratagem, Desire Under The Elms, The Merchant Of Venice, Arden and the national tour of Sylvia. Curtin took his final bow with Melbourne Theatre Company in the 2003 production of The Goat with Philip Quast and the late Wendy Hughes. “Peter Curtin’s career stretched through the history of MTC, through the eras of the late John Sumner, Roger Hodgman and Simon Phillips,” said MTC’s current Artistic Director Brett Sheehy. “He was known and loved by so many and his presence on our stages will be sorely missed. Our hearts go out to his wife Ailsa Piper, also a much loved member of the MTC alumni, and to her and Peter's family and friends.”
Showbiz Briefs ■ The Channel 0-10 50th anniversary celebration of exemployees is expected to be held at the Burvale Hotel on Saturday, August 1. ■ The 50th anniversary of The Beatles playing at Festival Hall, Melbourne, will be on Saturday, June 14.