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Observer Showbiz Every Week in the Melbourne Observer

Radio: Smooth 91.5 host releases new book ..... Page 38 Theatre: The voice of Shirley Bassey ......................... Page 39 Country Music: Kristofferson tp play The Palais ....... Page 38 Jim and Aar on: Top 10, tribute to Harold Ramis .............. Page 42 Aaron: Cheryl Threadgold: Local theatre shows, auditions ........... Page 43 PL US THE LLO OVATT”S MEGA CRO PLUS CROSS SWORD

WINDOWS OF OPPORTUNITY Madame Butterfly

● Antoinette Halloran in Melbourne Opera’s Madame Butterfly, opening on March 22 at The Athenaeum Theatre, Melbourne. ■ Melbourne Opera presents Madame Butterfly from March 22-24 at The Athenaeum Theatre, Melbourne, and on May 3 at Monash University’s Alexander Theatre. Director Caroline Stacey and Melbourne Opera are restaging their production of Puccini’s Madame Butterfly, 10 years after it was first mounted to great acclaim and nominated for seven Green Room Awards. Madame Butterfly tells the moving tale of Cio-Cio San, a young Japanese geisha tricked into marrying cynical American Lieutenant Pinkerton. After the marriage of convenience he departs, promising to return soon. When he finally does, it is with tragic results. The cast is led by international soprano Antoinette Halloran and Chinese-Australian soprano Emily Wang who share the role of the doomed Cio-Cio San, the tragic heroine. Tenors Jason Wasley and David Rogers-Smith will share the role of Lieutenant Pinkerton. Giacumo Puccini’s moving melodies will be brought to life by the full Melbourne Opera Chorus and Orchestra, conducted by Greg Hocking. Tickets: via Ticketek. www.melbourneopera.com - Cheryl Threadgold

By CHERYL THREADGOLD

● Tony Leatch ■ Young Tony Leatch’s wish in 1956 was for his Mum to take him to see the first Myer Christmas windows, which in that year combined the Olympics, Santa and television. Fast forward to 1964, Tony’s last year at school, when his teacher asked him what he was planning to do. He replied straight away he wanted to work as a window dresser (visual merchandiser) at Myer’s. Not long after leaving school Tony had a job at Myer, ending up over the years working for most of the leading department stores, and says he loved every day. In the early 1970s, Tony started to get involved with theatre and can remember auditioning for the first Melbourne production of Grease at the old Playbox Theatre. He recalls turning up looking like a real hippie in purple flares, long hair and beard. Tony also took acting lessons at St Martins Theatre with English actor John Forgeham, who was starring in a Channel 7 series called Catwalk. Around this time, Tony started to learn the drums, first from Lou Toppano, and then from Billy Hyde at his house studio, and enjoyed the fun of playing in a pop group. After getting married, Tony focussed on working in visual merchandising only, but some years later returned to theatre. As well as having designed and built many stage sets, Tony has also worked as an actor and stage manager. Past casual employment has included being a funeral director, home interior decorator and men’s wear fashion designer. These days he works as a ‘simulated patient role player’ for student training for many university and medical groups, and enjoys working in film and television as an extra and in character roles. Tony says the key to all this and other roles is a passion for the work. “I have to do things that excite me, and have been very lucky to have the career I have,” he says. “Whether decorating, theatre, or as an extra in television, I would (and will) do it all again! “So, thanks Mum for taking me to see Myer’s Christmas windows!” Tony Leatch’s outstanding stage set designs can be seen in Strathmore Theatrical Arts Group (STAG) productions. www.stagtheatre.org - Cheryl Threadgold

House warming for Circus Oz ■ After 10 years of dreaming, hoping and planning, Circus Oz has moved to a new home on part of the former Collingwood TAFE site, purpose-built for by the Victorian Government. Renowned for their work on heritage listed and public buildings and spaces, award-winning architects Lovell Chen have designed an inspiring creative hub for the next phase and future sustainability of Circus Oz. Two years in construction, the new

building features two rehearsal spaces that allows the Circus Oz artistic team to create and develop new shows under performance like conditions and also enables Circus Oz to expand their public and community classes, programs and activities. Later this year, Circus Oz is scheduled to set up its spectacular 100-year old Melba Spiegeltent at the Collingwood site, which will run as a live venue space for emerging and cutting edge artists and

support the development of contemporary circus. Circus Oz flings open its doors on Saturday, March 29 and hosts a housewarming like no other. 50 Perry St., Collingwood (between Smith St and Wellington St). It’s an extended invitation to Melbourne, the wider circus community and all who have helped shape the company over the past 36 years. Turn to Page 39

Benefit concert

● Samuel Sakker ■ Melbourne-based tenor Samuel Sakker, 28, (pictured) is to join a handful of singers accepted into the Jette Parker Young Artists Program at the Royal Opera House, Covent Garden, London, in Septembe. Out of more than 390 applicants from 58 countries, five talented young singers, three of themAustralian, will reap the benefits of this extraordinary opportunity. A benefit concert Operation: Covent Garden will be held in the Iwaki Auditorium, ABC Southbank, to help Samuel raise much needed funds to relocate to London. The concert starts at 2pm on Sunday, April 13. Australia’s opera stars including soprano Emma Matthews, mezzo-soprano Deborah Humble and baritone José Carbó will be performing in Operation: Covent Garden with accompanist Raymond Lawrence. They will present a selection of their favourite songs, arias and duets, including works by Brahms, Verdi and Puccini. Sam says that getting into the Royal Opera House program is better than a dream come true. “I will have the resources of one of the world’s greatest opera houses at my disposal to continue my professional development,” he says. “Their collective knowledge, guidance and mentorship will give me a clear career pathway to maximise my artistic potential.” Benefit Concert: Sunday, April 13 at 2pm Venue: The Iwaki Auditorium, ABC Southbank Bookings and further information: www.trybooking. com/EJXG or 0449 963 396. - Cheryl Threadgold

Showbiz Briefs ■ On Sunday (Mar. 16) Britain’s Channel 4 is to broadcast footage of 9/11 New York attacks filmed from space. Video, filmed by an astronaut from the International Space Station, shows a huge plume of smoke from the World Trade Centre. ■ John Stephens has been appointed Director of Scheduling and Acquisitions at Network Ten. ■ Mercedes Corby has apologised to Indonesia for a Seven Network interview that sparked calls for her sister Schapelle to go back to jail.

Page 38 - Melbourne Observer - Wednesday, March 12, 2014

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Observer Radio Confidential Showbiz News from stations from around Victoria

Mel releases her new book

Country Crossroads

SMOOTH 91.5 HOST TO LAUNCH IN MELBOURNE

info@country crossroads.com.au Big Breakfast Show. Southern FM 88.3. Tues. 6am-9am.

Latest Melbourne radio ratings Rob Foenander

Kris at The Palais ■ American country music legend, Kris Kristofferson will perform at the Palais Theatre on Tuesday, April 8. Kris's national tour comes on the back of his new CD release Feeling Mortal. Kristofferson says: "I am very much looking forward to heading down under to play to all of my Australian fans and taking in the beauty of the country as we tour far and wide."

Snowy River Festival ■ The annual Man From Snowy River Bush Festival is scheduled for April 3-6 in Corryong. The event will include an art and photography exhibition, bush poetry and music, the re-enactment of Banjo's famous poem, Aussie Bush Idol and a ute muster . It is described as a "unique bush gathering of mountain riders, poets, artists and lovers of the Australian high country and pioneering spirit". bushfestival.com.au

Bonnie Doon comes alive ■ The inaugural Bonnie Doon Music and Busker Festival kicks off on Friday (Mar.14) for a three-day entertainment extravaganza. Singer songwriter Nia Robertson, The Weeping Willows, Grazy's Music, James Norton, Brothers 3 and Bec Hance are just a few of the country music artists who will perform. www.bonniedoonmusicfestival.com

Sunny Cowgirls at Hallam ■ Sophie and Celeste Clabburn, better known as The Sunny Cowgirls, will perform an acoustic performance as part of their Australian Up Close and Personal Tour. The girls will be at the Hallam Hotel on Friday, March 21, commencing from 8.30pm, and will showcase songs from their five studio albums in what is described as an intimate and personal atmosphere. - Rob Foenander ■ A surprise 70th birthday party was held last week for Dr Harry Cooper of the Seven Network’s Better Homes And Gardens. ■ The TV Tonight website, authored by David Knox, says Noni Hazelhurst should be inducted into the Logies Hall of Fame in just over six weeks’ time.

r Observbei z Show

● Melissa Doyle ■ Smooth 91.5 weekebnd host Melissa Doyle has released a new book, Alphabet Soup. “It’s simply some anecdotes and stories about my life as a working mum - TV, life and home life all thrown in,” Mel says. Release date is March 26. Mel will be conducting a book signing at Readings, Hawthorn, on Thursday, April 3.

■ US singer-song-writer Neil Sedaka was born in Brooklyn, New York, in 1939 (75). George Negus was born in Brisbane in 1942 (72). Lady Phyllis Cilento, mother of the late Diane, was born in 1894, died in 1987. Boxing champ Joe Bugner was born 1950. He is 64.

Social day for radio crew

Twlight Sounds OB ■ To celebrate Banyule City’s annual Twilight Sounds Festival, PBS 106.7FM is presenting a special live broadcast on Saturday, March 22, from Sills Bend in Warringal Parklands.

Radio Briefs ■ Nine News has appeared as a sponsor on the 3SER-FM (Casey Radio) website. ■ K-ROCK and Bay FM have joined with the local Geelong Advertiser in a jobs4 geelong.com.au initiative.

Memories ■ The life of an early Melbourne radio performer, Norman McNance, will be celebrated at the Emerald Library from 6.30pm-7.30pm on Tuesday (Mar. 18). The Avonsleigh resident was a naturalist who broadcast on ABC Radio.

On This Day Friday Wednesday Thursday March 13 March 14 March 12 ■ Actress Googie Withers was born in Karachi, India in 1917. She died aged 94. Barbara Feldon, who played Agent 99 in Get Smaqrt, is 82 today. Liza Minelli was born in Los Angeles in 1946 (68). Singer Al Jarreau was born as Alwyn Jarreau in Milwaukee.

● Radio legend John Vertigan, of 3UZ and 3DB fame, was spotted with son Jon, of ACE Radio, in Melbourne at the weekend.

■ Physicist and humanist Albert Eilnstein was born in Ulm, Germany, in 1879. He died aged 76 in 1955. Actor Sir Michael Caine was born as Michael Micklewhite in London in 1933 (81). Actor and comedian Billy Crystal was born in New York City in 1948.

● Mornington Peninsula radio volunteer Andrew Rowland was at ‘The Radio Green Room’ social afternoon held at Village Melbourne (formerly Belgian Beer Garden) in St Kilda Rd on Saturday. Andrew enjoys working at Mornington-based community station, 3RPP. More photos on Page 8.

■ 3AW veteran Nightline presenters lost one-third of their audience in the ratings figures announced yesterday (Tues.). Their share dropped from 15.5 per cent in the last 2013 survey, to 10.2 in the first 2014 survey. It is thought the programming of cricket, tennis and football in their timeslot contributed to the massive loss. 3AW won the Melbourne ratings, but there were some shocks. Tom Elliott’s 3pm-6pm Drive program returned an 8.3 per cent audience figure (down from 10.3). He was beaten by 774 ABC (10.7) and Fox (10.0). Overall, stations were ranked as follows, as measured 5.30am-Midnight, Monday-Sunday: 3AW, 11.9 (down from 13.8). ABC 774, 10.6. Fox, 8.5. Nova, 7.9. Gold, 7.8. MMM, 6.8. Smooth, 6.5. Mix, 6.5. Magic, 6.2. JJJ, 6.1. ABC FM, 3.2. SEN, 2.9. Radio National, 2.5. Newsradio, 1.5. Radio Sport National and MyMP do not participate in the ratings. Ross Stevenson and John Burns, 3AW’s breakfast hosts, won that time-slot with a 17.0 per cent share. Neil Mitchell received a 13.6 per cent figure, ahead of ABC 774’s Jon Faine (11.0). Denis Walter of 3AW (9.1) was beaten by GOLD FM (10.2) and FOX FM (9.4). NOVA 100 won the Drive slot with 10.7 per cent audience share. Melbourne

Observer

Saturday March 15

Sunday March 16

Monday March 17

Tuesday March 18

■ American actor MacDonald Carey was born in 1913. The Days Of Our Lives star (Dr Horton) died aged 81. US television Jimmy Swaggart was born in 1935 (79). Singer Christine Anu was born in Cairns in 1970 (44). US singer Sly Stone is 70 (1944).

■ US comedian and actor Jerry Lewis was born as Joseph Levitch in New Jersey in 1926 (88). Actor Erik Esstrada was born in New York in 1949 (65). Melbourne’s Botanic Gardens were established in 1846. Actor, Leo McKern, was born in 1920

■ St Patrick’s Day. US singer and jazz pianist Nat ‘King’ Cole was born in 1917. He died aged 47 in 1965. Little Pattie (Amphlett) was born in Sydney in 1949 (65). Actor Patrick Duffy (Dallas) is 65 today. US actor Kurt Russell was born in Massachusetts in 1951.

■ Black country singer Charley Pride is 76. Soul singer Wilson Pickett was born in 1941. He died aged 64 in 2006. Australian racing driver Larry Perkins was born in Cowangie (Vic.) in 1950 (64). Singer Queen Latifah is 44 (1970).

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

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Melbourne Observer - Wednesday, March 12, 2014 - Page 39

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

ShowBiz! Comedy Club

● Matt King returns to Australia to perform with Tom Siegert and Jacques Barrett at The Comedy Club from March 26 – April 20, as part of the Melbourne International Comedy Festival. ■ The ‘cult hero’ of award winning British sitcom Peep Show, Matt King, returns to Australia with a new stand up show headlining the Edinburgh Festa Besta at The Comedy Club. Matt has appeared in an impressive range of international movies including Guy Ritchie’s RocknRolla. As a stand-up comic he has performed at the Edinburgh Festival and at the Melbourne International Comedy Festival. Matt is currently in production on new feature film Get Santa playing opposite Oscar Award winning actor Jim Broadbent. The Comedy Club’s Edinburgh Festa Besta will also feature headline Australian comedians Jacques Barrett and Tom Siegert. Jacques Barrett has returned from a tour of Europe and Asia to join Matt King on the Edinburgh Festa Besta stage. Tom Siegert is a headline act at top comedy venues Australia wide as well as a gifted comedy writer, with credits including Channel Nine’s The Footy Show and Nova’s Hughesy, Kate and Dave. Upstairs at The Athenaeum, The Comedy Club is Australia's oldest comedy club presenting a legendary line-up of the best new and internationally acclaimed stand-ups. Performances: March 26-April 20 Times: Tues – Sat at 8.30pm, or 7.00pm dinner and show; Sun 7.30pm show only. Venue: The Comedy Club, Upstairs at The Athenaeum, 188 Collins St, Melbourne Tickets: $25 show only. $45 dinner and show Bookings: Ticketek or 9650 1977 www.thecomedyclub.com.au - Cheryl Threadgold ● From Page 00

Circus Oz Members of the public will have the opportunity to tour the new building in Collingwood with the rare access to observe the Circus Oz ensemble at work and the back stage machinations of the company. The open house initiative will feature free activities including some kids’ circus workshops, while members of the Circus Oz ensemble rehearse and develop their skills in the large rehearsal room. Circus Oz Housewarming – an open house day at the new purpose-built creative hub in Collingwood: Date: Saturday, March 29 Time: 11am-4pm Location: Circus Oz Address: 50 Perry St., Collingwood (between Smith St and Wellington St ) Activities: May include free tours of the building, free juggling, hula or circus skill workshops, and having the rare opportunity to see the Circus Oz ensemble rehearse and develop their skills. - Cheryl Threadgold

Guilt-ridden Danny Neighbourhood Watch ■ John Patrick Shanley has great difficulty in writing two-dimensional characters. Danny and Roberta have enough psychological baggage to keep a trick cyclists’ convention busy for a month. He’s violent, self-loathing and a mess; she’s guilt-ridden and desperate for change. They meet by chance and begin a roller-coaster relationship which surprises and challenges them and in turn, those watching. It’s a genuine skill to write, tell and keep a story alive and ‘page-turning’ for 75 minutes. Especially so when there is a single plot and a Guantanamo Bay cell for a performance space. Tanya Walker and Ange Arabatzis are utterly convincing and the playwright would have been delighted and proud with their work and that of director Leslie Simpson. The shocking physical scenes were expertly handled. It’s the sort of production which should have a ‘rest day’ between performances as the actors are asked for a huge mental and physical effort. In this production they leave nothing behind in

● Tanya Walker (Roberta) and Ange Arabatzis (Danny) in Subtext Theatre’s Danny And The Deep Blue Sea, at The Owl and the Pussycat, Richmond, until March 15. the dressing-room. Performances: Until The mood changes March 15 at 7.30pm and morphed easily from vio- March 15 at 3.00pm lence to love to confusion Venue: The Owl and and possibly, to happiness. the Pussy Cat, 34 Swan This play gives St., Richmond (opposite Glengarry Glen Ross a Richmond station) run for its language Tickets: $25/$20 money but the opening Bookings: www.owl night performance had a andcat.com.au full and appreciative - Review by house and deservedly so. Cenarth Fox

Voice of Shirley ■ So often tribute shows are written once the subject is dead, so Where Do I Begin? The Voice Of Shirley Bassey, is a refreshing change. Celebrating the music, life and legacy of the 77-year-old great dame, is a lady with fabulous big voice of her own, Danielle Matthews. She is a VCA graduate, and was the inaugural winner of the prestigious Rob Guest Endowment Award. For the past two years Danielle has performed and turned with Jonathon Welch of Choir of Hope and Inspiration fame, and is featured in a duet on his new CD. Taking the stage at Chapel Off Chapel on March 23, 24, 30 and 31, Where Do I Begin? has been written by a man with plenty of musical theatre credits to his name, Matthew Robinson. Matthew is a recent recipient of the Australia Council Music Fellowship, which will help him with funding to develop new musical theatre across Australia, America and Britain. He was also the youngest ever recipient of Australia's richest theatre writing award, the Pratt Prize for Music Theatre. His musical Metro Street has been performed in Australia and overseas, and he had a second musical, Happy People, commissioned by the State Theatre Company of South Australia. And this is a show with a difference apart from Danielle's powerful voice, with musical direction from Adam

● Danielle Matthews as Shirley Bassey Przewlocki, it features one of Australia's best brass bands - the FootscrayYarraville Brass Band, which is conducted by another talented female, 3MBS broadcaster Phillipa Edwards. The show is under the auspices of Manilla Street Productions, which is gaining a reputation for teaming great Australian theatrical talent with new or rarely performed works. www.chapeloffchapel.com.au or 1300 182 183 - Julie Houghton

● Robyn Nevin ■ Friendship is something that never goes out of fashion, and it has proved a fertile ground for writers over the years. The latest playwright to investigate the course of unusual friendship is Australian writer Lally Katz, whose new play Neighbourhood Watch opens at The Sumner theatre in Southbank for Melbourne Theatre Company on Monday (March 17). Written as a vehicle for the doyenne of Australian actors, Robyn Nevin, it traces the story of Hungarian 80-year-old Ana, and she's a feisty lady who lives along with her dog in Kew. Somehow, she strikes up a friendship with the much younger Catherine (Megan Holloway), who lives across the road. Good old-fashioned manners are no longer part of Ana's approach to life, but the two women develop their friendship, and Katz traces the complexities and differences between the two women with sensitivity and warmth. Neighbourhood Watch premiered at Belvoir in Sydney and was nominated for four Sydney Theatre Awards and a NSW Premier's Literary Award. Directed by Simon Stone, Neighbourhood Watch also stars Kris McQuade, Natasha Herbert,Anthony Harkin, Charlie Garber and Akos Armont. www.mtc.com.au - Julie Houghton

‘Pet’ at the Portland ■ Multi-award winning performer Emily Taylor returns to the Melbourne International Comedy Festival with Pet, a brand new hour of satire, storytelling and character comedy. Join her for the ultimate Happy Hour as she masterfully unleashes a smorgasbord of odd, complex and endearing characters. Emily also shares her own experiences as she explores the highs, lows and psychological implications of pet ownership. Riddled with furry friends since childhood, Emily has worked in pet shops, grooming salons and is currently carer to three cats. Keen to avoid her fate as a crazy old cat lady, she takes this timely opportunity to ask some tough questions. The problem with tough questions though, is that they usually have tough answers … Performance Season: March 27 – April 20 Times: Tues – Sat 6pm, Sun 5pm. Venue: The Portland Hotel Locker Room, 127 Russell St., Melbourne Tickets: $20 full, $17 Con Bookings: 1300 660 013 www.comedyfestival. com.au or at the door (subject to availability)

● Emily Taylor

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Page 40 - Melbourne Observer - Wednesday, March 12, 2014

Tracks, a film that lets a woman thrive in the outback By GEMMA BLACKWOOD

Lecturer in Communications at Charles Darwin University

www.theconversation.edu.au ■ In the new film Wolf Creek 2, the menacing outback serial killer Mick Taylor asks his unsuspecting tourist prey, “what the bloody hell are you buggers doing out here?” This phrase could equally be used to describe Australian cinema at the moment. The Aussie outback has re-entered the cinematic spotlight with a couple of high-profile feature film releases: firstly Greg McLean’s Wolf Creek 2 and now Tracks, directed by John Curran and released nationally this week. Both films ask us to think about what it means to travel and know Australia and its landscape. Tracks is an adaptation of the real-life memoir of Australian woman Robyn Davidson, which was first published in 1980. In 1977 Davidson, at the age of 27, trekked mostly solo from Alice Springs to the Western Australian coastline with the help of tamed camels. Davidson wrote an account of her experience for National Geographic magazine which made her personal journey famous. She was photographed on her trip at various stages by enamoured American photojournalist Rick Smolan. Mandy Walker’s cinematography draws upon these iconic 1970s images to set the visual tone of the film – an outsider’s perspective of an outsider. Tracks – both the film and the memoir – can be read as a lively feminist retort to the long-standing canon of outback/ bush literature, where often the colonial white woman was pitted as civilised and lonely contrast to the rugged bushman, waiting sadly in the homestead for her husband to return a ‘droving. Many bush narratives depicted the colonial woman as an unnatural presence, and one essentially endangered. So unlike the doomed girls in Peter Weir’s 1975 film Picnic At Hanging Rock, in Tracks we find a narrative in which the young woman can survive – and even thrive – in Australian nature. This is still rare in Australian cinema and literature and welcome to see. Films set in the outback often focus on strangers moving problematically through this space – which of course reflects the experience of the majority of people who visit it. An opposition is usually set up between locals and travellers, which in the Wolf Creek series makes an Aussie pig and roo shooter rampage against international backpackers, or “vermin” as Mick calls them. Part of his outrage comes from what he believes is the tourists' inability to understand place, but to range through looking for simple “thrill” and “adventure”. He even makes one poor British tourist undertake a perverse citizenship test, testing the man for knowledge of Australian culture and sports with the prize of remaining un-maimed. The irony is that Mick himself does not even come from the outback he rampages through – in Wolf Creek 2 some unwitting policemen look at his licence and notice that he has travelled a long distance. He is equally the tourist looking for “thrill” in the emptiness of the countryside Interestingly, in Tracks the tourists Davidson encounters fit into a similar representation. While they are retro 1970s images, here they are shown as the ultimate rubberneckers: cameras out like paparazzi to capture images of the crazy camel lady. In their loud intrusive cars they are disrespectful of local custom and ignorant of the land they drive through at break-neck speed. In one memorable scene Robyn’s indigenous guide Eddie puts on a cynical performance to frighten them away, laughing with her at their stupidity. The tourist is the enemy, the person who will never “get” the outback. Is Davidson also a silly tourist? In Tracks we see that she understands herself differently from the rubberneckers. Her time spent in Indigenous communities and local camel trainers, and willingness to take on local knowledge and her slow journey à pied means that she can see the land differently. In her memoir there is a beautiful passage about her newly enlightened perspective, which also harks to the Judeo-Christian Biblical tradition connecting desert journeys with introspection and personal growth. Turn To Page 48

Observer Showbiz Latest Melbourne

Work, study and Alas, arts precincts play in Southbank

maybe can make cultural cities ■ The release last month of a Melbourne Arts Precinct Blueprint by Arts Victoria, that promises further development of the cultural precinct in the city’s Southbank, hasn’t come without its fair share of criticism, including views aired by Peter Tregear last week. He questioned whether it was good public policy to invest more public funding into this precinct. As director of the Victorian College of the Arts (VCA) – an institution that will benefit greatly from this planned infrastructure development – I welcome the blueprint, which you could argue is an obvious stance for me to take. But I see this development as much overdue, and believe cultural activity can make the precinct. Here’s why … Name a city that you love. It’s likely you’ll be thinking of somewhere that concentrates activity and human presence. There are some who will think of Brasilia or Canberra for their architectural distinction, or other places that have been part of a utopian vision which, while beautifully designed, in the abstract seem somewhat ill conceived in the living. Others will think of the French Quarter in New Orleans, or in Shanghai, or the Latin Quarter in Paris; Soho in New York or Convent Garden in London. Yes, these are now over-hyped but they are still great places to be. So, what does make a great city? That’s a question that preoccupies many a mind greater than mine. But what I do know is that life in the kind of city I like exists in waves of change around a human-scaled core. It has an authentic function and human activity. Peter Tregear wrote on The Conversation of his scepticism about the hopes expressed in the recently-announced plans for an expanded arts precinct in Melbourne. As highlighted already, I welcome those plans. They recommend enhancement of the precinct. In short, that will mean creating pedestrian pathways in and around the existing arts organisations already in residence in Southbank: the Melbourne Arts Centre, Hamer Hall, the Melbourne Recital Cen

By SU BAKER

Director, Victorian College of the Arts at University of Melbourne

www.theconversation.edu.au

● $42.5 million project set to transform the VCA and MCM tre, the National Gallery renewal, of revitalised of Victoria, the Malthouse laneways and residential Theatre, the Australian living. Centre for Contemporary Notwithstanding the Art, Chunky Move, and supposed galling chauvinso on. ism of Melburnians and A A$42.5 million de- their claims to living in the velopment project (funded cultural capital of Austrasignificantly by the Uni- lia, there is some real versity of Melbourne sense that the concentraCampaign) will also be tion of activity in the city incorporated, centred on has an impact of its livthe VCA’s Southbank ability. campus, which aims to While being a grateful open up the institution to recipient of support for the the broader community. VCA’s infrastructure imOver and above my provements, which inown declared interest, I’d clude developing the suggest this will further en- Dodds Street police hance the cultural amenity stables into a visual arts for the people of Mel- wing at the VCA, I assert bourne and bring long- that when the activity of term vibrancy through the an area has authentic and making of art and the pub- generative purpose the lic experience of this. likelihood of success is Professor Tregear improved. makes good and salient The aforementioned points about the history of planning blueprint is consuch urban design deci- scious of the potential pitsions in other places. falls of urban planning that While accepting that doesn’t respect locale and so-called “precincts” can the stakeholders involved, be artificially created and of which there are many are often ill-conceived, it in this case. is important to recognise Yes, there may be a that, in this case, there is a danger in making a clear urban design im- Disneyland of the arts, but pulse of creating focus there are also important and critical mass. discussions about the inMelbourne has a posi- tegration of residential and tive history of doing this, daily life with creative from the original layout of activities that have a posithe city to its more recent tive social impact.

● An artists impression of Dodds St activated by a regular farmers market Concept Art: Nick King ■ There are more than 13,000 residents in Melbourne’s Southbank area and more than 45,000 people work or study in the area each day. Similarly, while it is too early to say much about the impact of the all-night White Night festival on Melbourne’s culture, for which more than 500,000 people flooded into the city over the weekend of February 22 to enjoy the artistic atmospherics, the community spirit demonstrated on such occasions indicates how an arts precinct can create social cohesion and optimism, a quality sorely needed in these times. To my mind, much of the success of White Night is due to the Hoddle Grid, the layout of Melbourne’s CBD, the human scale of streets and buildings and the nooks and crannies discovered along the way. Such an experience in Melbourne’s Docklands, west of the CBD, with its wide-open spaces, would not be the same. This is the current challenge for the City of Melbourne and if these other urban design principles are applied it may succeed. One of the core markers of success built into the Southbank plan is the centrality of the VCA – again, I declare my obvious personal interest – and the constant flow of talented young artists who train, learn and build strong links with established artists working in companies located nearby. The average age of Southbank residents is 29, but the spectrum is wide. At the end of each academic year thousands of people flood into the VCA campus and see the work of emerging artists (at least 3000 visitors see the VCA School of Art exhibitions on opening night alone), hear the music of young performers and watch dance, theatre and film. This happens every year, in generational waves. It is this dynamism that will keep the precinct idea alive. The VCA is at the heart of this idea of precinct. And for this reason I have faith. Notwithstanding my own bias, I believe this matches closely with new thinking in higher education about how the relationships and interaction with industry, the profession and audiences (in the case of the arts) are critical to the survival of both the learning institution and the presentation venues such as concert halls, art museums, galleries, theatres and cinemas. University campuses themselves need to get with the program and become integrated with their local community as well as being highly valued in international rankings. Those things are not incompatible. Think global, act local. So, I believe the Melbourne Arts Precinct Blueprint to be not only a great plan for the public, the residents and citizens of the city, whose taxes pay for this infrastructure, but for the institutions themselves. It is educationally sound. In the case of the students studying in the arts, to be adjacent and in learning partnerships with their professional mentors and potential colleagues, exposed to great examples of excellence – what’s not to like? Adding to the social benefits of engagement with and entertaining the broader population is the focus of creating hubs of creative, innovative activity, open to entrepreneurial partnerships, new work and advanced practices. Bring on the precinct. - Su Baker

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Melbourne Observer - Wednesday, March 12, 2014 - Page 41

Observer Showbiz Latest Melbourne

Dr Blake … and cinematography as a screen character ■ Most Australian TV drama series are full of light … and full of surf, sand and suburbs or endless horizons and unthreatening bush. But one series that returned to ABC TV last month has a distinctive and darker look. The Dr Blake Mysteries portrays a 1950s Australia in sombre tones, many shades of browns and greys. No shafts of warming sunlight or endless blue skies. The look, established by cinematographer Louis Irving in the first series, darkly reflects the psychological ecology of the main character, Lucien Blake. Speaking to me about his creative role, Irving said his job is to: create an atmosphere when viewing the show that is sympathetic with the story line and can enhance the story line. The use of cinematography as a contribution to character is something commonly found in cinema, not television, for a variety of reasons. Cinema is shot methodically, scene by scene, setup by setup, shot by shot, sometimes an entire day’s work contributing less than a minute of screen time. For every shot, the lighting can be optimised. The final result can demonstrate a use of light as intensely emotive as Caravaggio achieved in his paintings. In contrast, studio dramas and sitcoms of the 1950s and ‘60s were shot on film using multiple cameras, especially in the USA. Thus the set had to be lit to be photographed from several angles simultaneously. This required uniform or “flat” lighting. When video recording displaced cine-film, the practice continued for exactly the same reason. A skilled studio crew and experienced actors could easily record five half-hour shows in a day. In the days before efficient video tape editing, the complete program, from opening credit to final fade, was done in one take. It was a high-adrenalin work experienced today only in live outside broadcasts and studio programs such as Q&A or the Logies. The same pressure was on productions shot largely on location, like many of Crawford Production’s later police

By VINCENT O’DONNELL

Honorary fellow in the School of Historical and Philosophical Studies at the University of Melbourne & Honorary Research Associate of the School of Media and Communication at RMIT University

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The Spoiler ● From Page 34

For Those Who Have Lost The Plot

Neighbours ■ 6.30pm. Weeknights. Eleven ■ Monday, March 17. Lauren's secret threatens to rip families apart; Josh fails to cope with his injury; Sonya and Chris are at odds over Patricia. ■ Tuesday, March 18. The Willis and Turner families struggle with the news of Brad and Lauren's secret; Kate faces Brennan with surprising results; Josh fears Amber is losing interest in him. ■ Wednesday, March 19. Lauren has a difficult decision to make; Rebecca finally admits what's driving her to be with Paul; Georgia's fundraising day falls prey to Paul's money grubbing. ■ Thursday, March 20. Rebecca leaves Erinsborough; the "Erinsborough Farm Day" gets underway; someone has broken into Brennan's house, but who is it and what for? ■ Friday, March 21. Brennan's ex arrives to win back her man; Chris fears that his mother has relapsed; Kyle is devastated when Georgia says she wants to move on; Toadie heads overseas, leaving things tense with Sonya.

Home and Away

● Surf, sand and unthreatening bush? Not here, thanks procedurals. Indeed powerful an influence on add – It was absolutely porary Australian TV seCrawford’s crews were the way an audience re- freezing and a light drizzle ries with a look. Miss Fisher’s Murder very competitive, one sponds to the narrative as came down as well … but crew shot a special epi- the spoken word or the on- visually it was absolutely Mysteries has a bright, pristunning. mary colouration, well sode of Division 4 on lo- screen action. A light mist hung in the suited to the over-the-top cation in Tasmania in five Indeed the US remake days, averaging 15 min- of The Killing went to air, the light was very flat stories and the UST (unutes of screen-time a day. lengths to reproduce the and cold, which suited the resolved sexual tension) scene beautifully. that lurks behind every For a long time then, look of the original. All I had to do was conversation except, perproduction efficiency In Australia, the US rehaps, those between Bert counted for more than make aired on commer- press the record button. Irving sells himself and Cec, and anything giving a program a dis- cial TV and overlapped tinctive visual signature. with the original on SBS. short but will take credit Aunt Prudence has to say. East-West 101 on SBSChanging production TV buffs could watch for the other half of the TV, too, had a distinctive, technologies, especially both and have trouble tell- look. I will take some credit gritty look, especially in lightweight and sensitive ing them apart. video cameras and the A coincidence of script for the framing because the exterior sequences. The extra time and cost pursuit of a “point of dif- and weather conditions that’s where your options ferentiation” (as the mar- helped cinematographer are limitless … with the required to establish a disketers would put it) for an Irving establish the look wonderful shapes in the tinctive look is small but individual production, has of the Dr Blake series. In frame, the living and dead is not embraced by comallowed more distinctive episode one, a body is trees, the distant horizon mercial TV to the same cinematography into tele- found in a lake. The im- of the lake (there was the extent as the ABC or SBS. But if making a story vision production. ages are straight out of a opportunity) to frame it in Most distinctive is what Bergman film. Louis Irv- a certain way… that al- more compelling for an lowed for a lot of head- audience is what TV is might be called North Eu- ing explained to me: rope Noir – Wallander, Unfortunately I can’t room to see the branches about then it is a competiThe Bridge and take much of the credit. of the trees and that very tive advantage to a commercial operator. Forbrydelsen (The Kill- Lake Wendouree – it was gloomy sky on the day. The Dr Blake MysterA look will come, to ing) etc. the coldest day of my In these, the look is as working career I might ies is not the only contem- Australian TV’s benefit.

■ 7pm. Weeknights. Seven ■ Monday, March 17. To be advised. ■ Tuesday, March 18. To be advised. ■ Wednesday, March 19. Will Andy do the right thing by his brother? Hannah struggles to keep her relationship with Andy a secret and Sasha reveals her true feelings about Matt. Jett uses his position on the SRC to do something for Gina. ■ Thursday, March 20. Double Episode. Zac learns about Hannah and Andy. Marilyn tries to maintain her space while John and Jett discuss the Gina Memorial. Heath and Bianca try to make things work with the baby. Jess is hiding a secret and is Ricky leaving town?

Arts, Showbiz Briefs ■ Opening night of Dreamsonbg will take place on Thursday, April 10 at Theatre Works, St Kilda. ■ The Darebin Community and Kite Festival will take place at Edwardes Park Lake, Reservoir, on Sunday, March 23 from 11am-4pm. ■ Advance tickets for the second Justin Timberlake concert go on sale from 10am this morning (Wed.). The concerts will be staged at Etihad Stadium on September 18-19. ■ Jeff Joseph’s showbiz luncheon group will meet at Giorgio’s on Thursday, March 20. Mike McColl Jones was guest speaker at the February event, and was accompanied by special guests Pete Smith and Philip Brady. ■ One of Italy’s most celebrated singers, Laura Pausini, is to visit Australia for the first time, for a concert tour. Laura will perform in Melbourne on June 12. Anthony Callea will open the show in Melbourne. ■ Melbourne International Jazz Festival is announcing that Mary Stallings (USA), the Joshua Redman Quartet and the Larry Carlton Quartet (USA) will be performing.

Page 42 - Melbourne Observer - Wednesday, March 12, 2014

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Movies, DVDs With Jim Sherlock and Aaron Rourke

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

Harold Ramis

FILM: THE BUTLER: Genre: Drama/True Story. Cast: Forest Whitaker, Vanessa Redgrave, Oprah Winfrey, Cuba Gooding Jr, Robin Williams, John Cusack, Liev Schreiber, Alan Rickman, Jane Fonda. Year: 2013. Rating: M. Running Time: 132 Minutes. Format: DVD and BLU-RAY. Stars: ***½ Verdict: This fictionalized drama, inspired by the true life story of African-American Eugene Allen, stars Forest Whitaker as Cecil Gaines, who recounts his poverty and racially stricken life, and went to work at The White House for eight presidents during his tenure as aid and butler. The Presidents include Robin Williams as Dwight D. Eisenhower, John Cusack as Richard Nixon, James Marsden as John F. Kennedy, Alan Rickman as Ronald Reagan and Liev Schreiber as Lyndon Johnson. All this is throughout racial segregation, the civil rights movement, Vietnam, the Martin Luther King Jr and John F. Kennedy assassinations, and other major events American history, right up to the Barak Obama Presidential campaign. Oscar winner Forest Whitaker is superb as the adult Gaines as is Oprah Winfrey as Gaines wife. The Butler draws interesting parallels to Peter Morgan's filmed stage play The Audience with Helen Mirren as Queen Elizabeth II and 2011's The Help.

November 21, 1944 - February 24, 2014.

FILM: TURBO: Genre: Animated/Adventure/Comedy. Cast: Ryan Reynolds, Samuel L. Jackson, Paul Giamatti, Michelle Rodriguez. Year: 2013. Rating: G. Running Time: 96 Minutes. Format: DVD, BLU-RAY and BLU-RAY 3D. Stars: **** Verdict: This animated feature from Dreamworks animation, the makers of the animated classics Shrek, Madagascar, Kung Fu Panda and Puss in Boots, to name a few, is a joy. It's the wonderfully quirky story of a freak accident might just help an everyday garden snail achieve his biggest dream: winning the Indianapolis 500. Enough said on the plot, I don't want to ruin it for you. The animation, the direction, the characters and the humour all come together beautifully and will have you laughing out loud and is without doubt as much fun for the adults as for the children! You'll never look at your little garden snail the same way again. FILM: SHIP OF FOOLS: Genre: Drama/Romance. Cast: Vivien Leigh, Lee Marvin, Simone Signoret, Oscar Werner, George Segal, Werner Klemperer. Year: 1965. Rating: PG. Running Time: 149 Minutes. Format: DVD and BLU-RAY. Stars: **** Verdict: Compelling and haunting drama based on author Katherine Anne Porter's bestseller of the same name, of a group of passengers on a ship travelling from Mexico to Germany as they struggle with their tangled relations under the dark cloud of the rise of Nazism, an allegory for the unsuspecting horrors throughout the soon to be unleashed Second World War. Superbly directed by the legendary Stanley Kramer (Judgment at Nuremberg, On The Beach, Guess Who's Coming to Dinner) from a screenplay by the Oscar winning Abby Mann (Judgment at Nuremberg), the stellar cast are all right at the top of their game, most notably Vivien Leigh in her final screen performance. Don't miss this one! Interestingly, the term 'Ship of Fools' has long been a mythological fixture in Western literature and the arts, depicting a vessel populated by people who are deranged, frivolous or oblivious passengers aboard a ship without a pilot and seemingly ignorant of their own direction and destiny. FILM: STALAG 17: Genre: War/Drama/Comedy. Cast: William Holden, Don Taylor, Otto Preminger, Robert Strauss. Year: 1953. Rating: G. Running Time: 120 Minutes. Format: DVD and BLU-RAY. Stars: **** Verdict: When two escaping American World War II prisoners are killed, the German POW camp barracks black marketeer is suspected of being an informer. Top notch WWII comedy-drama from legendary director Billy Wilder (Sunset Boulevard) right at the top of his game, screen legend William Holden gives a standout Oscar winning performance, as does the great comedian and character actor Robert Strauss with the comic relief, and director Otto Preminger is a joy as the ruthless POW camp Kommandant. Thrilling, funny and exciting, this is close to the best and most acclaimed of the genre. Trivia: this was the inspiration for the classic TV series Hogan's Heroes a decade-and-a-half later. - James Sherlock

■ Harold Ramis, one of Hollywood's most likeable comedians, sadly passed away on Monday February 24, aged 69, due to complications arising from autoimmune inflammatory vasculitis, a rare blood disease he had been fighting for a number of years. Born on November 21, 1944 in Chicago, Illinois, Mr Ramis looked like he would enter the education or health care sector, with brief jobs at public schools and as a mental ward orderly, but these didn't end up working out. A radical left-turn saw Mr Ramis employed by Playboy as the magazine's reviewer and joke editor. He then became part of Chicago's Second City's Improvisational Theatre Troupe in 1969, and success here lead to him moving to New York, where he would team up with future comedy stars Bill Murray, John Belushi and Gilda Radner in The National Lampoon Show. This drew the attention of TV producer Lorne Michaels, who would snare Murray, Radner and Belushi for his influential, long-running comedy show Saturday Night Live, while Mr Ramis would become a prolific writer/performer on the Canadian equivalent SCTV (1976-1979), and would be the show's head writer by 1976. Mr Ramis would achieve massive, big-screen success when he helped co-write the 1978 box-office smash Animal House, directed by John Landis and co-starring John Belushi, and even wrote an episode of the short-lived TV series spin-off Delta House (1979) (episode - The Legacy). Mr Ramis co-wrote the 1979 summer camp comedy Meatballs, which saw him team up with director Ivan Reitman and colleague and friend Bill Murray, and was also a winner at the US box-office, eventually spawning a number of sequels. This well-liked, hard-working writer made his directorial debut with the 1980 film Caddyshack, another major cinema success that struck a perfect chord with its predominantly youthful audience. Again teaming up with Murray, this hilarious comedy also starred Chevy Chase, Ted Knight and a scene-stealing Rodney Dangerfield and like Animal House, provides as many good-natured laughs today as it did when first released. My introduction to Harold Ramis the actor was in Stripes (1981), which proved to be another major moneyearner, and saw him once more working alongside star Bill Murray and director Ivan Reitman. This underdog story of two slackers who decide to join the army is great fun, and part of the film's success is due to the wonderful comic chemistry between Murray and Ramis (as well as a strong supporting cast that includes Warren Oates, John Candy, John Larroquette and Judge Reinhold). Mr Ramis's golden streak continued with National Lampoon's Vacation (1983), starring Chevy Chase, Beverly D'Angelo and Randy Quaid, with a script by John Hughes (Ferris Bueller's Day Off), and despite several sequels, is still the best in the series. Mr Ramis would become well-

known to millions of movie-goers worldwide with his next film, the phenomenally successful Ghostbusters (1984) where he, Bill Murray, Dan Aykroyd and Ernie Hudson save New York from a plague of nasty entities. This gentle blend of humour and horror is beloved by people of all ages, and continues to entertain younger viewers today. Mr Ramis was a co-writer on the Rodney Dangerfield college comedy Back To School (1986) (this is still Dangerfield's best starring vehicle), before moving on to the okay but very hit-and-miss Club Paradise (1986), starring Robin Williams, which he cowrote and directed. A co-screenplay credit for the forgettable Armed And Dangerous (1986), starring John Candy and Meg Ryan, followed, along with supporting roles in the cute Baby Boom (1987) with Diane Keaton, and the nostalgic drama Stealing Home (1988), starring Mark Harmon and Jodie Foster. All the gang reteamed for Ghostbusters 2 (1989), a thoroughly ingratiating sequel that I found more entertaining than the first, and returning to the director's chair in 1993, Ramis released probably his most critically acclaimed film to date, Groundhog Day, where Bill Murray (in a sharp comic performance) has to live the same day over and over. With Multiplicity (1996), Mr Ramis gave audiences several finely tuned and comically effective performances from Michael Keaton, combining with visual effects that are quite impressive. Despite a slow start, this ends up being mildly entertaining. Small parts continued in the guilty-pleasure flick Airheads (1994), the Warren Beatty romantic drama Love Affair (1994), and the Oscar-winning As Good As It Gets (1997), starring Jack Nicholson. As co-writer/director, Mr Ramis had surprise success with the gangster spoof Analyze This (1999), starring Robert DeNiro and Billy Crystal, then helmed Bedazzled (2000), a remake of the classic 1967 film with Dudley Moore and Peter Cook, which begins well but unfortunately runs out of steam before the end. Mr Ramis would co-write and direct the inevitable sequel to the DeNiro / Crystal money-spinner, entitled Analyze That (2002), and also directed the comic thriller The Ice Harvest (2005), with John Cusack and Oliver Platt. Mr Ramis had cameos in Judd Apatow's Knocked Up (2007) and Walk Hard : The Dewey Cox Story (2007), and his final feature film outing as writer and director was the stoner comedy Year One (2009), starring Jack Black, which sadly is a huge misfire. His last directorial effort was for the US TV show The Office in 2010 (episode - The Delivery : Part 2). Harold Ramis was certainly a quiet achiever, and as an actor, writer, and director has been part of some of the most iconic comedies of all-time, ones which will be enjoyed by people for many years to come. I will certainly miss that very distinctive voice of his, and that laconic on-screen persona that was always a pleasure to watch. - Aaron Rourke

Top 10 Lists THE AUSTRALIAN BOX OFFICE TOP TEN: 1. NON-STOP. 2. WOLF CREEK 2. 3. THE WOLF OF WALL STREET. 4. LONE SURVIVOR. 5. LAST VEGAS. 6. ROBOCOP. 7. 12 YEARS A SLAVE. 8. 3 DAYS TO KILL. 9. ARE WE OFFICIALLY DATING? 10. THE DALLAS BUYERS CLUB. NEW RELEASES AND COMING SOON TO CINEMAS AROUND AUSTRALIA: MARCH 6: 300: RISE OF AN EMPIRE, ALL IS LOST, FATAL HONEYMOON, TRACKS, VAMPIRE ACADEMY: BLOOD SISTERS. MARCH 13: GENERATION IRON, HANNAH ARENDT, NEED FOR SPEED, THE ARMSTRONG LIE, THE MONUMENTS MEN. THE DVD TOP RENTAL & SELLERS: 1. CAPTAIN PHILLIPS [Drama/ Tom Hanks, Barkhad Abdi]. 2. GRAVITY [Drama/Sandra Bullock, George Clooney]. 3. BLUE JASMINE [Drama/Cate Blanchett, Alec Baldwin, Peter Sarsgaard]. 4. THE BUTLER [Drama/Forest Whitaker, Oprah Winfrey, Alan Rickman, Jane Fonda]. 5. THOR: THE DARK WORLD [Action/Fantasy/Chris Hemsworth, Natalie Portman]. 6. PRISONERS [Crime/Drama/ Thriller/Hugh Jackman, Jake Gyllenhaal, Maria Bello]. 7. ESCAPE PLAN [Action/ Sylvester Stallone, Arnold Schwarzenegger]. 8. RUSH [Biographical/Drama/ Action/Chris Hemsworth, Daniel Bruhl]. 9. ALAN PARTRIDGE: ALPHA PAPA [Comedy/Steve Coogan, ColmMeaney]. 10. THE FAMILY [Action/Comedy/ Crime/Robert De Niro, Michelle Pfeiffer]. Also: ABOUT TIME, RED 2, 2 GUNS, THE TURNING, NOW YOU SEE ME, RIDDICK, WE'RE THE MILLERS, DIANA, GROWN UPS 2, THE WOLVERINE. NEW RELEASE HIGHLIGHTS ON DVD THIS WEEK: TURBO [Animated/Family/Paul Giamatti, Samuel L. Jackson, Michael Pena]. PATRICK [Horror/Thriller/Charles Dance, Rachel Griffiths, Sharni Vinson]. MR. PIP [Drama/Hugh Laurie, Eka Darville]. INSIDIOUS 2 [Horror/Thriller/Rose Byrne, Patrick Wilson, Barbara Hershey]. MACHETE KILLS [Action/Danny Trejo, Michelle Rodriguez, Jessica Alba]. FRUITVALE STATION [Drama/ Octavia Spencer, Melanie Diaz]. ZOMBIE HUNTER [R18+/Action/ Horror/Danny Trejo, Martin Copping]. BAD COUNTRY [Crime/Drama/Tom Berenger, Willem Dafoe, Matt Dillon]. NEW RELEASE TELEVISION, DOCUMENTARY AND MUSIC DVD HIGHLIGHTS: BARBIE IN THE PEARL PRINCESS. SENSATION: The Story of The Who's Tommy. Turn To Page 49

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Melbourne Observer - Wednesday, March 12, 2014 - Page 43

Observer Local Theatre Showbiz With Cheryl Threadgold Observer Melbourne

Inspector Drake at The 1812 SHOWS ■ The 1812 Theatre: Inspector Drake and the Black Widow (by David Tristram) Until March 22 at 3-5 Rose St., Upper Ferntree Gully. Director: Anne Simons. Tickets: $27. Bookings: 9758 3964 www.1812theatre.com.au ■ Malvern Theatre Company: Trap for a Lonely Man (by Robert Thomas) Until March 15 at 29 Burke Rd., Malvern. Director: Kevin Trask. Tickets: $20. Bookings: 1300 131 552 www.malverntheatre.com.au ■ Lilydale Athenaeum Theatre: Double Act (by Barry Creyton) Until March 22 at 39 - 41 Castella St., Lilydale. Director: Alan Burrows. Tickets: $25/$23. Bookings: 9735 1777 www.lilydaleatc.com ■ La Mama Theatre: Orphanage of the Animals Until March 16 at La Mama Theatre, 205 Faraday St., Carlton. Directors: Catherine Samsung and Karen Corbett. Tickets: $25/$15. Bookings: www.lamama.com.au ■ La Mama Theatre: The Family Tree Until March 16, Thurs, Sat at 8.30pm, Wed, Fri, Sun at 6.30pm at La Mama Theatre, 205 Faraday St., Carlton. Tickets: $25/$15. Bookings: 9347 6142 www.lamama.com.au ■ Subtext Theatre: Danny and the Deep Blue Sea Until March15 at 7.30pm, and March 15 at 3.00pm at The Owl and the Pussy Cat, 34 Swan Street, Richmond (opposite Richmond station). Tickets: $25/$20. Bookings: http://www.owlandcat.com.au Encore Theatre Company: Love, Loss and What I Wore (by Nora and Delia Ephron), Until March 21 at the Clayton Theatrette, Clayton Community Centre, Cooke St., Clayton. Director: Helen Ellis. Bookings: 1300 739 099 (9.00am - 9.00pm). ■ La Mama Theatre: Stray (by R. Johns) March 12 - 23, Wed, Sun at 6.30pm, Thurs, Fri, Sat at 7.30pm, March 13, 20 at 11.00am, March 19 at 1.00pm at La Mama Courthouse, 349 Drummond St., Carlton. Director: Kat Henry. Tickets: $25/$15. Bookings: www.lamama.com.au ■ Fortyfivedownstairs: The Long Pigs March 13 - 23 at fortyfivedownstairs, 45 Flinders Lane, Melbourne. Director: Susie Dee. Devised and performed by Clare Bartholomew, Derek Ives and Nicci Wilks. Tickets: $35/$28. Bookings: 9662 9966 or www.fortyfivedownstairs.com ■ SLAMS: The 25th Annual Putnum County Spelling Bee March 14 - 22 at 8.00pm at the Knox Community Arts Centre, Crnr. Scoresby Rd. and Mountain H'way, Bayswater. Director: Joel Batalha; Musical Director: Ben Franklin; Choreographer: Hayley Wood. Tickets: $32/$28 Groups 10+ $25. Bookings: www.trybooking.com/69740 or 9720 3205. ■ The Mount Players: A Few Good Men (by Aaron Sorkin) March 14 - April 5 at The Mountview Theatre, 56 Smith St., Macedon. Director: Neil Coulson. Tickets: $25/$22. Bookings: 5426 1892 www.themountplayers.com ■ Beaumaris Theatre Inc: The Great Gatsby March 14 - 29 at Beaumaris Theatre, 82 Wells Rd., Beaumaris. Director: Kristina Doucouliagos. Tickets: $27/$22. Bookings: www.beaumaristheatre.com.au ■ Sly Rat Theatre Company (in conjunction with Revolt Artspace Melbourne): Doomsday Devices (by Andy Harmsen) March 14 - 22 at Revolt Artspace, 12 Elizabeth St., Kensington. Tickets: $25 full $20 conc. Bookings: http:// www.revoltproductions.com ■ Mockingbird Theatre: The Judas Kiss (by David Hare) March 14 - 22 at Theatre Works, 14 Acland St., St Kilda. Director: Jason Cavanagh. Bookings: www.mockingbirdtheatre.com.au Nat Cursio Co (Commissioned by Theatre Works): The Middle Room March 17 - 21 and March 24 - 28 at Theatre Works, 14 Acland St., St Kilda. Strictly one visitor at a time. Tickets: $25/ $20. Bookings: www.theatreworks.org.au (please bring proof of payment to theatre), or phone 9534 3388 between 10.00am and 3.00pm Mon-Fri, or tickets available at door unless sold out. Box Office opens 45 minutes before start of the show. ■ Red Stitch Theatre: This Year's Ashes (by Jane Bodie) March 19 - April 19 at Red Stitch Theatre, Rear 2 Chapel St., St Kilda East. Director: Tim Roseman. Bookings: 9533 8083 or email boxoffice@redstitch.net ■ Present Tense Ensemble: The Major Bruce Sessions: Volume 1: Like a Prayer by Madonna Thursday, March 20 at 7.30pm at The Toff In Town, Level 2, Curtin House, 252 Swanston St., Melbourne. Curated and arranged by Nate Gilkes and Bryce Ives. Tickets: $25 on door, $20 online. www.rubysmusicroom.com ■ By Word of Mouth Productions: Who You are (by Nick Backstrom), March 19 - 30, Wed, Sun at 6.30pm, Thurs, Fri, Sat at 7.30pm at La Mama Theatre, 205 Faraday Street, Carlton. Director: Douglas Montgomery. Tickets: $25/$15. Bookings: 9347 6142 www.lamama.com.au ■ Theatre Works: Person of Interest - Nicola Gunn. March 24 - 29 at Theatre Works, 14 Acland St., St Kilda. Tickets: $15. Bookings: www.theatreworks.org.au (please bring proof of payment to theatre), or phone 9534 3388 between 10.00am and 3.00pm Mon-Fri, or tickets available at door unless sold out. Box Office opens 45 minutes before start of the show.

XANADU

The Great Gatsby

● Christopher Newton (George), Jasmine Skye (Myrtle) and Matt Mirams (Tom) in The Great Gatsby, opening on March 14 in Beaumaris. Photo: Kristina Doucouliagos ■ Beaumaris Theatre Inc. presents The Great Gatsby from March 14-29 at 82 Wells Rd., Beaumaris. Written by F. Scott Fitzgerald and adapted for the stage by Simon Levy, Beaumaris Theatre’s premiere production is directed by Kristina Doucouliagos. Tickets: $27/$22. Bookings: www.beaumaristheatre.com.au

SHOWS ■ Fab Nobs Inc: Xanadu March 21 - April 5 at 33 Industry Place, Bayswater. Director: Steven Valeris; Musical Director: Simon D'Aquino; Choreographer: Sheona Grigg. Bookings: www.fabnobstheatre.com.au

AUDITIONS ■ Eltham Little Theatre: 10 Minute Quickies Festival March 16 from 5.30pm and March 17 from 7.00pm at the Eltham Performing Arts Centre, 1603 Main Rd., Research. Actors aged 15 - 80 years required. Performances will be in May. For further details visit www.elthamlittletheatre.org.au ■ Cardinia Performing Arts Company (CPAC): The Wedding Singer Information Night Thursday, March 27 at 7.30pm at the CPAC rooms at rear of the Pakenham Sports Club, Henry St., Pakenham. Auditions: April 29, 30 from 6.00pm. Dance audition and callbacks: May 3 at 1.00pm. Audition bookings: 0407 090 354 or www.cardiniaperformingarts.com ■ Playhouse Players Inc: 12 Angry Men (by Reginald Rose) March 29, 30. Director: Andrew Burns. Audition booking and audition kit: 0420 329 198.

● Karl McNamara (Sonny) and Emily Hall (Kira) in Xanadu, opening in Bayswater on March 21. ■ Fab Nobs Theatre Inc. presents the dynamic musical comedy Xanadu from March 21 to April 5 at the Fab Factory, 33 Industry Place, Bayswater. With book by Douglas Carter Beane and music/lyrics by Jeff Lynne and John Farrar, the musical is based on the 1980 cult classic film of the same name, starring Australia’s Olivia Newton-John. The musical’s story line focuses on a Greek muse, Clio, on a quest to inspire a struggling artist, Sonny, to achieve the greatest creation of his life: a roller disco. But when Clio, disguised as an Australian roller girl named Kira, falls in forbidden love with the mortal Sonny, her jealous sisters take advantage of the situation and Clio risks eternal banishment to the underworld. Fab Nobs’ show is directed by Stephen Valeri, with musical direction by Simon D’Aquino and choreography by Sheona Gregg. Bookings: www.fabnobstheatre.com.au or call 0401 018 843.

DEATH IN BOWENGABBIE

THIS YEAR’S ASHES

■ Australian writer Jane Bodie’s comedy This Year’s Ashes, will play its Victorian premiere from March 19 to April 19 at Red Stitch Theatre, St Kilda. Directed by Tim Roseman, This Year’s Ashes is a hilarious, touching, bittersweet comedy about relationships and loss. Of moving and moving on … and the cricket. The story tells of Ellen having moved from Melbourne in pursuit of a new life in shiny Sydney. Stuck in an office job she hates, she has no friends and speaks to no one back home. Ellen prefers the company of strangers – drinking with them and ideally never seeing them again. But now it seems that whatever she’s trying to leave behind her is refusing to let go, and the anonymous guy she’s brought home might not be so anonymous after all. This Year’s Ashes features Daniel Frederiksen, Rosie Lockhart and guest actor, Jeremy Stanford. Performance dates: March 21 – April 19, Previews: March 19, 20 Times: Wed – Sat at 8.00pm, Sun 6.30pm (no show on April 18, Good Friday), 4.00pm matinees March 29, April 5 and 12 Venue: Red Stitch Theatre, Rear 2 Chapel St., St Kilda Tickets: $20.00 - $39.00. Bookings: 9533 8083 or www.redstitch.net

● Bryce Youngman stars in Death At Bowengabbie at La Mama Theatre from April 3. Photo: Owen Little ■ Shaman Productions and La Mama present, as part of the 2014 Melbourne International Comedy Festival, Death In Bowengabbie, by Caleb Lewis, from April 3 – 13 at La Mama Theatre, Carlton. This one-man show tells of Oscar having made a great life in the city after escaping the burden of his small-town family history. He has a fiancé, a new job on the horizon and seems to have moved on from his tragic past. However, a series of mysterious deaths keep bringing him back to his home town of Bowengabbie for the understandably sad, yet strangely festive, funerals. Is it love that’s bringing him back? Or is something more sinister at play? Performance season: April 3 – 13 Times: Wed and Fri 9.00pm, Sat and Sun 6.00pm Venue: La Mama Theatre, 205 Faraday St, Carlton Tickets: $25 full, $15 concession Bookings: 9347 6142 or online at www.lamama.com.au www.shamanproductions.com

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Page 44 - Melbourne Observer - Wednesday, March 12, 2014 Melbourne

Observer Lovatts Crossword No 13

Across

Across

Down

Down

1. Shabbiness in dress 6. Light-bulb inventor 11. Shiny 15. Forts 20. Egyptian river 21. Reproductive organ 22. Shopping precinct 23. Lead dancer, ... ballerina 25. South Africa's Cape ... Hope (2,4) 26. Pakistan currency units 27. Actor, Ryan ... (1'4) 29. Likable 32. Tube 34. Without delay (1,1,1,1) 36. Look-alikes, dead ... 39. Caravan rover 41. Brief 43. Sparking stone 46. Boils or ulcers 48. Low wetland 49. London's ... Mall 51. Curving lines 52. Exploited 55. Territory, Puerto ... 56. Every 59. Composer, Andrew ... Webber 61. Antarctic inlet, ... Sea 62. False god 63. Crowd brawl 64. Corrected (wrong) 67. Dalai Lama's nationality 68. Bitter regret 70. Very keen enthusiast 71. One who owes money 72. Overeats 73. Firebomb liquid 74. Of punishment 75. Batting spell 77. Broken down 78. Resounded 79. Theatre reviewer 82. Hazardous 86. Loft 87. Peace prize city 89. Spick & span 92. Merge 94. Get up 96. Biblical son of Isaac 98. Naming word 100. Recycle 101. Mongolian desert 103. Painting, Mona ... 105. From Baghdad 106. Adolescent 108. Sports match 111. Autograph 112. Actor's outfits 114. Rat 116. A single time 119. Droplet 120. Location 121. Kind 123. Leave out 124. Madam (2'2) 125. Flowing 126. Loudness 127. Grand house 130. Born as 131. Cleaning up (room) 135. English coin 138. Not stereo 139. Large jug 141. Computer/phone link 144. A lot of 146. I am, you ... 147. Looked up & down 148. UK national broadcaster (1,1,1) 149. Mad Roman emperor 150. Fuss 151. Female zebra 152. German emperor 153. Repast 155. Drink, ... spumante 157. Golfer, Greg ... 158. Unseat 160. Release (3,2) 161. Sprite 162. Italian city 163. Honey liquor 165. Brother's daughter 166. Souped-up car, hot ...

167. Scamp 168. Laid slates 169. Upper-class 171. Document, Magna ... 172. Glossy black bird 175. Entrails 176. Lubricates 179. Breakfast dish 180. Cow flesh 182. Flowers, sweet ... 184. Chirps 185. Castle water ditch 186. 24 December, Christmas ... 188. ... Lang Syne 189. US anti-crime agency (1,1,1) 190. Measure (out) 191. Fifth musical note 193. Own 194. Father 196. Verge 197. Fiesta, Mardi ... 198. Medicine amounts 200. Unhappiest 205. Vicious dog 207. Second-hand vehicle (4,3) 210. Playwright 211. Reparation 212. In a frenzied state 213. Grass skirt dance 214. USA nickname, Uncle .. 216. Steals from 218. Created 219. Prepare (newspaper) 220. Tights 224. Coffee style 227. Spiky plant, ... vera 229. From Bangkok 230. Abhor 231. Gallantly 232. Dr Jekyll & Mr ... 233. Heredity unit 235. Out of order 237. Solidifies 239. Actor, Richard ... 241. Timepiece 244. Forewarning 246. Blankness 249. ... & twos 252. Depletes 254. Crave 256. Heaven's ... Gates 258. French Mrs 259. Pins for hammering 260. Romantic US falls 263. Internal 264. Lump of gold 265. Legless grub 267. Actress, ... Kidman 270. Digit 271. Funeral Mass 272. Actor, Dustin ... 273. Lewd 274. Loses (hair) 277. London nightspot 279. Make (wage) 281. Throw out 284. Only fair (2-2) 286. Crustacean with nippers 288. Small distance measures 292. Yoga master 294. Raw metals 295. Domestic servants 298. Screen legend, Sophia ... 300. From Emerald Isle 301. Sum up 303. Baby's skin problem, ... rash 306. Bashfulness 308. Japan & Korea are there 309. Oil-exporting cartel 311. Throb 314. Mushy 315. Energetic 316. Do the dishes (4,2) 317. Throng 318. Former spouses 319. Paris landmark, ... Triomphe (3,2) 320. Tennis ace, ... Sampras 321. Urges 322. Sense 323. Blunted 324. Movie actors (4,5)

1. Renovate (2,2) 2. Become distorted 3. Suggest 4. Kuwaiti rulers 5. Clean break 6. Flees to wed 7. Delay 8. Bathroom fixtures 9. Fall asleep (3,3) 10. Brigand 11. Revolve on axis 12. Stood against 13. Smudge 14. Palestinian chief, ... Arafat 15. Pour carelessly 16. Aida or Carmen 17. Potters' ovens 18. Pantomime lead 19. Observes 24. Rebukes, ... over the knuckles 28. Put on ... & graces 30. Spoken 31. Hideous 33. Irritated the skin 35. Incidental comments 37. Clarified butter 38. Curry & ... 40. Face veils 42. Physical activity 44. Portugal's capital 45. Scientist, Sir Isaac ... 47. Stench 48. Elevated railway 49. Drainage tradesman 50. Extortionate lender (4,5) 53. Largest bird 54. Calls (5,2) 57. Ancient Mariner's seabird 58. Protective headwear 60. Cloth retailers 63. Cleaver 65. Frosted (cake) 66. Expensive 68. Coral bank 69. Cosy 76. Set up (machinery) 79. Long-leafed lettuce 80. Nunavut native 81. Eastern faith 83. Twig shelters 84. Cartoon strip, Li'l ... 85. Flightless bird 88. English cheese 90. Fleur de lis plant 91. Among 93. Riveted 95. Easter gifts 97. Unplaced competitor (4-3) 99. Constantly busy (2,3,2) 100. Hire 102. Pungent bulb 104. Largest African nation 107. Uncanny 109. Wet 110. Vocal solo 111. Jet-baths 113. Soapie session 115. Obvious 117. TV award 118. Young deer 121. Contemptibly 122. Patella 127. Nonsense, ... jumbo 128. Razor cuts 129. Bits & pieces (4,3,4) 132. Recipe components 133. Stupid 134. Avarice 135. Packaged 136. Dilapidated 137. 24 hours ago 138. Unforgettable 140. Enforces once more 141. Pacified 142. Courageous

143. Huge stone blocks 145. Tomahawk 151. Enormous 154. Men's Singles champion, ... Agassi 156. Lustre 159. One, numero ... 164. Totally 169. Cougars 170. Steam burn 173. Influences 174. Short, witty remark 177. Author, ... Asimov 178. Take oath 181. Whirling (of water) 183. Women warriors 187. Wantonly destroy 192. Female hormone 195. Current of air 199. Supervise 201. Points gun 202. Anti-flood embankment 203. Genuine fact 204. Implicit 206. Gay 207. Non-rural 208. Cheap, a ... a dozen 209. Lends a hand to 213. Smacks 215. Strolling 217. Killed 221. Helium & hydrogen 222. Not ever 223. Cut with scissors 224. Charlotte Bronte novel, Jane ... 225. Withdraw, ... out 226. Poet, ... Allan Poe 228. Legal trade bans 234. Phone security device 236. Wrongdoers 238. Terminate 240. Singer, ... Orbison 242. Normally (2,1,4) 243. Peculiarity 245. Mussels or clams 247. Peppermint essence 248. Nut fastener 250. Scientist, Albert ... 251. Weasel-like animals 253. Overfill 255. College test 257. Recline lazily 258. Restaurant list 261. Lovers' fling 262. Military forces 265. Valuable ores, precious ... 266. Garden ornament 268. Hex 269. The Continent 275. Jolly laugh (2,2) 276. Rounded roof 278. Hampers 280. Pressurised spray 282. Delights 283. Dollar division 285. Properly positioned, in ... 287. Steam generator 289. Tripoli citizen 290. Impersonates 291. Melted 292. Barked shrilly 293. Potato 296. Colorado ski resort 297. Writer, ... Thomas 299. Obtain (funds) 302. Two-door car 304. ... Fools' Day 305. Earnest requests 306. Crown Princess of Denmark 307. Opera singer 308. Yes votes 310. Head cook 312. Charismatic air 313. Spreading trees

Melbourne Observer - Wednesday, March 12, 2014 - Page 45

Solution on Page 36

MEGA

CROSSWORD No 13 1

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Page 46 - Melbourne Observer - Wednesday, March 12, 2014

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SATURDAY COMMUNITY MARKET WHITTLESEA. Saturday, March 15. 8am1pm. 3rd Saturday of each month. Whittlesea Secondary College, Laurel St. Mel 246 G10. Single site from $20. Enquiries: 0419 357 395. Arts, crafts, plants, clothes, food and more. The market raises some of the funds required so the college and the primary school can have chap-lains. All of the money from the site fees and the sausage stall is used for this purpose.

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Don’t miss a single issue of the Melbourne Observ er er.. For a disObserver count ed pric eo 9 (a vailable ounted price off $9 $99 (av for a short time only e will mail only)) w we erbo x your o wn c op y tto oy our lett own cop opy your letterbo erbox y wher e in A us tr alia). Or ganise (an tralia). Organise (anywhere Aus ustr y. by phone or mail ttoda oda oday

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■ Writer and performer Alicia Easteal grew up in a hippie commune in middle class, suburban Camberwell, following the teachings of a charismatic Indian guru, ‘Father’. Easteal narrates her unconventional and intriguing story through monologue, film and selected readings by members of her audience. What is fascinating about Easteal’s story is the great, unquestioning faith the followers placed in ‘Father’, the spiritual leader with nine wives and 19 children, and his ability to deliver a utopian dream. A search for something better that proved elusive. The narrative takes us from the good times to the bad; the fading of the dream and the fracturing of the Family as heroin and lost hope ripped apart good intentions. The program makes a comparison with The Family Tree and ‘the vulnerability of the works Spalding Gray’. Gray made famous the simple, pared-back, style of autobiographical narrative performed on an unadorned set. Easteal certainly has the skill to carry this off; she is a talented and accomplished performer. There are many great anecdotes recounted with affection. The problem with this production lies in the latter half of the script which degenerates from pathos to bathos. At some point it switched from performance to group therapy session. The wry, self-deprecating voice is lost and replaced with an accusatory, critical tone; a ‘blame-the-parents’ polemic where Easteal vents her resentment. Easteal comes across as an ungrateful child, looking back from her position on the high moral ground. This is a shame because her story is arresting and there is warmth and charm in her delivery. The Family Tree is on at La Mama until March 16. Tickets: $25/$15. Bookings: 9347 6142 www.lamama.com.au - Review by Kathryn Keeble

LATEST THEATRE NEWS

● Alicia Easteal in The Family Tree at La Mama Theatre until March 16.

Observer Briefs

■ Entertainer John Lidgerwood is producing Yes! I Remember It Well, a tribute to Lerner and Loewe. The show is being staged at Sale, Warragul, South Morang, Preston, Werribee, Nunawading, Albert Park, Kyneton, Hamilton, Mt Gambier, Portalnd, Moonee Ponds, Shepparton, Ballarat, Warrnambool and Geelong. ■ One Melbourne newspaper company is retreenching graphic artists, replacing them with Filipino-based workers at a rate of $1.30 per hour. ■ A fund-raising roast for Derryn Hinch will be held tonight (Wed.), 7pm-10pm, at Riva, St Kilda. Hosted by Darren James, the entertainers include Rhonda Burchmore, Peter Sullivan, Bob Valentine, Nikki Nicholls and Ellie Sullivan. ■ Reg Livermore will be joining the Melbourne cast of Wicked.

Special ‘Observer’ Reader Offer SHOWS Diana Trask Daughter of Australia CD

A newly released CD by one of Australia's popular singers

$20 including postage Diana was one of the first popular Australian singers to be successful in the USA but soon after many others followed: Helen Reddy, Olivia Newton-John and in recent times Keith Urban. Diana's success began on the Sing Along with Mitch TV Show from New York. Coming back to Australia she had a national hit TV show The Di Trask Show. A little later Diana moved to Nashville and a string of hit songs and albums in the country music field followed. Dear Friends, I am so happy and excited to release our new CD Daughter of Australia Australia.. The response to the songs on this album during my recent Victorian tour was overwhelming. I trust the readers of The M elbourne Observer will Melbourne enjoy this CD which is a collection of my old hits and some of my new compositions. With love, Diana To: T erprises Trrask Ent Enterprises PO Bo x 200 erbury ic 3126 Box 200,, Cant Canterbury erbury,, V Vic

Simply send the form below. All orders will be dispatched within two working days of cheque/ money order clearance. Please PRINT CLEARLY your name/address/phone number, and mail with cheque or money order to Trask Enterprises. C/- 30 Glen Gully Rd, Eltham, Vic 3095

Yes! Please send me the CD Diana Trask Daughter of Australia. I enclose my Cheque/Money Order for $20. Name: ...........................................................................................

Phone: ..........................................................................................................................

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............................................ Phone: ............................................ $20 including Postage or Diana Trask Daughter of Australia can be purchased from www.dianatrask.com

Expiry: ..................................................

Subject to standard subscription terms and conditions

Songs on the Daughter of Australia CD include 1. Daughter of Australia 2. Lock Stock and Tear dr ops eardr drops 3. Run Boy Run ou'v e Got 4. Hold Wha Whatt Y You'v ou've 5. This Must Be My Ship 6. All Of The People 7. S tirrin' Up F eelings Stirrin' Feelings 8. Her e's T oY ou Bab y Here's To You Baby 9. Star of the Sea (Gabe's Song) 10. Old Country Church

Page 48 - Melbourne Observer - Wednesday, March 12, 2014

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Melbourne

Observer Victorian Sport

Tassie dog secures Aust. Cup

■ Tasmanian chaser Buckle Up Wes captured the Australian Cup Final at The Meadows, before a crowd estimated at close to 4000. Trainer Ted Medhurst, whose training partner Debbie Cannon won the Cup four years ago with St Pierre, is one of the leaders of his craft in Tasmania, but surprisingly the Australian Cup win was his first in a Group One race in a decade. He has campaigned top stayer Bell Haven on the mainland, and that dog has raced without luck in several big events. Buckle Up Wes led most of the way in the Australian Cup, running a blistering time and recording his 20th victory from just 34 starts in the process. The race win earned connections $250,000 in prizemoney, and as Medhurst commented after the event, the win of Buckle Up Wes proves that Tasmanian dogs “can match it with anyone”. The Medhurst kennel consists of around 18 race dogs. There are only three racetracks in Tasmania – Hobart, Launceston and Devonport, and each track races once per week, meaning racing opportunities are limited and big kennels such as the Medhurst one must focus on quality as much as quantity. Less than 24 hours after the win of Buckle Up Wes, Tasmanian pacer Beautide won the InterDominion Grand Final in Sydney, giving Apple Isle racing followers another big race success to boast about.

Earnings rise

■ Top stayer Destini Fireball racked up

Greyhounds

with Kyle Galley up another feature race success on Australian Cup night, claiming the SuperStayers event over 725 metres. After also winning the 2013 edition of the race, the $100,000 winner’s prize took Destini Fireball’s career earnings to $629,000, less than $100,000 shy of the all-time stakes record holder Miata ($715,000). That record could sway trainer Norm Rinaldi to continue on racing Destini Fireball, after he had considered retiring the dog to stud recently. Rinaldi said there have been enquiries from around 40 breeders for the services of Destini Fireball, but the stud days might have to wait, especially while there are a few more dollars to be earned on the racetrack.

Long overdue ■ Also on Australian Cup night, popular Hampton Park trainer Tony Cortese celebrated a long overdue feature race success when he and son Mario prepared Pappa Gallo to win the $25,000 Maiden Series Final over 525 metres. One of the sports colourful

characters, Tony Cortese has been involved with greyhounds for 42 years. Their property at Hampton Park has been gradually surrounded by residential development over the years, but the family retains an active involvement in the sport, with Tony’s children all holding their own trainers licences. The family substitutes their involvement in the sport with running a pizza shop, conveniently operating from their garage. The business, known as TC’s Pizza, does home deliveries only and has proven quite successful. The Maiden Final is the richest race the Cortese clan has won – in total plus the $25,000 first prize they picked up a further $10,000 courtesy of the Greyhound Racing Victoria GOBIS bonus, which would equate to a fair few family size Hawaiians by my estimates.

● Traralgon Greyhound Racing Club

5, 6, 7 and 8. The Quadrella, as it was originally known, debuted on the Victorian TAB at the Flemington races on Saturday, July 1, 1972. The first greyhound Quadrella was offered on Sandown Park greyhounds on Thursday, January 4, 1974.

Early Quaddie

On again?

■ Some 409 years after it was first made available on local greyhound events, the TAB’s popular betting type, the Quadrella, has been duplicated on greyhound meetings with an ‘Early Quaddie’ now available. Initially on offer on the major meetings each week, but to be expanded depending on customer feedback, the Early Quaddie will run on Saturday night meetings at The Meadows and at Sandown Park on Thursday nights on races 1, 2, 3 and 4. The normal Quaddie will continue on all meetings on the standard races

■ The on again, off again redevelopment of the racetrack and facilities at Traralgon might be getting underway soon after all. A notice of an Application For A Planning Permit was placed in the Latrobe Valley Express last week for a permit for "Redevelopment of the Greyhound Racing Facility" According to the Greyhound Racing Victoria website, racing could cease at the current venue at the end of May. A Winter start would not be ideal given the area's often fickle weather conditions, but I am certain the.

Traralgon Greyhound Racing Club's staff and supporters will be only too glad to see work commence on the rebuild of their 40-year-old track and grandstand

Upcoming race meetings ■ Wednesday: Wednesday: The Meadows (Day), Bendigo (Twilight), Cranbourne (Night), Ballarat (N); Thursday: Traralgon (D), Warragul (T), Sandown Park (N), Warrnambool (N); Friday: Bendigo (T), Geelong (N); Saturday: Shepparton (T), The Meadows (N); Sunday: Healesville (D), Sandown Park (D), Cranbourne (T) Sale (T); Monday: Ballarat (D), Geelong (T), Shepparton (N); Tuesday: Horsham (T), Warragul (N). - Kyle Galley

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Melbourne Observer - Wednesday, March 12, 2014 - Page 49

Melbourne

Observer Victorian Sport

Showbiz Extra ■ From Page 42

Top 10 Lists

Tony’s giant battle Ted Ryan

● Tony Vasil ■ In the light of what has happened to top trainer Tony Vasil, it certainly makes you stop and think. Tony hasn't been seen on Victorian tracks lately, openly stating he is suffering depression, a terrible situation to be in, I know because several of my good friends are in the same position. One member of that family, very young, doesn't want to face the day when she wakens. Last year I had the pleasure of helping and being the auctioneer on a big night for Beyond Blue and it certainly opened my eyes to what these poor people go through. Referring back to Tony, he has a number of top class horses under his care, but felt he had to get away from it all and whipped up to Queensland for a break. His talented three year-old, Prince Harada, ran in the recent Australian Guineas. I know of several trainers and jockeys going through the same problem. A number of trainers and jockeys are working seven days a week and long hours. As we all know it is not easy just working the regular 40 hours a week, let alone every day. Let's hope Tony, like a number of others in all walks of life, can find a way.

Golden Slipper ■ It appears there is a battle between Australia's two top fillies in the Golden Slipper. Earthquake, winner of the Blue Diamond in brilliant fashion; naturally is the one to beat, but I do like the Hawkes trained, filly, Mossfun.

She was equally good in smashing the colts last start, and has plenty of stamina. Of the colts the Tony Mc Evoy-trained Risen from Doubt ran well for third after his second start and at this stage appears to be the best of the colts. The Gai Waterhouse trained, Law, I thought very disappointing and has blown out to $26. More follow up when we get closer to the big race.

Merts on mend ■ I had a chat with popular Chief Executive of the Victorian Jockeys’Association, Des O'Keefe, at Flemington, and he was telling me that Peter Mertens, who had a bad fall sometime ago is slowly coming good. Peter has had some bad falls in his time in the saddle, and is very popular with punters. We wish him well. Des added that another jockey, John Keating, who also had

● Earthquake Photo by Sharon Chpaman, Fast Track Photography in prizemoney and bonuses, on a nine race card that last year saw the emergence of talented horses such as Jet Away, who won the Miracle Mile and went on to, run a great race in the Caulfield Cup. Others who stood out were Escado, Trust In A Gust, and a bad fall, recently has Iconic. a fair way to go. As well as the Des took him to Golden Mile and The Caulfield recently, but Guineas, the meeting the day proved a bit will see the running of too much for John, the $280,000 VOBIS and Des had to help Gold Rush event over him to his car. 1000 metres for eliWe wish them both gible two-year olds, as well. well as the $110,000, Bendigo Gold Bracelet, to be run over the 1400-metre trip. This year the elite racing will also be ■ Since starting off complemented by a as Victoria's first stand host of family-friendly alone race meeting on activities, as part of the a Saturday in 2012, the joint Racing Victoria, Bendigo Jockey Club ● Peter Mertens has built it into a must Photo by SLICKPIX, phone 9354 5754 Melbourne Racing Club and Country meeting to race your horses or as a mem- Bendigo Guineas Executive of the Racing Victoria's Reber of the racing pub- (1400) metres to listed Bendigo Jockey Club, laxed Racing camIan Hart, says the paign, with free enterlic spending a great status. The stand-alone move for the Club is tainment for the childay out on the one of the most picturesque model has been so an endorsement for dren and live music courses in Australia, successful at Bendigo the BJC and the foun- adding to the race day Bendigo's Yal- that from next season dations have been offering. I will in action at umba Raceday, this there will be two more firmly set for the race the big day on the gate Saturday (March 15), metropolitan meetings day to flourish. Ian said: "What welcoming everyhas provided diversity in the country. we've essentially done body and later visiting Ballarat's Cup Day in the racing calendar and has developed in November and the is bring a metropolitan a few venues on beinto an important meet- Mornington Cup meeting to a regional half of the Club, hopemeeting in March, six centre, which is a fully giving guests a ing for the State. This year's event weeks later than the great point of differ- few winners. next week will be fur- Cup this year, which ence for the Club." Hope to see you “We always knew there ther bolstered by el- was on Wednesday on the big day. evating two $150,000 February 12 , it will the meeting would take several years to feature races- the now move to the Sun- develop and it has proGolden Mile over day in March. The popular Chief gressed a lot in the last ■ The 1600 metres, and the shock three years. “We have been ex- scratching of top New tremely pleased with Zealand Colt, El the quality of the fields Roca, from the and the turnover-any Hobartville Stakes in initial concern about Sydney sent shock that has certainly been waves through the racing industry. out to rest now. El Roca was "We've shown that the day can attract re- scratched by order of ally strong wagering the Stewards, because and interest, and we he was treated with a feel that the way we drip the day before the present the meeting is meeting at around 6am equal to a metropoli- on the Friday. tan even, even though The crazy part about it's not held at a met- the situation in Victoria it's quite OK, ropolitan course. The Saturday but in New South ● Jetaway meeting will offer Wales it is a no-no. - Ted Ryan Photo by SLICKPIX, phone 9354 5754 more than $1 million

Go for gold

Shock

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Sulky Snippets ■ Daylesford's Anne-Maree Conroy finally cracked it for a win with home bred Continentalman/Miss Universe 6-Y-0 mare Miss Southern Land, taking out the Corio Waste Management Trotters Handicap for T2 or better class over 2570 metres at Geelong. Using a mares concession, Miss Southern Land stepped beautifully from the 20 metre mark to settle four back along the markers with Katmandonny leading from 10 metres, before moving to be one/one at the bell. Taken three wide in the back straight, Miss Southern Land moved alongside the leader prior to the home turn and raced clear in the straight to score by 5.1 metres in a rate of 2-05.9 over Cookeyslass and Illcryifhewinds. It was Miss Southern Land's eighth victory in 33 outings. ■ Ballarat District trotting devotee Pat Prendergast who along with his family have been involved in the sport for an eternity, was in the winners stall when home bred Grinfromeartoear/Victory Cheer gelding Grinning Cheer greeted the judge in the Pryde's Easifeed 3-Y-0 Vicbred Pace over 1690 metres. Trained at Sebastopol by long time associate Vin Mahar, Grinning Cheer with Greg Sugars in the sulky led throughout from the pole, accounting for the ex-South Australian Rate Highly by 1.7 metres which raced outside him in a rate of 1-57.5. First starter Grinning Dollar also by Grinfromeartoear finish third after racing in the open. - Len Baker More Sulky Snippets on Page 50

Page 50 - Melbourne Observer - Wednesday, March 12, 2014

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Melbourne

Observer Victorian Sport Racing Briefs

Profits at new home ■ Cranbourne trainer Michael Hughes now based on course, has found his new home to be a profitable one in recent weeks and added another winner to the tally when Call Me Bond a gelded three-year-old son of Courage Under Fire and Life Of Gold snared The Red Shed Pace for C0 class over 2080 metres. Driven by Nathan Jack, Call Me Bond bred and raced by Gary Rogers under the banner of Ulverstone, began swiftly from gate five, but was unable to head off Desert Safari (gate three) in the run to the first turn. Applying plenty of pressure, Call Me Bond crossed to lead shortly after leaving another local McNiven outside him. With the pair drawing clear prior to the home turn, McNiven appeared to be travelling better on straightening, however Call Me Bond in a thrilling finish, refused to give in and outstayed his rival to score by a head in 1-58.6 (last half mile 57.1 - quarter 29.5). Desert Safari held down third 16.8 metres away.

Plenty of concerns ■ Bolinda trainer/driver Chris Alford's terribly honest Yankee Spider/Rockolina colt Miracle chalked up his seventh victory in 12 outings by winning the Apco Easy Shops 3-Y-0 Trotters Handicap over 2100 metres at Geelong on Monday March 3, but not before giving his supporters plenty of concerns. A most reliable conveyance, Miracle coming from a daunting 20 metre backmark began swiftly as he usually does, but for some reason went off stride shortly after to settle mid-field in the running line with the pole marker Law Legend leading. Sent forward three wide on the back of Coimadai Lodge in the final circuit to give chase, Miracle appeared to be under pressure approaching the home turn as Bacardi Breeze which had raced in the open assumed control. Switching closer to the markers on turning, Miracle gained a split in the straight and burst through the gap to gain a meritorious head decision over Coimadai Lodge and Bacardi Breeze in a mile rate of 2-07.4.

Too good for rivals ■ Bullengarook breeder/owner/trainer Bruce Donaldson has five year old D M Dilinger/Natural Winner gelding Black Coyote airborne at present, bringing up two wins in succession by taking out the Jet Roofing Eastern Challenge (1st Heat) for C3 & C4 class over 2180 metres at Kilmore on Wednesday. Driven once again by Gavin Lang, Black Coyote from gate three was given plenty of time to balance, before being sent forward to easily take the front running away from the pole marker Bit Of A Babe. Always travelling under a firm rein, Black Coyote bounded away from his rivals on straightening to record a impressive 8.7 metre victory over Mister Rufus (three back the markers) and Royal Deviate in a mile rate of 2-00.9.

Used sprint lane ■ St Arnaud's Brian Kiesey usually travels far and wide each week with his team of mainly trotters, but also has a couple of pacers to take along and was successful with 8-Y-0 Man Ona Flight/Inka Bromac gelding Nicmac Bromac in the Ron Moon Tribute Vicbred Pace for C1 class over 1660 metres at Hamilton on Wednesday. Driven by AshleyAinsworth, Nicmac Bromac starting inside the second line was given a sweet passage trailing the poleline leader Life Sentence throughout, before using the sprint lane to gain the day in a mile rate of 1-58.7 over the pacemaker, with Nifty Manwarra (four wide home turn) from a mile back third.

The Champ returns a winner ■ Phenomenal 11-Y-0 Timted Cloud/Carnlough Bay gelding Smoken Up returned to the track after a few weeks off to score a narrow fighting victory in the SEW-Eurodrive Flying Free ForAll over 1720 metres at his home track Tabcorp Park Melton on Friday. Showing his customary speed from gate two to hold out Inter Dominion contestant Keayang Cullen (gate five), Smoken Up first up since February 1 was given a comfortable time, before sprinting home his last half mile in 55.7 - quarter 27 to nose out Savesomtimetodream (one/one) in a rate of 1-54.7, with Keayang Cullen a fighting head away in third place. It was the dual Miracle Mile winners 72nd victory in 142 outings.

Destroyer ■ Daylesford duo - Mick Barby and Anne-Maree Conroy's 5-Y-0 It Is I/ Glenlyon Glad gelding It Is Billy continued his rise through the grades, by destroying his rivals in the 2nd Heat of the Empire Stallions Vicbred Platinum Metropolitan Pace for M0 class over 1720 metres. Again showing exceptional gate speed from outside the front row, It Is Billy took over from Royal Witness inside him on the first turn, before coasting to a 5.7 metre victory untouched over Royal Witness in 1-54.5, with Cyrus a gallant third after racing three wide for the final circuit. The $30,000 Final will be held this Saturday.

Surprise ■ Long Forest pair Andy and Kate Gath snared the $50,275 (Group 1) Knight Pistol for Trotters TMO or better over 1720 metres with 6-Y-0 S J's Photo/ Whitney Grace gelding Elegant Image in a rate of 1-56.3, putting himself into calculations for the upcoming Great Southern Star. Starting from outside the front row, Kate sent Elegant Image forward and was surprisingly handed the lead on a platter from Stoned I Am entering the straight a lap out. Always travelling smoothly, Elegant Image defied all challengers to score from a most unlucky Keystone Del (four back the markers) and Stoned I Am along the sprint lane.

Baker’s Delight

Harness Racing

This Week’s Meetings ■ Wednesday - Yarra Valley/Mildura, Thursday Maryborough/Kilmore, Friday - Shepparton, Saturday - Melton, Sunday - Boort (Cup), Monday Ballarat, Tuesday - Cranbourne.

Horses To Follow Melbourne

Observer

len-baker@ bigpond.com

with Len Baker

Harness Review on radio ■ Listen to Len Baker on Harness Review, 8pm-10pm Mondays, on 97.9 FM, streamed in 979fm.com.au

Half-head ■ Bacchus Marsh trainer Dean King has his team going great guns at the present time and landed the Rapidvite Pace for C1 class over 2080 metres at Cranbourne on Tuesday March 4 with eight year old Denver Gift/ Aegean Spring gelding Slippinalong. Driven by Emma Hamblin who made the trip down from Ararat, Slippinalong was sent forward from gate four to park outside the leader Innocent Vance, before taking over mid-race. Driven desperately on straightening, Slippinalong responded to register a half head victory in a rate of 2-00.2 over Innocent Vance along the sprint lane, with Hi Tech Fury third after racing in the open for the finalcircuit.

Hard fight ■ Melton's Beau Tindale didn't help the Cranbourne quaddie takers cause after winning the second leg - the Alabar 3-Y-0 Pace over 2080 metres with Jet Laag/Lombo Silhouette gelding Soho Wonder at tote odds of $30.40. Driven by Lisa Miles, Soho Wonder led throughout from gate two, fighting on like a caged lion to defeat Village Cruiser along the sprint lane after trailing, with Braeview Bomber a brave third after facing the open. The mile rate 2-01.5.

Balance ■ Veteran Meltonian Danny Mullan engaged the services of Long Forest based Alex Ashwood taking a concession to land the choicehotels. com.au Pace for C4 & C5 class over 2080 metres at Cranbourne with Kiwi bred eight year old Artiscape/Eileen Monica gelding Artoc. Given time to balance from gate six, Artoc raced by Danny, wife Anna and South Australlian Paul Nobes, was sent forward to park outside the speedy Pocket Legend inside him within a lap. Looking to be labouring approaching the home turn, Artoc with Ashwood driving desperately gained his second wind to blouse Pocket Legend (first up since May last year) by a neck in 1-58.4. Keeper Of The Fire finished third after following the leader and using the sprint lane to no avail.

Double ■ Toolern Vale's John Justice snared a stable double at Geelong on Monday, with Modern Art/Jane McCool colt Loong Nien taking the James & Son 3-Y-0 Pace over 2100 metres and 4Y-0 Artiscape/Finest mare Big Bang Penny the Harness Breeders (Vic) Pace for C0 class over the same journey. Loong Nien led throughout from gate in defeating Mulgrave which trailed and Son Of Gozo from last in a rate of 1-59.8, while Big Bang Penny ran home best off a one/one passage to blouse the pacemaker Bettor Belle by a nose, with Cenosilocophobia third after trailing the winner home following a bad beginning. The mile rate 2-02.1.

■ Braeview Bomber, A Bit Ruthless, Pocket Legend, Irrefutable, Cookeyslass, Little Lyn, Nifty Manwarra, Paris To Berlin, Donated, Grinning Dollar, The Major League, Like It Chilled.

Faced the breeze ■ Cudgee trainer/driver John Meade's exciting 5Y-0 Sundon/Maori Daunou gelding Maorisfavouritesun was successful in the Alexandra House Trotters Handicap forT0 or better class over 2160 metres at Hamilton. Coming off a daunting 40-metre equal backmark, Maorisfavouritesun raced by members of the Fahey and Meade families settled a long way off the leader Classic Attitude, making his task even harder by going off stride mid-race. Gradually making up ground to join the main body of the field in the back straight on the final occasion, Maorisfavouritesun continued the effort to set out after the leader Lovable Nick which had crossed to lead at the bell. In a performance that had to be seen to be believed, Maorisfavouritesun kept on coming to score by a neck over Champ Devine (one/two - three wide last lap) which led on the home turn, with the equal backmarker Keystone Blues third after facing the breeze for the final circuit. The mile rate 2-04.6.

Streeted his rivals ■ Highly promising ModernArt/Moroni colt Clark Griswold trained at Terang by Tony Harrison for the Harrison family, was a huge victor of the Peter Hyde 3-Y-0 Pace over 2160 metres at Hamilton with Matt Craven in the sulky. Starting from outside the front line, Clark Griswold was sent forward to tackle Fremarks Ceejay for the lead and was successful in doing so. Cruising throughout, Clark Griswold streeted his rivals to record a 14.3 metre margin in advance of Samara Sky from last, with Little Lyn (three back the markers) third on debut. The mile rate 1-58.9.

Led from outside ■ Port McDonnell trainer/driver Mick Micallef has picked up a smart one in 4-Y-0 McArdle/ Thorninmyside gelding Glenthorne which landed the Jim Barker Pace Final for R0 class over 1660 metres at Hamilton which qualified in the heats held at Mount Gambier on February 25. Settling with only McArlian behind him after starting from the extreme draw, Glenthorne followed Keayang Left Hook (one/two) home three wide in the last lap, before surging clear over the concluding stages to defeat him by 2.7 metres in 157.2. Cryptic Chance finished third after leading from outside the front row.

Given opportunity ■ Kilmore owner/trainer Julie Mifsud was in the winners stall at Cranbourne on Tuesday March 4 when nine-year-old Jet Laag/Rock On Lombo gelding Rock On Tiger saluted the judge in the Seelite Windows&DoorsPace forC1class over 2080 metres. Using a concession for Bolinda's Josh Duggan, Rock On Tiger making his first appearance since November and first for the stable was given every opportunity one/one from gate two, with Mondo Rocket inside him leading. Taken three wide on the home turn, Rock On Tiger was another driven desperately over the concluding stages to register a last stride neck decision over Mondo Rocket, with Irrefutable coming from near last to finish third after being handy early. The mile rate 2-01.4.

Melbourne Observer - Wednesday, March 12, 2014 - Page 51

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Antiques and Collectables

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Antiques and Collectables

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