Melbourne Observer - Wednesday, April 16, 2014 - Page 37
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Country Music: Rob Foenander reports ......... Page 38 On This Day: Greg Newman’s almanac .................. Page 38 Melbourne theatre: New shows, reviews ................. Page 39 Jim and Aar on: Top 10 lists, best movies, DVDs ............ Page 42 Aaron: Cheryl Threadgold: Local theatre shows, auditions ........... Page 43 PL US THE LLO OVATT”S MEGA CRO PLUS CROSS SWORD
MAY THE FOURTH BE WITH YOU The Legend of King O’Malley
● King O’Malley ■ “The Honorable Members will kindly refrain from spewing, spitting and breaking wind.” The legendary King O’Malley was born in Quebec, Canada, sometime in the 1850s, but may have been born in Kansas, USA. The one-time insurance agent reinvented himself as the first (and only) bishop of the Waterlily Rockbound and Redskin Church of the Cayuse Nation where Bishop O’Malley warned his disciples of the evils of ‘stagger juice’. Abandoning his life as a fundamentalist preacher O’Malley set sail for a new life in Australia – “God’s own country” - where “caucus is the next best thing to religion”. O’Malley drove the first foundation peg in the dirt for the national capital, called for a national Commonwealth Bank and championed the rights of women and illegitimate children before, as the Honorable Member for Tasmania and ‘ruminating non-conformist’, he took on the Member for West Sydney, Billy Hughes, in the battle over conscription. Written by Bob Ellis and Michael Boddy, The Legend Of King O’Malley was first performed in 1970 during the Vietnam War and would have had an enormous impact on that war’s own contentious conscription debate. Looking at it from this century it is showing its age and is a little long. However it is great to be able to revisit Australian classic political satire in all its glory. A combination of music hall, vaudeville and revivalist meeting, the success of this production is its cast who all lend their considerable talents to this rousing and energetic production. James Cook is a convincing King – ‘the general of Jesus’ and federationalist. Tara Rankine does a great job as O’Malley’s long-lost love Rosie and Alex Duncan is terrific as Nick Angel, O’Malley’s devilish conscience. Designers Daniel Harvey and Zoe Rouse have also done a great job in transforming the tiny Courthouse space. Season: La Mama Courthouse, Carlton, until April 20. Tickets: $25/$15. Bookings: 9347 6142 www.lamama.com.au - Review by Kathryn Keeble
By JULIE HOUGHTON
■ Sometimes people think that accomplished classical musicians are only interested in one field of music. Nothing could be further from the truth for orchestral conductor Brett Kelly, whose other job is principal trombonist in the Melbourne Symphony Orchestra. Brett is also a passionate Star Wars movie fan, so when the chance came to lead an extravaganza to celebrate International Star Wars Day on May 4 (“May the fourth”), he jumped at the opportunity. Brett will lead Melbourne Youth Orchestra, guest musicians, choirs and actors, making a 200-strong performing force to unleash a performance on a Star Wars-loving audience at Melbourne Recital Centre. Well-known professional classical musician will join Melbourne Youth Orchestra to lead the way, with Sarah Curro as guest concertmaster, Jasen Moulton as guest French Horn principal, Shane Hooton as guest trumpet principal and Chris Farrands as guest trombone principal. The concert will feature the much-loved music form the six Star Wars films, and the audience will be forced to decide their own fate by choosing to be either Sith or Jedi, against the background of a choral clash and an epic light show. Star Wars fans are encouraged to don appropriate costumes. Melbourne's choral community will come together to form the Tusken Raider Choir, Grand Choir of the Republic and the Imperial Army Chorale. And for die hard Star Wars fans, there is a special interval event where premium ticket holders will have access to the 'Mos Eisley' space port, featuring the music from the Cantina Band, with imperial refreshments. Melbourne Recital Centre at 5pm on Sunday, May 4. Book your tickets at www.melbournerecital.com.au
Blood, sex, murder
● Te Ua, Alison Lemoh and Sheridan Hussein ■ Good opera is that it can be interpreted and performed well so many ways. Bizet's Carmen is a case in point. Melbourne company Emotionworks Cut Opera is staging a non-traditional version of the famous opera at the Spanish Club in Fitzroy. Director Julie Edwardson has fused the delightful Carmen score with a mix of salsa, Latin, blues and jazz, to produce an exciting version of this opera classic. Julie's idea is to expose non-opera audiences to opera by mixing it with other performance styles, using a mix of musical genres and vocal styles and including some Salsa dancing as well. "Our company is unique by changing the face of opera which is long overdue - our aim is to excite and generate a new audience to opera by fusing musical genres and performing in site-specific spaces," she explained. Julie promises that this Carmen will have blood, sex, murder and intrigue in this cabaret version of Carmen that will get your feet dancing. And she promises that in this 90-minute show there are definitely no boring bits, making it an ideal way to introduce newcomers to the great world of opera, and shake up a few traditionalists. The cast includes Te Ua, Alison Lemoh and Sheridan Hussein, and is on at the Spanish Club, 59 Johnston St, Fitzroy on Saturday, May 17 at 8.30 pm, and Sunday May 18 and 25 at 2.30 pm. There is even a special deal to literally whet your appetite for opera with the Spanish Club offering a special $20 dinner/lunch offer. Tickets are $30 or $25 concession and can be booked on 0408 687 305 or by email to julie@emotionalworks.com - Julie Houghton
Showbiz Briefs
● Brett Kelly
■ 3AW’s Bruce Mansfield and Philip Brady (Nightline, Remember When) will appear in an early afternoon spot in the Royal Children’s Hospital Good Friday Appeal telethon on Channel 7. They will be joined by Denis Walter and Tom Elliott. ■ Pete Smith this week celebrates his 50th anniversary with the Nine Network. His career included In Melbourne Tonight, Sale Of The Century as well as The Don Lane Show and The Ernie Sigley Show. Pete gave an interview to David Knox of the TVtonight.com.au website. ■ Best wishes to our friends at The Herald & Weekly Times Ltd who manage the Good Friday Appeal. Donations can be made by phoning 9292 1166.