BELOVED KATIE

■ Julie Houghton and Friends presents Beloved Katie, a celebration of Kathleen Ferrier in words and music

If Australia gave the world its greatest soprano Nellie Melba in the 19th century, England produced the world’s best contralto when Kathleen Ferrier was born on April 22, 1912. Her extraordinary voice was a one off, and her life was over too soon when she died of cancer in 1953.

But behind the voice was a down to earth Lancashire lass with an impish sense of humour and genuine friendships with the musical greats of her era, from Britten to Barbirolli.

Fifty years after her untimely death, come and meet the character behind the voice, and hear some of her iconic music in Beloved Katie – a celebration of Kathleen Ferrier, written by Jamie Moffat and Julie Houghton and performed by Julie Houghton, Karen van Spall, Suzanne Shakespeare, Alex Owens and Ricardo R Idini

2pm. Sunday, August 13. St George’s Anglican Church, 41 Baroda St, Travencore. Tickets $25 and $20 concession available at the door.

- Bernadine Hammond

Strictly Ballroom

Fran’s grandmother), Bryn J Clapp (Barry Fife), Peter Jenkins (Les Kendall), Natasha Harvey (Liz Hall), Remi Stock (Tina Sparkle) and Ethan Hooper (Wayne Burns).

A wonderful high energy ensemble supported the leading players, and bravo to expert junior ballroom dancers Matilda Doughty (Kylie Hastings) and Aiden Floris (Luke).

Daniel Jow's lighting design enhanced the visuals in spectacular style, as did Victoria Horne’s colourful and stunning costumes.

Vocal Director Maddy Corbel achieved firstclass results with cast vocals and backings; sound was designed by Marcello Le Ricco.

McNamara’s clever set facilitated seamless scene changes, Rostron’s dynamic choreography was well executed by the dancers, and Woodford’s orchestra splendidly rendered the score. Congratulations to Bev Woodford on her 50th year with PLOS

The PLOS Musical Productions’ version of Strictly Ballroom utilised every opportunity to ensure entertainment with a capital ‘E’.

One of the best shows seen. Congratulations to all.

- Review by Cheryl Threadgold

June

■ PLOS Musical Productions presented a lavish, sparkling production of Strictly Ballroom at the Frankston Arts Centre.

The dream production team of Karl McNamara (Director/Set Designer), Bev Woodford (Musical Director) and Steve Rostron (Choreographer) merged years of shared theatrical experience with innovative artistic vision, to collaboratively produce a refreshingly original interpretation.

Created by Baz Luhrmann, Strictly Ballroom tells of champion ballroom dancer Scott Hastings defying his ballroom-dancing family’s tradition and championship judges, to follow his passion to dance his own independent style.

Two cultures clash when Scott partners dancing beginner Fran, while tradition and independent thinking clash when Scott and Fran courageously dance in the Pan Pacific Grand Prix competitions. The outcome is heartwarming and inspirational.

The strong, talented cast assembled by McNamara was headed by triple-threats Mitchell Smith (Scott Hastings) and Guada Bañez (Fran), who excelled in all aspects of their roles.

Special mention must also be made of the outstanding performances enjoyed from Lauren Edwards (Scott’s mother, Shirley), crowdpleaser John Tacey (Doug Hastings), personable Chris Brown (JJ Silvers); Diego Torres (Fran’s father), Carla Gianinotti (Abuela,

■ June, presented by Fabricated Rooms at Theatreworks, is a compelling piece of theatre - strong yet gentle, humorous yet serious.

The piece, written by Patrick McCarthy, is a one woman show, and Caroline Lee certainly needs no one else to assist in keeping the audience enthralled as she leads us through her one year journey of silence, why it came about and where it took her. A cataclysmic family reaction to her mother’s death resulted in June not speaking for a year, a year in which she delved deeply into the real meaning and worth of words, relationships and values.

Directed by Emily Tomlins with a set, Zoe Rouse, that seemed born from the marriage of classical pillars and distant rain forests, June weaves us gently, willingly into her web of self understanding.

This piece is superbly cocooned with soft music and nature’s sounds, Jess Keffe. They seem as much a part of June as her very breathing. Lisa Mibus’ lighting seems to embrace her at times as she finds memories that clarify her emotions and actions during her year’s self imposed solitude.

The script led her to rhetorically ask the audience their opinions; you could almost sense the person next to you about to answer .... this was intimate theatre.

There is a yearning for intimacy with us, a soft hand on our arm to stop, stay a little and ponder so that our thoughts will rise from deep within, rather than us hurrying to discover them.

- Review by Maggie Morrison

● ● Debi Marshall

■ Sisters in Crime presents the 23rd Davitt Awards Ceremony, to be held on Saturday, September 2, at 6pm for 6.30pm at South Melbourne’s Rising Sun Hotel.

Some 144 crime fiction books by Australian women are in contention for six Davitt Awards, to be presented at a gala dinner by Walkley-Award winning investigative journalist, and true-crime author, Debi Marshall.

The categories are: Best Adult Novel; Best Young Adult Novel; Best Children’s Novel; Best Non-fiction Book; Best Debut Book (any category); and Readers’ Choice (as voted by the 600+ members of Sisters in Crime Australia).

Prior to the awards presentation, Debi will be in conversation with true crime author and podcaster, Emily Webb.

Event Details: Saturday, September 2 at 6 for 6.30pm

Venue: Rising Sun Hotel, 2 Raglan St., South Melbourne

Details and bookings: https:// sistersincrime.org.au/celebration-23rd-davittawards-for-the-best-crime-books-byaustralian-women/

- Cheryl Threadgold

Murder: A New Beginning

● ● Meet the cast of Murder: A New Beginning: Jill Davis (back row left), John Davidson, Kevin Seerup, Mary Murphy, Heather Seerup (front left), Natalie Rowe, Ian Robinson and Peter Eddy.

■ The Smile Theatre Company is celebrating its tenth anniversary by presenting Murder: a New Beginning on August 11, 12, 13 at the Shirley Burke Theatre, Parkdale. Co-written by Ian Robinson and Peter Eddy and directed by Peter Eddy, the twoact play is billed as an 'adults' only murder mystery', with a cast of eight.

The story tells of the Pimpernel Entertainment Group founded by Sir Percival Blakeny, about to celebrate their 90th Anniversary. Their original radio studio is being renovated to perform an old-fashioned radio play as part of the celebration.

A group of actors, who all owe their start to Pimpernel, are gathering for the first rehearsal. All is fun and games, until an unwelcome performer from their past arrives and revenge is taken. Who did it? Why? Each person reveals a secret from their past as the play unfolds.

The Smile Theatre Company is a not-forprofit community theatre company.

Performance Details: August 11 at 8pm, August 12 at 2pm and 8pm, August 13 at 2pm.

Venue: Shirley Burke Theatre, 64 Parkers Rd., Parkdale

Tickets: All one price $30

Duration: 90 minutes

Bookings: www.kingstonarts.com.au/performances/all-performances/Smile-TheatreCompany-Inc

- Cheryl Threadgold