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Melbourne Observer - Wednesday, February 17, 2016 - Page 29
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New boss at SEN
● George Papadopoulos ■ With a career history that includes management positions at JB Hi-Fi and WIN Corporation, George Papadopoulos has been named as the new CEO at Pacific Star Network, which operates SEN and 3MP radio stations, and publishing interests which include Inside Football. He has been signed on a three-year contract, which started on January 19. His initial salary is $300,000 per year, plus $25,000 superannuation. He will be eligible for incentives up to $30,000.
In The Heights ■ StageArt in association with the National Theatre in St Kilda, presents the return season of In The Heights, for three shows only on March 11 and 12. The show is a salsa and rap infused musical that challenges the stereotype of modern day musical theatre, bringing the Washington Heights neighbourhood back to the stage in 2016. In a community where everyone knows your business, things are about to get a shake-up as romances bloom and dreams are challenged. Winner of the Tony Award for Best Musical, and Pulitzer Prize nominee, In The Heights is a fun and fresh hip-hop musical set in a sizzling summer filled with music and possibilities. Featuring members of the original StageArt cast: Usnavi: Stephen Lopez (Pirates Of The Caribbean, Underbelly, Fat Tony & Co, Neighbours); Nina: Anna Francesca Armenia (Dreamgirls, Jason Coleman’s Cabaret Cathedral); Benny: James Elmer (ABC 3, Studio 3 Host). Vanessa: Bianca Baykara (The King and I, An Officer and AGentleman, West Side Story, Company); Daniela: Laura Marcucci (Mamma Mia); Abuella Claudia: Francesca Arena (Cats, Fiddler On The Roof, Les Misérables, Follies); Sonny: Andrew Doyle (Victorian College of the Arts); Graffiti Pete: Peter Sette (National Hip Hop Champion); Piragua Guy: Gareth Jacobs (Royal Caribbean Cruises, Dreamgirls, Jason Coleman’s Cabaret Cathedral); Carla: Sarah Calsiña (Dreamgirls, Hair); Camilla: Bianca Bruce; Kevin: Clarence Marshall; Ensemble: MaverickAzzopardi,Tania De Stratis,Timothy Doherty, Jayme-Lee Hanekom, Joshua Martin, Hëna Memishi, Sophie Stewart, Gary Yong. It also brings back together Director, James Cutler; Music Director, Cameron Thomas; and Executive Producers, Robbie Carmellotti and Katherine Armstrong. And re-staging Yvette Lee’s choreography will be iconic Melbourne Hip Hop dancer and choreographer Phill Haddad. Music and Lyrics by Lin-Manuel Miranda – his new musical, Hamilton open on Broadway earlier this year to critical and audience acclaim. Book by Quiara Alegria Hudes in association with Origin Theatrical. Performances: March 11 at 7.30pm; March 12 at 1pm and 7.30pm Venue: The National Theatre, 20 Carlisle St., St Kilda. Bookings: 9525 4611. www.stageart.com.au - Cheryl Threadgold
Auditions at STAG ■ Strathmore TheatricalArts Group (STAG): Come Blow Your Horn (by Neil Simon) March 6 at 6pm and March 7 at 7.30pm at the Strathmore Community Hall, Cnr Napier and Loeman Sts, Strathmore. Director: Mark Stratford. Audition enquiries: fencemanfix@gmail.com
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Kris’s love affair
■ Kris Weber says she has had a love affair with the stage, and the actors and directors who honour it, for many years. Recently she celebrated involvement in her 60th production. Her participation in the performing arts includes acting, directing, and reviewing and writing theatre articles for both print and electronic periodicals. Kris is also the Plays Editor at Theatrepeople. com, has been an in-house adjudicator for various Melbourne theatre companies, and runs successful theatre workshops for small groups of actors. She has also been a critical observer and advisor to VCE Theatre Studies students, preparatory to their performance exams. Kris’s next project is directing Killing Jeremy, her ninth play with Strathmore Theatrical Art Group (STAG), which opens in Strathmore on March 3. She says Killing Jeremy is a fascinating study of the mind, as well as a successful discourse about guilt, loss and forgiveness. “It is a play done in the abstract which, as a director, is highly attractive to me,” says Kris. “Playwright Bridgette Burton explores some pretty horrific ideas with humour, honesty and an Australian sensibility which, at times, can be laconic. “A two-hander is one
● Kris Weber, director of Killing Jeremy. of my favourite texts to style.” work with. Kris says their aim is “It means comprehen- to offer the audience an sive and incisive work and immersive theatre expelonger time for exploration rience, while being fully during the rehearsal pro- cognizant of the real hucess. man drama unfolding be“The play is, for me, a fore them. homage to many truths “It is hoped this producabout relationships - par- tion resonates with auditicularly when things go ences for a long while afirreparably awry.” ter viewing. That, for me, Kris says STAG's cosy is the mark of good thetheatre space is the per- atre.” fect venue for this style of Performance Season: voyeuristic story telling. March 3 – 5, 10 – 12 at “Set designer Chris 8pm; March 6, 13 at 2pm Baldock was interested in Venue: Strathmore creating an intimate stage, and has successfully Community Theatre, Cnr. transported the main act- Loeman and Napier Sts., ing space onto the floor. Strathmore Tickets: $20/$15 “Other technical fanBookings: 9382 6284 cies have been devised to Cheryl Threadgold complement Burton's
David’s ‘Mystica’ ■ After a successful run of sell-out shows at The Butterfly Club, David Stewart returns to Melbourne on March 5 and 6 at 7pm with more psychological illusions in The Mystica. Hypnosis, psychology and magic combine to take audiences on a journey through their own minds. After religiously studying the ancient techniques of mystics and psychics, 23year-old David returns to The Butterfly Club as the beginning of his 2016 tour, to redefine what is perceived as possible. Tickets available at www. thebutterflyclub.com and more about David at www.davidstewartmagic.co.uk Dates: March 5 and 6 Time: 7pm Cost: $25-38 Venue: The Butterfly Club, 5 Carson Place, Melbourne Tickets: www.thebutterflyclub.com - Cheryl Threadgold ● Pictured (at right): David Stewart
Absurd Person Singular ■ Absurd Person Singular by Alan Ayckbourn, is a unique style of play, three acts, set in the UK, with no particular storyline. It is a humourous, fast moving piece that requires good comic timing and clever direction. This production had both, yet not consistently. The first act became a bit tedious by the end, the highlight being the actors’ entrances and exits to and from the kitchen and their change of mood. The stand out of the second act is an out of control hound- heard not seen, and the third act has some entertaining dancing. The dialogue is quick and there are visual comic moments. The actors are well rehearsed and had a good rapport with each other, I particularly enjoyed the energy of Tim Paige, his character in acts two and three jovial and upbeat . Accents were inconsistent and there were some lack-lustre moments that should be overcome as the season continues. As a first time director Grant Foulkes had some clever ideas but lacked some attention to detail. The costumes were one such area, whilst some characters had a different wardrobe in each of the three years, others wore the same. I was quite distracted by Ronald’s oversized suit throughout. Another annoyance was that Jane did not turn off the oven (see the show, you will understand), I was waiting for something to happen as result of this, but realised it was an oversight. Small things, yet on an intimate stage can detract from the script. Presented by Mofo Theatre Company, the venue was inviting, cosy bean bags or couches to sit on, and of course the big draw card- complimentary wines on offer – a lovely way to spend a night at the theatre. Performance Season: Until February 21 Venue: Kindred Studios, 212A Whitehall St, Yarraville. Tickets: $49/$39 Bookings: mofotc.eventbrite.com.au - Review by Elizabeth Semmel
Janice Muller job ■ Malthouse Theatre has announced Janice Muller as the Director in Residence for 2016 as a part of the Female Director in Residence program, now in its sixth year. The annual position provides intensive career development and a salary, and aims to offer a deeply engaged professional development opportunity that provides for genuine career progression towards professional theatre practice. Malthouse Theatre’s ongoing support of female theatre-makers and artists is also extended through the inaugural Malthouse Theatre In House Tower Residency program, a list that includes Nicola Gunn, The Rabble, Samara Hersch and Adena Jacobs (Fraught Outfit). Malthouse Theatre Artistic Director Matthew Lutton said: “We are thrilled to have Janice Muller joining Malthouse Theatre as a resident director in 2016. I have no doubt she will be an integral part of the on-going artistic conversations at the company throughout the year.” Janice Muller recently directed The Tribe in Surry Hills backyards for Belvoir/Urban Theatre Projects. This new Australian work, co-adapted with Mohammed Ahmad from his novella of the same name, premiered in 2015 at Sydney Festival as part of Bankstown Live. In April, Muller will direct the premiere of Lake Disappointment, a new Australian play written by Luke Mullins and Lachlan Philpott for Carriageworks. Over a 10-month period, Muller will be immersed in the day-to-day activities of Malthouse Theatre, receive mentoring and support to develop her own projects, as well as directing the Malthouse Theatre Education Program production. - Cheryl Threadgold