Observer

■ The Monash One-Act Play Festival will be presented next year from February 25 –27 at the Unicorn Theatre, Lechte Rd., Mount Waverley. Interested playwrights and participants are invited to contact: moapfestival@peridot.com.au ■ Torquay Theatre Troupe: The Kitchen Sink (by Tom Wells) Until November 20 at the Shoestring Playhouse at The MAC, 77 Beach Road, Torquay. Director: Michael Baker. Bookings: trybooking.com.au Enquiries 52616111 ■ BATS Theatre Company: The Full Monty November 18 – 21 at the Cranbourne Community Theatre, Brunt St. (Cranbourne Secondary College). Director: Mihelle Zintschenko. Bookings: www.batstheatre. org.au ■ Warrandyte Theatre Company: Visitors (by Barney Norris) (Live and streamed) November 19 – December 4 at 8.00pm at the Warrandyte Mechanics Institute Hall, Cnr. Yarra and Mitchell Sts., Warrandyte. Bookings: www.warrandytehallarts.asn.au ■ Malvern Theatre Company: The Flick (by Annie Baker) November 19 – December 4 at 29a Burke Rd., Malvern. Director: Helen Ellis. Bookings: www.malverntheatre.com. au 1300 131 552 ■ Heidelberg Theatre Company: Three Little Words (by Joanna Murray-Smith) November 26 – December 9 at 36 Turnham Ave., Rosanna. Director: Tim Scott. www.htc.org.au ■ Theatrical: Little Women the Broadway Musical November 19 – 28 at Chapel off Chapel, 12 Little Chapel St., Prahran. Director: Ange Phillips; Musical Director: Ashley Meliki Shoup, Ass’t. Director: Karen Shnider; Executive Producer: Andrew Gyopar. Bookings: https://theatrical.com.au/littlewomen/ ■ Wonthaggi Theatrical Group: Dimboola (by Jack Hibberd) November 20 – 28 at The Shed, State Coal Mine, Garden St., Wonthaggi. Director: Wayne Moloney. Bookings: www.wtg.org.au ■ Essendon Theatre Company: Death of a Salesman (by Arthur Miller) November 25 –December 4 at 9 Bradshaw Street, Essendon (Entry off Buckley St). Directors: Directed by Michele Haywood and Nicola Taylor. Bookings: www.essendontheatrecompany. com.au ■ Playhouse Players: Around the World in 80 Days (by Jules Verne, adapted for stage by Mark Brown) December 1 – 4 at 7.30pm at the Clayton Theatre, Clayton Community Centre, 9-15 Cooke St., Clayton. Director: Graeme McCoubrie. Tickets: $25/$28. Bookings: www.trybooking.com/BQIMV ■ LOTS Theatre: Legends of the Skies (scripts by Alison Knight, Neil Follett, Geri Colson and Steve Morris) December 3 – 4 at 8.00pm, December 5 at 5.30pm at the Aviation Museum, 12 First St., Moorabbin Airport. Artistic Director: Maggie Morrison. Tickets: $20. Bookings: https:// www.trybooking.com/BUYAX ■ Melbourne French Theatre: La Candidate December 7 – 11 at Library at the Dock, Second floor performance space, 107 Victoria Harbour Promenade, Docklands. Director: Donald McManus; Producer: Michael Bula. Bookings: melbournefrenchtheatre.org.au ■ Peridot Theatre: Hypnosis (by David Tristram) January 28 – February 12 at the Unicorn Theatre, Mt Waverley Secondary College, Lechte Rd., Mt Waverley. Director: Pip LeBlond. Bookings: www.peridot.com.au

Auditions

■ Playhouse Players: Director required for a one-act play to be presented in the delayed 20th National Playwright Competition. Please contact 0407276973 for further details. ■ Geelong Repertory Theatre Company: Private: The Weekend (by Michael Palin) November 12 at 5.00pm at the Woodbin Theatre, 15 Coronation St., West Geelong. Director; Ben Crowley. Further enquiries: www.geeongrep.com ■ Mordialloc Theatre Company: The Kitchen Sink (by Tom Wells) November 14 at 2.00pm, November 16 at 7.00pm at the MTC Lockup Factory 8/417-419 Warrigal Rd., Cheltenham. Director: Rod Hulme. Audition appointment: rod@hulme.email Phone: 0418 117 772. More in column, at right

Observer Observer Melbourne Melbourne

Published statewide weekly in the Melbourne Observer and all editions of The Local Paper. Phone: 1800 231 311. Email: editor@MelbourneObserver.com.au WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 10, 2021

DEAR MAMA

■ Wit Incorporated presents a live play-reading of Dear Mama, There's Something Maybe I Have to Tell You on November 11 and 12 at 7.30pm at the Bluestone Church Arts Space,

Footscray.

For those not ready to return to the theatre just yet, there will also be an online performance of this new play on Tuesday, November 23 from 7pm - 9.30pm.

A cross-cultural comedy of errors about love, loss, community, tradition ... and beer, Dear

Mama, There's Something Maybe I Have To

Tell You is written by Lansy Feng and directed by Ellen O'Connor.

The play contains regular musical interludes, including original songs, and is told in English with some moments of Mandarin and French language. There will be a full production coming next year to follow this development play read concert.

There are adult themes and occasional coarse language. Recommended for audiences aged 13+.

Live Play Reading Performances: Thursday, November 11 and Friday, November 12 at 7.30pm at the Bluestone Church Arts Space, 8A Hyde St., Footscray. Venue and bar open at 7pm.

Duration: Two hours plus interval.

Tickets: Free, but donations gratefully appreciated.

Bookings: https://events.humanitix.com/

● ● ● ● ● Lansy Feng, playwright Online Play Reading Performance: Tuesday, November 23, 7pm-9.30pm Tickets: Free or pay what you can Bookings essential: https:// events.humanitix.com/dear-mama-online dear-mama-bcas - Cheryl Threadgold Andrea wins award

● ● ● ● ● Award-winning choreographer Andrea Marsic.

■ Congratulations to Melbourne dancer Andrea Marsic, who has been named as the winner of the Most Innovative Choreography Prize in FORM Dance Project’s Sharp Short Dance

Digital.

Providing a rare opportunity for aspiring choreographers and dancers to display their talents in a supportive environment, Sharp Short Dance Digital returned to the stage, both live and digitally, in 2021. Sharp Short Dance Digital saw more than fifty dance works created and performed by young dancers and choreographers 21 years and under. Andrea is currently a student in her third year of full-time contemporary dance at Transit Dance. She has trained primarily in contemporary dance and ballet as well as other styles and has worked with a myriad of different choreographers in her time at Transit.

- Cheryl Threadgold

Malthouse outdoor stage

■ Malthouse Outdoor Stage returns this summer from November 20 to December 19 at the Malthouse Theatre, 113 Sturt St, Southbank.

The event will welcome Emma Donovan and the Putbacks on Saturday November 20, Uncle Jack Charles on Sunday November 21, and Women of Soul on Friday-Saturday November 26-27, before the world premiere of the maritime mayhem show S.S. Metaphor from Sunday December 5, running for two weeks.

Writer, performer and limbo champion Ash Flanders will bring Zenya Carmellotti, Will Conyers and Natalie Gamsu down to his level in a medley of maritime mayhem, S.S. Metaphor. Directed by Sarah Giles, S.S. Metaphor is the first Malthouse Theatre production on MOS and premieres on December 5. Set aboard the luxury cruise liner the S.S. Metaphor, this glittering ode to freedom, adventure and endless possibility has been stuck at sea for over a year, but audience members are encouraged to ignore the troubles below deck, sip a mai tai, kick up their heels, and allow the liner’s world-class cabaret duo Cruise Control to croon their cares away as disaster unfolds.

Venue: Malthouse Outdoor Stage, 113 Sturt St., Southbank. Emma Donovan and the Putbacks, November 20. Tickets $50 full. Uncle Jack Charles, November 20. Tickets $40 full, $15 concession. Women of Soul, 26 /27 November. Tickets $45 full, $35 concession S.S. Metaphor, December 5 – 19.Tickets $65 full, $40. www.malthousetheatre.com.au/ ● ● ● ● ● Phillip Compagna and Ailsa Page ■ Many of us have elderly relatives in aged care, and one of the hardest effects of the constant lockdowns during the pandemic was not being allowed to visit them, and knowing that so many of their activities couldn’t happen.

Husband and wife singing duo In The Mood, aka Ailsa Page and Phillip Campagna, were used to bringing high quality entertainment to nursing homes, until suddenly they were locked out too.

But this innovative duo were determined that our oldies needn’t miss out on that essential musical stimulation, so they recorded a DVD of favourite songs, complete with singalong lyrics on them.

Having both had parents and grandparents affected by dementia and living in aged care facilities, Ailsa and Phillip were used to using music to connect with and entertain their loved ones.

While not all elderly people can access performances by Zoom or YouTube, most facilities have a DVD player, so the duo video recorded from home 15 of their most loved songs, with the bonus feature of cameo performances from their geriatric dog, Maxi.

“We’ve seen first-hand the immediate benefits of a good singalong with our parents and also the audiences that we sing to,” Ailsa said.

“I’ll never forget one performance where most of the audience were wheeled in on princess beds, and I could still see them move their feet and fingers in time to the music.”

The DVD is called Singsational Singalong and includes their most requested numbers by audiences, such as Delilah, and Let’s

Twist Again.

What a fabulous project to develop during enforced lockdown, that will give pleasure to so many people who can’t get out to concerts.

Singsational Sing-along costs $39.95, including delivery within Australia, and you can buy it online at www.singalongdvd.com.au

Julie Houghton

● ● ● ● ● From column, at lerft

Auditions

■ Williamstown Little Theatre: The Importance of Being Earnest (by Oscar Wilde) November 20 at 1.00pm, November 21 at 12noon at 2 Albert St., Williamstown. Director: Ellis Ebell. Audition Bookings: ellis@pagebell.com ■ Brighton Theatre Company: Chancers (by Robert Massey) November 21 and 22 at 7.30pm at the Brighton Arts and Cultural Centre, Cnr. Wilson and Carpenter Sts., Brighton. Director: Peter Newling. Audition bookings: www.brightontheatrecompany.com.au ■ Peridot Theatre: I Ought to be in Pictures (by Neil Simon) November 28 at 1.00pm, November 29 at 7.00pm at the Unicorn Theatre, Mt Waverley Secondary College, Lechte Rd., Mt Waverley. Director: Michelle Swann. Audition enquiries: michelleswann65@gmail.com ■ The 1812 Theatre: The History Boys (by Alan Bennett) November 27 and 28 at 9.30am at 3 Rose Street, Upper Ferntree Gully. Director: Dexter Bourke. Audition appointment and enquiries: 0411287043 or dexterb7251@gmail.com

- Cheryl Threadgold

■ At the same time as Victoria opens up after the pandemic lockdown, the rebuilt La Mama HQ in Carlton is also opening, 3½ years since the theatre was destroyed by fire.

Thanks to fundraising, designing to building and every detail in between, an enormous community of people have come together to make this happen.

From the philanthropic alliance, lead donors and 600+ La Mama lovers, to the Rebuild La Mama Project Team and dozens of individuals who have given endless support to this project, the La Mama team says: "It really is the generosity of our community that has made possible the opening of our new La Mama, and it is an achievement that belongs to all."

Under the Victorian Government’s Public Health Orders, all audience members at any event at La Mama will need to provide evidence that they have received two doses of a COVID vaccine. All La Mama staff and artists are required to be vaccinated. La Mama anticipates that all audiences will require proof of full vaccination prior to entering the theatre for at least the remainder of 2021. .

For further details regarding performances at La Mama Theatre, visit www.

lamama.com.au/

- Cheryl Threadgold What Rhymes With Orange?

■ Theatre throughout the centuries has often used adaptive and innovative processes to give a twist to the story.

As early as the 5th century BC, Greek writers of tragedy used this device to resolve complicated or seemingly hopeless situations.

Throughout the history of the theatre this has been used in extraordinary, imaginative, and creative ways to turn the story in an unexpected direction.

The digitally streamed performance of Isabella Perversi’s latest work clearly demonstrates the transformative nature of theatre.

The marriage of theatre to film works amazingly as such a device in Isabella Perversi’s production of What Rhymes with

Orange?

The work is directed by Alanah Guiry, filmed by Mad Hatter Films and sensitively and brilliantly performed by Isabella Perversi (Rosie) and Fabio Motto (Tom).

The natural warmth and genuineness projected by Perversi and Motto resonates with the audience who, as the work progresses, become more and more drawn to the characters.

The story is a contemporary one that explores the nature of modern relationships, the intrusion yet comfort technology plays in our everyday lives.

The mobile phone is used as a symbol for a series of disconnected aspects in our daily lives, representing communication, miscommunication , the ability to shroud reality, hide loneliness, conceal secrets, provide a crutch and yet also be an alluring comforter.

Rosie and Tom are a couple in love who are at a crossroads in their relationships.

Like all humans their characters are flawed. Their lived realities do not match up with what each of them wants for their future. Rosie dreams of becoming a successful dancer. She is constantly auditioning and completely obsessed with following her dreams. In contrast, Tom is a reforming alcoholic who on the other hand wants them to start a family.

Relationships can be challenging and often choices must be made that may either compromise one party or the other or the challenges presented can bind a relationship making it stronger. Rosie and Tom’s relationship breaks down through a series of events including lies, an abortion, and the final realisation that neither of them want the same out of life. A modern tragedy!

What Rhymes with Orange? was presented as part of the Melbourne Fringe Festival. Talk is cheap, gossip is priceless

Lillian’s new album

■ Australian jazz vocalist Lillian Albazi and her band have released their debut album, After-Image and will soon undertake a tour of the south-eastern states.

Lillian first came to prominence at 22- yearsold with her quintet, debuting at the 2016

Melbourne International Jazz Festival.

Since then, she has toured Australia extensively playing at key venues and festivals including MONA Museum, Devonport Jazz Festival, Melbourne International Jazz Festival and

Melbourne Recital Centre.

Lillian and her band perform modern arrangements of seminal standards from The Great American/Australian Songbook celebrating the jazz pioneers.

On the album Lillian is backed by four of Melbourne's most in demand local musicians Luke Andresen (drums), Henry Davis (guitar), Oscar Neyland (double bass) and Shaun Rammers (tenor saxophone). Their debut album After-Image renews their familiar with deft, complex takes on classic and contemporary standards, performing a range of modern jazz styles with wit, playfulness and sombre romanticism.

“An after-image is the impression left on the closed eyelid - an impression of a piece of music filtered through someone else," explains Lillian Albazi. "Over time, the after-image might distort and change, leaving you with a sentiment, a feeling or just the framework of what was.

“For this reason, it feels a perfect analogy for the re-interpretation and arrangements of the standards on the album, presenting the listener with an after-image of the familiar. Seeing things

● ● ● ● ● Australian jazz vocalist Lillian Albazi. through my eyes, listening to my after-images."

For details regarding purchase of After-Image and Lillian Albazi's tour dates. visit https://

lillianalbazi.com/

- Cheryl Threadgold

Death and the Discotheque

● ● ● ● ● Dancers Sofia Reinking, Ben White, Indya Brott and Angus Eastwood in Death and the Discotheque. Photo: Gregory Lorrenzutt ■ Dance work Death and The Discotheque count. The dance floor became my refuge, a will premiere at The Butterfly Club from No- safe space for me, a place to escape all the vember 17-20 at 8.30pm. sadness. I began working on this project in No-

Set to an electro soundtrack, a bass line and vember 2019, in the midst of the Black Summer live narration, Death and The Discotheque is a bushfires. Since then it has grown, becoming performance in memoriam to those we have something that has - like all of us - been shaped, lost and the experiences we crave. Both absent changed and altered by the course of recent - one forever, one not. events. Smoke, sickness, 2020, 2021 feeding

The work is a deeply personal reflection by the narrative." writer Jessi Lewis, but the many and varied Choreographed by Sasha Chan and Jessi losses that have been experienced universally Lewis; Death and The Discotheque dancers throughout these tempestuous times will reso- Indya Brott, Sofia Reinking, Angus Eastwood nate with audiences. Common ground is found and Ben White emulate the energy of a crowded as grief and emotion are collectively unpacked dance floor. With moves born on club floors – on the dancefloor. and from within queer culture; whacking,

“I wrote this show upon reflection of my 20s, voguing and ballroom styles fill the floor. which was a period of my life marked by the November 17-20 at 8.30pm. The Butterfly death," says Jessi Lewis, who has performed as Club 5 Carson Place, Melbourne. Tickets: $26 a professional dancer for the past 15 years. - $35. More Info:www.thebutterflyclub.com. "I lost so many friends that I almost lost Run-time: 50 minutes. - Cheryl Threadgold ■ After a successful season in the 2021

Melbourne International Comedy Festival,

Callum Stratford returns to the stage to present Your Best Worst Nightmares at The Butterfly Club from November 22-27 at 7pm.

Callum's show is said to promise 'satire, silliness and more silliness', with its mix of sketch, piano and ukulele songs and musical comedy, including topics such as awkward social interactions, wooing a potential lover, sleep deprivation, talkback radio and more.

Performance Details: November 22 - 27 at 7pm. Venue: The Butterfly Club, 5 Carson Place, Melbourne. Bookings: https:// thebutterflyclub.com/show/callum-strafordyour-best-worst-nightmares-2021

- Cheryl Threadgold

Centre re-opens

■ The Melbourne Recital Centre reopens its doors on Friday (Nov. 12) following restrictions in Victoria due to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic.

This will give staff and audiences alike an opportunity to celebrate the recent recognition by Music Victoria which saw the Centre's Elisabeth Murdoch Hall win 'Best Large Venue' at their 2021 Industry Awards.

New safety measures will be in place at the Centre, which will continue to follow the

Victorian Government’s Roadmap to Re-

opening guidelines, with proof of vaccination; face masks and checking in via the QR code will be required for all audiences, staff and artists.

The latest online season of Live from Melbourne Recital Centre showcases some of the best recent performances from within the Centre, with celebrated Australian pianist Ian Munro and classical music virtuosos Timo-Veikko Valve and Aura Go, musical storytelling of jazz artists Fem Belling and Mina Yu (Femina), the meditative magic of Nat Bartsch, and the entrancing cinematic pop songs of Nir Tsfaty and Invictus Quartet. All performances are available now and free to watch.

The return of live music to Melbourne Recital Centre will feature Australian and New Zealand artists, including: ■ Duo Eclettico in Night Pieces on Wednesday November 17, bringing together saxophonist Justin Kenealy and pianist Coady Green. ■ Composer and pianist, Nat Bartsch premiering The Glasshouse alongside Inventi Ensemble, as part of the Centre’s Merlyn Myer Commission for female composers, on Tuesday November 23. ■ Singer/songwriter Marlon Williams draws on folk and country traditions on Tuesday December 14. ■ Blues musicians Ash Grunwald and Josh Teskey in a journey to the heart and soul of blues on Wednesday December 15.

In 2022, Melbourne Recital Centre presents a new seasonal approach. From January to March the Centre presents over 40 events in Season One: Awaken, a program that takes inspiration from warm summer nights, indigenous seasons and the Australian landscape and highlights exploratory and visionary artists and musicians.

Highlights of the program include; ■ Andrea Lam - Choose Your Own (Piano) Adventure on Wednesday February 23 - a performance in which the audience is encouraged to contribute to the repertoire in determining which compositions are played. ■ Claire Edwardes - Rhythms of Change on Tuesday March 8. ■ Gregor and Sweet Whirl on Friday January 21. ■ Cash Savage and the Last Drinks on Saturday January 22.

In addition to reopening for live events on Friday (Nov. 12), the second season of Live from Melbourne Recital Centre is free to watch and available to stream now via melbournerecital.com.au/watch. General tickets for Season One: Awaken and general tickets for events are on sale in November to December at Melbourne Recital via

melbournerecital.com.au - Cheryl Threadgold