Melbourne Observer - Wednesday, May 29, 2013 - Page 87
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PACKED HOUSES FOR ‘NUDE’ Judith Durham’s recovery underway
● Judith Durham ■ The progress of Seeker, Judith Durham, after her cerebral haemorrhage, has been released by her associate Graham Simpson. Graham, who has been her producer and biographer, was also the quick-thinking friend who got Judith to the hospital so quickly before any further damage occurred. “I’m pleased to be able to let you know that after being assessed by the head of the Rehabilitation Unit at Epworth Hospital, Judith was to be transferred to the Unit on Friday for further treatment,” Simpson said. “After speaking with Judith’s neurologist this morning, I can report that while Judith’s everyday conversational speech is fluent, her processing of higher function speech and complex questions is impaired. “On a positive note, during one of their meetings, Judith’s neurologist asked her to sing him something and, without prompting, she was able to correctly sing the first verse of Morningtown Ride, completely in tune! “Later in the afternoon, pleased with her progress, she asked me to test her on other songs, and she was able to sing to me – without any problem – the first verses of I’ll Never Find Another You, Come The Day and I Celebrate Your Life My Baby. “Judith is looking forward to the challenges of rehabilitation and is determined to continue improving. She remains buoyed by the incredible messages of support she receives on a daily basis from all around the world,” Simpson said. - Ash Long
By CHERYL THREADGOLD
● Elise May Watson-Lord (left), Lyla Black and Scarlett take burlesque to the office in Nude at Red Bennies, South Yarra until June 29. Photo: Tania Gioffre ■ Has nudity become humanity's greatest cover up? The good folk from Red Bennies and Scarlett Productions say it has, so I went along to find out. Red Bennies is situated on the first floor of 373 Chapel Street. The atmospherically dim and noisy interior includes two long bars, an intimate, music-hall style stage, and lots of patrons, many happy to stand throughout the whole show. Joining the elegant, semi-naked dancers onstage is pleasant, demurely dressed Producer of the Australian Burlesque Festival, Dolores Daiquiri. Dolores shares her childhood embarrassment at having nudist parents. and the irony of her later becoming a burlesque performer and celebrating flesh and nudity. She explains that burlesque means to mock or parody, and involves only partial nudity. Dolores believes Australians are conservative, because flesh is a beautiful thing, not 'naughty' or 'rude'. Nude is a comedy-free, physical show, with superbly muscletoned male and female dancers and agile circus performers. The aerial silks segment was a highlight for me, but it is also evident there is admirable art to burlesque, behind the gyrating bodies and adept removal of costumes. The website lists the performers as Danny Golding, Hannah Trott, Becky Lou, Miss Filly, Lyla Black, Elise WatsonLord and Ruby Bellinger, complimented by a powerful, unnamed vocalist. Screened images show commercialisation of nudity and it is also pointed out that a clothed body can ease the boredom of nudity and vice versa. Such philosophy on nudity makes sense, but the show's ideology goes off track when introducing sexually suggestive choreography. A crowd pleaser for some, this sexual objectivity contradicts the show's intention of artistically and respectfully celebrating the naked human body. Will Nude change social attitudes to bare flesh? Probably not, but the packed houses are enjoying the show as it is, with music and dancing afterwards, and food is available. Performance Season: Until June 29 Venue: Red Bennies, 1/373 Chapel St, South Yarra Tickets: $30 presale, $35 at the door. (Please note that most tickets are for general admission/standing room only. If you wish to book a table or a booth, please call the Red Bennies office on 9826 2689 to make a reservation.)
MTC mourns death of John Sumner ■ Melbourne Theatre Company is mourning the dxeath of its founder and longest-serving Artistic Director, John Sumner, who passed away on Friday (May 24), aged 88, after a brief illness. MTC Chairman, Derek Young said: “John Sumner’s contribution to Australian theatre is unparalleled. “As founder of Australia’s first professional theatre company, he championed the development of Australian voices and writing in theatre. “His passion, energy and tough professionalism set the standard and have been an inspiration for his successors. To this day he was a regular and enthusiastic theatregoer with tickets to attend our NEON Festival.’ “Our deepest condolences go out to his family at this time,’ Derek Young said. Brett Sheehy, Artistic Director said: “As MTC celebrates its 60th anniversary year, we pay tribute to John’s outstanding abilities as a director, designer and administrator. “His vision set the foundations for the creativity and diversity of talent that still thrills, confronts and entertains us today. He will be sadly missed by us all.” Originally known as the Union Theatre Repertory Company and later, Melbourne Theatre Company, John Sumner founded the Company in 1953 and directed its first production, Jean Anouih’s Colombe. He served as Artistic Director between 1953-1955 and 1959-1987 and during that time John Sumner directed more than a hundred productions and encouraged the development of two generations of Australian playwrights including Ray Lawler, Alan Seymour, Alexander Buzo, John Romeril, Jim McNeil, Nick Enright, John Power and David Williamson to name just a few. John Sumner directed the first production of Ray Lawler’s Summer Of The Seventeenth Doll, a much-loved favourite which continues to thrill audiences in productions today. The company he established became a model for every successful state theatre company and set the standard for Australian theatre in presenting a mix of the best plays from Australia and overseas to a large subscriber base. As Artistic Director, he oversaw the expansion of the company from the Union Theatre to Russell St and on to Arts Centre Melbourne in 1984. Opened in January 2009, MTC’s own Southbank Theatre named its largest theatre, The Sumner in tribute to him. Born in England in 1924, John Sumner moved to Australia in 1952. He served in the British Merchant Navy in the Second World War before moving into stage management with H M Tennent theatres in London’s West End. Following his first season with UTRC, he briefly moved to Sydney to manage the Elizabethan Theatre Trust, but soon returned to Melbourne. He is survived by his two daughters, Alice and Victoria.
New appointments at MSO ■ Gabrielle Waters has been named Director of Operations of the Melbourne Symphony Orchestra, and Natalya Jurcheshin has been appointed Chief Financial Officer. The appointments were announced this week by Melbourne Symphony Orchestra Managing Director André Gremillet.
“Gabrielle Waters will bring extensive orchestral management experience to the MSO having served in similar positions at the West Australian Symphony Orchestra and at the Australian Opera & Ballet Orchestra, among others,” Mr Gremillet said. A graduate of the University of Melbourne and a chartered accountant,
Natalya Jurcheshin, is a former Senior Manager at Arthur Andersen and was most recently CFO of Circadian Technologies Limited, an ASX company. “In addition to her impressive credentials and extensive CFO experience, Natalya has a passion for classical music which made her especially well suited for the role,” said Gremillet.
● The late John Sumner