Page 10 - Melbourne Observer - Wednesday, March 19, 2014
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Is Matt the best comedian?
Di For
‘Is racism the new Black?’
● Richard Frankland ■ It seems like just last week that I was walking in to the Melbourne Town Hall to see an event at the Melbourne International Comedy Festival ... and here I am getting ready to head off again. The MICF each year presents gems of shows, and some hits and misses. Each one is individual and important to each performer. It is now one of the three biggest comedy festivals in the world, alongside Edinburgh and Montreal. This year promises to be no different. One show that really appeals to me came through to my desk with the headline: Comedy Stars ask Melbourne: Is Racism the new Black? They’re used to finding humour in awkward situations. Now comedy stars Charlie Pickering, Libbi Gorr and Meshel Laurie will shine their lights on the painful subject of racism in Australia. The trio will join acclaimed Melbourne playwright, scriptwriter, musician, actor and director Richard Frankland in a comedy event being run by the Lowitja Institute in Melbourne tomorrow (Thu.) Addressing the theme of racism in Australia, the comedy panel event aims to start a conversation by using humour to break through barriers. All four panelists are passionate about the subject and believe humour can help us talk about uncomfortable and painful subjects, allowing us to heal. Richard has won numerous awards and accolades for his work in the arts and indigenous affairs and was a finalist for the Human Rights Medal in the 2013 Australian Human Rights Commission Awards for his 30-year commitment to indigenous issues through film, theatre, music and community capacity building. The Lowitja Institute comedy event wraps up a week-long awareness program that includes a national health conference and the biennial Congress Lowitja 2014. Australia’s national institute for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander health research, the institute is the only research organisation in Australia solely focused on the health and wellbeing ofATSI peoples. Named in honour of former Australian of the Year, Dr Lowitja O’Donoghue , the institute brings together world-leading researchers, policy makers and experts in cutting-edge service delivery, enabling collaborative health research that will make a real difference to people’s lives. The board has a majority Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander membership and comprises highly skilled and experienced professionals from health, education, indigenous and community sectors. “Talking about racism will ensure that there is a voice that provides an alternative thinking, those who have experienced racism will no longer feel alone and bring to the fore ways to change our society for the better,” the institute’s chief executive officer, Lyn Brodie, said. “It will find new ways to address racism and promote diversity within Australia.” “Is Racism the New Black?” is produced by Jason Tamiru from Melbourne’s Malthouse Theatre. It will be held at Storey Hall, RMIT, from 7.30pm tomorrow (Thu.). Tickets are $20 and available at the door or online at www.lowitja.org.au/comedy
I love my job! with leading Melbourne publicist DI ROLLE
■ Comedian Matt King has one of those fabulous faces, I know him well from lots of things on telly. He has a show in the Melbourne International Comedy Festival 2014. He is returning to Australia with a new stand up show at The Comedy Club from March 26-April 20. Tickets are on sale now via Ticketek. The enigmatic 'cult hero' of award winning British sitcom Peep Show, 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. I have been told by colleagues that he is the funniest comedian in Australia and I look forward to finding out for myself. Matt also co-wrote and created BBC2 sitcom, Whites, and most Australians will remember and love best as the ghostly English rock star Henry Mallet in acclaimed Australian TV series, Spirited, costarring and created by Claudia Karvan. The role won him the Most Outstanding Performance by an Actor award at the 2011 ASTRAAwards. 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 has returned from a tour of Europe and Asia to join Matt on the stage. Tom is a headline act at top comedy venues Australia-wide as well as a gifted comedy writer.
Tina, a no-nonsense gal ■ One of the nicest people I have worked with is Tina Arena. Not only brilliantly talented with that fabulous voice, she is a great person. Strong, and a no nonsense sort of gal. I worked with her when she toured with Andrea Bocelli. So I was thrilled to hear that kicking off the exciting new So You Think You Can Dance Thursday night shows on Network Ten from tomorrow (Thu.), Tina is returning home to perform her new single, Reset. Tina Arena is synonymous with Australian music and pop culture. Her voice has resonated throughout generations, from her early days on Young Talent Time, to her coming-of-age debut album Strong As Steel, through to the incredible international success of her sophomore album, 10 times platinum Don’t Ask, and the smash-hit followups In Deep and Just Me. Following the overwhelming success of her latest album Reset – which was her first original English language release in 12 years – Tina returns to our shores ahead of her national tour later in the year. Joining her on the stage are So You Think You Can Dance Australia winners Jack Chambers and Talia Fowler. Ahead of tomorrow’s performance, Tina said: “Dance is an art form I have the utmost respect for, and to share the stage with those who perfect this craft is each and every time an honour for me. Dance and music… for many, one doesn’t live without the other.””
Charlie signs off
● Tina Arena
Great day at Sofitel ■ I spent a lovely couple of hours at the inaugural Sofitel Women in the Arts Luncheon at No. 35 restaurant at Sofitel. It was lovely to catch up with guests and meet new people. I must go back to No.35; it really is impressive with the fabulous floor to ceiling views of our marvellous Melbourne, the ambience and the local produce. The fabulous lamb on the menu was the best I have tasted. It was a great time and wonderful to have all the women involved in the Arts community in one room. Sofitel is in my diary for all special events whether afternoon tea at Sofi’s or a cheeky cocktail at the Atrium on 35, it’s one of my favourite places in Melbourne.
● Matt King, see story top right
● Charlie Pickering ■ I nearly shed a tear along with Carrie Bickmore when Charlie Pickering made his announcement about leaving The Project TV program. After nearly five years behind the desk at Network Ten’s The Project, Charlie has decided to leave the show. Charlie made the tough decision late last year, after much deliberation. His last show will be on Monday, April 7 – three months shy of the fifth anniversary of the launch of The 7pm Project with Charlie, Carrie Bickmore and Dave Hughes. Charlie said: “The Project has been an incredible ride. I have been able to interview everyone from Prime Ministers and astrophysicists to my comedy heroes like Will Ferrell, John Cleese, Clive James and Billy Connolly. “As a stand-up comedian I have never planned to do one thing for five years, let alone five days a week. At the end of last year it was clear to me that I needed to find new challenges. “I will miss working with Carrie, Pete Helliar and all of our regulars. I will miss having my hair maintained by a team of professionals.” Charlie also announced that he and his wife Sarah are also thrilled to be expecting their first child later this year, and will use this opportunity to take a trip overseas while they still can. I have always enjoyed watching Charlie Pickering. I think he is a major talent and I do hope he goes on to other things. Not having him on the screen or in any media project would be a terrible loss. He did a great job for Network Ten and certainly one of the essential parts of why I watch The Project. I do hope Channel Ten retains him. I like what Craig Campbell, Executive Producer, Roving Enterprises, said of Charlie: “Since Charlie joined The Project we have watched him grow from a stand-up comedian to an accomplished broadcaster. His talent and skills have enabled us to develop a formidable format that we are incredibly proud of.” Charlie is highly intelligent and very funny, and is way up there among the top talents in Australia. Let’s hope he is back on screen soon.