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Screaming into concert
The cast of Mono.
She’s laughing still Noeline Brown has been on Australian stages and screens since the ’60s but even now in her eighties she still finding new and interesting roles. She comes out of lockdown to perform in Bunbury Production’s first national tour of “Mono”, a comedy tour de farce from three of Australia’s best loved performers. Joining Noeline (The Naked Vicar Show and Blankety Blanks) are Max Gillies (The Gillies Report) and John Wood (Blue Heelers). Mono is the brand new comedy by Angus FitzSimons (Senior Moments). “It’s always been a dream of mine to perform together individually with Max and John” Noeline Brown. “I also
still dream about sitting my final Latin exam and realising I have forgotten to wear clothes, but this has nothing to do with promoting “Mono”. “It is an honour to be asked to do “King Lear” for the Bell Shakespeare Company,” quipped Max Gillies. “But they didn’t ask, so I’m doing “Mono”. “I think we could all do with a laugh at the moment” John Wood added. “That’s why I watch “Fawlty Towers” after rehearsals for “Mono” are thankfully over”. Producer and Dictator Angus FitzSimons says “It is a privilege to have these three legends as the cast. Max, Noeline and John are household names and also recognised in flats”.
“Mono” is a comedy revue play in the tradition of Joyce Grenfell, Alan Bennett and Bob Newhart; with nine brilliant comic characters brought to life through monologues in 90 minutes of wit, fun and laughter. What is “Mono” about? It’s about 90 minutes. It’s also about a hectoring Headmistress, a bad Bush Poet (and he don’t know it), a puzzled Policeman, a meandering Minister, a chaotic Conductor, a mindless “Mindfulness” teacher, a surreal Sotheby’s Auctioneer, and a very, very sozzled Mother of the Bride. Mono - 8 March Brisbane Redland Concert Hall, 2pm and 7.30pm.
The Screaming Jets are heading out and about during summer for their C’MON SUMMER tour. Kicking off at legendary Adelaide venue The Bridgeway Hotel on January 21, they’ll showcase a vast array of hits and fan favourites. Following Adelaide, they’ll head to QLD and NSW, winding up with two shows at Sydney’s Bridge Hotel on 11 and 12 February. The show will Mansfield Tavern on 28 January and Southport RSL on 29 January. It will be a welcome return to touring for the Jets according to lead vocalist Dave Gleeson. “We’ve had to postpone all of our 2021 shows until mid 2022 – when the opportunity came up to schedule some shows for the summer season – we couldn’t say no,” he said. “The boys and myself are itching to get out there and play live again – bring it on!!!” The Screaming Jets are riding high with the 30 Year Anniversary Edition of their groundbreaking debut album ALL FOR ONE sitting in the ARIA Albums Chart at number four and number on the vinyl chart, proving they are just as much a force to be reckoned with now as they were when they first kicked off back in Newcastle in 1990. Don’t miss this opportunity to rock on with The Jets this summer! Tickets on sale now.
Tender tribute: Sublime images from an odd couple For the first time the Odd Couple of the Australian artworld have their works displayed together at a new exhibition at the Margaret Olley Art Centre at the Tweed River Regional Gallery. At Home tells the story of mentorship, art and friendship between Margaret Olley (1923 – 2011) and Ben Quilty (b.1973). Quilty, confined at home during Australia’s first Covid-19 lockdown in 2020, made a sublime collection of still life paintings that connect to Margaret Olley’s enduring career. “We know them as the ‘odd couple’ of the Australian artworld,” Tweed Regional Gallery and Margaret Olley Art Centre director Susi Muddiman OAM said. “But this will be the first time their paintings have direct association alongside one another in an exhibition.” Olley and Quilty first met in 2002 when Olley was the guest judge of the Brett Whiteley Travelling Art Scholarship. Quilty was awarded the prize that year and their friendship grew from there. In 2011 their friendship was propelled into the media spotlight when Quilty’s portrait of Olley was awarded the Archibald Prize, just months before her death. “Quilty’s extraordinary portrait of Olley will feature in this exhibition,” Ms Muddiman said. 18 SENIORS TODAY SUMMER: DECEMBER 2021
Ben Quilty (b.1973) Silence, Tone’s Waratah 2020 oil on linen. Collection of Sandy and Sally Thompson ©The Artist. “We are thrilled to have the portrait here again but also very excited to showcase still lifes, painted last year by Ben Quilty, on display in a public gallery for the first time.” Margaret Olley dedicated her extraordinary life and enduring career to the genre of still life painting. For nearly 50 years her famous Duxford Street home, re-created in the Gallery, was both her site and subject for painting.
She didn’t need to leave her own home to find inspiration or to paint. In this exhibition, two very different artists show us their calm stillness of the everyday. “It’s exciting to exhibit their work in this context,” Ms Muddiman said. “It’s an opportunity to see their work through fresh eyes and to contemplate our own experiences of being at home during lockdown. Still life, while being
Ben Quilty and Margaret Olley in front of Quilty’s Archibald Prize-winning portrait of Olley, 2011. Picture: © ART GALLERY OF NEW SOUTH WALES humble and domestic, has a universal power for connection and contemplation.” At Home: Margaret Olley & Ben Quilty is on display in the Margaret Olley Art Centre at the Tweed Regional Gallery until 20 February 2022. For activities and events, including online programs, follow the Gallery on Facebook and Instagram or visit artgallery.tweed.nsw.gov.au
