Melbourne Observer. November 18, 2015

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S TATE EDITION Vol 47 No 1621 SERVING VICTORIA SINCE 1969

WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 18, 2015

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● Matt Bissett-Johnson ■ Melbourne Observer political cartoonist Matt Bissett-Johnson was this week presented with a Stanley Award from the Australian Cartoonists’ Association.

Matt was recognised for his splendid animation work.

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Showbiz News

It’s All About You!

Melbourne

Fun and frivolity in ‘Downton Observer Abbey’ of Melbourne opera In This 136-Page Edition

Long Shots: ‘How ‘bout that, Jack’ ........ Page 8 News: Show for Animal Justic Party ....... Page 9 Yvonne: Silly thing to say, Premier ....... Page 10 Melb. Confidential: $4.8m fraud .......... Page 11 Music Theatre Guild nominations ......... Page 12 Readers Club: Your Stars ................... Page 13 Travel and Wine: David Ellis reports ...... Page 14 Pictorial: Philip Brady’s party ............. Page 15 Black Tie for Blue Ribbon ................... Page 16 Carnival: Celebrations in Hollywood ..... Page 17 Extra: Trask talks to Mike Farrell ........ Page 18 ● Improvised Shakespeare ● Country Music ● Top 10 Lists

Theories of Everything

Observer Showbiz Showbiz

Latest News Flashes Around Victoria

Jailed for 24 years

● Meera Atkinson, Gregory Atkinson and Thomas the Woodcutter.

■ Theories of Everything began in 2010 instrumentation the song called for. There are when Gregory Atkinson (Big Heavy Stuff / orchestras, choirs, girl pop vocals, banjos, Ups and Downs) met Meera Atkinson (Cita- thrashing guitars, atmospherics, Indian del Records). tanpuras, Irish bouzoukis and ambient turnThey started writing songs together and tabling. recording them with multi-instrumentalist and Theories of Everything and Thomas the producer Thomas the Woodcutter (Ashtray Woodcutter is available (digital and CD) at Boy and Big Home Orchestra). the Microcultures shop online: www.micro Theories of Everything and Thomas the cultures.fr/en/shop Woodcutter has been several years in the The album is also widely available digimaking, each song was tackled as a separate tally (iTunes, Spotify, Pandora etc.) project – gathering together the players and - Cheryl Threadgold

Last Man Standing

● Roxane Hislop ■ Opera Australia has taken up residence in the State Theatre for the next few weeks, with two productions that form its Melbourne spring season.

Running at the moment is Mozart's popular opera The Marriage of Figaro , which has been called the Downton Abbey of opera, but with a greater sense of fun and frivolity.

Alongside Mozart's beautify music, there are misunderstandings and misinterpretations galore, before it all turns out right in the end.

Conducted by former English National Opera luminary Anthony Legge, and directed by Sir David McVicar, it includes well loved singers Shane Lowrencev, Andrew Jones, Jane Ede, Nicole Car and Taryn Fiebig, Roxane Hislop and Adrian Tamburini, and runs until November 28 The second opera is Donizetti's light and fluffy confection, The Elixir of Love This production is set in the Australian outback in 1915 and follows a lovesick lad, ambitious soldier, willful female with a with a wicked sense of humour, and a devious peddler selling a 'love potion' - the stage is set for comedy and happy endings ... eventually.

Conducted by Benjamin Northey and directed by Simon Phillips, it features singers Rachelle Durkin,Aldo Di Toro, Andrew Jones, Conal Coad and Eva Kong and runs from November 21 until November 28. ' Full details and bookings at www.opera.org.au - Julie Houghton

■ Joel Parker Henderson, 42, who murdered an autistic boy Timmy O’Brien, 14, who was trying to protect his stepdad at Scarsdale near Ballarat has been jailed for 24 years with a minimum of 20 by Justice Bernard Bongiorno of the Victorian Supreme Court.

Gatecrashers wallk

■ Three thugs who gatecrashed a party and attacked a youth have walked free from court on community correction orders. Fraser Guilfoyle, 19, Jordan Sambucco, 19, andLachlan Paterson, 18, pleaded guilty to recklessly causing injury, says the Geelong Advertiser.

Call for TV extras

■ The team behind the ABC-TV drama The Doctor Blake Mysteries is asking Ballarat residents to apply for positions as extras on the program shoots on November 20 and December 2, reports The Courier. drblakeextras@gmail.com

Guilty of fraud

■ Former Colac travel agent Jordan Dittloff has pleaded guilty in Geelong Magistrates’ Court to 55 fraud-related charges relating to $2309,00, reports the Colac Herald. The case is due to commence in the County Court tomorrow (Thurs., Nov. 19).

Weather Forecast ■ ■ ■ ■

Today (Wed.). Mostly sunny. 18°-28° Thurs. Partly cloudy. 12°-31° Fri. Scattered showers. 11°-21° Sat. Partly cloudy. 10°-22°

Mike McColl Jones ● Esther Hannaford, Alison Whyte, Peter Carroll, William McInnes, Nicki Wendt and Toby Truslove in Last Man Standing.

■ The latest Melbourne The- Hannaford, Toby Truslove, hearsals to find an all-singing, atre Company production, Last Nicki Wendt, William all-dancing fiasco and comes Man Standing, promises to de- McInnes and some talented close to giving up.

But then he hears that the liver a feel good show with mu- newcomers. sic, comedy and a great cas to The play's action centres last remaining Gallipoli digger its audience in search of a good around staging the biggest live is still alive.

Perhaps he can lend weight time at the theatre. television event of the year, Written by the comic writ- leading to an irreverent social and dignity to the occasion?

But Clarry Flint, a crafty ing and music team of Steve satire where no one gets off Vizard and Paul Grabowsky, scot-free - not the politicians, and lovable codger, didn't get who first worked together on not the ratings-hungry media, to be The Last Man Standing the TV show Fast Forward, it nor those who try to mask the without knowing how to turn the situation to his own advanis directed by Roget Hodgman brutality of war. and features accomplished Colonel Raymond Hope, tage….

The Last Man Standing veteran Australian actor Peter hero of the Afghanistan camCarroll in the central role, with paign takes charge of the runs at the Sumner Theatre support from well-known per- Gallipoli Centennial Concert until December 12.

- Julie Houghton formers Alison Whyte, Esther and is aghast to arrive at re-

Top 5

THE T OP 5 INDIC ATIONS THA T TOP INDICA THAT MYKI HAS BEEN CONNECTED TO TULLAMARINE AIRPORT 5.You can book with Ansett again.

4.You can now miss your trip to the airport and lose a holiday at the same time.

3. You can tap your Myki at Tullamarine and get a ticket to the Zoo. 2. A special track for bicycles on the North-South runway.

1. Why don't we really bugger it up and get ASADA involved?

Page 8 - Melbourne Observer - Wednesday, November 18, 2015

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Ash On Wednesday

‘How about that, Jack?’

Melbourne People Entertainer Dorothy Baker is about to enjoy a ★ special birthday. She started singing at age 17, after winning Christie’s Radio Auditions with three

gongs. She gave up a job as a secretary at Foy & Gibson to take on a full-time career, which included many TV appearances on Graham Kennedy’s In Melbourne Tonight.

Sophie's Voice Choir presents its second pub lic concert for the year, at 7.30pm on Saturday (Nov. 21) at the Victorian Artists Society building, 430 Albert St, East Melbourne.

Melbourne television pioneer Nigel Dick will graduate as a Doctor of Philosophy next month after finishing his 100,000 word paper on the Australian TV industry. He was one of the first General Managers of GTV-9.

The Melbourne School of Design was recognised last week at the Structural Awards 2015 in London. Engineers from Irwinconsult, the firm behind the project, received the ‘Award for Education Structures’.

Craig Bennett has completed an interview with Diana Trask to air on Studio 10.

★ ★ ★ ★

● Bulldog Brower and Jack Little, host of World Championship Wrestling ■ We were talking this (Video Tape Recorder) week of the TV magic in whilst we were still tackthe 1960s episodes of ing part two on another.

World Championship Required learning for Wrestling, hosted by Jack trainee directors.

Little on Channel 9.

“Very hard to mess up Observer columnist but also requiring great Rob Foenander agreed: disclipine.

“My brothers and I grew “The 'performers' up with Haystacks were a great bunch often Calhoun, Spiros Arion with amazing qualificaand Killer Karl . tions but doing some trav“No sooner had Jack elling for money.

Little said "This Saturday Tom Schouten, now of night at Festival Hall" Metro Cinemas Boronia, we'd be out the back rep- agrees: “After thrashing licating our heroes’ moves each other within an inch until one of us got hurt. of their lives these same “Then we'd all get a guys would retire to our clip over the ears from the dressing rooms as best old man. Great memories mates.” indeed.”

Deb Sukarna laughs Phil Skeggs says he re- about compere Jack Little editor@melbourneobserver.com.au members seeing wrestler having his spectacles browith Ash Long, Editor ‘Playboy Gary Hart’ and ken in a mock fight.

‘Brute Barnard’.

An internet blog ex“For the cause that lacks assistance, “I remember seeing plains: “Killer Karl deliv‘Gainst the wrongs that need resistance those two at Festival Hall. ered the brain buster to For the future in the distance, “The Brute went totally commentator Jack Little; And the good that we can do” nuts, smashing chairs over picked old Jack up and an opponent. All part of the sent his head crashing into theatre. We'd watch them the unforgiving concrete on TV on Sundays and floor of the Channel Nine then play wrestling games studio. on the front lawn.”

“Little returned to the Tony Featherstone show after a suitable pesaid: “Ah yes, GTV on a riod of convalescence Sunday morning, memo- sporting a neck brace. ries of Killer Kowalskiand “Poor Little was forMario Milano, ham actors ever getting beaten up by ■ “I give thanks to my Creator for this wonderful life as they were, still manag- the wrestlers. where each of us has the opportunity to learn lesing some dangerous “One day Killer sons we could not fully comprehend by any other moves to keep us en- Karl’s manager, Big Bad means.”

- Joseph B. Wirthlin thralled.”

John from the foothills of Tony Porter, who Kentucky, snatched worked at Channel 9, said: Little’s spectacles from “It was fun for the audi- his face, threw them to ■ “There are people who have an appetite for grief; ences that were prepared the floor and stomped on pleasure is not strong enough and they crave pain. to suspend their disbelief them several times.

They have mithridatic stomachs which must be fed ... but it was anything but “Ever the showman, on poisoned bread, natures so doomed that no prosa genuine contest. But we Little picked up the perity can sooth their ragged and dishevelled desolaall know that, don't we? glasses with their shat- tion.”

- Ralph Waldo Emerson Amazing how many tered lenses and buckled people didn't, back then.” frames, put them back on Des Ford was a Chan- as best he could and nel 9 insider who reveals: stared down the barrel of ■ “You will not fear the terror of night, nor the ar“Big Jack Little ran the the camera. row that flies by day.”

- Psalm 91:5 show so much so that we “No comment,” he recorded the 'winner' in- said as the show cut to the Contents of Court Lists are intended for information purposes only. The lists are extracted from Court Lists, as supplied to the terviews first and then ads." public, by the Magistrates’ Court of Victoria, often one week prior what time remained was Fan Spencer Nicholls to publication date; for current Court lists, please contact the Further details of cases are available at used to then record the summed up: “Such a fake Court. www.magistratescourt.vic.gov.au The Melbourne Observer shall in 'bouts' and tie it all to- show ... but I watched no event accept any liability for loss or damage suffered by any person or body due to information provided. The information is gether in two hours. A too.” provided on the basis that persons accessing it undertake responSydney version and a Let’s give the final sibility for assessing the relevance and accuracy of its content. a party’s guilt or innocence should be made by Melbourne version. word to Jack Little him- No inferenceofoftheir name as a defendant. Court schedules may “Often part one was self: “That’s all there is, publication be changed at any time for any reason, including withdrawal of the action by the Plaintiff/Applicant. E&OE. going to air from one VTR there ain’t no more.”

Long Shots

Observer Treasury

Thought For The Week

Observer Curmudgeon

Text For The Week

On the buses

● Paul Nicholson ■ Did you see the news this week that there are plans to include the Mkyi ticket on the Skybus service from Southern Cross (Spencer St) to Tullamatine Airport?

Paul Nicholson (pictured above) has a different answer.

Paul describes himself as a ‘gunzel’, a bus-tramtrain enthusiast.

He lives near the ‘901’ bus which serves the Frankston-DandenongRingwood-Greensborough-Epping-Airport route which takes just under four hours to complete.

Paul says: “The 901 SmartBus is underrated and under-utilised but provides an alternative public transport to and from the Airport.

“It suits me to park in a side street one or two 901 bus stops from the airport and take the bus.

“And if I'm in a leisurely mood the ride from the Airport to the end of my street at Ringwood isn't too bad for $1.30 (seniors' fare)!”

If you have the time, we guess it beats paying $115, or more, in the Airport car park.

Vive la France ■ Melbourne was fast to light up buildings at the weekend to show solidarity with France after the terrorism.

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Melbourne Observer - Wednesday, November 18, 2015 - Page 9

Showbiz News

3-Course Comedy at Butterfly Club

Show for Animal Justice Party

Briefs 138-khm

■ A Sunshine man, 23, has lost his Hilux twin cab ute after he was allegedly caught doing 138km/h in a 60kmh zone Truganina at the weekend.

Search

● Shawn Bennett ■ Police are appealing for public assistance to help locate Shawn Bennett, 29, of Maffra. Warrants have been issued for alleged stalking-related offences.

He is Caucasian, about 180 cms tall with a medium build, brown shoulder-length hair, brown eyes and possibly has facial hair.

Banned ■ Victorian Aboriginal Legal Services defendants at Mildura have been left without legal representation this month after the organisation barred new clients after running out of resources, says Sunraysia Daily.

● Judi Connelli and Suzanne Johnston ● Sam Taunton, Tim Hewitt and Michael Shafar present 3 Course Comedy ■ Stand-up comedians Michael Shafar, Sam Taunton Michael Shafar (3 Little Gigs, Outsiders, Round and Tim Hewitt will serve up another 3 Course Com- Squares). Shafar is the consummate storyteller with a edy on Saturday, December 5 at 10pm at The Butterfly natural anecdotal style.

Club.

Dessert for the night comes in the form of Tim Hewitt, After selling out every show he has presented at who is regarded as pretty sweet, and who can boast a The Butterfly Club this year, Michael Shafar is dish- sold out season at the Brisbane Fringe. ing out another smorgasbord of stand-up.

Michael Shafar wants it known that no food is actuThe premise is simple: take three of the ‘finest deli- ally served in the performance of this show. cacies on the Melbourne comedy menu’ and serve “It is merely an incredibly witty way of referring to a them for a simple, one-hour digestion. triple-bill comedy show. Get it? Do you get it now?

Michael says that after their sell-out debut in July, Cool.” this latest offering is a hearty and thoughtful offering of Date: December 5 entrée, main and dessert.

Time: 10pm The entrée is Sam Taunton. This tasty morsel has Venue: The Butterfly Club, 5 Carson Place, been wowing crowds all year. From presenting on Chan- Melbourne nel V to racking up a ‘Special Mention’ in the National Tickets: $17 - $20 RAW Comedy final, Taunton is on the rise.

Bookings: thebutterflyclub.com Serving up the main meal is the aforementioned - Cheryl Threadgold

One couple. One night.

■ Fire Curtain Co. presents The One from December 2-16 at fortyfivedownstairs.

Written by Vicky Jones and directed by Tanya Dickson, this show concludes the Poppy Seed Festival and stars Kasia Kaczmarek, Ben Prendergast and Emily Tomlins.

One couple. One night. No rules.

The One is a funny new play about Harry and Jo: a couple trapped in a violent and destructive cycle of codependant love and lust.

Winning the Verity Bargate Award for new writing and premiering in 2014 to rave reviews at the Soho Theatre in London, this Who’s Afraid of Virginia Woolf for the digital generation is 65 intense minutes of sex, violence and snack food, ● Emily Tomlins, Ben Prendergast and Kasia Kaczmarek which brutally asks: “In the warfare in The One. Photo: Pier Carthew of modern relationships, what are the 2 -16. Venue: fortyfivedownstairs, rules of engagement?”

Bookings:www.poppyseed.net.au - Cheryl Threadgold Performance Season: December 45 Flinders Lane, Melbourne

Melbourne Observations

with Matt Bissett-Johnson

Fun at fortyfivedownstairs

Hurt in serious car accident

■ Francis Pham has received permission from the Victorian Civil and Administrative Tribunal to have further medical tests after suffering serious injuries in a car accident where his vehicle was hit by another car travelling on the wrong side of the road at Broadmeadows.

Pham’s case against the Victims of Crime Assistance Tribunal is due to return to VCAT on February 11.

Pham has been unable to work since the accident in April 2013.

He has submitted a claim for $20,000 in lost earnings, plus $10,000 in special financial assistance.

The case, to date, has been heard

by Justice Greg Garde.

■ What do music theatre and opera legends Judi Connelli, Suzanne Johnston, Jonathon Welch, Bernadette Robinsonand Debra Byrne have in common?

Along with a host of talented performing colleagues, they are joining forces at the end of November to raise funds for the Animal Justice Party, formed to improve the lot of furry and feathered friends, and give them the voice they can't have themselves.

Judi Connelli is a passionate advocate for animals' rights, and has been a driving force behind gathering all her performing pals to donate their time and sing up a storm at Box Hill Community Arts Centre at 8pm on Saturday November 28.

Joining this theatrical royal roll call are John O'May as Master of Ceremonies, master magician Ross Skiffington, husband-and-wife cabaret duo Cassandra and Joseph Beckitt, with Joseph also taking on the role of Musical Director for the evening.

The concert also features performers Peter Hurley, Lady Shaula, Sherryn Kew, Annika Tregonning and duo String Fever, the night will be packed with the kind of professional talent you would rarely get to see on the one program.

Tickets and more information at www. concertfortheanimals.org - Julie Houghton

THE BARREL ‘Never pick a fight with a man who buys ink by the barrel and paper by the ton.’

■ Melbourne Lord Mayor Cr Robert Doyle is increasingly looking like the burly cartoon character on the Monopoly board ... why is it that he gets so much traction with his chums at radio station 3AW? He gets media ‘free kicks’ most week from Neil Mitchell, and ‘breakfast’ co-hosts Ross Stevenson and John Burns.

■ 3AW morning man Neil Mitchell is sounding like a grump, every morning! He was outraged that Origin Energy dialled his mobile phone (which has an unlisted number) to put forward an offer on his electricity bill. Neil offered to put the telesales operator to air, but said she was “only a phone person”. The rest of we humans get telesales calls every day Neil ... suck it up Princess.

■ How the mighty have fallen. It’s amusing to hear Steve Price, once labelled as a ‘shock jock’, now reduced to hosting “advertorials’ for dentists and superannuation salesmen on his torturous nightly radio show.

■ Rupert Murdoch will not be happy. The Herald Sun is giving away Samsung devices, claimed to be worth $299 each, to digital subscribers. There are reports of more than one new subscribers, each receiving more than one Samsung.

Page 10 - Melbourne Observer - Wednesday, November 18, 2015

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What a silly thing to say, Premier ■ The Premier of Victoria has repeated, ad nauseam, that he will never ban anything. Nothing.

He doesn’t offer any real explanation for this other than he doesn’t believe anything should be banned.

That’s a pretty broad statement, And, my goodness, that’s real thinking from a man who calls himself a leader.

It is also the most asinine statement to come out of a politician’s mouth.

I refer of course to the brutal blood sport that is being introduced as cage-fighting.

And it’s been introduced into the sporting scene for all those people who enjoy seeing men, and women belt the living daylights out of one another in the name of sport.

But it’s worse. Children are permitted to go with their parents. There is not even a minimum age barring children from attending.

Government when lobbied to ban children from attending the Rousey-Holm fight said that it was up to parents to make that decision.

What a cop out.

Blood-thirsty ■ It revolts me to even think about two people bashing their brains out in a cage with an overexcited crowd cheering them on until some poor devil ends up a bloody mess, and the one less mangled is proclaimed the winner.

Seeing the violent and anti-social behaviour of crowds at soccer matches, and the disrespect shown to Police and anyone who looks in their direction, one can only imagine the violence that will erupt after a fight.

Mr Andrews, do you listen to anyone?

Your past and present Police Commissioner is telling you that out of control violence has erupted in the State of Victoria, and it is of grave concern.

You have a young family, so have you considered the impact on their lives if they grow up believing that belting someone senseless is okay?

If dad said it was okay, then it is okay.

The community is so concerned about domestic violence that many wise heads have been called upon to come up with some solutions.

How long before the Police, on a domestic violence call, will find that a male or female, fuelled by alcohol, goads their partner to a bit of ‘cage-fighting’ just as they witnessed at Etihad Stadium?

It’s a violent bloodthirsty sport.

Young talent

■ Collingwood schoolgirl Mabel Winfred-Wornes, 15, has won first prize in the Songwriters Award at the popular Darebin Music Feast.

Mabel's award adds further proof of the talent Melbourne musicians have to offer.

Her winning composition was titled Paper and Ink Her next performance will be at the Surrey Hills Music Festival this weekend (Nov. 20-22).

Details: surreyhillsnc.org.au

Your ABC

■ In keeping with the betting frenzy of the Spring Racing Carnival, punters are placing their bets as to who will be next Chieftain at the ABC. Serious money is on former News Corp and Foxtel chief Kim Williams filling the void in 2016.

Williams has been low in profile since 2013 but fills in his time as a commissioner of the AFL, and he did pen a book Rules of Engagement that ruffled a few feathers amongst the peacocks of big business.

Woolies woes

■ The media has gone into overdrive bashing Woolworths who it seems are certainly not the flavour of the month.

Consider the response to recent blunders Woolworths can do nothing right - they axed their Frequent

Yvonne’s Column

with Yvonne Lawrence

yvonne.lawrence@bigpond.com

Crowd violence

■ MrAndrews, is there anything that you would ban?

They used to call it the Nanny State, but, with repeated drive past shootings and shocking acts of road rage, Victoria is fast becoming a dangerous place to live.

Did you sanction this brutal cage fighting ‘sport’ as some morons like to call it, just because the Liberal Party imposed a ban before the election?

If that was your reason, it wasn’t very clever.

I haven’t heard one of these answers in the media from you Premier except of course “you don’t believe in banning anything”, which in itself is the most ludicrous statement to come from anyone in Government.

Cage-fighting is all about punching, kicking, spitting, and gouging. In other words, fighting till the end, no matter what.

And you are allowing children to attend the fight to be caught up in the excitement of violence by the crowd, and to see the bloodied and smashed loser dragged from the cage?

It doesn’t take much intelligence to know that if children are permitted to watch this obscene, degrading, humiliating form of sport, it could, and most probably will effect how they see life forever.

And what happens after the fight?

Not too late ■ The crowd will be so geed-up with lust for

✔

OK

with John O’Keefe

● Kim Williams Flyer scheme, then Michelle Bridges got people's blood boiling when she appeared in a You Tube spot eating soil and upsetting folk who grow their own produce.

3AW's resident green thumb Darren James got very uptight over the Michelle outburst. James went to town about the issue on his weekend gardening show.

Woolworths has since apologised but the damage is done. Woolworths

blood, particularly if they lose their money on the result, that to look sideways could result in a fight without a cage.

What about our Police who will have to control the crowd?

We know that doctors speaking from the A.E. Hospitals tell us that a punch thrown in anger can cause death.

The Sports Minister, John Eren, said, “ if we don’t host one of the world’s fastest growing sports, how can we call ourselves the sporting capital of the world?”

Well whoopee-do!

Did you perhaps think you were showing weakness if you at least banned young kids from being caught up in this blood lust?

Not wearing a tie, and abbreviating your name, doesn’t necessarily make you a forward thinking modern man, Premier.

It’s not too late to rethink, and show Victoria that you can make a decision on the side of decency.

Cage-fighting has no place in our 21st Century modern society.

Missing Moosh ■ Since my much-loved Moosh went to that big hunting ground in the sky I have been suffering enormous withdrawal symptoms without an animal in the house.

Moosh was a beautiful Balinese Oriental feline. I miss him so much.

He had a very rough beginning. He was

can ill-afford to keep making such blunders with such regularity.

The latest Woolies boo,-boo is that some of their Melbourne supermarkets played their jingle underneath the Rememberance Day announcement.

Meanwhile Aldi and Coles keep picking up market share.

thrown over the fence at the Cat Protection Society suffering from what turned out to be an abscess on this throat.

But with tender care and a bit of surgery he survived.

I was on duty that day, and when I saw this beautiful creature with the enormous blue eyes, purring his head off as he was being nursed by one of the staff I knew he was coming to my house.

He settled in from the minute we walked in the front door.

And in no time, he took the mantle as the head of the house, and head of security.

He’s buried in our front garden, and I say a cheery hi as I pass to collect the mail.

I still have in my mind the grace and calm of this dear old soul as he took his last breath.

We have had animals forever and not having a cat or dog in our family has almost made me think of snatching the first animal I see tied up outside a shop.

So, I’ve put the word out that I’m looking for an older cat so that we can make his ageing more pleasant.

Next week’s news

■ Then again, I’d really like a greyhound. Peter would like a whippet.

Who knows what animal will eventually end up at our schloss?

There are many factors in our choice, such as long daily walks.

Peter is still recuperating and walks slowly with the aid of a crutch.

Whatever we choose, or whoever chooses us. I’m in the market.

Since Peter and I have been married, we’ve always had cats and dogs.

It’s just not a home without a lovable animal at our feet.

So, you animal lovers will know exactly how we are feeling.

The possums don’t give the same feed back as our domesticated animals.

Although, over the years our geriatric possum, Mrs P has brought each of her new babies to show us.

Cup cake was a favourite because she would have liked to make contact with us, but that was a no no, because we wanted them to go back to their territory.

So who knows, I might have news on the animal front next issue.

- Yvonne Lawrence

O’Keefe’s Extra Bit

Going Troppo

■ Since 1993 Sydney's Tropfest has been showcasing independent Aussie short movies.

With a month out the organisers have pulled the plug on Tropfest 2015 citing financial woes as the official party line.

This leaves sponsors QANTAS, Uber, Somersby Cider and Nova in the lurch.

At press time Tropfest has been thrown a possible lifeline by Presto offering to screen the finalists.

Running movie festivals is a dicey business. An ambitious Melbourne festival found the going too hard and also pulled the pin .

Comeback Kid

■ The 80s icon Mr T has made a comeback on American TV in a series of ad spots for Fairfield Inns and Suites.

Still the same Mr T - mowhawk, bling, muscles- but he's re-jigged his name to Mr Guanan - T, a caring spokesman for the accomodation chain.

● One of the Foy and Gibson factories, Collingwood ■ Expressions of interest are invited Marche in Paris.and his Bourke St to buy a slice of Melbourne's retail store reflected that sense of style at a history . competitive pricepoint.

Some 475 sq aure metres of interAt its peak Foy and Gibson sold nal space is on offer in the heritage clothing, manchester, leather goods, listed Foy and Gibson factory in soft furnishings, furnishings, hardware Collingwood .

- even food - who could forget their In its heyday the building was of- cafeteria ?,. ten referred to as 'two miles of mills' The empire expanded interstate that once employed a workforce of and branches were established in 2000 people.

Sydney, Brisbane, Perth and Foy and Gibson had a colourful Adelaide. history starting in the goldfields of One memorable highlight was Foy Bendigo around the early 1880s. and Gibson Christmas Rooftop CarAn entreprenurial Mark Foy estab- nival in their Bourke St store. The lished a draper’s shop in Bendigo that rooftop was converted into a Christquickly grew to six retail outlets by mas Wonderland with slides, carni1883. val attractions and Santa.

Lured to the 'big smoke' he had his The Bourke St store was sold to eyes set on bricks and mortar in Woolworths in 1967.

Melbourne.

The four-storey complex in His dream became a reality in the Collingwood is today tenanted by a late 1880s . Mark Foy sought a great number of seperate businesses indeal of inspiration from Le Bon cluding a trendy eatery.

www.MelbourneObserver.com.au

Melbourne Observer - Wednesday, November 18, 2015 - Page 11

Melbourne

Confidential Talk is cheap, gossip is priceless

Barefoot In The Park

$4.8m factoring fraud leads to 56 months jail

■ Peter Mavridis, former chief executive of the S Central Group of companies, has been jailed following an Australian Securities and Investments Commission investigation.

Appearing before the County Court on Thursday, Mavridis, 43, of Craigieburn, was sentenced to 4 years and 8 months jail with a non-parole period of 3 years.

The sentencing of Mavridis follows a guilty verdict by a jury in relation to 33 charges of obtaining financial advantage by deception and false accounting.

In 2009, Mavridis directed the financial controller of the group to submit duplicated and/or falsely inflated invoices to National Australia Bank Ltd under a debtor factoring agreement, which led to credit totalling approximately $4.8 million being advanced to companies within the S Central Group.

Judge Punshon said that Mavridis’s conduct was 'deliberate, repetitive and systemic' and that he had 'used and exploited an employee' as part of the offending.

Mavridis’s conviction automatically disqualifies him from managing corporations for a period of five years ● Ai Diem Le (Thanh) in Shakespeare In following his release from prison.

Saigon, being presented in Strathmore until Debtor factoring involves the assigning of debts that November 22.

Photo: Al Burkun are owed in exchange for credit advanced by a finance ■ Melbourne playwright Cenarth Fox’s Shakespeare provider. In order to retain ongoing access to bank credit, In Saigon was performed nine years ago as a one-act Mavridis signed end-of-month reconciliations that disguised the falsifications and had them submitted to the play with three actors.

Fox’s rewritten version is now a two-act play with bank. The S Central Group consisted of S Central Pty six actors, and is playing at the Strathmore Commu- Ltd, S Central (NSW) Pty Ltd, S Central Products Pty Ltd, Expressapps Pty Ltd and Infotronics Softnity Centre until November 22.

Newly-retired, much-loved school English Litera- ware Pty Ltd ture teacher David Cadwallader discovers wife Judith has a new partner, will not be sharing his retirement, wants to sell the house, and reminds him their children have dumped them.

“We’re over!” So, with his superannuation funds mismanaged by a relative, David moves to a rented apartment in Footscray.

“How long ‘til death?” ponders lonely David. But, unexpectedly a new life chapter begins when Vietnamese neighbour Thanh (Ai Diem Le) rushes in to call an ambulance for another tenant.

David cleverly bridges their communication barrier by introducing Thanh to the Elizabethan language of William Shakespeare. The process of David teaching Thanh to speak English using the words of the Bard is cleverly written, and at times most humorous.

Poignantly, Thanh who is one of the original VietHear It Here First namese boat people, and David, realise they have each lost their families and a love story (with a twist) evolves.

Director Cenarth Fox’s terrific cast includes Alastair Rice (David) who beautifully captures his ■ Mark Twain once said character’s humble demeanour yet powerful passion that rumours of his death for Shakespeare. had been greatly exagAi Diem Le delivers a delightful performance as gerated. Chatter on social Thanh, and their shared dynamics are believable and media in Melbourne at engaging. Thanh’s final costume is particularly lovely. the weekend turned to Sarah Cooper is refreshingly natural as school stu- Panda Lisner, former In dent Juliet, Carmel Behan conveys good energy as Melbourne Tonight star, Principal Janice, and Kaye Mills effectively contrasts and ‘Princess Panda’ on with David with her down-to-earth portrayal of wife the Happy Show. One Judith. person said Panda had Shirley Cattunar (Julia, David’s mother) tops off a died in 2011. As far as we great show with her excellent comedy timing, strong know, she is frequently stage presence and stylish wardrobe. spotted at the shops in Special mention should be made of Michael ● Panda Lisner Balwyn.

Cosgriff’s stylish graphic design for the poster and program.

Congratulations to STAG and playwright Cenarth ■ In the 1970s and 80s, Kay McNiece was the Fox for a most enjoyable production. award-winning Editor of The Advocate newspaPerformance Dates: November 19 -21 at 8pm, Noper at Sunshine. The Observer newspaper revember 22 at 2pm ceived a news release from her on Sunday. Kay is Venue: Strathmore Community Centre, Cnr Loeman now adviser to Health Minister Sussan Ley. and Napier Sts, Strathmore Tickets: $20 adult, $15 concession ($2 discount off full price tickets for groups 10+) Bookings: 9382 6284 www.stagtheatre.org/reser■ There are only 4 more Melbourne Observers unvations til Christmas.

- Review by Cheryl Threadgold

Whispers

Sacked

Shakespeare in Saigon

● Marc Jongebloed (Paul) and Aimee Sanderson (Corie) in Barefoot In The Park.

Photo: John Shelbourn ■ Brighton Theatre Company director Lesley Batten has assembled a fine cast to present Neil Simon’s romantic comedy Barefoot In The Park, playing at the Brighton Arts and Cultural Centre until November 28.

Set in the mid 1960s in New York City, newlyweds Corie and Paul adjust to married life in their fifth-storey apartment, accessed by stairs only and situated atop a brownstone on East 48th Street.

The honeymoon is over, and challenges include the young couple’s contrasting personalities – conservative, logical lawyer Paul and ‘free spirit’ Corie - plus plumbing and heating problems, an unexpected visit from Corie’s mother, Ethel Banks, with her critical eye, and colourful neighbours including flamboyant Victor Velasco.

The actors all present top-notch performances, including Mike Skillington’s non-verbal but effective portrayal as the Delivery Man, and Pedro Ramos as the personable Telephone Repair Man. Strong performances are enjoyed from Julie Arnold and David McLean, who use their highlyskilled acting talents to portray adventurous widow Mrs Banks and buoyant Victor Velasco.

Aimee Sanderson is terrific as bubbly young wife Corie, and captures well her varying changes of mood during the narrative, as does Marc Jongebloed.

Marc presents a believable, likeable depiction of Paul, and together the couple transports the audience into their volatile world as they discover the realities, good and bad, of married life.

Director Batten’s directorial expertise and firstclass performances from the cast, ensure a seamlessly staged production.

It is a credit to them and also to Simon’s perceptive writing, that a comedy written in the early 1960s is still relevant in pace, style and content to today’s audiences.

Brighton Theatre Company’s splendid hospitality pre-show, during interval and post-show, is always appreciated by patrons.

Performances: Until November 28.

Venue: Brighton Arts and Cultural Centre, Carpenter St., Brighton.

Bookings: 1300 752 126 www.brightontheatre company.com - Review by Cheryl Threadgold

N-word on Melb. radio

■ The controversial word ‘nigger’ was broadcast last week on the Croydon-based Radio Eastern community station.

The word was part of the lyrics in a song, The Sun Has Got His Hat On, played in the Moonlight Serenade timeslot, regularly hosted by Kevin Morrish.

Last year, BBC Radio Devon sacked presenter David Lowe for presenting the same song which includes the lines: “He’s been tanning niggers out in Timbuktu “Now he’s coming back to do the same to you.”

The 1932 song has since been re-written to take out the offending lyrices.

In the same program, the presenter spoke about Al Jolson who worked in ‘black fee’, but was actually a “normal Lithuanian with white skin”.

Rumour Mill

● John Burgess ■ Ex-Melbourne radio man John Burgess has been sacked from his latest job in Perth. 6IX manager Evan Broadway replaced ‘Baby John’ with younger voices.

John’s history includes jobs at 3AK, 3DB and 3MP (twice).

Out there

■ In the 1980s, a Melbourne radio station manager paid cash for some photos which included one of his stars in a compromising position with a topless model aboard a boat on a ‘businessmen’s’ lunch around the Bay. Probably tame stuff in 2015, but the question remains: is there another set of prints?

To Court

Greatly exaggerated

Whatever happened

Countdown

E-Mail: Confidential@MelbourneObserver.com.au

■ Radio company Southern Cross Austereo, which operates Fox 101.1 and Triple M, has requested a prehearing conference at Melbourne Magistrates’ Court this Friday where it is due to allege a civil debt is owed is owed

by Cameron Scott.

The radio company alleges “breach of contract/agreement (non payment”.

Send your Confidential items to PO Box 1278, Research, Vic 3095.

Page 12 - Melbourne Observer - Wednesday, November 18, 2015 Melbourne

Observer

www.MelbourneObserver.com.au

Theatre Extra

Music Theatre Guild nominations ■ The Music Theatre Guild of Victoria has announced nominations for the 2015 Open and Junior Sections, and winners will be announced at the special Awards night presented on December 12 at 8pm at Costa Hall on the Geelong Waterfront.

Under the direction of Brad Beales, with musical direction

by Daniel Heskett, this Awards night promises to be another sparkling annual event, with great entertainment and celebrating an exciting year in Victorian community musical theatre.

Tickets are $50 per person and can be booked on 0438 711 378.

Music Theatre Guild of Victoria - Open Section Nominations 2015 Production of the Year (Bruce McBrien Award) Miss Saigon, BLOC Music Theatre Mary Poppins, CLOC Musical Theatre The King and I, Babirra Music Theatre The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee, Camberwell Grammarians’ Theatre Company Gypsy, Leongatha Lyric Theatre Legally Blonde, PLOS Musical Productions Footloose, OCPAC Direction (Vin FosterAward) Stephen O’Neil, Miss Saigon, BLOC Music Theatre Alan Burrows, The King and I, Babirra Music Theatre Ben Giraud, The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee, Camberwell Grammarians’ Theatre Company Colin Mitchell, Gypsy, Leongatha Lyric Theatre Danny Ginsberg, Legally Blonde, PLOS Musical Productions Jordan Barr, Footloose, OCPAC Aaron-David Palmer, I Love You, You’re Perfect, Now Change, Shepparton Theatre Arts Group Brad Fischer, Carrie – The Musical, Fab Nobs Theatre Musical Direction John Shawcross, Miss Saigon, Footlight Productions Gareth Grainger, Miss Saigon, BLOC Music Theatre Ben Hudson, The King and I, Babirra Music Theatre Daniel Heskett, The Producers, Altona City Theatre Martine Wengrow, Legally Blonde, PLOS Musical Productions Phillip Setton, Merrily We Roll Along, JYM Theatre Co Rosie Byth, Footloose, OCPAC Martine Wengrow, The Drowsy Chaperone, CLOC Musical Theatre Choreography (Marie Cumisky Award) Steven Rostron, The Witches of Eastwick, Williamstown Musical Theatre Alexia Brinsley, The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee, Camberwell Grammarians’ Theatre Company Bronwyne Kalos, Gypsy, Leongatha Lyric Theatre Ashley Tynan-Mill, Evita

CenterStage Geelong Karen Pottinger, Legally Blonde, PLOS Musical Productions Remy Noonan, Footloose, OCPAC Xavier McGettigan, The Wedding Singer, Altona City Theatre Settings (Grahame Murphy Award) Nathan Weyers, Miss Saigon, BLOC Music Theatre Chris White, Mary Poppins, CLOC Musical Theatre David Dare, The King and I, Babirra Music Theatre Ian Keys, Man of La Mancha, Mansfield Musical and Dramatic Society William Bobbie Stewart, The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee, Camberwell Grammarians’ Theatre Company Colin Mitchell, Gypsy, Leongatha Lyric Theatre Michael Fletcher, Legally Blonde, PLOS Musical Productions Richard Perdriau, Oliver!, OSMaD Wardrobe (Hazel RodgersAward) Brett Wingfield, The Addams Family, PLOS Musical Productions Phillip Rhodes, The Merry Widow, Gilbert and Sullivan Society of Victoria Victoria Horne, Mary Poppins, CLOC Musical Theatre Ann Hubbard, The King and I, Babirra Music Theatre Tyler Hess, Funny Girl, Mountain District Musical Society Colin Mitchell, Gypsy, Leongatha Lyric Theatre Maxine Urquhart, Evita, CenterStage Geelong Lighting Scott Snowden, Miss Saigon, BLOC Music Theatre Deryk Hartwick, The King and I, Babirra Music Theatre Brad Alcock, Evita, Centerstage Geelong Brad Alcock, Legally Blonde, PLOS Musical Productions PeterAmesbury, Footloose, OCPAC Keith Tucker, The Drowsy Chaperone, CLOC Musical Theatre Jason Bovaird, The Boy From Oz, Babirra Music Theatre Danny Issko, Oliver!, OSMaD Michael Zagarn, Grease, NOVA Music Theatre Michael Brasser, Carrie – The Musical, Fab Nobs Theatre Sound Marcello Lo Ricco, Miss Saigon, Footlight Productions Marcello Lo Ricco, Mary Poppins, CLOC Musical Theatre Greg Ginger, The King and I, Babirra Music Theatre Aron Murray, The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee, Camberwell Grammarians’ Theatre Company Ben Anderson, Evita, CenterStage Geelong Marcello Lo Ricco, Legally Blonde, PLOS Musical Productions Marcello Lo Ricco, Foot-

loose, OCPAC Glenn Bardwell, Oliver!, OSMaD Technical Achievement (NigelWallaceAward) Miss Saigon, BLOC Music Theatre Mary Poppins, CLOC Musical Theatre Legally Blonde, PLOS Musical Productions Male Performer in a Leading Role (Harold BurrowsAward) Robbie Smith, Bert, Mary Poppins, CLOC Musical Theatre Will Hanley, Leading Player, Pippin, Wonthaggi Theatrical Group Ju-Han Soon, The King, The King and I, Babirra Music Theatre Christian Cavallo, Che Guevara, Evita, CenterStage Geelong Daragh Wills, Emmett Forest, Legally Blonde, PLOS Musical Productions Jonathan Goldberg, Charley Kringas, Merrily We Roll Along, JYM Theatre Co Joseph Spanti, Ren McCormack, Footloose, OCPAC Jonathan Guthrie-Jones, Peter Allen, The Boy From Oz, Babirra Music Theatre Female Performer in a Leading Role (Doreen BurrowsAward) Nadia Gianinotti, Morticia Addams, The Addams Family, PLOS Musical Productions Vanessa Belsar, Kim, Miss Saigon, BLOC Music Theatre Rosa McCarty, Mary Poppins, Mary Poppins, CLOC Musical Theatre Megan Coe, Anna Leonowens, The King and I, Babirra Music Theatre Jaclyn DeVincentis, Fanny Brice, Funny Girl, Mountain District Musical Society Tayla Thomas, Elle Woods, Legally Blonde, PLOS Musical Productions Stephanie John, Mary Flynn, Merrily We Roll Along, JYM Theatre Co Shannen Alyce, Ariel Moore, Footloose, OCPAC Melissa Harrington, Carrie White, Carrie – The Musical, Fab Nobs Theatre Male Performer in a Supporting Role (Rob Constable Award) Samuel Fung, Thuy, Miss Saigon, Footlight Productions Adam Stafford, John, Miss Saigon, Footlight Productions David Postill, Professor Callahan, Legally Blonde, Ballarat Lyric Theatre Liam Kilgour, Eddie Ryan, Funny Girl, Mountain District Musical Society Glenn Ritchie, Franz Liebkind, The Producers, Altona City Theatre Owen James, Jack, Into The Woods, Fab Nobs Theatre Mario Mohorko, Professor Callahan, Legally Blonde, PLOS Musical Productions Warren Logan, Willard Hewitt, Footloose, OCPAC James Watkinson, Chuck Cranston, Footloose, OCPAC Phil Lambert, Underling, The Drowsy Chaperone, CLOC Musical Theatre Jack Richardson, Sir Robin,

Spamalot, Queens College Music and Drama Society Female Performer in a Supporting Role Carolyn Waddell, Alice Bieneke, The Addams Family, PLOS Musical Productions Alana Tranter, Ellen, Miss Saigon, Footlight Productions Candice Sweetman, Vivienne Kensington, Legally Blonde, Ballarat Lyric Theatre Jennie Kellaway, Mrs Brill, Mary Poppins, CLOC Musical Theatre Josephine Grech, Lady Thiang, The King and I, Babirra Music Theatre Elise Stevens, Paulette Bonafonte, Legally Blonde, PLOS Musical Productions Elise Moorhouse, Vi Moore, Footloose, OCPAC Gabrielle O’Brien, Marion Woolnough, The Boy From Oz, Babirra Music Theatre Natasha Bassett, Margaret White, Carrie – The Musical, Fab Nobs Theatre Grace Kingsford, Sue Snell, Carrie – The Musical, Fab Nobs Theatre Junior Performer in an Open Production Joshua Vass, Michael Banks, Mary Poppins, CLOC Musical Theatre Mackensie Young, Jane Banks, Mary Poppins, CLOC Musical Theatre Caleb Waterwort h, Michael Banks, Mary Poppins, CLOC Musical Theatre Alexandra Denovan, Jane Banks, Mary Poppins, CLOC Musical Theatre George Missailidis, Prince Chulalongkorn, The King and I, Babirra Music Theatre Caleb Waterworth, Young Peter Allen, The Boy From Oz, Babirra Music Theatre Ben Jason-Easton, The Artful Dodger, Oliver!, OSMaD First Performance in a Featured Role (Gladys Moncrieff Award) Marty Alix, Coalhouse Walker Jnr, Ragtime, Waterdale Raphael Wong, Lun Tha, The King and I, Babirra Music Theatre Shannen Alyce, Ariel Moore, Footloose, OCPAC Michelle Hunt, Janet Van De Graaff, The Drowsy Chaperone, CLOC Musical Theatre Melissa Harrington, Carrie White, Carrie – The Musical, Fab Nobs Theatre Dancer’s Award (Tony McShanagh Award) Will Hanley, Tulsa, Gypsy, Leongatha Lyric Theatre Dom Roussety, Evita, CenterStage Geelong Christie Walter, Evita, CenterStage Geelong Andrew Seymour, Legally Blonde, PLOS Musical Productions Benito Veneziano, Lyle, Footloose, OCPAC Cameron O’Reilly, The Boy From Oz, Babirra Music Theatre Aryna Pavlovych, The Boy From Oz, Babirra Music Theatre Cameo Performance Blake Testro, Dewey, Legally Blonde, SLAMS Music Theatre

Sarah Kate Hanley, Brenda Parley, The Witches of Eastwick, Williamstown Musical Theatre Beryle Frees, Bird Woman, Mary Poppins, CLOC Musical Theatre Nathan Wright, Production Tenor, Funny Girl, Mountain District Musical Society Judy Dixon, Moor, Man of La Mancha, Mansfield Musical and Dramatic Society Mitchell Shearman, Janitor, The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee, Camberwell Grammarians’ Theatre Company Aidan Niarros, Nikos, Legally Blonde, PLOS Musical Productions Ensemble Performance The Ensemble, Ragtime, Waterdale The Ensemble, The Witches of Eastwick, Williamstown Musical Theatre The Royal Children, The King and I, Babirra Music Theatre The Cast, The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee, Camberwell Grammarians’ Theatre Company The Ensemble, Evita, CenterStage Geelong The Ensemble, Footloose, OCPAC The Cast, I Love You, You’re Perfect, Now Change, Shepparton Theatre Arts Group DesignAward (Peter Blizzard-AllenAward) Stephen O’Neil, Staging of “The Fall of Saigon”, Miss Saigon, BLOC Music Theatre Chris White, Design of the Banks House set, Mary Poppins, CLOC Musical Theatre Rick Pendry, Scenic Artwork, Pippin, Wonthaggi Theatrical Group Tyler Hess, Production Design, Funny Girl, Mountain District Musical Society Colin Mitchell, Barn House / Train, Gypsy, Leongatha Lyric Theatre Michael Fletcher, Production and Scenic Design, Legally Blonde, PLOS Musical Productions Concert/Revue Performance Cinematic Broadway, OTG Theatre (Old Trinity) Forty and Fabulous, Shepparton Theatre Arts Group I Love You, You’re Perfect, Now Change, Shepparton Theatre Arts Group Music Theatre Guild of Victoria - Junior Section – Nominations 2015 Junior Production of the Year Hairspray, Catchment Players Into the Woods, The Peninsula School Anything Goes, St Michael’s Grammar School Pippin, Hart Theatre Company, St Leonard’s College Beauty and the Beast, Emmaus College Seussical: The Musical, Gladstone Park Secondary College Oliver!, Ringwood Secondary College Les Miserables, Adamson Theatre Company at Wesley College St Kilda Road

Direction of a Junior Production Melinda Slade, Into the Woods, The Peninsula School Kim Anderson, Pippin, Hart Theatre Company, St Leonard’s College Elise Cavallo, Beauty and the Beast, Emmaus College Rachel Edwards & Emily Wilkinson, Seussical: The Musical, Gladstone Park Secondary College Ben Moody, Oliver!, Ringwood Secondary College Musical Direction of a Junior Production Fiona Gardner, Beauty and the Beast, Christian College, Geelong Corey Hall, Anything Goes, St Michael’s Grammar School Philip Walsh, Pippin, Hart Theatre Company, St Leonard’s College Lachlan Mackay, Oliver, Ringwood Secondary College Choreography for a Junior Production Hayley Noy, Pippin, Elisabeth Murdoch College Kate Zampatti & Katelyn Shirley, Beauty and the Beast, Christian College, Geelong Jess Ryan, The Wedding Singer, Ballarat Clarendon College Tony Toppi, Beauty and the Beast, Emmaus College Kate Tanner & Gaynor Borlase, Oliver!, Ringwood Secondary College Junior Male in a Leading Role Jordan Moorhead, Emmet Forrest, Legally Blonde, Caulfield Grammar School Josh Gordon, Leading Player, Pippin, Hart Theatre Company, St Leonard’s College Chris Burgess, Pippin, Hart Theatre Company, St Leonard’s College Rod Roohi, The Cat in the Hat, Seussical: The Musical, Glen Waverley Secondary College Samuel Rowe, The Beast, Beauty and the Beast, Emmaus College Joseph May-Dessmann, Horton, Seussical: The Musical, Gladstone Park Secondary College Matthew Nichol, Fagin, Oliver!, Ringwood Secondary College Ben Walter, Javert, Les Miserables, Adamson Theatre Company at Wesley College St Kilda Road Junior Female in a Leading Role Madison Peake, Tracy, Hairspray, Catchment Players Casey Reid, Belle, Beauty and the Beast, Christian College, Geelong Madeleine Marks, Reno Sweeney, Anything Goes, St Michael’s Grammar School Olivia Cavallo, Belle, Beauty and the Beast, Emmaus College Chloe Meyers, Gertrude McFuzz, Seussical: The Musical, Gladstone Park Secondary College Natalie Leitner, Nancy, Oliver!, Ringwood Secondary College Sheridan Adams, Ariel, Little Mermaid Jnr, Williamstown Musical Theatre Company Turn to Page 45

www.MelbourneObserver.com.au

Melbourne Observer - Wednesday, November 18, 2015 - Page 17

Observer Readers’ Club The Way We Were

Melbourne Photo Flashback

100 Years Ago The Avoca Mail Friday, November 19, 1915 ANNUALFETE The annnal fete in connection with St John's church was held on Wednesday afternoon and evening in the charch grounds. Tbere was a good attendance of the public and the gathering was a success in every way. In the evening a splendid program was contributed by local and visiiing artists.

ONACTIVE SERVICE Captain Stanley L. Symonds - son of Mr G. H, Symonds, late Audit ( 'ommissioner, who was formerly in tbe Federa ted Malay States, is now with the Brit ish Expeditionary Forces in France. He received hiscommission from the British War Office in April last, and. was promoted in September. He was educated at Camberwell Grammar 8ohool and Melbourne University Veterinary Col lege, and took active service.

CHURCHWORK Some of the difficultiess of ohurch work in the Home Mission districts of the Anglican Diooese of Ballarat were told to the children of St Panl’s Sunday School on Sunday afternoon by the Rev G Downton, Iocum, tenens of St Peter's, who has had years of experience in the outlying districts of the diocese, especially at Ouyen.

Ho said he had visited places where a clergyman had not been seen for years, and children lived there who had never peen a churoh.

He also said that one place where he had conducted service was 83 miles from hie home.

The object of Mr Downton’s address was to impress upon the children the need of doing all they culd financially for tho Home Mission Fund, as instead of the ordinary sale of work this year, St Paul’s children are making a selfdenial effort.

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Bumper Sticker

■ Seen on the Hume Fwy. “Retirement Twice as much husband. Half as much money.”

Did You Know?

■ The tongue of a blue whale is as long as an elephant.

■ More than a million trees are chopped annually just to make toothpicks.

■ Bill Murray was a pizza maker,.

● Camberwell Junction. 1970s.

Your Stars with Christina La Cross ARIES (MAR 21 - APR 20) It is those who lose their tempter today who will miss out, but Mars will be trying to push us all. Those who smile rather than rage will be the ones who come out happy.

TAURUS (APR 21 - MAY 21) Think for yourself today and don't let others lead you down paths which may well be full of untruths. You finally understand what an older person wants from you and you reach a happy middle ground.

GEMINI (MAY 22 - JUNE 21) You may not be the leader in current dramas at work but you hold a key part in making sure the story ends successfully. Lies told in business today are dangerous. Go only to the source.

CANCER (JUNE 22 - JULY 23) A problem well stated is a problem half solved. You see this for yourself today but are frightened to act. Don't be. Embracing today's dramas can see you earning respect and rewards.

LEO (JULY 24 - AUG 23) You find happiness in the little things you do. This proves to you how much you want to simplify your life right now. A sexier side to you emerges which can attract all sorts of attention.

VIRGO (AUG 24 - SEPT 23) You are saying things you don't really mean just to put up a barrier against the hurt you have been feeling. Stop damaging yourself and start healing. That means talking about what occurred.

LIBRA (SEPT 24 - OCT 23) People you meet now play a really big part in your future, so make sure you start as you mean to go on and put your best self forward. Both friendships and romances will be formed.

SCORPIO (OCT 24 - NOV 22) You can't really still be sulking over what happened last week can you Scorpio?

Surely you've learnt and moved on? Old friends come to find you and provide you with reason to smile again.

SAGITTARIUS (NOV 23 - DEC 21) You put your heart on the line and feel as if you were betrayed, but the truth is Sagittarius, you knew all along a certain person would let you down. Do yourself proud and move on.

CAPRICORN (DEC 22 - JAN 20) Someone you meet around now gives you a familiar sense of security and you may find yourself moving forward in a friendship or relationship with them quicker than is advised. Slow down and enjoy your time.

AQUARIUS (JAN 21 - FEB 19) Although your current situation is vastly different from what you chose, it has put you on a path which will enable you to get to the destination of your dreams. Keep sight of the bigger picture.

PISCES (FEB 20 - MARCH 20) There is a feeling of tiredness in your chart which may leave you in two minds as to whether you should cancel plans. Prioritise and give your energy where it's most needed.

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Page 14 - Melbourne Observer - Wednesday, November 18, 2015

Melbourne

Observer

www.MelbourneObser ver.com.au

Travellers’Good Buys

with David Ellis

Mind the gap: no trains in 83 years ■ You have got to admire the folk who run the London Underground, they’re on an enthusiastic search for someone to lease a part of a station that, while deep under one of the city’s poshest districts, has not seen a paying passenger in 83 years.

And for the just 400 square metresthey’re offering, they’re asking £100,000 a year in rent (that’s AU$207,000) – plus they successful renter will have to pay whatever it takes to turn their little subterranean haven into a commercial proposition.

But Transport for London (TfL) believes that because of its rich history, together with its prestigious location, they’ll find someone with sufficient imagination and enterprise to capitalise on the site’s potential.

The Down Street Station lays under swank Mayfair and is one of a remarkable 40 on the Underground that have become “ghost stations” after being closed for reasons ranging from lack of viable passengers numbers, to simply old age and disrepair. And, says TfL, if they could all be leased out they could earn it something like 3.4b British Pounds a year – a whopping AU$7.04b.

Down Street Station was almost doomed from the moment it was built by the Great Northern, Piccadilly and Brompton Railway (GNPBR) in1907: the mostly upper-class residents of Mayfair with their fine horses and

● Today a mini-mart grocery store occupies much of the entrance to the long-closed Down Street Station.

Melbourne

Observer Wines & Liqueurs

with David Ellis

Cool: red out of the fridge ■ With Australians in recent years taking more and more to lighter and more savoury red wine styles in our warmer months, we’re also doing something that was almost unthinkable even just a few years back – we’re actually putting these reds in the fridge to give them a bit of a chill on serving.

And we’re realising just how enjoyable they can be, with one maker who is openly advocating the concept of refrigerating lighter reds being the Clare Valley’s Tim Adams, who has just released a 2015 Novo (New) Sangiovese under his Mr Mick label, a wine he says is “a quality alternative to Rosé” and nicely priced at $17.

Sangiovese is the most-planted red variety in its homeland Italy, and is the backbone of that country’s famous Chianti that traditionally contains anywhere between 75% and 100% Sangiovese, with quite a wide range of other varieties making up the rest.

Tim Adams’ 2015 Mr Mick Novo Sangiovese is a wonderfully easy-going wine that’s all about flavours of red berries – cherries, strawberries and raspberries – mellow tannins and with a nice clean and dry finish. And yes, do pop it in the fridge in our coming warmer months to give it a nice bit of chill … with its acidity, herbaceousness and savoury notes, it’s a natural to enjoy with – what else? – a pizza with loads of tomato, cheese and herbs, and if you’re a carnivore, plenty of pepperoni.

One to note ■ 2015 was a cracking vintage for winemakers in South Australia’s Eden Valley, with above average early Winter rains followed by higher than normal Spring temperatures and a generally mild Summer, all resulting in near-perfect ripening conditions and an earlier than usual harvest.

And if you like your Rieslings, one maker that’s released a stunner from that vintage is Eden Hall, their 2015 made from fruit off four separate blocks and all about beautiful lemon and ripe lime juice flavours that linger in the mouth with an almost seductiveness. It’s well-priced too at just $22, and makes for a perfect partner to whole baked snapper with chilli, ginger and coriander.

Pictured ■ Australians are taking more and more to lighter, savoury reds with a bit of fridge chill, this one’s ideal chilled with pizza loaded with tomatoes, cheese, herbs and pepperoni.

■ A perfect partner to whole baked snapper with chilli, ginger and coriander.

buggies and scattering of new-fangled motor-cars, exhibiting nothing but disdain for grotty public transport, and worse still, fearing it would bring into their midst “those with disreputable intent.”

As well, because of the high cost of land, the entrance to Down Street Station had to be tucked into a small side-street and was thus not generally well-known, and ironically its patrons were mainly the servants of those bemoaning its very presence.

Within two years trains skipped the empty station on Sundays, and with increasingly declining patronage on weekdays, it was closed for good in May 1932.

But while it may have appeared abandoned, for six years it was anything but, and in fact played two highly important but very secretive roles during WWII. And it is these that TfL is also hoping to cash-in on, even though it admits that what it’s offering for lease is made up of “difficult and complex spaces” – and with the only current access by way of a 122 step spiral staircase.

In 1938 and sensing war on the horizon in Europe, Britain formed an emergency Railway Executive Committee (REC) to take control of all of the country’s railways and to keep them running in the event that war did occur.

Deciding that it needed a secure bomb-proof headquarters, the Committee chose the deep, abandoned Down Street Station.

Working only at night when Tube trains were not running, builders constructed a wall along the Down Street platform edge, leaving just two small openings where VIP staff could alight from the driver’s or guard’s compartments of trains direct into the secret facility.

And within weeks the bricked-up platform and passenger tunnels that connected it to then-lifts to the street and the spiral staircase, became a maze of tiny individual offices, rail control rooms, a telephone exchange typing rooms, and conference areas And with twelve senior REC officials and twenty-two regular staff manning the place 24-hours a day to keep Britain’s vast rail network running in spite of regular Luftwaffe bombings, sleeping quarters were also built, and a kitchen and bathrooms squeezed in, all with furnishings tailor-made to each miniscule space.

Then for six weeks in 1940 even more top-secret tenants arrived – during bombing raids on London, Prime Minister Winston Churchill and his entire Cabinet retreated to the centre until a separate and secure Cabinet War Rooms bunker was built elsewhere. Churchill, his wife and Cabinet Ministers often slept overnight in the confined little space – Churchill once commenting to colleagues that “it gives me the opportunity to work during bombing raids, rather than appear to hide.”

Churchill even had a separate Cabinet member’s lift installed, and his own bath.

At war’s end Down Street was closed, stripped, even the lifts removed, and abandoned. Now TfL wants to see the lifts re-installed and those passenger tunnels, platform vestibules and other areas put to innovative new use … maybe as galleries an exhibition space, art cinema, bar – or a classy, atmospheric restaurant for

www.MelbourneObserver.com.au

Melbourne Observer - Wednesday, November 18, 2015 - Page 15

Melbourne People

Philip Brady Pre-Christmas Party The Olive Jar Restaurant, Carlton

● Vanessa Ramon, Philip Brady and Diego Leon

● Dorothy Baker and Wes Turnbull

● Trish and Rik Fullerton

● Walter and Elizabeth Welst

● Nigel and Beverley Dick

● Giovanni and Theresa Mico of The Olice Jar Restaurant

● John McBain and Phil Danby

● Alex Kurzen and Kevin Trask

Page 16 - Melbourne Observer - Wednesday, November 18, 2015

PROMOTIONAL FEATURE

It’s black tie for Blue Ribbon Monash Lodge supports Homes

● Freemasons Victoria's Deputy Grand Master Don Reynolds with his partner Mya G. Grayly.

● John Berhang, Homes Ambassador, Monash Lodge, presents cheques totalling $3000 in donations to Christina Chia, Executive Officer, on behalf of Royal Freemasons.

■ Royal Freemasons was pleased last month to receive funds raised by Monash Lodge to assist its fundraising appeals.

The presentation held at the Waverley Masonic Centre was attended by more than100 guests comprising Freemasons, family and members of the local community.

Monash Lodge donated $3,000 to Royal Freemasons to purchase therapeutic robotic seals and upgrade othe garden facilities for dementia residents and customers.

Previously, Monash Lodge has generously donated $1500 towards Royal Freemason's Garden Therapy appeal for Monash Gardens. The funds have been used to create new 'sensory garden areas' designed to provide an enhanced outdoor experience for our residents, particularly those with dementia.

The new gardens will be places for residents to sit, walk and experience the outdoors. Monash Lodge has been supporting Royal Freemasons to advance its mission of providing quality care and accommodation to customers in Monash Gardens.

Royal Freemasons is grateful for the strong support it receives particularly in its fundraising appeals from Masonic Lodges such as Monash Lodge as its continue to innovate tradition in pursuit of excellence.

InterChange Outer East’s siblings given helping hand

● Above left: Freemasons Victoria's Barry Minster with his new friend Constable T. Bear. ● Grand Master Hillel Benedykt and his wife Sue ● Above right: Darren DeLeRue with partner inspect the police motorcycle parked at the en- Gabrielle Forman, Freemasons Victoria Communications Manager trance to the Palladium.

■ The boys in blue went black (tie) Andre Clayton of the Freemasons and the girls were frocked up for this Foundation were welcomed to the year's Victoria Police Blue Ribbon podium where Hillel announced a Ball on Friday (Nov. 13). $50,000 donation, which took the Held at the Crown Palladium, the evening's proceeds well over event saw more than 1000 guests at$200,000. tend, with many taking part in the live "Freemasons Victoria recauction. ognises the tireless work of the Raffle tickets for jewellery and Victoria Police Blue Ribbon Foundatravel items, and the famous Contion, and all that it does for those who stable T. Bear were on sale as well as have been affected by the loss of a personalised commemorative postage stamps and photo shoot.

Neil Soullier, and Chair of the Victoria loved one while on duty.

“It is for this reason that I am very Freemasons Victoria, represented Police Blue Ribbon Foundation, Bill proud to announce a donation to this by members of the Freemasons Foun- Noonan, took over from MC John dation, Grand Team and Grand Sec- Deeks on stage to formally recognise important cause of $50,000,” Hillel retariat were all there to pledge their those who had contributed to the suc- said.

Further large donations were support for the Victoria Police Blue cess of the evening and to thank partRibbon Foundation, and to make a ners and sponsors for their ongoing made, followed by a night of dancing and good fun to a Beatles tribute band surprise presentation at the conclusion support. of the evening.

Freemasons Victoria Grand Mas- that kept guests entertained throughCEO, Blue Ribbon Foundation ter Hillel Benedykt accompanied by out the event.

Our Field of Remembrance ● IOE Siblings Program Co-Ordinator Jenna Tatterson gratefully receives the cheque from Lionel May. ■ District Co-Ordinator for Monash Gully District, Lionel May,presented a $30,000 donation to the staff of InterChange Outer East on Tuesday last week (Nov. 10), on behalf of the Freemasons Foundation.

The non-profit, community-based organisation, provides support to families who have a young person with a disability, living in the outer eastern region of Melbourne.

Interchange Outer East's Siblings Program receives no government funding or external financial support other than that of funds donated by Freemasons Victoria.

"We are so grateful for the kind donation Freemasons Victoria has made to this program," CEO Fred Brumhead said "These children can now enjoy opportunities they may not normally get, to socialise and take part in activities with other kids in similar circumstances".

The Siblings Program is a unique way for children to engage with others on many different levels, either in an activity setting, or at the InterChange Outer East 'home' in Ferntree Gully.

Children are involved in drawing and games, as well as camps and day trips. Parents with a young disabled child may feel that they are restricted in trying to find options for both siblings to enjoy - this is a great way for the sibling to never miss out on having fun.

Freemasons Victoria's Peter Atkin, Graham Flaherty, Keith Thornton, Roger Gilbert-Kent, Peter White and Mervyn Hallam were all there to make the donation, making sure the big cheque was handed over as a big surprise.

■ Remembrance Day arrived early in Keysborough, with the South Eastern Masonic Centre open to the public and 'in full bloom' on Friday, November 6.

Freemasons Victoria's red poppies were planted in the front lawn of the Centre, to honour the men and women who served or made the ultimate sacrifice for the nation.

The event included the Ceremony of the Unknown Soldier, coordinated

by Jim Puohotaua, and a wreath-laying.

It was a rare opportunity for members of the public to witness a Masonic ceremony that is only carried out once a year, and to see the Victoria Police Shrine Guards who made up the catafalque party.

Grand Master Hillel Benedykt said that it was a moving ceremony and one that will be remembered.

"This is the first time that the event has been held in a venue other than the Dallas Brooks Centre - it has been wonderful to see so many in attendance,” he said. ● The Victoria Police Shrine Guards conduct the Catafalque Party Prominent Freemasons who served at this year's Field of Remembrance event in Keysborough.

Australia include Sir Edward 'Weary' RoyalAustralianArmy in World War Tingwell, who served with the Royal Dunlop, a Lieutenant-Colonel with the II; and Flight Lieutenant Bud Australian Air Force during WWII.

To find out more about Freemasonry, how to become a member, or attend upcoming public events, please visit www.freemasonsvic.net.au Or ‘like’ our FaceBook page www.facebook.com/freemasonsvic for the most up to date information.

www.MelbourneObserver.com.au Melbourne

Observer

Melbourne Observer - Wednesday, November 18, 2015 - Page 17

West Hollywood

Melbourne takes carnival fever to LA ■ Hi everyone, from my suite at the Ramada Plaza Hotel and Suites comes this week's news.

Warner Bros. feels heat

Aussies raise a toast ■ The Victorian Racing Club together with Emirates, Austrade, City of Melbourne, Tourism Victoria and the Melbourne Convention and Visitors Bureau held a dinner in Los Angeles to celebrate the running of the 155th Melbourne Cup to showcase the significant role The Cup has played in the social and cultural development of Australia.

Pictured at the event, from left are: Alan Johnson, Ramada Plaza chief; Sue Lloyd-Williams and horse owner Paul Birchall.

What a great result it was for trainer Darren Wier.

A nation cheered the first female jockey to win The Cup, Michelle Payne from Ballarat on the outsider Prince of Penzance.

In the past two weeks since the local win, jockey Michelle Payne has been on all the talk shows and is a very inspiring young lady who is now the torch bearer for all the future female jockeys and women in sport.

What a role model is this young unassuming woman.

The Payne family is steeped in racing history and it is a great story. I am sure there is a lot of movie buzz happening in production boardrooms across Australia.

● Alan Johnson, Ramada Plaza chief; Sue Lloyd-Williams and horse owner Paul Birchall

Sunset Strip changing ■ West Hollywood is going through so many changes and one of the biggest was the closing down of the House of Blues on Sunset Boulevard after 21 years.

It was another rock and Roll outpost on the curvy boulevard renown for its music, comedy, celebrity, glamour and a bit of sleaze.

This month workers have been carting out computer screens and folding chairs. The bulldozers and a new high-rise luxury hotel condominium are on the way.

These days, it seems, all of the Sunset Strip is a construction site, a jumble of bleeping concrete trucks, towering blue and yellow cranes and steel building skeletons rising against the Hollywood Hills.

The mile-and-a-half low rise stretch on Sunset Boulevard where Jim Morrison and Janis Joplin performed at the Whiskey a Go Go and River Phoenix died of a drug overdose outside the Viper Room is being consumed by 1.1 million square feet of new hotel rooms, condominiums, restaurants and stores overshadowing and in some cases replacing the famous clubs that have long defined this street. Progress marches on.

GavinWood

From my Suite at the Ramada Plaza Complex on Santa Monica Blvd

Shopping in LA ■ Los Angeles is a world-class premium-shopping destination. Not only are there a variety of stores to suit every taste and budget; there are also several different types of shopping venues.

Money Saving Tip: You don't have to buy anything!

"Window shopping" is a pastime that appeals to residents and tourists alike!

West LA and Beverly Hills, Including Beverly Center Shopping Mall, Rodeo Drive, Two Rodeo, Century City Shopping Center and Westside Pavilion.

Hollywood and nearby, Including Hollywood & Highland, Universal City Walk, Melrose Avenue and Robertson Boulevard Shopping District in West Hollywood.

Downtown and nearby, Including California Market Center, LA Fashion District, Santee Alley, Cooper Design Space, Grand Central Market, LA Flower District, Little Tokyo District, Olvera Street, Citadel Factory Outlet.

Mid Wilshire and nearby, Including The Grove, Original Farmers Market, West Third Street, Koreatown Galleria and Koreatown Plaza.

Santa Monica and nearby, Including Third Street Promenade, Santa Monica Place, Montana Avenue, Main Street Santa Monica, Venice Beach Boardwalk, Malibu Country Mart.

South Bay / Redondo Beach, Including Del Amo Fashion Center, Manhattan Village Mall, South Bay Galleria, Plaza El Segundo, South Bay Pavilion.

Burbank / Pasadena and Inland Empire, Including Americana at Brand, Burbank Town Center, Downtown Burbank, Glendale Galleria, Old Town Pasadena, Paseo

Colorado, Santa Anita Fashion Centre, Victoria Gardens.

LAX area, Including Howard Hughes Promenade, Westfield Culver City Mall (formerly Fox Hills Mall, Helms Furniture District, Baldwin Hills Crenshaw Plaza and LAX Layover Shopping tips.

San Fernando Valley, Including Northridge Fashion Center, Panorama Mall, Sherman Oaks Galleria, Topanga Shopping Center, Sherman Oaks Fashion Square.

Disneyland / Anaheim and nearby, Including Downtown Disney, Knott's California Marketplace, Buena Park Downtown, Cola Corner, Anaheim Garden walk.

Long Beach and nearby, Including Lakewood Center, Long Beach City Place, Shoreline Village, Ports O' Call Village, Los Cerritos Center, Westminster Mall.

Orange County and nearby, Including The Block at Orange, Brea Mall, The Market Place, Fashion Island, Irvine Spectrum Center, South Coast Plaza.

Away from L.A., Including The Oaks Mall in Thousand Oaks, Valencia Town Center, Lake Arrowhead Village, Ontario Mills.

www.gavinwood.us

■ Warner Bros Pictures is out this week teasing its next Harry Potter spin-off.

But Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them won't hit theatres until November 18, 2016.

For many at the struggling Hollywood studio, 2016 can't get here fast enough.

Warner Brothers, led by Kevin Tsujihara, has released 26 movies this year and not one has cracked the Top 15.

Dwayne Johnson's San Andreas, with a box office of $220.6 million, according to Box-OfficeMojo, at No. 16 is Warner's top movie of 2015.

Universal's Jurassic World pulled in $927.8 million.

Warner Brothers is No. 3 in studio market share this year behind Universal and Buena Vista - after finishing in the same spot last year.

If its box office doesn't improve over the next 45 days, it will mark the first time in 12 years it finished No. 3 in consecutive years.

With such a poor performance, Warner's executive team is feeling the heat.

While the studio had communicated to the Street its anticipated weak 2015, it has suffered more than expected with a string of misfires including Pan, which cost $177.9 million and netted just $45.7 million.

Last weekend's Our Brand Is Crisis, about political black ops, a passion project of producer George Clooney and star Sandra Bullock is also tanking, taking in just $4.6 million.

"He doesn't have the right people around him," said one source about Tsujihara, who also looks after Warner TV and Warner Games, which are doing much better.

The executive, 51, is two-and-a-half years into his tenure, after winning a bake-off between Warner TV boss, Bruce Rosenblum and film boss, Jeff Robinov.

His "cabinet" includes production head Greg Silverman, marketing and distribution boss Sue Kroll and New Line chief Toby Emmerich.

The trio are said to be concerned for their reputations even as the company pins its hopes on more Lego movies and JK Rowling adaptations to turn things around in 2016.

The problems this year appear to be widespread, including its marketing.

Some critics point to one flop, Pan, and maintain that the film might have fared better if it was marketed more to children and less toward adults.

Others question clunkers, like Man from U.N.C.L.E. and Horrible Bosses 2 as having subpar marketing efforts.

Movie industry sources say Tsujihara has bent over backwards to be talent-friendly, but that has not helped.

Warner's most recent bomb landed last weekend with the Bullock/Clooney passion project, Our Brand Is Crisis.

Tsujihara pal Ben Affleck, who won an Oscar for Argo with Warner's help is rumoured to be complaining about his need for a stronger executive sounding board.

Affleck is the star of big Warner hopeful, Superman v Batman (March 25, 2016), will also star in The Accountant, (October 2016), and is reportedly working on his own standalone movie, The Batman.

A rep for the actor denied he has such a beef with the studio.

Warner Bros. spokesperson Dee Dee Myers said, "It's been a challenging, transitional year for our pictures group, but we have full confidence in the management team and feel great about our slate for 2016 and beyond."

Special Holiday Offer

■ If you are considering a move to Los Angeles or just coming over for a holiday then I have got a special deal for you.

If you are coming here to California to shop, we would love to see you at the Ramada Plaza Hotel and Suites, 8585 Santa Monica Boulevard, West Hollywood.

I have secured a terrific holiday deal for readers of the Melbourne Observer.

Please mention 'Melbourne Observer' when you book and you will receive the 'Special Rate of the Day'.

Please contact: Joanna at info@ramadaweho.com Happy Holidays, Gavin Wood

www.MelbourneObserver.com.au

Page 18 - Melbourne Observer - Wednesday, November 18, 2015

■ Mike Farrell who played Captain B. J. Hunnicut in the television series M*A*S*H will be my special interview guest during That's Entertainment at 12 Noon on Sunday (Nov. 22) on 96.5 FM . I hope you can tune in.

Michael Joseph ‘Mike’ Farrell Jr. was born in St Paul, Minnesota, in 1939.

His father was a carpenter at various Hollywood studios.

Mike attended grammar school with Natalie Wood and Ricky Nelson.

After High School he joined the US Marines and worked as a private investigator.

Mike enrolled at the University of California in Los Angeles and studied acting at the Jeff Corey Workshop.

He married Julie Hayden who was an actress and drama teacher and they had two children.

In 1963 Mike began working in television shows such as McHale's Navy, Dick Powell Theatre and Ensign O'Toole.

In 1968 he was cast in a regular role in Days of Our Lives and then as a doctor in The Interns.

Mike was in many television shows as a guest star. When Wayne Rogers decided to leave M*A*S*H, Mike was cast as Captain B. J. Hunnicut and was with the show for nine years.

He wrote and directed several of the episodes. Mike was a good friend of the late Harry Morgan who played Colonel Potter on

Whatever Happened To ...

Mike Farrell

By Kevin Trask of 3AW and 96.5 Inner FM

M*A*S*H and is still best friends with AlanAlda.

Mike Farrell came to Australia for the Logie Awards in 1978. The show was hosted by Bert Newton. Sammy Davis Jnr and Florence Henderson from The Brady Bunch were also guests.

When the last episode of M*A*S*H went to air in 1983 the entire cast were invited to the studio to see it on a big screen.

Many a tear was shed as they watched the episode Goodbye, Farewell and Amen that was seen by more than 100 million viewers in America alone.

Following his divorce from Judy, Mike married actress Shelley Fabares in 1984.

Shelley has starred in television shows such

● Mike Farrell as The Donna Reed Show and Coach and also co- starred with Elvis in three films.

Mike produced the 1998 film Patch Adams which starred Robin Williams.

Mike was inspired when he met the real Patch

Adams and became friends with him.

Dr Hunter Doherty ‘Patch’Adams wrote a book about the power of laughter to aid healing and asked Mike to help him get it made into a film.

Mike has been to Australia on three times and had a fall from his motorcycle whilst riding through the Alice Springs.

He was cared for by the family and has never forgotten their kindness to him during his recovery. Mike Farrell was a regular in the popular television series Providence for four years.

Over the years Mike has been an activist for many political and social causes. He was cochair of the California Human Rights Watch for 10 years, was on the Board of Advisors of the original Cult Awareness Network and has been President of Death Penalty Focus for more than 10 years.

Mike Farrell has been continually working as an actor for more 50 years.

He can currently be seen in the new television series Red Road. Don't miss the interview with Mike Farrell on .

Kevin Trask The Time Tunnel - with Bruce and Phil Sundays at 9.20pm on 3AW That's Entertainment - 96.5FM Sundays at 12Noon 96.5FM is streaming on the internet.

To listen, go to www.innerfm.org.au and follow the prompts.

Taking the kids to Lightning Ridge ■ When my three kids were little, I would often take them up on trips to Lightning Ridge.

They learned a lot about the bush and Mother Nature as they roamed around. And opals, it turned out, because two of them, Atheka and Jonas, now run the business.

There were always little I Spy games to play as we drove the 15

hours up the Newell Highway. There were frequent stops to check out, or look for, creatures.

At one stage we were in Lightning Ridge in the first light of spring, and there were stumpy tails everywhere.

This was in the days before licensing, and we caught a case load for my mate Eric Worrall, who then ran the

Australian Reptile Park at Gosford.

And we would watch sand goannas as they scuttled across the tracks around the Ridge, and catch a few spiders and snakes when we needed.

There was one interesting creature we did discover - a crab. It looked as though it had just crawled from under a rock at the Blairgowrie beach.

However I contacted my mate Martin Gomon at the Melbourne Museum upon my return, and he told me about land crabs, of which I had never heard .

■ Then on one particular trip I stopped to show them a meat ants' nest.

They are large, bare, approximately circular patches of gravelly ground a few metres across with hundreds of holes dug into the earth.

They are fairly common throughout Australia's bush. A favourite trick of mine when I was a kid was to jump all over the top of the nest, to watch thousands of these ants pouring out of their holes to defend their territory.

Of course then I had the presence of mind to vacate the area before they became too aggressive. However on this occasion, stupidly I forgot to tell the kids to do this. So naturally some of the more aggressive and adventurous ants managed to crawl over the kids sneakers and up their legs under their jeans.

Even though they don't sting, they do bite strongly with their nippers, and several dozen of these little creatures nibbling away at their legs caused screams panic and mayhem for the kids.

They've all had an intrinsic hatred of ants ever since.

■ And it was uncanny that on every trip I made to Lightning Ridge, something of note would happen on the way - a famous celebrity or politician would expire, or I would encounter an aberration of Mother Nature.

I cannot now remember the famous men of history, but they may have been Menzies or Churchill or Martin Luther King or their ilk.

But then, as far as Mother Nature was concerned, I would often spy plagues as I drove up the highway.

They were, in some brief areas, myriads of huge hairy caterpillars marching across the road, then centipedes in their thousands, or big black beetles.

At one stage, large bush cock-

The Outback Legend

with Nick Le Souef Lightning Ridge Opals 175 Flinders Lane, Melbourne Phone 9654 4444 www.opals.net.au roaches, then plagues of dragonflies and, through swampy areas usually at dusk, mists of gnats and midges.

And of course the inevitable locusts flying over to decimate nearby wheat fields.

And every few years, mice in the headlights made the road look as though it was moving.

But during flood time I was a somewhat reluctant traveller, but there was nothing I could do about this. I'd run over countless thousands of frogs - they just sat on the road like so many large pebbles, and there was a continuous pop pop pop.

And then, while hardly an aberration, in severe drought time thousands of hungry kangaroos would be attracted to the roadside by the waft of little sprouts of grass, nourished by nightly moisture run-off from the highway bitumen.

■ I've mentioned before the bumper sticker which I have seen around the bush, generally on big 4x4's - "Lost your cat? Check my tyre treads!"

Generally people in the bush aren't over keen on cats because they see

first hand the constant and severe damage which they wreak on the environment.

I had a mate at Lightning Ridge once who took this dislike to extremes.

There were many feral cats always hanging around the local tip, fossicking for morsels which had been discarded.

As a miner, my mate could legally purchase a carton of gelignite from the local servo any time he chose.

So he would grab a few cans of Whiskas from the store, and spread the contents around in an old car body.

And then place a couple of plugs of jelly, with long fuses, in the car.

When a bevy of cats had arrived to their banquet, he lit the fuses.

Very effective that was.

■ The night parrot has always been an enigma - they have been supposedly extinct at various times, then someone would report having seen one, and then a dried out carcase was found by an ornithologist on a Queensland bush track.

Now more have been found and even filmed.

I have a suspicion that they're not in fact so rare - it may be that they just hide out pretty well during the day, nestled under spinifex bushes, only emerging at night.

My mate Ozzie once told me that around Boulia they were often seen by motorists on bush dirt roads at night, and were called the "stupid parrot" because they just sat there and made no attempt to move out of the way of the oncoming vehicle.

In fact he reckoned there was a much simpler way to determine their distribution and rarity, or otherwise.

Every bird in any vicinity must drink regularly at dams and waterholes.

So it would be simple, in this day and age of DNA, to go around to these spots and collect all the droppings one could find, and compare them against then known data base of the parrot.

Granted a bit messy, and there would be dozens of varieties to sort out and categorise.

But probably a good idea of which no boffin has ever thought.

- Nick Le Souef ‘The Outback Legend’

Melbourne Observer - Wednesday, November 18, 2015 - Page 19

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‘The Uncommercial Traveller’ by Charles Dickens

Continued From Last Week At other times — periods of profound mental depression, when She had gone out to balls where I was not — the draft took the affecting form of a paper to be left on my table after my departure to the confines of the globe. As thus: ‘For Mrs. Onowenever, these lines when the hand that traces them shall be far away. I could not bear the daily torture of hopelessly loving the dear one whom I will not name. Broiling on the coast of Africa, or congealing on the shores of Greenland, I am far far better there than here.’

(In this sentiment my cooler judgment perceives that the family of the beloved object would have most completely concurred.) ‘If I ever emerge from obscurity, and my name is ever heralded

by Fame, it will be for her dear sake. If I ever amass Gold, it will be to pour it at her feet. Should I on the other hand become the prey of Ravens — ‘ I doubt if I ever quite made up my mind what was to be done in that affecting case; I tried ‘then it is better so;’ but not feeling convinced that it would be better so, I vacillated between leaving all else blank, which looked expressive and bleak, or winding up with ‘Farewell!’

This fictitious correspondence of mine is to blame for the foregoing digression. I was about to pursue the statement that on my twenty-first birthday I gave a party, and She was there. It was a beautiful party. There was not a single animate or inanimate object connected with it (except the company and myself) that I had ever seen before. Everything was hired, and the mercenaries in attendance were profound strangers to me. Behind a door, in the crumby part of the night when wine-glasses were to be found in unexpected spots, I spoke to Her — spoke out to Her. What passed, I cannot as a man of honour reveal. She was all angelical gentleness, but a word was mentioned — a short and dreadful word of three letters, beginning with a B— which, as I remarked at the moment, ‘scorched my brain.’ She went away soon afterwards, and when the hollow throng (though to be sure it was no fault of theirs) dispersed, I issued forth, with a dissipated scorner, and, as I mentioned expressly to him, ‘sought oblivion.’ It was found, with a dreadful headache in it, but it didn’t last; for, in the shaming light of next day’s noon, I raised my heavy head in bed, looking back to the birthdays behind me, and tracking the circle by which I had got round, after all, to the bitter powder and the wretchedness again.

This reactionary powder (taken so largely by the human race I am inclined to regard it as the Universal Medicine once sought for in Laboratories) is capable of being made up in another form for birthday use. Anybody’s long-lost brother will do ill to turn up on a birthday. If I had a longlost brother I should know beforehand that he would prove a tremendous fraternal failure if he appointed to rush into my arms on my birthday.

The first Magic Lantern I ever saw, was secretly and elaborately planned to be the great effect of a very juvenile birthday; but it wouldn’t act, and its images were dim. My experience of adult birthday Magic Lanterns may possibly have been unfortunate, but has certainly been similar. I have an illustrative birthday in my eye: a birthday of my friend Flipfield, whose birthdays had long been remarkable as social successes. There had been nothing set or formal about them; Flipfield having been accustomed merely to say, two or three days before, ‘Don’t forget to come and dine, old boy, according to custom;’ — I don’t know what he said to the ladies he invited, but I may safely assume it NOT to have been ‘old girl.’ Those were delightful gatherings, and were enjoyed by all participators. In an evil hour, a long-lost brother of Flipfield’s came to light in foreign parts. Where he had been hidden, or what he had been doing, I don’t know, for Flipfield vaguely informed me that he had turned up ‘on the banks of the Ganges’ — speaking of him as if he had been washed ashore. The Long-lost was coming home, and Flipfield made an unfortunate calculation, based on the well-known regularity of the P. and O. Steamers, that matters might be so contrived as that the Long-lost should appear in the nick of time on his (Flipfield’s) birthday. Delicacy commanded that I should repress the gloomy antici-

Charles Dickens pations with which my soul became fraught when I heard of this plan. The fatal day arrived, and we assembled in force. Mrs. Flipfield senior formed an interesting feature in the group, with a blue-veined miniature of the late Mr. Flipfield round her neck, in an oval, resembling a tart from the pastrycook’s: his hair powdered, and the bright buttons on his coat, evidently very like. She was accompanied by Miss Flipfield, the eldest of her numerous family, who held her pocket-handkerchief to her bosom in a majestic manner, and spoke to all of us (none of us had ever seen her before), in pious and condoning tones, of all the quarrels that had taken place in the family, from her infancy — which must have been a long time ago — down to that hour.

The Long-lost did not appear. Dinner, half an hour later than usual, was announced, and still no Long-lost. We sat down to table. The knife and fork of the Long-lost made a vacuum in Nature, and when the champagne came round for the first time, Flipfield gave him up for the day, and had them removed. It was then that the Long-lost gained the height of his popularity with the company; for my own part, I felt convinced that I loved him dearly. Flipfield’s dinners are perfect, and he is the easiest and best of entertainers. Dinner went on brilliantly, and the more the Long-lost didn’t come, the more comfortable we grew, and the more highly we thought of him. Flipfield’s own man (who has a regard for me) was in the act of struggling with an ignorant stipendiary, to wrest from him the wooden leg of a Guinea-fowl which he was pressing on my acceptance, and to substitute a slice of the breast, when a ringing at the doorbell suspended the strife. I looked round me, and perceived the sudden pallor which I knew

my own visage revealed, reflected in the faces of the company. Flipfield hurriedly excused himself, went out, was absent for about a minute or two, and then re-entered with the Long-lost.

I beg to say distinctly that if the stranger had brought Mont Blanc with him, or had come attended by a retinue of eternal snows, he could not have chilled the circle to the marrow in a more efficient manner. Embodied Failure sat enthroned upon the Long-lost’s brow, and pervaded him to his Long-lost boots. In vain Mrs. Flipfield senior, opening her arms, exclaimed, ‘My Tom!’ and pressed his nose against the counterfeit presentment of his other parent. In vain Miss Flipfield, in the first transports of this re-union, showed him a dint upon her maidenly cheek, and asked him if he remembered when he did that with the bellows? We, the bystanders, were overcome, but overcome by the palpable, undisguisable, utter, and total break-down of the Long-lost. Nothing he could have done would have set him right with us but his instant return to the Ganges. In the very same moments it became established that the feeling was reciprocal, and that the Long-lost detested us.

When a friend of the family (not myself, upon my honour), wishing to set things going again, asked him, while he partook of soup — asked him with an amiability of intention beyond all praise, but with a weakness of execution open to defeat — what kind of river he considered the Ganges, the Long-lost, scowling at the friend of the family over his spoon, as one of an abhorrent race, replied, ‘Why, a river of water, I suppose,’ and spooned his soup into himself with a malignancy of hand and eye that blighted the amiable questioner. Not an opinion could be elicited from the Long-lost, in unison with the senti-

r

e rv S se U N Ob N IO BO CT SE

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ments of any individual present. He contradicted Flipfield dead, before he had eaten his salmon.

He had no idea — or affected to have no idea — that it was his brother’s birthday, and on the communication of that interesting fact to him, merely wanted to make him out four years older than he was. He was an antipathetical being, with a peculiar power and gift of treading on everybody’s tenderest place. They talk in America of a man’s ‘Platform.’ I should describe the Platform of the Long-lost as a Platform composed of other people’s corns, on which he had stumped his way, with all his might and main, to his present position. It is needless to add that Flipfield’s great birthday went by the board, and that he was a wreck when I pretended at parting to wish him many happy returns of it.

There is another class of birthdays at which I have so frequently assisted, that I may assume such birthdays to be pretty well known to the human race. My friend Mayday’s birthday is an example. The guests have no knowledge of one another except on that one day in the year, and are annually terrified for a week by the prospect of meeting one another again. There is a fiction among us that we have uncommon reasons for being particularly lively and spirited on the occasion, whereas deep despondency is no phrase for the expression of our feelings. But the wonderful feature of the case is, that we are in tacit accordance to avoid the subject — to keep it as far off as possible, as long as possible — and to talk about anything else, rather than the joyful event. I may even go so far as to assert that there is a dumb compact among us that we will pretend that it is NOT Mayday’s birthday. A mysterious and gloomy Being, who is said to have gone to school with Mayday, and who is so lank and lean that he seriously impugns the Dietary of the establishment at which they were jointly educated, always leads us, as I may say, to the block, by laying his grisly hand on a decanter and begging us to fill our glasses. The devices and pretences that I have seen put in practice to defer the fatal moment, and to interpose between this man and his purpose, are innumerable. I have known desperate guests, when they saw the grisly hand approaching the decanter, wildly to begin, without any antecedent whatsoever, ‘That reminds me — ‘ and to plunge into long stories. When at last the hand and the decanter come together, a shudder, a palpable perceptible shudder, goes round the table. We receive the reminder that it is Mayday’s birthday, as if it were the anniversary of some profound disgrace he had undergone, and we sought to comfort him. And when we have drunk Mayday’s health, and wished him many happy returns, we are seized for some moments with a ghastly blitheness, an unnatural levity, as if we were in the first flushed reaction of having undergone a surgical operation.

Birthdays of this species have a public as well as a private phase. My ‘boyhood’s home,’ Dullborough, presents a case in point. An Immortal Somebody was wanted in Dullborough, to dimple for a day the stagnant face of the waters; he was rather wanted by Dullborough generally, and much wanted by the principal hotelkeeper. The County history was looked up for a locally Immortal Somebody, but the registered Dullborough worthies were all Nobodies. In this state of things, it is hardly necessary to record that Dullborough did what every man does when he wants to write a book or deliver a lecture, and is provided with all the materials except a subject. It fell back upon Shakespeare.

No sooner was it resolved to celebrate Shakespeare’s birthday in Dullborough, than the popularity of the immortal bard became surprising. You might have supposed the first edition of his works to have been published last week, and enthusiastic Dullborough to have got half through them. (I doubt, by the way, whether it had ever done half that, but that is a private opinion.) A young gentleman with a sonnet, the retention of which for two years had enfeebled his mind and undermined his knees, got the sonnet into the Dullborough Warden, and gained flesh. Portraits of Shakespeare broke out in the bookshop windows, and our principal artist painted a large original portrait in oils for the decoration of the

Continued on Page 20

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Observer Classic Books From Page 19 dining-room. It was not in the least like any of the other Portraits, and was exceedingly admired, the head being much swollen. At the Institution, the Debating Society discussed the new question, Was there sufficient ground for supposing that the Immortal Shakespeare ever stole deer? This was indignantly decided by an overwhelming majority in the negative; indeed, there was but one vote on the Poaching side, and that was the vote of the orator who had undertaken to advocate it, and who became quite an obnoxious character — particularly to the Dullborough ‘roughs,’ who were about as well informed on the matter as most other people. Distinguished speakers were invited down, and very nearly came (but not quite). Subscriptions were opened, and committees sat, and it would have been far from a popular measure in the height of the excitement, to have told Dullborough that it wasn’t Stratford-upon-Avon. Yet, after all these preparations, when the great festivity took place, and the portrait, elevated aloft, surveyed the company as if it were in danger of springing a mine of intellect and blowing itself up, it did undoubtedly happen, according to the inscrutable mysteries of things, that nobody could be induced, not to say to touch upon Shakespeare, but to come within a mile of him, until the crack speaker of Dullborough rose to propose the immortal memory. Which he did with the perplexing and astonishing result that before he had repeated the great name half-adozen times, or had been upon his legs as many minutes, he was assailed with a general shout of ‘Question.’

Chpater XXI THE SHORT-TIMERS ‘Within so many yards of this Covent-garden lodging of mine, as within so many yards of Westminster Abbey, Saint Paul’s Cathedral, the Houses of Parliament, the Prisons, the Courts of Justice, all the Institutions that govern the land, I can find — MUST find, whether I will or no — in the open streets, shameful instances of neglect of children, intolerable toleration of the engenderment of paupers, idlers, thieves, races of wretched and destructive cripples both in body and mind, a misery to themselves, a misery to the community, a disgrace to civilisation, and an outrage on Christianity. — I know it to be a

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fact as easy of demonstration as any sum in any of the elementary rules of arithmetic, that if the State would begin its work and duty at the beginning, and would with the strong hand take those children out of the streets, while they are yet children, and wisely train them, it would make them a part of England’s glory, not its shame — of England’s strength, not its weakness — would raise good soldiers and sailors, and good citizens, and many great men, out of the seeds of its criminal population. Yet I go on bearing with the enormity as if it were nothing, and I go on reading the Parliamentary Debates as if they were something, and I concern myself far more about one railway-bridge across a public thoroughfare, than about a dozen generations of scrofula, ignorance, wickedness, prostitution, poverty, and felony. I can slip out at my door, in the small hours after any midnight, and, in one circuit of the purlieus of Covent-garden Market, can behold a state of infancy and youth, as vile as if a Bourbon sat upon the English throne; a great police force looking on with authority to do no more than worry and hunt the dreadful vermin into corners, and there leave them. Within the length of a few streets I can find a workhouse, mismanaged with that dull short-sighted obstinacy that its greatest opportunities as to the children it receives are lost, and yet not a farthing saved to any one. But the wheel goes round, and round, and round; and because it goes round — so I am told by the politest authorities — it goes well.’

Thus I reflected, one day in the Whitsun week last past, as I floated down the Thames among the bridges, looking — not inappropriately — at the drags that were hanging up at certain dirty stairs to hook the drowned out, and at the numerous conveniences provided to facilitate their tumbling in. My object in that uncommercial journey called up another train of thought, and it ran as follows: ‘When I was at school, one of seventy boys, I wonder by what secret understanding our attention began to wander when we had pored over our books for some hours. I wonder by what ingenuity we brought on that confused state of mind when sense became nonsense, when figures wouldn’t work, when dead languages wouldn’t construe, when live languages wouldn’t be spoken, when memory wouldn’t come, when

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dead languages wouldn’t construe, when live languages wouldn’t be spoken, when memory wouldn’t come, when dulness and vacancy wouldn’t go. I cannot remember that we ever conspired to be sleepy after dinner, or that we ever particularly wanted to be stupid, and to have flushed faces and hot beating heads, or to find blank hopelessness and obscurity this afternoon in what would become perfectly clear and bright in the freshness of to-morrow morning. We suffered for these things, and they made us miserable enough. Neither do I remember that we ever bound ourselves by any secret oath or other solemn obligation, to find the seats getting too hard to be sat upon after a certain time; or to have intolerable twitches in our legs, rendering us aggressive and malicious with those members; or to be troubled with a similar uneasiness in our elbows, attended with fistic consequences to our neighbours; or to carry two pounds of lead in the chest, four pounds in the head, and several active blue-bottles in each ear. Yet, for certain, we suffered under those distresses, and were always charged at for labouring under them, as if we had brought them on, of our own deliberate act and deed. As to the mental portion of them being my own fault in my own case — I should like to ask any well-trained and experienced teacher, not to say psychologist. And as to the physical portion — I should like to ask PROFESSOR OWEN.’ It happened that I had a small bundle of papers with me, on what is called ‘The Half-Time System’ in schools. Referring to one of those papers I found that the indefatigable MR. CHADWICK had been beforehand with me, and had already asked Professor Owen: who had handsomely replied that I was not to blame, but that, being troubled with a skeleton, and having been constituted according to certain natural laws, I and my skeleton were unfortunately bound by those laws even in school — and had comported ourselves accordingly. Much comforted by the good Professor’s being on my side, I read on to discover whether the indefatigable Mr. Chadwick had taken up the mental part of my afflictions. I found that he had, and that he had gained on my behalf, SIR BENJAMIN BRODIE, SIR DAVID WILKIE, SIR WALTER SCOTT, and the common sense of mankind. For which I beg Mr. Chadwick, if this should meet his eye, to accept

my warm acknowledgments.

Up to that time I had retained a misgiving that the seventy unfortunates of whom I was one must have been, without knowing it, leagued together by the spirit of evil in a sort of perpetual Guy Fawkes Plot, to grope about in vaults with dark lanterns after a certain period of continuous study. But now the misgiving vanished, and I floated on with a quieted mind to see the HalfTime System in action. For that was the purpose of my journey, both by steamboat on the Thames, and by very dirty railway on the shore To which last institution, I beg to recommend the legal use of coke as engine-fuel, rather than the illegal use of coal; the recommendation is quite disinterested, for I was most liberally supplied with small coal on the journey, for which no charge was made. I had not only my eyes nose, and ears filled, but my hat, and all my pockets, and my pocket-book, and my watch.

The V.D.S.C.R.C. (or Very Dirty and Small Coal Railway Company) delivered me close to my destination, and I soon found the Half-Time System established in spacious premises, and freely placed at my convenience and disposal.

What would I see first of the Half-Time System? I chose Military Drill. ‘Atten-tion!’ Instantly a hundred boys stood forth in the paved yard as one boy; bright, quick, eager, steady, watchful for the look of command, instant and ready for the word. Not only was there complete precision — complete accord to the eye and to the ear — but an alertness in the doing of the thing which deprived it, curiously, of its monotonous or mechanical character. There was perfect uniformity, and yet an individual spirit and emulation. No spectator could doubt that the boys liked it. With non-commissioned officers varying from a yard to a yard and a half high, the result could not possibly have been attained otherwise. They marched, and counter-marched and formed in line and square, and company and single file and double file, and performed a variety of evolutions; all most admirably.

In respect of an air of enjoyable understanding of what they were about, which seems to be forbidden to English soldiers, the boys might have been small French troops.

To Be Continued Next Issue

Observer Crossword Solution No 4 T OP P L I NG P E R T O A E C EO O P ROV P A S S E SON U T K S EM I S P R A I S E V P U T D A N MOA T S E K NOC KON U P R I I I T UMB L E N ON A S S I S U N I C T E O L A U BOS S A NOV A L A R P N B R A T S A V A L I D I T Y P Y T H A I S U O E R A N SOMS S UR E I T O E X I T O L E I G A R S E N A L I N K Y L I E D AGA S S I A S U S A I U MOB Y P M A D V E R B O U P T O E U D O HOCU S MA CHO R P R I N A N A P P Y M T I T A L K E R A GOB I N N N A I L S N I ND I GO N S T AG I T L A S E R D B E D S I D E I ND I O A N R E E L R MOROCCO A V EM B K L B N S K I S S A P E R I T I F R N N C P A N E D I S P E N S E R ME L M O O E A A I MP A I R S P TW I E C MA D AME T E N T HR A L I S H Y S E N E E D S A ME T R E S X MUND U A I MONO D MA L I GN E D G L OS NU B F P O E B E F U S UNDR E S S

UR B S H E R E N R A K E D L I SOS R I P E C WH A R F M OWN L I C E R I S A A C N NC E M E N T E S POU S E E R L N PO T R A N S I T V A C U UN I T A L I A N ON T T E N U F E T E D A T I E S D I S T S R L S U H MA I MS R I C E S OU I N NOB E L S E L T O V A T A S UND E R B L I T T OU T E P I D U R G S R E A DOU T E S T O N E X S H I C K S M CH I K WE A A OMEGA S L P T Y T A R I A F E RR T A CR I D E E D C L B E R E E N T E R B A S H A B P A S T I E S C E E L H E R E S T Y L E E S T U OR A L H I L L Y V A N E I AWA P R E P E L R S I E R W I R I E A I R E S C DD L E S T R E

D I T Y MOON B N T U B U N E S S S E E D L R P R E Y G D T E A U N E C I MAMBO H R A P N R I V A E HOA X E S R L K A R W I Z A I N C E D CU T H E A R T E POS Y R E I GMA J MB A R R L C M R A C T HOS T D I O T A U H I N E I MP L N S C A R Y E I GH T L R E A S O OM I T R ROC K O L A N A H K N E E L EM I C D P L L M OP R A H I R I S A MAG T N A S I A A E T H S T Z AM E P I E C E M C A L A E DD Y M N A Z I E YMA N L E A K A I I D A T E N UN S PO E RGO G A A S E A R SON I V C T K N A R T M MA H A I L E EWA Y P L L Y A L I F T O O L D E N L RD E D R GA Y G DR A B W N E S S MA R A T R F A B S S S E D S E A HO

E AM J I E S S C E T A R B L R Y I RD S G N E D I E R I E V P AGE N S A N T I R E D C C E D L I A I D N N GO T N B I A O I NG T H AGE L T I L T C O S T S U TMA O S U P R E S T T O HON E N R S E

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What’s New

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Healthy Living

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Healthy Living

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Healthy Living

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Buying Guide

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Places To Go

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Travel Planner

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Places To Go

Historic Boondooma Homestead The original ‘Spirit of the Bush’ Traditional Balladeers & Heritage Muster April 21-22-23-24, 2016 ANZAC Service: 9am Monday, April 25 Featuring some of Australia’s leading Balladeers and Poets (To be announced on confirmation) Plus Walkup Artists & Homestead Balladeers & Poetry Competition

For details of competitions, general information and bookings contact: Buddy Thomson and Lynne Bennett.

Ph/Fax (07) 4168 0168 www.boondoomahomestead.org.au E-Mail: buddythomson@bigpond.com Camp Oven by Boondooma’s Camp Oven Cooking Team

Licensed Bar - BBQ - Stalls - Chips/Drinks etc (Stalls Welcome, Insurance Required) Vintage Cars & Engines - Broad Axe, Adze, Photographic and Historic Displays Admission $95 per person full festival inc. camping from April 18-26.

Day rates available: Wed $15, Thu $20, Fri $25, Sat $25, Sun $15 Discounted camping rates of $5pp/pn apply up to and including Sun., April 17 and after April 26. Festival patrons only.

Pre bookings. Phone Lynne 07 4168 0168 for details.

Sorry no EFTPOS available.

Bring your own mug and get free tea and coffee.

Bush camping available General inquiries and bookings Phone caretakers 07 4168 0159

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Places To Go

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Travel Planner

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Places To Go

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Melbourne Observer - Wednesday, November 18, 2015 - Page 33

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Christine Ridd, Glenn Ridge, Annie Roberts, Wendy Roberts, Clive Rodda. Di Rolle, Libby Ross, Rena Ross, David Rouch, Norman Rowe, Maria Rowland, Lisa Rudd, Pete Rudder, Lisa Millar Ruggerio. Sally Russell, Chris Ryan, Denis Scanlan, Tom Schouten, Brendan Scott, James Scott, Mark Scott, Adam Shand, Janet Shaw, Jim Shomos, Glenys Sigley, Matthew Sigley, John Silvester, Phil Skeggs, Ruta Skoba, Damian Sleep, Frank Slevin, Deborah May Small, Judy Small, Dennis Smith, Justin Smith, Deb Sorrell, Susan Spagnolo, Ken Sparkes, Maddy Sparks, Jim Spreadborough, Garry Spry, Victoria St John, Michelle Stamper, Artie Stevens, Ian Stewart, Natasha Stipanov, Bruce Stockdale, Richard Stockman, Deb Sukarna, Liz Sullivan, Anne Swinstead, John Tamb, Jason Taylor, Rachel D. Taylor, Nui Te Koha, Phil Teese, Lyndall Tennant, Serge Thomann, Gaylene Thompson, Jenny Thompson. Alan Thorley, Greg Tingle, Ellice Tobin, Kevin Trask, Penny Tregonning, Sue ThrethownJones, James Tulk, Judy Turnbull, Robin Turner, Les Twentyman, Hans Van Bloemendaal, Peter van Hauen, Michelle van Raay, Michael Vaughan, John Vertigan, Heidi Victoria, Steve Vizard, Christian Wagstaff, Mal Walden, Paul Walsh, Zoe Walsh, Geoff Ward, Cecily Waters, Rob Watts, Linda Weber, Nicki Wendt, Paul Weston, Kelvin Weston-Green Christie Whelan-Browne, Marilyn Whitelaw, Michael J Wilkie, Eric Williams, Helen Williams, Lisa Williams, Gavin Wood, Ian Wright, Roni Wildboer, Michelle Zydower.

More names to be added in next issue

Page 34 - Melbourne Observer - Wednesday, November 18, 2015

Victoria Pictorial

www.MelbourneObserver.com.au

Footscray Historic Photo Collection

● Staff at Footscray Railway Station. 1926.

● Bunbury St Tunnel. South Kensington to West Footscray. 1927.

● Footscray Town Hall. 1930s.

● Footscray Motors. 71 Hopkins St. Circa 1940

● Powder magazine, Footscray. 1944.

● New buildings at Middle Footscray Station. 1927.

● Footscray Football Club.

● Rockmans Variety Store, Footscray. 1959.

www.MelbourneObserver.com.au

Melbourne Obser ver - Wednesday, November 18, 2015 - Page 35 e urn lbo Me

Every Week in the Melbourne Observer

ver N ser O Ob TI C SE 3

Observer Showbiz

Radio: New advertorial show on 3AW ................. Page 36 Theatre: Meet the Observer’s Kathryn Keeble ........ Page 37 Country Music: Badfolk go country ............................... Page 36 Jim and Aar on: Top 10 lists, favourite DVDs ..........,....... P age 38 Aaron: Cheryl TThr hr eadgold: hreadgold: Theatre review, previews ................... Page 3399 PL US THE LLO OVATT”S MEGA CRO CROSSSWORD PLUS

Improvised Shakespeare Media Flashes

■ The Australian Radio Network has shaken up the programming jobs at both KIIS 101.1 and Gold 104.3 in Melbourne. ARN has moved to a single Melbourne Content Director, created Operations Manager positions and Content Assistants. Sam Thompson has been appointed Melbourne Content Director for KIIS 101.1 and GOLD104.3.

Sam was previously Content Director for GOLD104.3.

■ Alyce Platt gazve an impressive interview, and sang live on air, in The Conversation Hour at 774 ABC. ■ Best wishes to Des Ford, a former GTV-9 and 3AW staffer (now at Golden Days Radio), who has been unwell.

■ The Survivors group of radio and recording industry veterans will meet for one of their twice-yearly lunches at South Melbourne this Saturday (Nov. 21).

■ At 2pm on Saturday, November 28 at NGV Australia, panel will discuss the impact of Surrealism on Australian art and the way it encouraged artists to challenge conventions. The panel includes artist Tim Schultz, Heide Museum of Modern Art curator Leslie Harding and NGV Curator, Contemporary Art, Simon Maidment.

Royal Funk Festival

● Back row Jon Hunt (left), Nick Karasavvidis, David Gooey; (front row from left) Dru Jackson, Ann Metry and Adam Rudegeair will perform in the Royal Funk Festival.

■ The first Royal Funk event happened in June, in celebration of Prince’s birthday. It was intended as a one-off, but the audience and performers had such a blast the organisers have decided to turn it into a regular mini-festival.

So on Sunday, December 6, Shadow Electric in Abbotsford will host the Royal Funk Festival: Summer Edition.

Mondegreen and Cocoa Noire will join house band Lake Minnetonka in bringing the live funk, while DJs Chelsea Wilson and MzRizk will revive the wonderful 80s sound.

Doors open at 5pm, band kicks off at 6pm, so wear your brightest 80s gear and get ready to dance the dance electric.

Performance date: Sunday, December 6 Venue: Shadow Electric, Abbotsford Convent, 1 St Heliers St., Abbotdford Tickets: $15 plus booking fee if booked via venue website, or $20 on the door if available.

Bookings: shadowelectric.com.au Direct ticket link: http://shadowelectric.com.au/tix/royal-funk-festival-summer-edition - Cheryl Threadgold

● Adam Hembree and Ryan Patterson will perform with the Soothplayers in December at The Butterfly Club.

■ Melbourne-based improvisation troupe Soothplayers which performs a completely original play every night in the style of Shakespeare, will be presenting a season titled Completely Improvised Shakespeare, at The Butterfly Club from December 15 – 20.

An actor stands on stage, booming voice echoing out across the auditorium: “To be, or not…wait…um…LINE?!?”

The stage manager whispers “Just improvise”. “You can’t improvise Shakespeare!” hisses the actor.

Enter Soothplayers, stage right, who say they disprove this myth with style and aplomb.

Using nothing but their wits, wills, and a title provided by the audience, the improvisers will present six all-new Shakespearean plays over the course of their season.

From epic battles to bawdy brawls and devastating romances, Soothplayers provide all of the dramatic flair that theatregoers have craved for more than four centuries. ● Jessica Redmayne and Annie Last in Project After a sell-out preview run during the Melbourne Fringe, the Hysteria.

Photo: Myles Tankle. troupe received rave reviews.

■ Theatre lovers are in for a treat with Project Hysteria, Each production is a completely new work, replete with an part of the inaugural Poppy Seed Festival.A brilliant interon-the-spot prologue in iambic pentameter, an epic plotline, and pretation by TBC Theatre of two seldom performed oneeven improvised mandolin accompaniment. act plays by Tennessee Williams. The Pretty Trap and InteSoothplayers performers include veterans of two of rior: Panic are forerunners to the much acclaimed Glass Melbourne’s premier improvisation troupes, The Improv ConMenagerie and Streetcar Named Desire. spiracy and Impro Melbourne, as well as graduates of VictoThe New Ballroom at Trades Hall is the perfect location rian College of the Arts and Chicago’s world-famous iO Thefor this production. The vision of director and set designer, atre.

Alister Smith, is deliciously derelict and reflects the inteThe troupe is also under the direction of Green Room Award rior struggles of William’s characters. winner Andrew Strano.

The stage is a 1940s American home where poverty is Bookings are highly recommended. apparent in every detail. Book pages scattered across the Performance dates: December 15-20 at 8.30pm floor hint at insanity. Before the performance starts, actors Venue: The Butterfly Club, 5 Carson Place, Melbourne languish on stage in various states of desire and apathy.

Tickets: $25-$32 The first play, The Pretty Trap, invites us into the Wingfield household, where Mrs Wingfield (Trudi Bookings: thebutterflyclub.com Boatwright) is hosting a dinner party for her son Tom and - Cheryl Threadgold his friend Jim, hoping to set Jim up with her beautiful, introverted daughter Laura.

Interior: Panic, the second play, explores the unraveling of the sanity of Blanch Shannon (Annie Last) as she ■ The Esplanade Hotel at St Kilda, showbiz location for so imposes on the hospitality of her heavily pregnant sister many years, has been closed indefinitely after complaints Grace and threatening brother-in-law Jack. from neighbours.

The two plays work well together and, though they are only snippets of what they went on to become, Project Hys■ Extra shows have been added for ticket sales for Matilda teria is very much a complete work.

The Musical which opens in Melbourne in March.

Boatwright and Last are exceptional in their roles. They ■ One of 3AW’s sister stations in Sydney, 2UE, is adding a bring life and credibility to their characters and are supfood hour to one of its afternoon programs each week. Fresh ported by a strong cast of actors.

Smith is innovative in his exploration of William’s with Lyndey Milan is a new feature part of Clinton Maynard themes of desire and repressed sexual violence, and diLunchtime Lowdown, every Thursday. rects endings which are suitably ambiguous and yet utterly ■ Russell Tate, boss of Macquarie Media, says 2UE will satisfying.

Season: Until November 22. Time: Tues.-Sat 8pm , Sun have a new format in 2016.

4pm.

Duration: 90 mins. Venue: Trades Hall, Carlton. Tick■ Magic 1278 is having production problems. A Billy Joel ets: $30. Bookings: poppyseed.net.au track was played simultaneously with a Beach Boys track.

- Review by Catherine McGregor

Project Hysteria

Showbiz Briefs

Page 36 - Melbourne Observer - Wednesday, November 18, 2015

Observer Showbiz

www.MelbourneObserver.com.au

Radio Confidential News from stations from around Victoria

Ross, John jump 20% hurdle

Country Crossroads

■ Ross Stevenson and John Burns exceeded 20 per cent of the available audience for their 3AW breakast program in figures announced last week.

The ratings success comes as Macquarie Media announces that the station will next year launch a new hourlong program commissioned by and paid for by advertisers in 2016

info@country crossroads.com.au Rob Foenander

Badfolk go country ■ The Berwick and District Folk club (Badfolk) will host country music on Friday (Nov. 20), 7:30pm-11:30pm.

The Little Miss Country band will feature Jan Dandridge (vocals and guitar); Ann Billinghurst (backing vocals and ukelele); Pete McDonald (guitar); Robert Broomhead (bass), Brentyn Stafford (drums) and multi-talented Mark Gardner also known as Sergeant Trouser.

Both original tunes and cover songs will be on offer. Venue: The Old Cheese Factory, 34 Homestead Rd, Berwick. Tickets at the door.

Outlaws at Hallam ■ Adam Brand and the Outlaws is the new band comprised of some of Australia's best-loved and most prolific names in country music: Drew McAlister, Travis Collins, Matt Cornell and Mike Carr join with multi-award winner Adam to rock the house at the Hallam Hotel at 8pm on Thursday, January 28.

Tom back in Melbourne ■ Welsh crooner Tom Jones will perform at the Arts Centre Hamer Hall on Friday, March 25, commencing 8pm. Tickets available soon from Ticketmaster.

- Rob Foenander

Vale Warren Mitchell ■ Actor Warren Mitchell, best known for his role as the outspoken Alf Garnett in the 1960s sitcom Till Death Do Us Part, has died aged 89.

Merger call

■ There is a very real chance that Southern Cross Austereo and Nine Entertainment will merge in a $2billion deal, reports the Radio Today website.

says Triple M Hot Breakfast executive producer Jay Mueller has told his story of how he reconnected with his biological son after more than 20 years.

Calvin was born when Jay and his high-school partner were just 16-years-old, they made the call to put their son up for adoption.

“I was a 16-year-old idiot. I was totally incapable of raising a child or being a father or doing anything. I was completely confident we were doing the right thing,”Jay said on Triple M. Jay reached out to Calvin via email late last year.

■ Samantha Armytage hosted a special newshour from Paris on Sunday night for the Seven Network.

Tina to be inducted ■ Kylie Minogue will welcome Tina Arena into the ARIA Hall Of Fame at the awards ceremony on Thursday next week (Nov. 26), to be televised on the Ten Network. The awards will be hosted by Osher Günsberg, ■ STOP PRESS: Former RSN PD

Wednesday Thursday November 18 November 19

■ Sir William S Gilbert, who partnered with Sullivan, was born in London in 1836. He died aged 74 in 1911.

Actor David Hemmings was born in Guildford, England, in 1941. He died aged 42 in 2003.

American actress Linda Evans was born in 1941.

■ American band-leader Tommy Dorsey was born in 1905.

He died aged 51 in 1956.

The late Margaret Whitlam, wife of former Prime Minister Gough, was born in 1919.

US radio-TV talk show host Larry King is 82.

Australian singer Robin Jolley is 65.

● 3AW morning broadcaster Neil Mitchell with a special 5pm Saturday edition to report on the terror in Paris where more than 100 people were murdered.

His guests included the French Ambassador to Australia, and an eyewitness to one of the attacks.

Reconciliation Award time ■ The Radio Today website

7’s coverage from Paris

r Steve Curtis has died suddenly.

Obser vbeiz On This Day Show

Talking Melbourne?

● Jay Mueller

■ The Michael LawAward for a sustained and outstanding contribution to community broadcasting was given to the outgoing Community Broadcasting Association of Australia President and Melbourne’s PBS 106.7 FM General Manager Adrian Basso.

Other Victorian winners from the weekend event, held at Terrigal, NSW, on Saturday, were: Excellence in Community Participation: Joint winners – SYN Media (Vic) and 2WAR FM Gilgandra (NSW) Community Radio Excellence in Digital Media: Represent – Federal Budget Night, SYN Media (Vic) Excellence in Training: Collaborative Radio Project, PBS 106.7 FM (Vic) Best New Radio Program – Music: Babble Pop!, JOY 94.9 (Vic) Best Station Production: JOY Radiothon, JOY 94.9 (Vic) Contribution to Australian Music: National Contemporary Landscapes, 3MBS Fine Music Melbourne (Vic) Excellence in Music Programming: Babylon Burning, PBS 106.7 FM (Vic)

TV Photo Flashback

● Sylvester The Talking Sock with Ian Williams ■ William Mahomet has produced a Channel 7 fan card from the 1960s which portrays Happy Show performer Ian Williams with Sylvester The Talking Sock.

Other regulars on The Happy Show were Bob Horsfall, Vic Gordon, Lovely Anne and Princess Panda.

Melbourne

Observer

Friday Saturday November 20 November 21 ■ US senator Robert Kennedy was born in 1925. He died aged 42 in 1968.

Winemaker Sir James Hardy is 83.

Actress Bo Derek (Mary Collins) was born in California in 1956 (59). She’s a ‘10’.

Former AFL player, now US grid iron player Sav Rocca is 4=2.

Briefs

■ The 40th anniversary of 3MP is to be hled in July next year. Former staffers are already assembling photo collections.

■ How much do you think one radio station is offering for a DJ to pre-record the links for a week’s programs? Radio Confidential hears that it is $88 for the lot.

■ Sam Thompson has been made Content Director for KIIS 101.1 and Gold 104.3. She is a former General Manager of Nova 100 and the then-Vega 91.5.

■ Matthew Eggleston is to be KIIS 101.1 Operations Manager. Bryan Maddigan is to take a similar role at Gold 104.3. Toni Tenaglia and Brendon Dangar leave the business.

■ Neil Mitchell, 3AW mornings, has copped a serve from the Australian Newsagency Blog for what the retailers call a “puerlie engagement with adult colouring. The newsagents reckon they were short-changed by Mitchell’s “making fun” of a serious pasttime.

■ Fox 101.9 is trying to recruit an Assistant Content Director, reports Jocks Journal.

● Ross Greenwood ■ If 3AW ever has cause in the future to ponder a loss of local listeners and advertisers, perhaps it might relect on the ‘Talking Melbourne’ jingles being played in the Money News program hosted last week by Ross Greenwood .... live from Mercedes Benz PARRAMATTA!

■ English actress Juliet Mills was born in London in 1941 (74).

Australian comedian Grahame Bond was born in Sydney in 1943 (72).

Singer Ross D Wylie was born in Brisbane in 1944 (71).

Actress Goldie Hawn is 69 (1945).

Glenn Ridge is 60. He is on Magic 1278.

Sunday Monday Tuesday November 22 November 23 November 24 ■ US comedian Rodney Dangerfield was born as Jacob Cohen in 1921. He died aged 82 in 2004.

Actor Robert Vaughn was born in New York in 1932.

Footballer Gary Dempsey is 67. He is a Brownlow winner.

Actress Mariel Hemingway is 54.

■ Boris Karloff (William Pratt), Hollywood horror film actor, was born in London in 1887.

He died aged 81 in 1969.

Harpo Marx (Adolph/ Arthur Marx) was born in New York City in 1888.

He died aged 75 in 1964.

Singer Miley Cyrus was born in 1992 (23).

■ American author Dale Carnegie was born in 1888. He died aged 66 in 1955.

American actor Dick Powell was born in 1904. He died aged 58.

Actor Howard Duff was born in 1917.

Scottish comedian Billy Connolly was born in Glasgow in 1942 (73).

Thanks to GREG NEWMAN of Jocks Journal for assistance with birthday and anniversary dates.

Jocks Journal is Australia’s longest running radio industry publication.

Find out more at www.jocksjournal.com

www.MelbourneObserver.com.au

ShowBiz!

Melbourne Observer - Wednesday, November 18, 2015 - Page 37

Observer Showbiz

All in the family

● Dean and Samantha Allen-Craig ■ One of the splendid things about community theatre is the opportunity for families of all ages to work together sharing their passion and interest for theatre.

In MLOC’s Jesus Christ Superstar in Elwood, cast members included Carly Daley and her mother Lynne Hobbs, and Dean Allen-Craig and his daughter Samantha.

Dean’s involvement with the show began when 18-year-old Samantha, a great fan of Jesus Christ Superstar, convinced her dad to attend the auditions with her.

Dean, who has performed with the Victorian State Opera, also loves the show, and both came through the auditions with flying colours.

Carly and her mum Lynne first performed together in 1992, and have since shared the stage in over 20 shows. They had so much fun performing together in Jesus Christ Superstar 18 years ago, that they wanted to do it again. Carly says they were not disappointed.

“The show we did last year, Thoroughly Modern Millie, actually had three generations on stage as I was six months pregnant,” says Carly.

“We tried to find a way to get my now one year old daughter in the show, but we don't think she'll stay still in a manger!”

Carly says catching up with her mum a couple of times a week was great.

“Not many mothers and daughters are lucky enough to get on as well as we do, let alone share a hobby.”

Dean and Samantha agree that performing together in the same show helps make the theatre experience extra special.

TV, Radio, Theatre Latest Melbourne show business news - without fear or favour

Meet Kathryn Keeble ■ Melbourne Observer theatre reviewer Kathryn Keeble was born in Cape Town, South Africa, and by the time she arrived in Australia with her parents and siblings, she had already lived in three countries.

The family moved first to England, then tried out Canada, before Kathryn’s parents decided on Australia, and they sailed across on the cruise ship Oriana from San Francisco, stopping in Hawaii and Fiji on the way.

Kathryn says she had developed a pretty strange accent by this time, and remembers feeling frustrated trying to convince her new school friends that she was actually African.

After finishing high school, Kathryn studied fashion design at RMIT, and originally thought she would become a fashion journalist as she loved writing and reading about fashion.

She was also toying with the idea of becoming an illustrator, and had some of her fashion drawings published while still at college.

Kathryn’s first job when leaving university was as a designer, and she says she loved it.

Twice a year she would be required to make a whirlwind world tour London, Paris, New York - on the lookout for the next new thing.

She remembers feeling petrified she would miss the ‘look of the season’, but exhilarated at the same time.

Kathryn says she enjoyed working in the fashion industry, but a few years ago, as more of the production left Australia to be made overseas, decided to retrain and try something new.

Writing remained an ambition and she had been taking night classes

● Kathryn Keeble, Observer reviewer in a writing diploma at demics come from all Holmesglen TAFE (now over the world to research sadly defunct). and attend conferences.

Kathryn had always Kathryn says she loved theatre and was for- spent three weeks living tunate to be able to study in student digs and “eatwith the Australian play- ing breakfast in the wright, Ray Mooney. equivalent of Hogwart’s When finishing the di- Dining Hall.” ploma, Kathryn switched “One of my breakfast to Deakin University and companions was a Romacompleted a Bachelor of nian astrophysicist who Arts in Creative Writing. was a doppelganger for She was offered a PhD Christopher Lee.” scholarship and has just In between writing her submitted her thesis. thesis and theatre reviews “I think that I must like for the Melbourne Oba challenge, as I switched server, Kathryn has prefrom fashion to physics sented papers at conferand wrote a creative non- ences as far afield as Fiji fiction work on the Aus- and Scotland, and has tralian nuclear physicist, helped open the Oliphant Sir Mark Oliphant, Auditoriumat the Austrawhich I am hoping to get lian Synchrotron. published,” says Kathryn teaches unKathryn. dergraduate students at Researching the book Deakin University anymeant more whirlwind thing from creative writworld tours, this time to ing, to critical thinking, to various universities and digital literacy. archives in the US and in “At the moment I am England. teaching a really interestThe European aca- ing subject called Literademic year for students ture and War and wonderends in May. ing what my next chalAt Cambridge Univer- lenge will be.” sity over the summer, aca- Cheryl Threadgold

Showbiz Starbursts

Eddie McGuire delivered one of One Direction are on the Nova ★ the eulogies at the funeral service ★Network every night this week for Channel 9 producer Adrian (6pm) off the back of the launch of

Dellevergin held at St Ignatius Church, Richmond. Amazing Grace was sung

by Silvie Paladino.

The 9th Peninsula Summer Music Festival will be held from January 1-10, says publicist Prue Bassett.

A free climate change film and talk event will be held at Federation Square from 5.30pm this Saturday (Nov. 21), advises Kathy Lane.

Nine and Southern CrossAustereo have held negotiations towards a merger that bypasses media ownership laws, reports The Australian.

★

● Lynne Hobbs with daughter Carly Daley.

their highly anticipated new album Made in the A.M, says Jane Elliott.

BBC Proms Australia will bring the magic of the Proms to Melbourne audiences from April 1316 at the Arts Centre.

Tropfest, claimed to be Australia’s best known public film festival, has been cancelled with less than a month’s notice. It started in Sydney in 1993.

Regional Arts Victoria will take two VCE Playlist productions on the road to regional schools and communities in 2016.

★

★

★

★

★

Once Were Leaders

● Max Gillies ■ The unmistakeable sound of Mic Conway accompanied by the dulcet tones of the saw and pennywhistle, implores the audience to ‘take a step forward to the past’.

It’s hard to believe that The Gillies Report, aired more than 30 years ago. From the jug-eared Billy McMahon “Tiberius with a telephone”, the silver bodgied Bob Hawke, to our latest “free-range diplomat” Kevin Rudd, Max Gillies parades his iconic assembly of bang on political impersonations.

Gillies though is in a melancholic mood: “We are suffering a leadership deficit,” he tells us.

Present politicians are pale shadows of their predecessors and don’t deserve preservation in satire.

Perhaps it’s because ‘Bronnie banned laughter in the Chamber’.

Along with a retrospective of his most loved sketches, Gillies gives an insight into the creative process.

“The starting point can be anything - politics, behaviour or even a gesture. Why does Bob Hawke stroke himself all the time?”

From Menzies’s dismissive hand wave, Andrew Peacock’s palpable frustration to Rudd’s ‘baroque hand ballet,’ the most important ingredient is “a passion for getting it right,” Gillies says.

Gillies pays tribute to the dedicated team at the old ABC studios in Ripponlea who helped in the creation: the makeup artists, the prosthetic makers, the dental technicians and the wig-makers.

The show ends with a brilliant portrayal of a xenophobic John Howard ‘relaxed and comfortable’, reimagined as Barry Humphries’s ‘Sandy Stone’.

Humphries, Gillies tells us, indignant at Australian politicians’ pretensions to high culture, created Les Patterson, Minister to the Arts.

In 1976 Gough Whitlam famously knighted Sir Les. Perhaps the problem is that today’s politicians, rather than having brilliant comic geniuses like Gillies parody them, instead are happy to parody themselves.

Unfortunately, as Gillies reminds us, without the combined talent of the comedy writers behind him writers such as Don Watson, Patrick Cook and Guy Rundle - “Tony played the joke too long.”

As Caesar would tell us if he were still with us, coups are as old as politics itself, and provide great fodder for political satire.

Given recent history, we should think less of suffering a leadership deficit and instead think of the comedy goldmine provided by the many convolutions of the recent ‘killing season’.

Let’s hope Max Gillies steps back from his selfimposed Rubicon and gives us more of his fantastic talent.

- Review by Kathryn Keeble

Page 38 - Melbourne Observer - Wednesday, November 18, 2015

Observer Showbiz What’s Hot and What’s Not in Blu-Rays and DVDs

● Carey Mulligan in the latest big screen adaptation of Thomas Hardy's classic story Far From The Madding Crowd.

FILM: FAR FROM THE MADDING CROWD: Genre: Romance/Drama.

Cast: Carey Mulligan, Matthias Schoenaerts, Tom Sturridge, Michael Sheen.

Year: 2015.

Rating: M. Length: 119 Minutes.

Stars: ***½ Verdict: Classic story of an independent, beautiful and headstrong woman who attracts three very different suitors, a sheep farmer, a handsome and reckless Sergeant, and a prosperous bachelor, and how her choices and passions explores the nature of relationships and love, as well as the ability to overcome hardships. Even though this fifth screen adaptation of the classic story by Tom Hardy lacks the epic cinematic scope and iconic grandeur of the celebrated 1967 version directed by John Schlesinger and starring Julie Christie, Terence Stamp, Peter Finch and Alan Bates, it is nonetheless extremely well executed with fine performances, most notably Carey Mulligan who comes close to matching the more accomplished Julie Christie, solid production design, vibrant period detail and brisk emotional grip. "Far From The Madding Crowd" has always been difficult literary source for filmmakers to adapt to the screen, but here is a worthy addition that is well worth the time and effort. "Far From The Madding Crowd" was first filmed as a short film in 1909, then in 1915, followed by the celebrated 1967 epic directed

by John Schlesinger and starring Julie Christie, Terence Stamp, Peter Finch and Alan Bates, and finally 1998 as a TV movie.

FILM: DARK PLACES: Genre: Drama/Mystery/Thriller.

Cast: Charlize Theron, Nicholas Hoult, Christina Hendricks, Chloe Grace Moretz.

Year: 2015.

Rating: MA15+ Length: 113 Minutes.

Stars: **½ Verdict: Story of an eight years old girl, the only survivor of her family who were brutally murdered in their rural Kansas farmhouse, and almost three decades later, agrees to revisit the crime and along the way uncovers the truths that led up to that tragic night. Based on the novel by "Gone Girl" author Gillian Flynn, this dark mystery who-done-it remains only fascinating throughout, a slow burning, low simmering pot-boiler that fails to reach the heights of gripping tensions that it should have achieved. Star and co-producer Charlize Theron is convincing as the psychologically scarred and reluctant self appointed detective in her own mystery, as are the majority of the cast, however, the film falters with too much weight, too many flashbacks, too many detours and too many predictable twists that ultimately turn it from a "What?" to a "Whatever." Directed by Gilles Paquet-Brenner (Sarah's Key).

FILM: WHERE EAGLES DARE: Genre: War/Drama.

Cast: Clint Eastwood, Richard Burton, Mary Ure, Derren Nesbitt, Ingrid Pitt.

Year: 1968.

Rating: PG. Length: 158 Minutes.

Stars: **** Verdict: Good, solid, no-nonsense edge-of-your-seat Saturday matinee boy's own WWII adventure based on an original screenplay by author Alistair MacLean of a small group of allied agents that stage a daring raid on a castle where the Nazis are holding an American General prisoner. Stars Richard Burton and especially Clint Eastwood barely say a word throughout, and full of inaccuracies (helicopters), but who cares?

Brimming with edge-of-your-seat excitement from beginning to end with plenty of gun play and pyrotechnics that keep it going at a crackling pace thanks to taut direction by Brian G. Hutton. Spectacular Austrian location filming, and the cable car fight remains one of the most exciting sequences ever filmed. Now available on Blu-Ray and features the original theatrical trailer and vintage behind-the-scenes making-of featurette.

Movies, DVDs

www.MelbourneObserver.com.au

With Jim Sherlock and Aaron Rourke

The Secret In Their Eyes

● Irene Hastings (Soledad Villamil) and Benjamin Esposito (Ricardo Darin) look on ■ (MA) (2009). 127 minutes. Avail- rafted martial arts extravaganza shows that a thoughtful foundation able now on DVD. With the obligatory Hollywood re- won't necessarily effect a film's immake hitting cinemas on Thursday, pact on action fans.

Though the title implies a sequel, now is the time to revisit the original Oscar-winning thriller from this is a completely new story with Argentinia, which surprised everyone different characters, despite the reby beating the highly-touted The White turn of some of the cast from the origiRibbon and A Prophet for Best For- nal SPL. eign Film.

The plot is made up of three main Beginning in 1999, we see retired threads. The first involves Hong Kong federal justice agent Benjamin undercover cop Kit (Wu Jing) and Esposito (Ricardo Darin) at work on his superior Chan (Simon Yam). a novel, one that is proving hard to The second centres on crime synstart. dicate boss Hung (Loius Koo), who The novel will revolve around a is being investigated by Kit and Chan particular murder case that Esposito for illegal human trafficking. was involved with back in 1974, one Finally we have Chai (Tony Jaa), that he felt was closed in an unsatis- a Thai prison officer who is trying to factory manner. raise money for his young daughter, To help inspire him, Esposito visits who has leukemia. his old colleague Irene Hastings SPL 2 dares to take its time setting (Soledad Villamil), who still works in up its various stories, and when all the justice department. these elements begin to cleverly enHastings was just made Depart- twine, it results in an action film that ment Chief when the murder hap- has both brains and heart. pened.

This gives the actors more to work As we move back and forth from with. Tony Jaa (Ong Bak / The Pro1974 to 1999, the story takes a num- tector) and Wu Jing (SPL / Shaolin) ber of twists and turns, and we also make the most of their meaty roles, see the developing relationship be- and both make every screen moment tween Esposito and Hastings. count.

Through its story threads and galWe are unusually invested in both lery of characters, we see a country of these people and their plights. The about to be enveloped in political dark- rest of the cast are fine, but special ness, where people could disappear mention must go to Zhang Jin (The and justice could be easily perverted. Grandmaster / Ip Man 3 3D), whose Combining two different time pearts moves have to be seen to riods allows us to see how people have martial been affected by what goes on be- be believed.

He is a definite star in the making. hind closed doors.

Performances are excellent, with Director Soi Cheang (Home Sweet the always reliable Darin (Wild Tales Home / Dog Bite Dog / Accident / / Chinese Takeaway / Nine Queens), Motorway) handles the material with Soledad Villamil, and Guillermo confidence and style (including a Francella (as Esposito's alcoholic as- prison riot sequence that is done in one spectacular take), and shows sistant) particular stand-outs.

Editor/screenwriter/director Juan once more what a talented film-maker Jose Campanella keeps everything he is.

A lot of skill and effort has gone moving fluidly, and successfully uses the time-shift structure to maximum into SPL 2 : A Time For Consequences, and though the bar has been effect.

He and veteran cinematographer raised after the two Raid films, this Felix Monti (The Official Story / As- meets the challenge head-on and sucsassination Tango) also deserve ceeds to an impressively large degree. praise for a bravura, eye-popping se- It's the type of high-class boost that quence that would make directors the action genre needs.

RATING - **** such as Brian DePalma, Alfred - Aaron Rourke.

Hitchcock and Robert Altman very DVDs and Blu-Rays kindly supplied proud indeed.

by Video Vision, 177-179 Carlisle RATING - **** Street, Balaclava. The Secret In ■ SPL 2 :A Time For Consequences Their Eyes is available on DVD. For information or bookings on these (MA). 120 minutes. Coming Soon.

Surprisingly detailed in both plot titles please call 9531 2544, or check and character, this extremely wellonline at videovisiondvd.com.au

Top 10 Lists THE AUSTRALIAN BOX OFFICE TOP TEN: 1. THE DRESSMAKER. 2. THE MARTIAN. 3. BRIDGE OF SPIES. 4. THE LAST WITCH HUNTER. 5. SCOUTS GUIDE TO THE ZOMBIE APOCALYPSE. 6. PARANORMAL ACTIVITY: GHOST DIMENSION. 7. BURNT. 8. THE INTERN. 9. MAN UP. 10. NATIONAL THEATRE LIVE: HAMLET (BENEDICT CUMBERBATCH).

NEW RELEASES AND COMING SOON TO CINEMAS AROUND AUSTRALIA: NOVEMBER 12: HE NAMED ME MALALA, KNIGHT OF CUPS, SPECTRE. NOVEMBER 19: 99 HOMES, ABSOLUTELY ANYTHING, SECRET IN THEIR EYES, THE CROW'S EGG, THE HUNGER GAMES: MOCKINGJAY PART 2.

THE DVD AND BLU-RAY TOP RENTALS & SALES: 1. JURASSIC WORLD [Action/Adventure/Sci-Fi/Chris Pratt, Bryce Dallas Howard].

2. TRAINWRECK [Comedy/Romance/Amy Schumer, Bill Hader, Brie Larson].

3. INSIDE OUT [Animated/Adventure/Diane Lane, Bill Hader].

4. SAN ANDREAS [Action/ Dwayne Johnson, Paul Giamatti].

5. FAR FROM THE MADDING CROWD [2015/Carey Mulligan, Michael Sheen].

6. THE HOBBIT: TRILOGY Extended Edition.

7. LOVE & MERCY [Music/Drama/ John Cusack, Paul Dano, Paul Giamatti].

8. SPY [Comedy/Adventure/Melissa McCarthy, Jude Law, Jason Statham, Rose Byrne].

9. TERMINATOR GENISYS [Action/ Sci-Fi/Arnold Schwarzenegger, Jason Clarke].

10. MAGIC MIKE XXL [Comedy/ Channing Tatum, Matthew Bomer, Amber Heard].

Also: MAD MAX: FURY ROAD, THE AVENGERS: AGE OF ULTRON, POLTERGEIST, WOMAN IN GOLD, FAST & FURIOUS 7, DANNY COLLINS, TOMORROWLAND, PITCH PERFECT 2, SHAUN OF THE SHEEP, INSURGENT. NEW RELEASE HIGHLIGHTS ON DVD THIS WEEK: THE HOBBIT: A UNEXPECTED JOURNEY: Extended Edition.

THE HOBBIT: THE DESOLATION OF SMAUG: Extended Edition.

THE HOBBIT: THE BATTLE OF THE FIVE ARMIES: Extended Edition.

THE HOBBIT: THE MOTION PICTURE TRILOGY: Extended Edition.

SELF/LESS [Thriller/Matthew Goode, Ben Kingsley].

NEW RELEASE HIGHLIGHTS ON BLURAY THIS WEEK: THE HOBBIT: AN UNEXPECTED JOURNEY: Extended Edition.

THE HOBBIT: AN UNEXPECTED JOURNEY: Extended Edition 3D + Blu-ray + DVD. THE HOBBIT: THE DESOLATION OF SMAUG: Extended Edition.

THE HOBBIT: THE DESOLATION OF SMAUG: Extended Edition 3D + Blu-ray.

Turn To Page 45

www.MelbourneObserver.com.au

Melbourne Observer - Wednesday, November 18, 2015 - Page 39

Observer Showbiz

Local Theatre With Cheryl Threadgold

‘Sunshine Boys’ at Parkdale When I Grow Up

● Anne Gasko in When I Grow Up ■ When I Grow Up is a show for anyone who has ever accidentally killed their houseplant, binge-watched cartoons in their pyjamas or realised that grown up life isn’t quite what they were expecting.

Part stand-up, part cabaret, part slumber-party for adults.

In When I Grow Up, Anne Gasko takes a quirky and songstudded look at the struggle to adult (yup, it’s a verb).

Blending her whimsical sense of humor, soaring voice and a healthy dose of social awkwardness, Anne tackles all the big questions for a generation teetering on the edge of grown up life, such as: What exactly is a checking account, and by what age should you have one?

Is it possible to be a functioning adult and still believe in epic Disney-style love?

And why aren’t pajamas acceptable daywear?

When I Grow Up explores the expectations versus realities of being a grown up with refreshing frankness and honesty.

Gasko invites you into the world of one nearly-30-something as she confronts the hard, confusing and wonderful struggle that is adulthood. There will be laughter, tears, Disney and, of course, there will be wine.

When I Grow Up is a joyous and fearless premiere show from one of Melbourne’s finest new talents. Bookings highly recommended.

Dates: November 25 - 29 Time: 7pm (50 minute run time) Cost: $25-$32 Venue: The Butterfly Club, 5 Carson Place, Melbourne.

Tickets: thebutterflyclub.com

BIG WEST ■ Big West presents The Graceful Giraffe Cannot Become A Monkey from November 25-28 at 7pm at the Beanland Theatre, Footscray.

Featuring accomplished performers from the local African community Sista Zia Zanda and Solomon Salew and directed by SRE (Steve) Pereira, this production is an adaptation of renowned Ugandan poet Okot p’Bitek’s (1931 -1982) Song Of Lawino and Song Of Ocol (1966), which is considered one of the most important literary texts to come out of sub-Saharan Africa.

A stinging indictment of the impact of the colonial experience on African people, The Graceful Giraffe Cannot Become A Monkey is told through a funny, bawdy yet deeply pained song of lament about the breakup of a relationship Provisionally set in colonial times in Northern Uganda, Song Of Lawino, told in the form of traditional Acholi poems, is the furious complaint from a middle aged ‘uneducated’ housewife about her western educated politician and dictator-in-the-making husband Ocol, who has rejected her and his tradition and his culture in expedient favour of Western modernity.

Song Of Ocol is Ocol’s’ profoundly conflicted defence of his categorical rejection of Lawino and of African cultural tradition as the only way to move forward in this brave new world.

Steve Pereira noted: “We intended to explore and adapt the poems for what they could offer as commentary on the contemporary African Australian and pan-colonial experience.

“We didn’t have to change very much at all. It has been depressing to realize that p’Bitek’s text is just as relevant to 1966 Uganda is it is in Melbourne in 2015.

The Graceful Giraffe Cannot Become a Monkey is being presented as part of the Big West Festival.

Performances: November 25-28 at 7.30pm Venue: Beanland Theatre, Footscray Tickets: $25/$20 Bookings: www.bigwest.com.au//festival-2015/the-gracefulgiraffe-cannot-become-a-monkey/

Melbourne

Observer MYSTERY OF EDWIN DROOD

SHOWS ■ Mordialloc Theatre Company: The Sunshine Boys (by Neil Simon) Until November 21 at the Shirley Burke Theatre, 64 Parkers Rd., Parkdale. Director: Ewen Crockett. Tickets: $24/ $22. Bookings:www.mordialloctheatre.com ■ Lilydale Athenaeum Theatre Company: The Mystery of Edwin Drood Until November 21 at the Lilydale Athenaeum Theatre, 39-41 Castella St., Lilydale. Director: Alan Burrows.

Bookings: : 9735 1777 ■ Brighton Theatre Company: Barefoot in the Park (by Neil Simon) Until November 28 at the Brighton Arts and Cultural Centre, Carpenter St., Brighton. Director: Leslie Batten. Bookings: 1300 752 126 www.brightontheatrecompany.com ■ Strathmore Theatrical Arts Group: Shakespeare in Saigon (written and directed by Cenarth Fox) Until November 22 at the Strathmore Community Centre, Cnr Loeman and Napier Sts., Strathmore. Tickets: $20/$15. Bookings: 9382 6284 ■ The Basin Theatre Group: Accomplice Until December 5 at The Basin Theatre, Doongalla Rd., The Basin. Director: Gregor McGibbon. Bookings: www.thebasintheatre.org.au 1300 784 668.

■ Beaumaris Theatre: Fawlty Towers (by John Cleese and Connie Booth) Until November 28 at Beaumaris Theatre, 82 Wells Rd., Beaumaris. Tickets: Director: Georgy Charles. $25/ $22. Bookings: www.beaumaristheatre.com.au ■ Williamstown Little Theatre: Over the River and Through the Woods November 19 - December 5 at 2-4 Albert St., Williamstown. Director: Helen Ellis. Bookings wlt.org.au or 9885 9678 ■ Peridot Theatre: God of Carnage (by Yasmina Reza) November 20-21, 25-28, December 2-5 at 8pm, 2.15pm matinees on November 22, 28, 4.00pm twilight matinee November 29 at the Unicorn Theatre, Lechte Rd., Mt Waverley. Director: Tim Long. Bookings: 9898 9090 (if using a mobile) or by email to peridotboxoffice@yahoo.com.au ■ Frankston Theatre Group: Tiptoe Through the Tombstones (by Norman Robbins) November 20 - December 5 at 8pm, 2pm matinees November 29, December 5 at Mt Eliza Community Community Centre, Canadian Bay Rd., Mt Eliza. Tickets: $28/ $26 Ch 10-15 $15, Under 10 $10. Cabaret style seating. BYO nibblies and drinks. Bookings: 1300 665 377.

■ Adelphi Players: Little Red Riding Hood Panto (by Fred Rome) December 6 - 13 (Matinees 1.30pm and 3.15pm) at Booran Road Hall, 264 Booran Rd., Ormond. All tickets $10.

Bookings: 9690 1593.

AUDITIONS ■ Essendon Community Theatre: Five Women Wearing the Same Dress (by Alan Ball) November 16 at 7pm, November 29 at 6pm and December 1 at 7pm at the Bradshaw Street Community Hall, Bradshaw St., West Essendon. Director: Natasha Boyd.

Audition bookings essential: 0413 188 513.

■ Strathmore Theatrical Arts Group (STAG): Killing Jeremy (by Bridgette Burton) November 23 at 8pm at the STAG Theatre, Cnr Loeman and Napier Sts., Strathmore. Director: Kris Weber. Audition bookings: Kris@krisweber.com ■ Frankston Theatre Group: The Odd Couple (Female) (by Neil Simon) December 13 at 1pm and December 14 at 7pm at The Shed, Cnr Somerset and Overport Rds., Frankston. Director: Ray Thompson. Audition bookings: 0419 304 650.

RICERCAR ■ Ricercar is a 21st century operatic event created, crafted and composed for Theatre Works. Pop violin and drums duo, The Twoks have joined the maverick and inspired Present Tense Ensemble to create a vivid celebration of life, death, love, memory and legacy.

Ricercar unites artists including Xani Kolac and Mark Leahy (The Twoks), Melbourne music legend Rosie Westbrook, visual artist Jennifer Tran, lighting designer Richard Vabre, opera singers Shauntai Batzke and Simon Gilkes, actors Laura Burzacott and Daniel Han. Ricercar is created and directed by Nathan Gilkes and Bryce Ives (Present Tense), two artists who have a growing reputation for producing surprising and substantial experiences for audiences, artists and communities around Australia and increasingly across the globe.

An intense live music performance composed to be seen, heard and experienced inside and outside of Theatre Works, all elements of Ricercar - music, design and choreography - are designed based on loops, number and patterns.

Collaborating artists: Shauntai Batzke, Laura Burzacott, Aubrey Flood, Nate Gilkes, Simon Gilkes, Daniel Han, Karen Ireson, Bryce Ives, Xani Kolac, Mark Leahy, Tammy Marshall, David McNamara, Emma Roberts, Jennifer Tran, Richard Vabre, Rosie Westbrook.

This project has been supported by the City of Port Phillip through the Cultural Development Fund and Creative Victoria.

Season: November 24-December 12, Tues-Sat at 7.30pm, Sunday at 3pm. Tickets: $35/$25. Bookings: theatreworks.org.au

● Andrew Ferguson, Christine Andrew and Peter Maver in The Mystery of Edwin Drood in Lilydale.

Photo: Kevin Trask ■ The Athenaeum Theatre Lilydale presents The Mystery of Edwin Drood until November 21 at 39-41 Castella St, Lilydale.

Suggested by the unfinished novel by Charles Dickens, and book, music and lyrics by Rupert Holmes, the director of the Athenaeum Theatre, Lilydale’s production is Alan Burrows.

This hilarious musical whodunit was a smash hit on Broadway. The show uses the world of music hall and pantomime as a backdrop, following the exploits of a troupe of "hammy" Victorian actors (members of the Theatre Royale Music Hall Company) as they attempt to complete the unfinished story.

Everyone on stage is a suspect in the murder of young Edwin Drood - and it's up to you to choose the killer. Each performance ends differently, depending on what the audience decides.

Performance season: Until November 21 at 8.15pm Preshow sherries at 7.45pm Venue: Lilydale Athenaeum Theatre, 39-41 Castella St., Lilydale Tickets: Adult $25 Concession $23 Bookings: 9735 1777 Tea, coffee, soft drinks and biscuits served at interval time.

At the end of the show, meet the cast and enjoy a complimentary glass of wine or a soft drink accompanied by savoury nibbles.

MIDDLETOWN ■ Middletown, written by Will Eno and directed by Alice Darling, will be presented at Red Stitch Actors Theatre from November 20 – December 19.

Special guest actors including acclaimed Melbourne theatre performer Evelyn Krape, Gareth Reeves, Edwina Samuels and James Wardlaw join Red Stitch ensemble membersJordan Fraser-Trumble and Christina O’Neill in the Australian premiere of Middletown by Will Eno – a wry, delicate and richly imagined play about small town America exploring everyday hopes, fears, longing and humanness.

Mary Swanson just moved to Middletown. Population: stable; elevation: same.Along with her fellow townsfolk, Mary searches for comfort and meaning in their world, somewhere between a beginning and an end.

Performance Season: November 20 – December 19 Venue: Red Stitch Actors Theatre, Rear 2 Chapel Street, St Kilda Bookings: www.redstitch.net

REVIEW: BRIEFS ■ Briefs is top-class entertainment from its visually exciting beginning to the energetic , patriotic finale .

Seven, fun, funny, sassy men inspiring with their athletic and ‘magical’ circus skills and flair for ‘drag’.

There is something for everyone from a monkey on pointes to tricks in water. It is a feast for all five senses.

As the hilarious host, Shivannah admits this show is not for everyone, though on this opening night all in the packed theatre at the Athenaeum appeared to be loving it.

Along with talented artists and humourous antics, Briefs is a catwalk of elaborate costumes and well designed lighting.

Whilst there are moments that may make you squirm, squeal or gasp (come prepared) this is a charismatic, bright, clever show worthy of a large audience. Gather some friends and attend this unique showcase of the male physique and theatrical ingenuity.

I doubt you’ll be disappointed.

Performance Season: Until December 5 Venue: Athenaeum Theatre, 188 Collins St, Melbourne Bookings: http://premier.ticketek.com.au/shows/ show.aspx?sh=BRIEFS15&v=ATT - Review by Elizabeth Semmel

www.MelbourneObserver.com.au

Page 40 - Melbourne Observer - Wednesday, November 18, 2015

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www.MelbourneObserver.com.au Melbourne

Observer

Lovatts Crossword No 4 Across

1. Overbalancing 6. Flusters 11. Genetic inheritance 15. Lunar ray 20. Company head (1,1,1) 21. Sloped backwards 22. Vat 23. Relays (6,2) 24. Stipulations 25. Maturity 27. Having no pips 28. Half 29. Quay 31. Hunter's quarry 32. Laud 36. Humiliating remark (3-4) 37. Chilled cuppa (4,3) 38. Honey drink 41. Defensive castle ditches 44. Scientist, ... Newton 45. Latin American dance 48. Rugby handling error (5-2) 49. Royal offspring 52. Trick into crime 56. Competition 57. Fall 58. Adopt (policy) 61. Pranks 62. Greek shipping magnate 63. Kinder 64. Spotted pattern, ... dots 65. Sorcerers 66. Passage (of goods) 67. Brazilian music style (5,4) 71. Undeveloped insect 73. Uncensored (movie) 75. Gladdened 80. Large rodents 82. Rome or Naples native 83. Nosegay 85. Authenticity 86. Comedy team, Monty ...

88. Puzzle 90. Peter Pan writer (1,1,6) 91. Honoured with party 93. Kidnappers' demands 94. Pledges 95. Draw attention away 96. Terrorist's captive 97. Leave room 99. Tiny amount 100. Arms cache 104. Actress, Vivien ...

105. Mutilates 106. Wine, ... Riesling 107. Surgical insert 111. Singer, ... Minogue 113. Glacial period, ... Age 114. Yes in French 115. Frightening 117. Tennis star, Andre ...

118. Revolving tray, lazy ...

121. Peace prize 122. Visual perception 125. Bred 126. Fabled whale, ... Dick 127. Liquefy 129. Wine barrels 131. Exclude 132. Verb modifier 135. As far as (2,2) 136. Ripped apart, torn ...

139. Boulder 140. Speared 144. Magician's ... Pocus 145. Rest on knees 146. Ultra manly 147. Hard copy (5-3)

Across

148. Contagious outbreak 149. Crisscross weave 150. Diaper 152. Chat-show hostess, ... Winfrey 154. Speaker 157. Mongolian desert 158. Announce (4,3) 162. Eye membrane 163. Legless grub 166. Timber fastener 167. Twig shelter 169. Immediately following 171. Oriental continent 172. Violet/blue 173. Male deer 175. Bumpkins 176. Skid Row drink 179. Lusaka is there 180. Cutting beam 182. Relaxation art, t'ai ...

183. Adult education group (1,1,1) 184. Portion 186. Doctor's ... manner 189. Ganges country 190. Last Greek letter 191. Milan opera house, La ...

192. Swirling 196. Stagger 197. Hitler follower 198. Casablanca is there 199. Popular hymn (3,5) 201. Boatman 202. Seepage 203. Harsh-tasting 204. Pre-dinner sherry 205. Touched with lips 208. Defeated 210. Unaffected 211. Sheet of glass 212. Go back in (2-5) 213. Consequently 215. Vending machine 219. Dame Nellie ...

221. Belittle 223. Criminal fire-starters 227. Pastry snacks, Cornish ...

228. Harms 230. Two times 231. Cardiac organ 232. Indian leader, ... Gandhi 233. Lady's title 234. Redesign (hair) 238. Manoeuvring space 239. Enchant 240. Most timid 243. By mouth 246. Raises (5,2) 247. Requirements 250. Mountainous 251. Ancient 253. Length measures 256. Day-to-day 257. Granted 258. Merriest 262. Single sound system 263. Drive off 266. Dowdy 268. Slandered 269. Sleeker 270. Slender toughness 271. Long race 272. Gist (of story) 273. Argentina's Buenos ...

274. Beatles, The ... Four 275. Summer frock 276. Bemuse 277. Accented 278. Curly-tailed marine creature (3,5)

Down 1. Extra serving (3-2) 2. Noodle food 3. Welsh vegetables 4. Non-coms (1,1,2) 5. Swiss city 7. Cockerel 8. Mythical horned horse 9. Junior Girl Guides 10. Waist ribbon 11. German Mr 12. Imposing buildings 13. Factor 14. Lethargy 15. Artefacts gallery 16. Comply with 17. Gentle prod 18. Expel 19. Skinflint 24. Time signals 26. Luncheon meat 30. Davy Crockett's fort 33. Collided with (3,4) 34. Cuts into 35. Passion 38. Louder 39. Absurd pretence 40. Condense 42. Burden of responsibility 43. Cylindrical 46. Social chaos 47. Concoct 49. Punishment 50. Become liable for 51. Sure 53. Sea god 54. Souvenir 55. Spectre 59. Mollifies 60. Ill-matched 67. German alpine state 68. Broken-limb supports 69. Et cetera (3,2,2) 70. Insensitively 72. Minor planets 74. Modernising (software) 76. Easy seat 77. Joins forces (5,2) 78. Buddhist heaven 79. Lowest (voice) 81. Last Supper guests 84. Briniest 87. Upstage 89. Nudist 91. Turns into alcohol 92. Break (partnership) 98. Portugal's capital 101. Inflexible 102. Eventuate 103. Hands on hips 108. Flowering shrub, crape ...

109. Commit to memory 110. Sister's daughter 112. Childbirth contractions (6,5) 116. Marzipan (6,5) 119. Most important 120. Adding up (to) 123. Hebrew 124. Vietnam's ... City (2,3,4) 128. Toils

,

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Down 132. Let in 133. Outspoken 134. SE France river 137. Extremely 138. US naval port, San ...

141. Star, ... Centauri 142. Cymbals sound 143. Failed to (4'1) 151. Golfer, ... Palmer 153. Astonished 155. Cowgirl, ... Oakley 156. Fuses (of bones) 159. Somalia's neighbour 160. Receipt 161. Not moved (by argument) 164. Crippled 165. Pungent bulb 168. Intensify (of war) 170. December conifer (4,4) 173. Ceylon (3,5) 174. Letter recipient 177. Fellow players 178. Bridging 181. Vigorous exercise classes 185. Career barriers, glass ...

186. Blitz 187. Makes gloomy 188. Tilt 193. Expressionless 194. Sloping typeface 195. Slums 200. Gains entry to 201. Dirtily 206. Prisoners 207. Fabric retailers 208. More cocky 209. Stiffly 211. Financed in advance 214. Ground oats 216. Massive 217. Illegal hunter 218. Britain's 1066 invaders 220. Non-clergy 222. In vain, to no ...

224. Giving green light to 225. Unsuitably 226. Abnormal tissue growths 229. Bargain sell-off 232. Man 235. Heavenly 236. Bell-shaped flower 237. Government supporter 241. Rugby fending move (4-3) 242. Slipped by 244. Greed 245. Boarders 248. Second book in Bible 249. Air pollution 251. Betting chances 252. Stage-plays 253. Childhood swelling disease 254. Hawk's claw 255. Famous Swiss mountain 259. Flooded (of decks) 260. Anaesthetic 261. 1000 kg unit 262. The M of YMCA (3'1) 264. Canadian lake 265. Female sheep

Solution on Page 20 g

Melbourne Observer - Wednesday, November 18, 2015 - Page 41

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MEGA CROSSWORD No 4 1

2

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y November 18, 2015 Page 42 - Melbourne Observer - Wednesday,

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Page 44 - Melbourne Observer - Wednesday, November 18, 2015 Melbourne

Observer

www.MelbourneObserver.com.au

Sport Extra

Melbourne Cup for greyhounds

■ Another stellar edition of the Melbourne Cup for greyhounds will be run and won at Sandown Park this Friday night.

The $420,000 first prize helps make the Melbourne Cup the richest greyhound race in the world, and an excellent field has assembled from the qualifying heats run last week.

Most experts are predicting another benefit for champion sprinter Fernando Bale.

In his qualifying heat, from box one, Fernando Bale had little trouble accounting for his opposition, winning by a big margin in a time of 29.06 seconds.

A win in the Melbourne Cup Final would be a perfect swansong for Fernando Bale, who is set to embark on a stud career.

While the Melbourne Cup itself takes centre stage on Friday night, Sandown Greyhound Racing Club are looking after the expected big crowd with a host of other attractions.

Sandown has a proud history of looking after its patrons - there will be plenty of giveaways on track, along with a Punters Club, no doubt a celebrity or two and a host of great racing.

Sandown Park greyhound track is located in Springvale, opposite Sandown Park Railway Station.

Entry is free for the Melbourne Cup meeting.

Days planned ■ Win, lose or draw in the Melbourne Cup Final, Fernando Bale already has his post-racing days planned.

Leading Victorian studmaster Paul

Greyhounds

with Kyle Galley Westerveld, of Meticulous Lodge, has secured Fernando Bale for breeding duties once the champ finishes racing.

Westerveld has already collected several vials of semen from Fernando Bale, the sport's first million dollar stakes earner.

“I have an arrangement with (Fernando Bale’s owner) Paul Wheeler that will see him stand with me, which I’m obviously pretty excited about," Westerveld said.

"I’ve been to (trainers) Tom and Andrea Dailly’s place a few times and have collected about 30 vials from Fernando Bale already."

Westerveld's recent feature race winning bitch Secret Spell is a definite to be mated to Fernando Bale, with Westerveld explaining he has already received numerous offers on those unborn pups.

Westerveld also said he has secured American bred Kiowa Producer to stand at Meticulous Lodge.

The star chaser is currently in quarantine and has won 50 of 94 starts in the United States.

Stats galore

■ For the lover of statistics, Sandown Greyhound Racing Club supplies the following information relating to their Melbourne Cup: Victorian trained greyhounds have won 42 of the 56 Cup races run so far - New South Wales is next best with 11 wins.

Dogs have won 45 Cup Finals, and bitches 11, while the favourite has won 23 times.

The race was first staged in 1956, and the shortest priced favourite to win was Gold Grotto in 1972 at 2/1 on. Classic Capri, a 25/1 chance, was the longest priced winner in 2001.

The narrowest winning margin has been a neck, on four occasions, while Fox Hunt won by a record nine ● Paul Wheeler lengths in 1991. week next Wednesday night instead The race record of 29.21 seconds of Saturday. was set by Dyna Tron in 2011.

■ One of Victoria's most popular racing events, the Tricodes night, will be staged at Cranbourne this Saturday (Nov. 21).

■ Victoria's Greyhound Owners, night Twenty-four live races will be Trainers and Breeders Association staged under lights - eight from each ■ Wednesday: The Meadows will stage their 2015 Annual General code.

(Day), Bendigo (Twilight), Cranbourne (Night), Ballarat (N); Meeting later this month.

There will also be free children's Thursday: Shepparton (T), The AGM will be held upstairs at rides and activities to compliment the Geelong (N), Warrnambool (N); Sandown Park on Sunday, Novem- regular racing action.

Friday: Bendigo (T), Sandown ber 29 from 6:30pm.

Dining bookings are being taken in Park (N), Geelong (N); Saturday: All are welcome to attend however the venue's renovated grandstand.

Cranbourne (T), The Meadows (N); those that are non-members must ap- Gates open at 4:30pm with general Sunday: Sandown Park (D), ply for membership and can pay a join- admission tickets available at the gate Healesville (D), Sale (T); Monday: ing fee on the night. costing $15 for adults.

Ballarat (D), Traralgon (T), Traralgon and Cranbourne greyAs well as the business required at Shepparton (N); Tuesday: Geelong the AGM, Greyhound Racing hounds will swap their race dates this (T), Horsham (T). week because of Tricodes Traralgon Victoria CEO Alan Clayton will at- Kyle Galley will conduct their main meeting of the tend as guest speaker.

At Cranbourne

AGM soon

Upcoming race meetings

www.MelbourneObserver.com.au

Melbourne Observer - Wednesday, November 18, 2015 - Page 45

Observer Victorian Sport Melbourne

Not EVERYTHING went to plan ■ Whilst the Victoria Racing Club is ecstatic over its recent Cup Carnival, not everything went according to Hoyle.

Many owners, trainers and punters alike, were not satisfied with the track conditions over the four days of the Carnival.

All credit to Michelle Payne becoming the first woman rider to win the Cup, since we kicked off 165 years ago.

Big acknowledgment goes to the trainer of the winner, Prince of Penzance, Darren Weir, and his young strapper, Michelle's brother Stevie.

Michelle, with her humble outgoing nature, looks to have persuaded racing authorities to in future put the women riders with just their names when in print or otherwise.

Thus deleting the ‘Ms’ before their name in any publication.

Throughout the Carnival, 481 racehorses competed in 37 races, representing an average field size of 13 runners.

The four race cards, offering more than $17 million in prizemoney, saw 23 individual trainers enjoy victory, and 15 internationally trained horses compete.

The newly named, J.B.Cummings Excellence Award went to Darren Weir for his outstanding Cup Carnival achievements, and the Ron Hutchinson Excellence Awardwas won by top young rider, James

Ted Ryan

● Darren Weir Photo by SLICKPIX, phone 9354 5754

Showbiz Extra ■ From Page 38

Top 10 Lists

THE HOBBIT: THE BATTLE OF THE FIVE ARMIES: Extended Edition.

THE HOBBIT: THE BATTLE OF THE FIVE ARMIES: Extended Edition 3D + Blu-ray.

THE HOBBIT: THE MOTION PICTURE TRILOGY: Extended Edition 3D + Blu-ray.

SELF/LESS [Thriller/Matthew Goode, Ben Kingsley].

NEW RELEASE TELEVISION, DOCUMENTARY AND MUSIC DVD HIGHLIGHTS: THE SPOILS OF WAR: Series 3.

MAGNUM P.I. Season 1.

MAGNUM P.I. Season 2.

MAGNUM P.I. Season 3.

THE LOST WORLDS OF GERRY ANDERSON. THE DEAN MARTIN CELEBRITY ROASTS: Collection 1.

THE DEAN MARTIN CELEBRITY ROASTS: Collection 1.

BITTEN: Season 1.

A LULL IN THE SEA: Part 2.

A LULL IN THE SEA: Complete Series.

STRIKE BACK: Season 3.

STRIKE BACK: Seasons 1 - 3.

PERSONA 4 - THE GOLDEN ANIMATION: The Complete Series.

- James Sherlock ■ From Page 12

Music Theatre noms

Mc Donald.OnCrown Oaks Day, the curtain closed on the 36-year riding career of one of the most popular jockeys ever to ride, in Jim Cassidy, who was presented with 1983 and 1997 vintages of Penfolds Grange, for his Melbourne Cup victories on Kiwi and Might and Power.

Broadcast history was made with Channel 7's online streaming service Plus 7 recording the largest ever streamed event in Australia.

Plus there was the big coverage on Sky. Seven's live coverage of the Emirates Melbourne Cup reached 4.4 million viewers across the country, while 342,000 viewers streamed the main race online.

The birdcage enclosure again played host to international and local celebrities,

● James McDonald

including Lady Kitty Spencer, Cody Simpson, and Stephen Jones at the Emirates; David Guetta and Brodie Jenner at Maison Mumm; Didier Cohen and Rebecca Judd at Lavazza;Kevin Dillon and Hilary Swank at Swisse; and the charming Jennifer Hawkins and Kris Smith representing Myer.

This year supported the Starlight Children's Foundation, where volunteers sold the Melbourne Cup pins for $5 each.

The foundation offered more than $136,000 in prizes to those who bought a Cup pin, which included a Lexus 200t Sport and one million skyward miles from Emirates.

The last figure raised was around the $320,000 mark with plenty more to come.

The attendances over the five days are as follows.

■ Victoria Derby, 85,943.

■ Melbourne Cup Day, 101,015.

■ Oaks Day, 57,560.

■ Emirates Stakes Day. 68,711.

Total overall 313,229.

As far as coverage was concerned I thought Channel 7 did a very good job under Bruce Mc Avaney, whilst Racing.Com's first try was good, but still a long way to go to match it with the professionals.

I feel everybody on Racing. Com wants to be a star.

● Prince of Penzance Photo by SLICKPIX, phone 9354 5754 track at Tynong on field, and I sure this Sunday November 29. year's field will be no Events Manager, exception.

■ Following a record Tooleybuc Kid, year of real results in Hayley Conn, is pretty the sale ring and on the excited with what has prepared by Melracetrack, Australia's been planned for the bourne Cup winning trainer, Darren Weir, number one thorough- big day.

There will be the won the inaugural Cup bred sales company acknowledges that its usual popular Fash- on the new track and capacity to continually ions on the Field, could be an entry produce quality cata- plenty of entertain- again.

That was the first logues is dependent ment for the children on the support of as well as adult cup run on the new racegoers. track since they left breeders.

The Cup has al- Pakenham proper in The unequivocal support from breeders ways attracted a good 2014. has resulted in an exceptional offering of yearlings to be presented for sale on the Gold Coast to a global market.

■ Muckleford's Chris Angove was in the Real dreams begin winners stall at Ballarat after Skyvalley/ on the Gold Cost in Fleetwood Blue filly Mizurri (Chris Alford) led January with 1016 throughout to land the Pipecon 3-Y-0 Trotquality yearlings set to ters Mobile over 2200 metres, defeating Rift be offered over five Valley which ran on late and Shetland in a days.

2-05.6 rate.

Book one of the auction comprises 746 lots and another 270 lots have been cata■ Monegeetta's Marty Miles was successlogued on Book 2. ful with 4-Y-0 American Ideal/Christa geldThe 2016 Magic ing Twoforsixty in the Blue Hills Rise Pace Millions Gold Coast for C0 class over 2080 metres at Yearling Sale will Cranbourne on Thursday. commence on WedRaced by Marty and wife Laurel, nesday January 6.

Twoforsixty driven by son David was sent Printed copies will forward to race in the open after starting be available for distrifrom gate three on the second row, proving bution from Novemtoo strong at the business end for the paceber 23. maker Takachanceonharry which had crossed the third placegetter Toscas Delight. The mile rate 2-03.2.

■ The Pakenham Racing Club is busy getting ready for its ■ Listen to Len Baker on Harness Review on second Pakenham 97.9 FM at 8pm on Monday nights.

Cup on their new

Sales

Sulky Snippets To winners’ stall

Victory at Cranny

Pak. Cup

Harness Review

Sheridan Adams, Belle, Beauty and the Beast, MacKillop College Junior Male in a Supporting Role Jake Rosen, Professor Callahan, Legally Blonde, Caulfield Grammar School James Crozier, Lord Evelyn Oakleigh, Anything Goes, St Michael’s Grammar School Liam Blake, Moonface Martin, Anything Goes, St Michael’s Grammar School Daniel Mellow, Liumiere, Beauty and the Beast, Emmaus College Nicholas Cremasco, Gaston, Beauty and the Beast, Emmaus College Brae Nicholls, Liumiere, Beauty and the Beast, Flinders Christian Community College, Tyabb Mitchell Roberts, Marius, Les Miserables, Adamson Theatre Company at Wesley College St Kilda Road Rupert Parkin, Artful Dodger, Oliver!, Adamson Theatre Company at Wesley College St Kilda Road Junior Female in a Supporting Role Jessica Osrin, Mayzie LaBird, Seussical: The Musical, Mount Scopus Victoria Sithole, Sylvia, All Shook Up, Parade & Mercy Colleges Sian Crowe, The Witch, Into the Woods, The Peninsula School Phoebe Inglis, Little Red Riding Hood, Into the Woods, The Peninsula School Julie Brown-Nafatali, Sour Kangaroo, Seussical: The Musical, Gladstone Park Secondary College Madeleine Neate, Madame Thenadier, Les Miserables, Adamson Theatre Company at Wesley College St Kilda Road Madison Peake, Ursula, Little Mermaid Jnr, Williamstown Musical Theatre Company Gabriella Barbagallo, Sebastian, Little Mermaid Jnr, Williamstown Musical Theatre Company Awards of Excellence Awards for Excellence will be presented to individuals associated with productions

by Catchment Players, The Peninsula School, Horsham Arts Council, Notre Dame College, Shepparton, Glen Waverley Secondary College - Cheryl Threadgold

Long Stories ■ The fourth instalment of Long Stories has been held over due to pressure on space in this issue.

- Editor

The Final Word ■ “The price of success is hard work, dedication to the job at hand, and the determination that whether we win or lose, we have applied the best of ourselves to the task at hand.”

- Vince Lombardi

Page 46 - Melbourne Observer - Wednesday, November 18, 2015

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Observer Victorian Sport Melbourne

Racing Briefs

Untroubled run ■ Melton co-trainers Maree and John Caldow were winners on the Ballarat program when consistent 4Y-0 Art Major/Tootsie mare Nicky Maguire saluted the judge in the Botanical Resources Australia Pace Final foirC1 class over 2200 metres.

Despite racing in the open from gate five, Nicky Maguire driven by John crossed Caledonian Attack to lead at the bell and was untroubled to run out a 4.7 metre victor over Caledonian Attack and Sparks On Nudgee (four back the markers) in a rate of 1-58.9.

Went to the wire ■ Another husband and wife combination were victorious at the meeting, when Mick Barby (trainer) and Anne-Maree Conroy (driver) snared the T.B. White & Sons Pacers Handicap for C1 or better class over 2200 metres with Sir Jaybe Hall in a rate of 201.4.

Coming off a daunting 30 metre backmark, Sir Jaybe Hall was set alight mid-race to park outside the favourite Reign Of Pain which flew away from 20 metres to lead.

Showing extreme toughness, Sir Jaybe Hall kept on giving and giving to the wire, nailing Reign Of Pain right on the wire to score by a nose, with Monumental (four back the markers, running on late out wide to finish third.

Double, treble

■ Melton's Lance Justice snared a training double and a driving treble at Cranbourne on Thursday.

The three driving winners were : Bad Boy Brad for partner Diane Giles, plus Love Ina Chevy and Hu Hu R U for long time stable client Colin Croft who raced champion Sokyola.

Bad Boy Brad (Righteous Hanover.Bubbas Babe) settled four back along the markers in the Cranbourne Holden Pace for C2 class over 2080 metres, before leading up the outside division in the last lap to score from Samantha Sparkle and Houhora Delight in a mile rate of 2-01.5.

Love Ina Chevy (Jeremes Jet/Chevyover) led throughout to land the Hygain Pace for C3 & C4 class over 1609 metres in a mile rate of 1-59, accounting for Travtiano and Jambiani, while Hu Hu R U (Jeremes Jet/Hu Hu) repeated the dose exactly the same way in the Hyland Harness Colours 3-Y-0 Pace to defeat Dragon Stride which trailed and the long odds on favourite Django Mach in 2-03.6.

Send her victorious

■ Great Western's "Queen of the racetrack" Kerryn Manning was victorious in winning New Zealand's premier event be it gallops or harness, when Arden Rooney led throughout to score in the $750,000 Christchurch Casino New Zealand Trotting Cup over 3200 metres at Addington (Christchurch) on Tuesday.

Given an easy time at the head of affairs after stepping cleanly from barrier eight, Arden Rooney just held on to defeat Smolda who's effort was outstanding after galloping away, with Mossdale Connor third after following the winner. The mile rate 159.3.

Used sprint lane ■ Woorndoo trainer Bob Mahncke's 8-Y-0 Falcon Seelster/Sokys Rage gelding Kiwi Rage gelding dead-heated with stablemate - 7-Y-0 Blissful Hall/ Lynden Almahurst mare Lynden Abbey in the Brad Hunt Pace for C2 & C3 class over 2195 metres in a mile rate of 2-01.7.

Kiwi Rage (Chris Svanosio) ran home off a one/ two trip, while Lynden Abbey (Michael Bellman) used the sprint lane from four back the markers to give Mahncke the quinella in the most thrilling finish of the evening which had everyone guessing the result. Citysneak finished third after racing without cover.

Lisa Miles back in business ■ Bolinda trainer/driver Lisa Miles snared a stable double at the Ballarat trots on Wednesday, when 4Y-0 Grinfromeartoear/ Telern Hilda gelding Virgil Hilts scored in the Avis Ballarat Pace for C0 class over 1710 metres and 6-Y-0 Great Success/ Safe On First gelding Jeter the Flying Horse Bistro Trotters Handicap for T2 or better class over 2200 metres.

Virgil Hilts raced by a large group of harness devotees, led throughout from gate six to account for Senor Macray which raced outside him for the last half of the journey, with Night Dancin third after trailing the winner.

The mile rate 1-57.

Jeter was given the run of the race from barrier four trailing the front runner Bitten By Walhalla (barrier 2) and when eased away from the markers on turning, finished best to prevail by 1.4 metres over Bitten By Walhalla and Girls Go First which faced the breeze. The mile rate 203.7.

Brisk run

■ Kilmore's Rita Burnett was victorious at Cranbourne on Thursday with 5-Y-0 Bad Boy Truscott/Family Jade gelding Good Boy Ali, taking out the Aldebaran Park Trotters Mobile for T0 class over 2080 metres in a mile rate of 2-04.2.

Spending most of the race at the rear of the field after starting from the extreme draw, Good Boy Ali was suited by the brisk tempo and ran home strongly to stride clear on straightening and score by 3.1 metres over Bacardi George who was first up since February 2014 and Knocked Off Early.

Forward

■ Daughter Monique was a winner at Ballarat the night before, driving Mount Cottrell trainer Joanne Mangion's 9-Y-0 Wind Cries Maori/ Chelsea Trick mare Tawonga South to land the Vicbred Platinum Country Series D Heat for Trotters T0 & T1 class over 2200 metres at Ballarat on Tuesday.

Starting from gate three on the second row, Tawonga South did everything right after being sent forward from mid-field to park outside the leader Herecomeskayla before striding clear prior to the bell.

Going strongly in the final circuit, Tawonga South scored by 1.4 metres over Herecomes-

Baker’s Delight

Harness Racing

This Week’s Meetings

■ Wednesday - Ouyen @ Swan Hill, Thursday Bendigo, Friday - Melton, Saturday - Cranbourne, Sunday - Gunbower (Cup), Monday - Horsham, Tuesday - Geelong.

Horses To Follow Melbourne

Observer

len-baker@ bigpond.com

with Len Baker

kayla and Miss Cosmos which raced in the open.

The mile rate 2-04.5.

Midfield ■ Woodstock trainer Ron Francis snared the Decron Pace for C1 class over 1609 metres at Cranbourne with honest Grinfromeartoear/ Grandfinal Eve 8-Y-0 stallion Ringtripleowe.

With Greg Sugars aboard, Ringtripleowe settled mid-field in the moving line from gate two on the second row, before moving forward three wide uncovered in the final circuit.

Given full rein on turning, Ringtripleowe finished his race off well to gain the day by a neck over Mystic Castle and Sheila Blige in a 1-58.4 mile rate.

Strong ■ Mount Cottrell trainer Joanne Mangion finally cracked it for another victory with her 9-Y-0 Wind Cries Maori/Chelsea Trick mare Tawonga South, by taking the Vicbred Platinum Country Series D Heat for Trotters T0 & T1 class over 2200 metres at Ballarat on Tuesday.

Bred and raced by father Arthur, Tawonga South starting from gate three on the second row with Kilmore's Monique Burnett in the sulky, did everything right and was sent forward from midfield to park outside the leader Herecomeskayla, before striding clear prior to the bell.

Going strongly in the final circuit, Tawonga South scored by 1.4 metres over Herecomeskayla and Miss Cosmos which raced in the open. The mile rate 204.5.

Tough ■ Glen Park's Steenhuis family Bassie, Donna and Zac snared the Cervus Equipment Claiming Pace over 2200 metres at

Ballarat with tough 5-Y-0 Safari/Truly Sue gelding Bobby Fabulous in a rate of 1-57.7.

Driven by Zac, Bobby Fabulous from outside the front line did it tough, but was too strong at the finish after racing in the open, surging to the front approaching the home turn to win well from Our Bold Lustre which followed him all of the way, with All Honour coming from last along the markers at the bell to finish third.

Break

■ What a future Bacchus Marsh trainer Alan Tubbs' lightly raced Ponder/Wya Mya Macray gelding Tee Cee Bee Macray has after bringing up his sixth victory at start number eight when successful in the Bungaree Bowling Club Pace for C3 & C4 class over 2200 metres at Ballarat.

Raced by a number of stable clients including breeder Ian Kitchin, Tee Cee Bee Macray (Amy Tubbs) was restrained from gate six to settle at the tail of the field.

Sent forward approaching the bell to park outside the pacemaker Here And Now, Tee Cee Bee Macray crossed to lead prior to the final bend and despite once again racing greenly, recorded a 1.5 metre margin on the wire in advance of Itsallaboutex (three back the markers) and Mister Sumna (four wide home turn from mid-field). The mile rate 1-57.8.

The horse will now go for a break before being prepared for some of the bigger races during the summer.

- Len Baker

Harness Review

■ Listen to Len Baker on Harness Review, 8pm-10pm Mondays, on 97.9 FM, streamed in 979fm.com.au

■ Travtiano, Rift Valley, Morning Stories, Citysneak, Blue Eyed Creation, Barefoot Sally, Spud, Desdon Murruffy.

Extreme draw

■ Ararat was the venue for Tuesday harness racing in Victoria and young Mount Gambier reinsman Jason Finnis, Trerang's Chris Svanosio and local Michael Bellman took the honours - Bellman with 2 and a half winners, Finnis with two and Svanosio with one and a half..

Jason Finnis' night started when beautifully bred four year old Courage Under Fire/Crown Of Thorns gelding Crowning Glory trained by father Barry, was too strong in the Phillip Ralph Vicbred Pace for C0 class over 1790 metres.

Starting from the extreme draw, Jason wasted no time in sending Crowning Glory forward to park outside the pacemaker Angry Beach, before outstaying his rivals to record a 1.9 metre margin over the leader, with Wotplanetrufrom third off a three wide trail last lap. The mile rate 2-01.

Jason brought up the double when 4-Y-0 Modern Art/Ruffle My Feathers mare Dorothy Hester landed the Norm Tiley Pace for C0 class over 2195 metres in a mile rate of 2-00.8.

Trained by wife Alyce, Dorothy Hester enjoyed a sweet one/one trip from gate five, before running home best to score from Blue Eyed Creations which raced in the open from the extreme draw, with Starscape (three wide last lap) third.

Raced without cover

■ Heywood's Bec East combined with Terang based Chris Svanosio aboard Dawn Ofa New Day/ Summer Fairytale filly Morning Stories to snare the Ron Praag 3-Y-0 Pace over 1790 metres in a mile rate of 2-02.1.

Despite racing without cover from gate four, Morning Stories was too tough at the finish for the pacemaker Champagne Taste to score by a head, with Saint Tommy (one/two) third.

Too much in reserve

■ Ararat local Terry Young used the services of Michael Bellman to land the Ross Healy Trotters Handicap for T0 or better class over 2165 metres with 4-Y-0 Armbro Variable/Strapper gelding Strappersorphan.

Even though he raced without cover from 10 metres, Strappersorphan had too much in reserve at the finish, running out a 2.2 metre victor over Suave Taj which trailed him all of the way, with Majestic Mirage third from three back in the running line. The mile rate a pedestrian 2-08.5.

Coasted throughout

■ Terang's Marg Lee and nephew Glen Craven were successful with smart Christian Cullen/Melita 4-Y-0 mare Keayang Mercedes in the Vicbred Platinum Country Series E (Heat 1) for C1 class over 1790 metres and in doing so, brought up a hat-trick of wins this time in and four overall from five outings.

Sent forward from gate five to assume control from stablemate Keayang Kallisto, Keayang Mercedes coasted throughout to account for the ever reliable Babalaas Jack which raced parked and Keayang Kallisto in a mile rate of 2-00.2.

Excellent contest

■ Michael Bellman who trains on the track, finished the night on a high note when in-form 6-Y-0 Dawn Ofa New Day/Fake Trick gelding Witzend led virtually throughout from gate three to land the Joel Hopper Pace for C4 to C6 class over 2195 metres, defeating Our Supreme Guy which led out from the pole before being eased to take a trail. Old timer Farmersntradies finished third after facing the breeze. The mile rate of 1-59.8 was the fastest time of the night.

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