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Melbourne Observer - Wednesday, July 24, 2013 - Page 111

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Melbourne Observer - Wednesday, July 24, 2013 - Page 113

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Observer Showbiz Every Week in the Melbourne Observer

Showbiz People: Meet Scott Middleton .......... Page 115 The Spoiler: Neghbours and Home And Away ....... Page 115 Jim and Aaron: Top 10, best movies and DVDs ....... Page 116 Cheryl Threadgold: Local theatre shows, auditions ....... Page 117 Radio Confidential: Latest radio industry news ................ Page 122 PLUS THE LOVATT”S MEGA CROSSWORD

QUIRKY CINDERELLA

By DEBORAH MARINARO

● Blake Bowden (Prince Charming) with Bianca Andrew

● Cinderella (Bianca Andrew) made a strong debut

■ It took a great amount of work for Gertrude Opera to turn Jules Massenet’s 1899 French opera, Cendrillon (Cinderella), into a one-act performance sung in English.

It took a great amount of imagination and a sense of humour to produce the quirky, delightfully entertaining interpretation the company performed at Her Majesty’s Theatre this month.

Gertrude Opera’s Cinderella, beautifully directed by Cameron Menzies, had all the charm of a fairy tale and evoked a Midsummer Night’s Dream sense of whimsy, magic, and playfulness.

Making the most of Massenet’s magnificent melodies and sensibility for mood, the score was masterfully arranged for chamber orchestra by Rebecca Anne Hicks.

The lighting design by Jason Bovaird successfully underlined those changing emotions with a wondrous mix of colours.

Gertrude Opera is the performance arm of The Opera Studio Melbourne and offers singers at the start of their careers the chance to perform alongside professionals to meet the demands of a public performance program.

In Cinderella, The Opera Studio singers and professionals alike were impressive. Most notable were Blake Bowden, making a strong mainstage operatic debut as Prince Charming, and the ethereal voice and elegance of Rada Tochalna as the Fairy Godmother.

Lucette (Bianca Andrew) was perfectly lovely and lovelorn, and her wicked stepmother, Madame Haughty (Belinda Paterson), and ‘ugly-on-the-inside’ sisters (Teresa Duddy and Rhiannon Stevens) were splendidly audacious.

Also to be commended for solid performances and charming voices were the Footmen (Raphael Wong and James Penn) and the dainty spirits (Yasmin Ismail and Catherine Hoffman) who were joined by Short Course participants Heidi Lupprian, Tamzyn Alexander and Stephanie Whyte.

A real highlight of the show was Chloe Greaves’s inventive costumes, cleverly designed to propel the setting into a more modern time and yet remain reminiscent of the classic French opera style.

The costumes were most effective and intriguing to watch on stage. Unfortunately, the set design by Amanda Henderson did not have the same impact.

● hiannon Stevens (Ugly Stepsister), Belinda Paterson (Wicked Stepmother), Teresa Duddy (Ugly Stepsister)

‘Welcome home’ for choir boys

● Hugo Boreham with Thomas Frawley of the Australian Boys Choir.

Photo: Chris Powney ■ Do you fancy spending two weeks overseas with 27 excited boys between the ages of about nine and 13?

That's the 'holiday' that Australian Boys Choir Artistic Director Noel Ancell and his team decided would be a terrific winter break - a concert tour of Malaysia with the ABC's adult male ensemble, The Vocal Consort.

They all flew from Melbourne on Friday June 28 and commenced the tour in Penang at the Prince of Wales Island International School.

In Ipoh the group rehearsed and then performed with the Sam Tet School Choir,while.in Kuala Lumpur the group rehearsed and then performed with the Kuala Lumpur Children's Choir.

In Kota Kinabalu the group was welcomed by students at Kian Kok Middle School, before rehearsing and then performing with the Bell Choir.

It was a true cultural tour, with plenty of sightseeing built into the rehearsal and concert schedule. Temples, caves and water parks were all on the agenda, as befits having to keep young men entertained and focused.

A highlight was a performance at the Australian High Commission in Kuala Lumpur, and several other performances as part of what was dubbed 'Australian Week'.

So to celebrate the group's return, there will be a Welcome Home concert on Sunday (July 28) at 3pm at South Melbourne Town Hall, 210 Bank St, South Melbourne.

The concert is called Whispering Winds , and will include an Australian première and two Melbourne premieres, but will also have many well-loved pieces by composers including Percy Grainger and Malcolm Williamson.

The latter's Musicians of Bremen, sung by The Vocal Consort, will have the audience chuckling in their seats.

Tickets are $35 or $30 concession, $15 for under 12s and can be booked online at www.trybooking./com/CUBY Enquiries: 9818 4818 - Julie Houghton

‘Night Maybe’ to be staged by Theatre Works at St Kilda ■ Theatre Works and Melbournebased company Stuck Pigs Squealing present Night Maybe, by Kit Brookman, from August 15 to September 1 at Theatre Works, 14 Acland Street, St Kilda.

Directed by Luke Mullins, the story tells of a hilarious and disturbing freefall through the subconscious.

Tom abandons his sister Sasha by the side of the road and she plunges headlong into the night to search for

him. Her hunt takes her to a park, an alleyway, a riverbank, even to the far reaches of Siberia, and in the darkness she begins to peel back the layers of their shifting relationship, past the unreliability of gender, sexuality,

and soon discovers more than what she bargained for.

Night Maybe features Tom Conroy, Sarah Ogden, Brian Lipson and Marcus McKenzie.

- Cheryl Threadgold

Page 114 - Melbourne Observer - Wednesday, July 24, 2013

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Campagno Engineering Campagno Engineering Pty. Ltd. is a family owned company established in 1978 have for over 30 years prided itself on fast efficient service and prompt on time delivery. Jorge, Amanda and their family have invested in the latest machine technology to ensure that their company stays at the cutting edge of engineering in Australia.

The company now employs over 20 highly skilled trades people and support staff converting our customer’s drawings and designs into the best machined parts and components available from any engineering company in Australia.

Fast efficient machining from 1 to 1000 you can rely on Campagno to deliver want you want, when you want it.

Campagno Engineering Pty Ltd is a family owned company established in 1978 have for over 30 years prided itself on fast efficient service and prompt on time delivery. Jorge, Amanda and their family have invested in the latest machine technology to ensure that their company stays at the cutting edge of engineering in Australia.

The company now employs over 20 highly skilled trades people and support staff converting our customer’s drawings and designs into the best machined parts and components available from any engineering company in Australia.

Fast efficient machining from 1 to 1000 you can rely on Campagno to deliver want you want, when you want it

Campagno Engineering Pty Ltd Fact. 2 / 10 Zenith Road Dandenong South, 3175 Tel: (03) 9791 6464 Fax: (03) 9791-3026 Email: info@campagno.com.au Web: www.campagnoengineering.com.au

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Melbourne Observer - Wednesday, July 24, 2013 - Page 115

Observer TV, Radio, Theatre Showbiz Latest Melbourne show business news - without fear or favour Theatre The Spoiler NICOLE PLAYS CAFE Independent Scott stars in ‘Equus’

ShowBiz!

For Those Who Have Lost The Plot

Neighbours ■ 6.30pm. Weeknights. Eleven ■ Monday, July 29. Paul has a plan to teach Robbo a lesson; Lucas will sell his house to Paul, but only if the price is right; convinced that it's the right thing for Holly, Karl seeks full custody.

■ Tuesday, July 30. Vanessa and Lucas adjust to the news that they are expecting; Lauren's desire to have another child strengthens; Mason learns of Kate's infertility.

■ Wednesday, July 31. Paul buys the share house; Hudson accuses Joshua of sabotaging his comeback; Lucas and Vanessa are forced to put their house up for auction.

■ Thursday, August 1. Susan struggles to get Holly to open up; Bailey suspects Amber is seeing Robbo; Brad considers coaching Hudson, as he and Terese disagree.

■ Friday, August 2. Amber succumbs to Robbo's charms; Karl prepares to give up his girl; Paul sets Robbo up for a fall.

Home and Away ■ Monday, July 29. Heath is upset Bianca went to the Principal's dinner with Zac. Off the back of Spencer's rejection, Sasha contemplates returning to Broken Hill.

Maddy realises Spencer still has feelings for Sasha.

John has a rocky start to his new job at the diner.

■ Tuesday, July 30. Ricky warns Brax that he can't save her and he needs to testify at her trial. Tamara dreads testifying in court because Casey will find out her memory is returning. Maddy decides she wants Spencer to find happiness - even if that means with Sasha.

■ Wednesday, July 31. As Ricky's trial comes to a close she prepares to accept her fate. Tamara deals with her returning memories while on the stand. Casey prepares to testify, and has to decide whether to condemn or save Ricky. Jett and VJ suspect Nina of stealing.

■ Thursday, August 1. Double Episode. Casey proves to be a destructive influence on Maddy. John gets work as a handyman clearing out Leah's house. Jett gets to the bottom of Nina and Jett's feud. April gets off to an interesting start with the new doctor. Drowning in debt, John thinks it is time he and Jett left the Bay to find more work

■ Jeremy Woolhouse’s Silverbeat will be performing at the Surrey Music Café on Friday, September 27.

Utilising Jeremy’s compositions as a springboard, Silverbeat will weave an intricate web of texture, creating a distinctive sound.

Inspired by Keith Jarrett’s European quartet recordings, the band reflects influences of popular, European and world music in a contemporary jazz context.

Joining Silverbeat for this event will be vocalist Nicola Milan, a sensation on the Perth jazz scene.

After performing with Jeremy at the Wangaratta Jazz Festival last year, she will be reuniting to present original works from her acclaimed album Forbidden Moments.

Silverbeat at the Surrey Music Café will include Jeremy Woolhouse (piano/composition), Frank Di Sario (bass), George Andrews (drums), Lachlan Davidson (saxes, clari-

● Nicola Milan will join Silverbeat on Friday, September 27 at the Surrey Music Café, Box Hill. nets, oboe and flutes), and Station St Box Hill Coffee and Cake /Wine Nicola Milan (guest voand Cheese available calist/compere).

Entry: $18 Date: Friday, SeptemBookings: 9262 6555 ber 27, doors open at or www.surreymusic.com 7.30pm for 8pm concert More info at www.

Venue: Box Hill Community Arts Centre, 470 jazzpiano.com.au

Fundraiser for Connor House

Star Bursts

★

We are sad to advise that Penny Ronald reports that former HSV-7 identity Graeme McNamara has died.

★

3CR's Clemmie Wetherall from Women On The Line has won the 'Best Radio News/Current Affairs' category in the Eliminating Violence Against Women Media Awards.

★

Comic actor and writer Mel Smith has died of a heart attack, aged 60. The British comedian - known for the sketch shows Alas Smith and Jones and Not The Nine O'Clock News - died on Friday.

AUDITIONS ■ Mordialloc Theatre Company Inc: The Dixie Swim Club (by Jessie Jones, Nicholas Hope and Jamie Wooten) August 18 at 2.00pm at the Shirley Burke Theatre, 64 Parkers Road, Parkdale. Director: Cheryl Richards. Audition bookings: 0412 133 071.

■ Viola Theatre: Maiden Ladies. Drop in any Sunday at 8pm at the Campbell Library, Melville Rd, Brunswick.

Director: David Keane. Contact 9384 1277 or Matilda03@optusnet.com.au ■ Williamstown Little Theatre: A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum August 24, 25. Director: Barbara Hughes; Musical Director: Janet Provan; Choreographer: Jenny Vincent-Green. Audition bookings: 9397 3054.

More on Page 117

■ Following the success of the March fundraiser Viva Italia, Jenna Bailey and Joanne Clements (seated in photo), clients of Connor House, Mornington respite facility, run by the Karingal agency, will attend Vienna At Vinnies, to be held at Vinnies Pizza Boys restaurant, 57 Mount Eliza Way, Mount Eliza, on August 18 at 12 Noon for more fabulous food, fine wine and entertainment 'Vinnies' owners Nina and Tony Kafrouni, seen in photo with ‘Diva at Large’ Lucy Nicolson (centre), have raised more than $2000 to raise items that have made a huge difference in the day to day running of Connor House for both clients and staff.

Tony and Nina have also supported the Mount Eliza community by helping to raise money for local boy Tom Barbour, who became a quadriplegic after an accident last year.

So far, Diva@Large fundraisers have purchased a solid timber table to seat eight people, six Revolution 'Smart' chairs, which incorporate a unique, patent-pending swivel-slide tech-

nology, allowing easy access to the chair and to a table edge, without moving its legs.

This model has been designed to assist people with limited mobility and assist the carer without having to lift or use the body to push clients in, plus two reclining lounge suites with two recliner seats..

The Vienna@Vinnies entertainment program will include Melbourne City Opera's mezzo soprano Lucy Nicolson, with highlights from Strauss Operetta, the Oz Child Glee Club singing excerpts from The Sound of Music, and local baritone Michael Laity.

Tickets: $75 a head, including an Austrian Banquet and live entertainment.

Bookings are essential. Call 52496342, or email cfrisch@karingal. org.au All proceeds will go to 'Karingal'-a non-profit organisation providing services for people with a mental illness or disability, older Australians and the disadvantaged.

- Cheryl Threadgold

● Scott Middleton ■ Mockingbird Theatre company presents Equus, by English playwright Peter Shaffer, from August 3-17 at the Brunswick Mechanics Institute Performing Arts Centre.

The story tells of Alan Strang, a disturbed youth whose dangerous obsession with horses leads him to commit an unspeakable act of violence.

His psychiatrist, Martin Dysart, is increasingly drawn into Alan's web as he struggles to understand the motivation for Alan's brutality.

Director and Company Artistic Director, Chris Baldock, says Shaffer heard about a crime wherein a 17-year-old blinded six horses in a town near Suffolk.

"Therein lies the genesis of Equus," he says.. "It's a fascinating study into the human psyche."

Actor Scott Middleton says he is enjoying the challenge of portraying Alan Strang.

"He's so removed from me as a person, so it demands a total transformation as an actor to convey him and what he's going through," he says.

"But at the same time, although his violent act is completely inexcusable and incomprehensible, he's still human and driven by core emotions that I can totally relate to."

A graduate from the University of Ballarat Arts Academy, Scott caught the performing bug from his Pa, who taught him magic tricks as a boy, which he performed for his great Nan's nursing home. "I loved it," says Scott.

Just before finishing his degree, Scott was cast in the lead role of Emmanuel in the indy film Less Adolescent, then came full-time work with Alpha Shows, touring Disney shows to schools all over Australia.

Scott also recently appeared on the new Underbelly: Squizzy and in Doctor Blake's Mysteries, and has just finished performing with Logie Award winner Libby Tanner in Burning, for her production company Mad As Us, in Geelong.

Aspiring to work more in TV, but finding no work available, Scott decided to make his own. His new TV comedy, Room And Board will air later this year as a six-episode first season.

The show follows five uni students who sign a contract to live in a share house with four others, rent free. The catch is a film crew which follows them 24/ 7 making a TV show about them.

Scott says: "The shorts I've seen so far are brilliant, and there's an electric vibe about this show and where it could end up, so stay tuned," Meanwhile, Scott says it is a pleasure to be working with the strong Equus cast, and his role is proving to be his biggest challenge yet.

"To connect with Alan, what he's thinking, what he's feeling and why he's in the state he is in is a relentless challenge ... as are instantaneous changes in age, playing two scenes at once, riding the horses and sharing an intimate naked moment," he says.

Performances: August 3 at 8pm, August 6-10 at 8pm, August 14-17 at 8pm Venue: Brunswick Mechanics Institute Performing Arts Centre, Cnr Glenlyon and Sydney Rds, Brunswick.

Tickets: $30 full, $25 Conc and Groups 10+ (plus booking fee) $20, August 6 Not suitable for individuals under 16 years of age.

Contains nudity and adult themes.

Bookings: www.trybooking.com - Cheryl Threadgold

Page 116 - Melbourne Observer - Wednesday, July 24, 2013

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Movies, DVDs With Jim Sherlock and Aaron Rourke What’s Hot and What’s Not in Blu-Rays and DVDs

● Roman Polanski FILM: ROMAN POLANSKI - A FILM MEMOIR: Genre: Feature Documentary/Historical.

Cast: Roman Polanski, Andrew Braunsberg.

Year: 2012.

Rating: M. Running Time: 90 Minutes.

Format: DVD and BLU-RAY. Stars: **** Verdict: Legendary filmmaker Roman Polanski has had a life filled with extraordinary success and overwhelming tragedy. He has brought to the screen such classics as Repulsion, Rosemary's Baby, the neo-noir masterpiece Chinatown and the Oscar winning The Pianist, but throughout all of this, his life has been littered with tragedy and scandal. Now for the first time, Roman Polanski sits down with his long time friend Andrew Braunsberg to tell his own story, and what an intensely compelling and heartbreaking revelation it is.

From his childhood in the Ghetto's of WWII Krakow, the death of his Mother by the Nazi's at Auschwitz, then through his career, the tragic murder of his pregnant wife Sharon Tate, and the scandal which forced him to flee America. This is a poignant, enthralling, revealing and unforgettable journey that shine's a new light on the many misinterpreted, distorted and unanswered questions from the man himself.

FILM: SIDE EFFECTS: Genre: Crime/Drama/Thriller.

Cast: Jude Law, Rooney Mara, Catherine Zeta-Jones, Channing Tatum.

Year: 2013.

Rating: MA15+.

Running Time: 106 Minutes.

Format: DVD and BLU-RAY. Stars: *** Verdict: Intriguing story of a young woman's world that unravels when a drug prescribed by her doctor may be the cause of unexpected and chilling side effects and the personal and professional toll it takes on those involved. From the opening scene, obviously inspired by the opening sequence of Alfred Hitchcock's classic Psycho, we are slowly thrown into a world of complexity and uncertainty, to say the least. To say anymore about the plot would be a crime itself, only that the thinking cap must be firmly on as the events of this psychological thriller meticulously unfolds with thought provoking results. Jude Law and Rooney Mara (The Girl With The Dragon Tattoo) are a standout.

FILM: JESUS CHRIST SUPERSTAR - 40th Anniversary Edition: Genre: Musical/Drama.

Cast: Ted Neeley, Carl Anderson, Yvonne Elliman.

Year: 1973.

Rating: G. Running Time: 108 Minutes.

Format: DVD and BLU-RAY. Stars: *** Verdict: This original film version of the original 1970's musical stage play, which presents the last days of Christ's life, is well staged, on real locations, and superbly performed by all concerned. Director and co-screenwriter Norman Jewison, riding hot on the success of his epic film version of Fiddler On The Roof and the Oscar winning In The Heat of the Night, transforms the Broadway blockbuster rock opera to the screen with a unique flare and excitement. And like The Who's filmed rock opera Tommy and more recently Les Miserables, it may require special attention, but the reward is well worth it. The filmed 2012 London West End stage spectacular starring Tim Minchin is also available on DVD and Blu-ray.

FILM: THE DEVIL'S BRIGADE: Genre: War/Action/Adventure.

Cast: William Holden, Cliff Robertson, Vince Edwards.

Year: 1968.

Rating: PG. Running Time: 130 Minutes.

Format: DVD and BLU-RAY. Stars: **1/2 Verdict: Fluffy rehash of the blockbuster The Dirty Dozen of a U.S. army colonel who has never been in combat and is assigned to put together a special unit from of troops and a ragtag bunch of misfits during World War II. Directed by Andrew V. McLaglen who would later direct the superior, and similar themed, The Wild Geese a decade later. Great supporting cast of character actors includes Claude Akins, Jack Watson Richard Jaeckel, Richard Dawson (Hogan's Heroes) and Harry Carey Jr. A good, solid enough adventure yarn to pass a couple of hours by, but not quite in the league of aforementioned classics.

MELBOURNE INTERNATIONAL FILM FESTIVAL 2013 ■ Despite a number of interesting titles and two admittedly impressive films as the Opening and Closing attractions, this year's MIFF is a little underwhelming.

That quintessential WOW-factor seems to be missing, and one may put it down to the fact that there are now a number of separate, well-regarded film festivals that successfully champion films from various countries.

Japan, South Korea, France, Italy, Spain, Mexico and Russia are now well represented, inevitably draining high-profile movies from this prestigious festival (it is definitely heartening to see these other events achieving bigger audiences each year, and have to be supported by movie-goers as much as possible).

On the positive side, there are plenty of films that could enthrall and entertain.

Thanks to certain local distributors (Madman Entertainment, who feature heavily again, Transmission Films, Rialto Distribution, Palace, Umbrella, and Icon), a strong field of feature films will be released theatrically over the coming months, including The Best Offer, Blancanieves, A Field In England, Frances Ha, A Highjacking, I'm So Excited, The Past (from the director of the Oscar-winning ASeparation), Patrick, Prince Avalanche, What Maisie Knew and You're Next.

Also due mainly to the aforementioned distributors, films such as Bastards (from Claire Denis), Blue Ruin, AWerewolf Boy, Camille Claudel 1915, Cheap Thrills, Closed Curtain, The Congress, The Dance Of Reality (cult fave Alejandro Jodorowsky's first film in 23 years), For Those In Peril, Ginger And Rosa (from British director Sally Potter), Jimmy P (starring Benicio Del Toro), John Dies At The End, Like Father Like Son (from Hirokazu Kore'eda), Magic Magic, The Major, Omar (from the director of the Oscar-nominated Paradise Now), Outrage Beyond, Passion, The Selfish Giant, Stranger By The Lake, A Touch Of Sin and Upstream Colour (the longawaited new film from Primer director Shane Carruth) will certainly arrive here on DVD. Through Fox, Universal and Roadshow we will see All Is Lost (starring the legendary Robert Redford), The East (the thematic follow-up to The Sound Of My Voice), the long-in-production Lovelace, V/H/S 2, and the strangely long-delayed Stoker receive a local release.

Notable omissions this year include Blue Is The Warmest Colour (which won the Palm D'or at Cannes), Hell, the confronting Mexican film which won the Best Director prize at Cannes, Takashi Miike's Hollywood-style action/thriller Shield Of Straw, the two South Korean hits New World and The Berlin File, and Jim Jarmusch's latest, Only Lovers Left Alive, starring Tilda Swinton.

For more information please look online at miff.com.au, or contact the MIFF box-office (located at the Forum Theatre, 154 Flinders St) on 9662 3722.

Top 10 Lists THE AUSTRALIAN BOX OFFICE TOP TEN: 1. THE HEAT. 2. DESPICABLE ME 2.

3. PACIFIC RIM. 4. MONSTERS UNIVERSITY. 5. MAN OF STEEL. 6. THE LONE RANGER. 7. WORLD WAR Z. 8. EPIC. 9. THE GREAT GATSBY. 10. THE INTERNSHIP. NEW RELEASES AND COMING SOON TO CINEMAS AROUND AUSTRALIA: JULY 18: BEFORE MIDNIGHT, ONLY GOD FORGIVES, THE CONJOURING, THIS IS THE END, RAMAIYA VASTAVAIYA. JULY 25: BEHIND THE CANDELABRA, BYZANTIUM, THE WOLVERINE, WHAT'S IN A NAME?

● Robert Redford Here now are the reviews of the films I have seen that are playing at the Festival. Happy viewing everyone.

Lesson Of The Evil. 129 minutes.

Aug 3, 10. ****.

Dealing with a popular high school teacher who hides a very dark side, director Takashi Miike's controversial film is mostly a slow-burn mix of drama and black humour, building to a third act which is brutal, graphically bloody, and disturbing.

Has been compared to Battle Royale (its poster campaign is strikingly similar), but its pacing and tone is comparable to the eerie psychological thriller The Neighbour No. Thirteen (2004).

Stoker. 99 minutes. July 27, 29. ****.

The tale of an odd, completely dysfunctional family, this moody, brilliantly made thriller offers up an atmospheric, unsettling journey laced with an extremely dark sense of humour. Stars Mia Wasikowska, Matthew Goode and Nicole Kidman.

A Werewolf Boy. 122 minutes.

Aug 3, 11. ***½.

Rather affecting drama about a teenage girl who befriends a feral boy, who was raised like an animal by his abusive owner.

A confident blend of drama, romance, and thriller, with some nicelytimed moments of comedy, this beautifully shot film features two strong performances from its young leads.

Outrage Beyond. 112 minutes.

Aug 7, 9. ****.

Takashi 'Beat' Kitano's sequel to the 2010 hit delivers strong entertainment, with the rival yakuza gangs acting more-and-more like GFC-effected corporations.

John Dies At The End. 99 minutes. Aug 2, 9. ****.

Wild mixture of sci-fi, action, and comedy from the director of the equally oddball Bubba Ho-Tep. Basically revolving around two alien hunters, this is a delirious genre mash-up in the vein of the 1984 cult classic The Adventures Of Buckaroo Banzai. Great fun.

Passion. 101 minutes. July 26, 29, Aug 8. ***.

Brian De Palma's first film since 2007 is a cool, stylish reworking of the French film Love Crime (2010).

Compared to the original, De Palma's approach in the first half seems jarring and stale, but as we start to understand what he is doing and the second half kicks in, we see the master film-maker work his cinematic magic.

- Aaron Rourke

THE DVD TOP RENTAL & SELLERS: 1. ZERO DARK THIRTY [Drama/ Thriller/Jessica Chastain, James Gandolfini].

2. PARKER [Action/Jason Statham, Jennifer Lopez].

3. CLOUD ATLAS [Drama/Tom Hanks, Halle Berry, Hugh Grant, Jim Broadbent].

4. THE INCREDIBLE BURT WONDERSTONE [Comedy/Jim Carrey, Steve Carrell].

5. OZ: THE GREAT AND POWERFUL [Fantasy/Adventure/James Franco, Mila Kunis].

6. THE LAST STAND [Action/Arnold Schwarzenegger, Peter Stormare].

7. FLIGHT [Drama/Denzel Washington, Bruce Greenwood, Kelly Reilly].

8. PARANORMAN [Animated/Fantasy/Horror/Sam Fell, Chris Butler].

9. SILVER LININGS PLAYBOOK [Drama/Jennifer Lawrence, Bradley Cooper, Jackie Weaver].

10. DJANGO UNCHAINED [Western/ Drama/Christoph Waltz, Jamie Foxx, Leonardo DiCaprio].

Also: BROKEN CITY, TOWER BLOCK, LINCOLN, THE PAPERBOY, GREAT EXPECTATIONS, ROMAN POLANSKI: A FILM MEMOIR, THE HOBBIT: An Unexpected Journey, SIDE EFFECTS, BEAUTIFUL CREATURES, HANSEL & GRETEL: WITCH HUNTERS. NEW RELEASE HIGHLIGHTS ON DVD THIS WEEK: A GOOD DAY TO DIE HARD [Action/ Thriller/Bruce Willis, Jay Courtney, Sebastian Koch].

EVIL DEAD (2013) [R18+Horror/ Jane Levy, Jessica Lucas].

THE HOST [Sci-Fi/Diane Kruger, Saoirse Ronan, William Hurt].

JACK THE GIANT SLAYER [Action/ Adventure/Ewan McGregor, Stanley Tucci].

BACK TO 1942 [War/Drama/Adrien Brody, Tim Robbins, Chen Daoming].

THE TALL MAN [Thriller/Jessica Biel, Stephen McHattie].

NEW & RE-RELEASE CLASSICS ON DVD HIGHLIGHTS: MAX MANUS: MAN OF WAR [War/ Drama/Nicolai Cleve Broch, Agnes Kittelsen].

NEW RELEASE TELEVISION, DOCUMENTARY AND MUSIC DVD HIGHLIGHTS: THE TOUR DE FRANCE STORY. STATE OF ORIGIN 2013 SERIES: Queensland.

A CERTAIN SCIENTIFIC RAILGUN: Series 1 - Part 1.

A CERTAIN SCIENTIFIC RAILGUN: Series 1 - Part 2.

ASHES CRICKET 2013.

Turn To Page 123

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Melbourne Observer - Wednesday, July 24, 2013 - Page 117

Observer Showbiz CONTAINER FESTIVAL

Local Theatre With Cheryl Threadgold

‘THE CLUB’ STAGED BY ENCORE SHOWS

● Joel Horwood, Benny ‘Mama Alto’ Dimas and Cassandra Ramanathan will be part of The Container Festival at Monash University from August 2-20.

Photo: Christopher Bryant ■ The Container Festival is a bold new enterprise from Monash Uni Student Theatre - a dynamic multi-artform, multi-venue arts and events festival, coming to Monash from August 2-20.

Shipping containers will be set up as performance venues, there will be a vibrant ‘Hub’ and lounge bar located in the MUST theatre, and ‘miniMUST’ and other surprising spaces filled with brand new work of all shapes and sizes. Audiences will experience music, dance, theatre, visual art, games, burlesque, interactive performances, poetry, puppetry, exhibitions and more.

The Container Festival will provide an engine room and showcase for ground-breaking work of all genres.

MUST Artistic Director, Yvonne Virsik says: “It will ignite cultural engagement and expression, foster innovation and provide brilliant, affordable entertainment.”

The festival launches in the MUST ‘Hub’ space on Friday, August 2 from 6pm until late, with free entry. Featuring an impressive line-up of festival artists, guests will get a sneak preview of the diverse work on offer, meet the artists and enjoy a sensational party.

Director of Clayton Campus Community, Terry Hogan, said: “Monash University sees the festival as a great way to bring culture and arts to the general population on and around the campus.”

Offerings throughout the festival include the Monash Jazz Orchestra; indie band Papa G and the Starcats; a Burlesque Showcase in The Garland (the cabaret container curated by Melbourne Cabaret Festival darling Mama Alto) stand up from Max Attwood and Annie Louey; one–on–one story telling experiences; Belgian Chocolate Roulette; 10 Minute Dance Parties, Vietnamese Folk Tales; BJ’s Bingo Bonanza and interactive games including the espionage caper Dead Drop.

Tickets: Festival Passes allow entry into any festival event, with more than 200 options, with a booking - $50.

Day Passes allow entry into any festival event on a certain date, with a booking - $15.

One-off Ticket options $2 - $8 Lots of free events Bookings: Individual show bookings only can be made at the ticketing booth at The Hub during festival hours in the MUST Space, ground floor campus centre, western end, Monash University, Clayton.

Full program and details are available from: msa.monash.edu.au/must

■ Encore Theatre Company: The Club (by David Williamson) Until July 27 at the Clayton Community Centre Theatrette, Corner Cooke Street and Centre Road, Clayton. Director: Keith Hutton.

Tickets: $20/$18. Bookings: 1300 739 099 (9am-9pm) www.encoretheatre.com.au ■ Heidelberg Theatre Company: Blithe Spirit (by Noel Coward) Until July 27 at 36 Turnham Avenue, Rosanna. Director: Wendy Drowley. Tickets: $25/$22. Bookings: 9457 4117 or www.htc.org ■ PLOS Musical Productions: Little Shop of Horrors July 25, 26 at 8.00pm, July 27 at 2.00pm at the Frankston Arts Centre. Director: Danny Ginsberg; Musical Director: Sue Fletcher; Choreographer: Steve Rostron. Bookings: 9784 1060. www.plos.asn.au ■ Mornington CEF Players: Songs for a New World Until July 28 at Bellamy Hall, Albert Street, Mornington. Directors: Daniel Jow and Tim Blencowe. Tickets: $22/$18/$14. Bookings: 0467 185 176 or email info@cefplayers.com.au ■ Frankston Theatre Group: Eric's Homecoming (Written and directed by Roy Thompson) July 26 - August 4 at the Mount Eliza Community Centre, Canadian Bay Road, Mount Eliza. Tickets: $26.50/$24.50. Bookings: 1300 665 www.frankstontheatre group.org.au ■ SLAMS: Rent August 2 - 17 at 8.00pm at the Knox Community Arts Centre, Corner Scoresby Road and Mountain Highway, Bayswater. Director/Musical Director: Tyson Legg. Tickets: $32,$28/Group 10 or more $25. Bookings: www.trybooking.com/ DBUER or 9720 3205.

■ Peridot Theatre Inc: The Wisdom of Eve August 9 - 24 at 8.00pm, August 11, 17 at 2.15pm and August 18 at 4.00pm at the Unicorn Theatre, Lechte Road, Mount Waverley. Director: Annette deBoer. Tickets: $23/$20. Bookings: 1300 138 645 or email peridotboxoffice@yahoo.com.au ■ Strathmore Theatrical Arts Group (STAG): Laying the Ghost August 15 - 25 at the Strathmore Community Theatre, Loeman Street, Strathmore. Director: Robert Harsley. Tickets: $20/$15.Bookings: 9382 6284 www.stagtheatre.org.

■ The Basin Theatre Group: Kid Stakes (by Ray Lawler) August 16 - September 8 at The Basin Theatre, Doongalla Road, The Basin. Director: Christine Grant. Tickets: $25 all performances.

Book online at www.thebasintheatre.org.au or call 1300 784 668.

■ Cardinia Performing Arts Company (CPAC): Oliver!

August 17, 18, 23, 24, 25, 29, 30, 31 at 8.00pm, Sun. 2.00pm, Thurs.

7.00pm at the Cardinia Cultural Centre, Lakeside Boulevard, Pakenham. Director: Lee Moulton. Bookings: 0407 090 354 or www.trybooking.com

AUDITIONS ■ Viola Theatre Group: Maiden Ladies (a comedy) Directed

by David Keane. Audition any Sunday from 7.00pm at the Campbell Turner Library, or call 9384 1277 or email matilda03@optusnet.com.au ■ Warrandyte Theatre Company: The 39 Steps (by Patrick Barlow, August 8 at 8.00pm and August 11 at 2.00pm. Directors: Adrian Rice and Alan Cornell. Audition bookings: 0439 311428.

■ Frankston Theatre Group: 3 One Act Comedies (by Nick Warburton, David Tristram and Frank Vickery). August 11 at 10.00am and August 12 at 7.30pm. Directors: Rob Lister, Keith Gledhill and David McCall. Audition bookings: Keith 9708 8498.

■ Strathmore Theatrical Amateur Group (STAG): Funny Money (by Ray Cooney) August 18 at 5.30pm, August 19 at 7.30pm at the Strathmore Community Theatre. Director: Jonne Finnemore.

Audition bookings: jonne2@optusnet.com.au

REVIEW BY RITA CRISPIN

Show might appeal to narrow niche market ■ In the press release, the creator of Aesoterica, Stuart Lynch, is credited as a theatre director, school leader and performance artist.

The Lynch Concert is described as a ‘Live art and theatre work’.

I found it a confused offering of bits and pieces of improvisation.

For some unexplained reason, the stage area was covered in sand.

There was audience participation with Lynch inviting applause before he started – twice.

He then continued the performance with wild vocal histrionics, some dialogue in a Texan accent, a seemingly endless reading of a list of the number of times that films featuring zombies had been produced, and then a strip tease.

Melbourne

Observer

● Paul Lynch in Aesterica A sharp knife and a zucchini were produced and the zucchini sliced at a fast rate on a bread board which was the only protection for the nude Mr Lynch’s manhood!

The performance ended with an impersonation of Elvis Presley in the recognised Elvis white suit with big collar.

It appeared to have been enjoyed by some of the 40or so members of the audience which I suspect were mainly university drama tutors or students of performing arts.

This is performance art which would appeal to a narrow niche audience market, and where I think that Mr Lynch’s work might be hailed as imaginative and instructive.

The sound and video technician, who is not credited, did well considering there was no script or apparent running order for the performance.

The 1½-hour only performance in Australia of The Lynch Concert, Aesoterica, was performed at La Mama Theatre.

Foxfinder

● Farming couple Samuel (David Whiteley) and wife Judith (Joanne Trentini) ponder their future in Red Stitch Actors Theatre’s production of Foxfinder.

Photo: Jodie Hutchinson ■ Award-winning British playwright Dawn King’s riveting drama Foxfinder is playing its Australian premiere season to packed houses at the Red Stitch Actors Theatre, St Kilda.

Set in isolated rural England, the story tells of the fox regarded as a public enemy and believed to be the cause of all misfortune, from bad weather to poor crops, to family tragedy.

Farmers Judith (Joanne Trentini) and Samuel Covey (David Whiteley) are experiencing a time of crisis after the death of their four-year-old son.

Contamination is suspected because farm productivity is not meeting the required quotas, and young ‘foxfinder’ William Bloor (Matthew Whitty) arrives to investigate and exterminate the problem.

In a masterly portrayal, Whitty evokes varied emotions for Bloor’s character, including sympathy for his years of institutionalisation, austere lifestyle and fanatical belief that foxes threaten human survival, to loathing the negative effect he has on the lives of people he has supposedly come to help.

The Coveys’ neighbour Sarah Box (Rosie Lockhart) courageously challenges Bloor’s brain-washed ideology, while the skilfully crafted script takes the characters and audience on a dramatic journey of surprise twists and turns in search of the ‘truth’, exploring the impact of radical beliefs and conversion.

Kat Henry’s superbly creative direction is complimented

by Peter Mumford’s stark but atmospheric set of tall, bare, grey trees positioned around the performance area.

The added eerie effect of Amelia Lever-Davidson’s lighting and David Maloy’s sound design, beautifully set mood and atmosphere as this dark tale unfolds.

Real soil, rain and sloshy mud add visual reality to the rural setting and theme of nature and survival.

Joanne Trentini, David Whiteley, Rosie Lockhart and Matthew Whitty deliver intense, first-class performances in one of the most outstanding pieces of theatre seen in Melbourne this year.

For compelling, powerful theatre at its best, don’t miss seeing Foxfinder.

Performance Season: Until August 17 Times: (not Mon or Tues) Wed to Sat at 8pm, Sun 6.30pm, Sat matinees at 4pm Venue: Red Stitch Theatre, Rear 2 Chapel St, St Kilda Tickets: $27 - $39, $20 student Bookings: 9533 8083 or www.redstitch.net

www.MelbourneObserver.com.au y g

Page 118 - Melbourne Observer - Wednesday, July 24, 2013 Melbourne

Observer

Lovatts Crossword No 2 Across

1. Full of vitality 6. Took a break 11. Soothes (fears) 15. Protecting 20. Red-rind cheese 21. Actor, Ryan ... (1'4) 22. Solemn promise 23. Solid ground, ... firma 25. Anglican church caretaker 26. Ethics 27. Public persona 29. Mania 32. Hind section 34. Ruler, Genghis ...

36. Innocently 39. Colorado ski resort 41. Alexandria is there 43. Titled ladies 46. Lessened 48. Hair dye 49. Madam (2'2) 51. Hideous monster 52. Replanting with trees 55. Long story 56. Arrests 59. Beginning 61. Moderate, ... down 62. Ancient musical instrument 63. Skirmish 64. Sadder (state) 67. Women's court sport 68. Legitimately 70. Japanese hostess 71. Obtained (funds) 72. Womb 73. Academy Awards 74. News stories 75. Encloses 77. Proclamation 78. Comes in 79. Behaviour 82. Simpler 86. Jewish language 87. Biblical son of Isaac 89. Minor planets 92. Gambling chances 94. Acute anxiety 96. In a frenzied state 98. European defence pact 100. Caravan itinerant 101. At a distance 103. Requirement 105. Gallows rope 106. Oil producers' cartel 108. Contest of honour 111. Nursery rhyme, Three Blind ...

112. Utterly exhausted (4,4) 114. Discouraged 116. Domestic helper 119. Actress, ... Thompson 120. Ukraine capital 121. Belonging to that 123. Writer, ... Blyton 124. Restore to health 125. Spectators 126. Senior citizen 127. Gentlest 130. Typist's complaint (1,1,1) 131. Hollering 135. Scrapes (knee) 138. Dad 139. Metal pen-points 141. Premonitions 144. Coal mine waste 146. Food enhancer (1,1,1) 147. Excessively formal 148. Sense of self 149. Established (foundations) 150. Golfing body (1,1,1) 151. Devil's abode 152. Improvised (4,2) 153. October stone 155. Feed (fire) 157. More orderly 158. Twig shelter 160. Atlantic or Indian 161. Huffs 162. Throw up 163. Reside 165. Even further delayed 166. Famous record label (1,1,1)

Across 167. Argentina's ... Peron 168. Yellowish-brown pigment 169. Rush off 171. Nimble 172. Donor 175. Tribal emblem 176. Religious statue 179. Squirm in pain 180. Crowd brawl 182. Wine, ... spumante 184. West Indian music 185. Pop group, Bee ...

186. Kangaroo pouch 188. Germination pod 189. Gearwheel tooth 190. Sixty minutes 191. Crack army force (1,1,1) 193. US space organisation 194. Deal with 196. Cereal bowl 197. Trimmed of fat 198. Aroma 200. More scrumptious 205. Wrath 207. City roads 210. Gorged oneself 211. Last day of April 212. Amongst 213. Leading 214. Household fuel 216. Spoken exam 218. Hordes 219. Was obliged to pay 220. In so far (as) 224. Political stirrer 227. Adversaries 229. Optic organs 230. Valley 231. Happen 232. Mad Roman emperor 233. Data 235. Remove (tape) from VCR 237. You 239. Cheeky smile 241. Skewered meat 244. Great Bear constellation, ... Major 246. Scenery 249. Leer 252. Straight (route) 254. Charted 256. Scattered 258. Of long duration (3-3) 259. Cavalry spear 260. Vigilantly 263. Short period 264. Synagogue scholars 265. Make untidy (4,2) 267. Huts 270. Administer 271. Slid 272. Win 273. Nuclear agreement (4,3) 274. Small herring 277. Liberated 279. Graven image 281. Distributed (cards) 284. Sinks in middle 286. Ark builder 288. Luxuries 292. Power group 294. In present condition (2,2) 295. Fork spike 298. The Suez ...

300. English tennis champ, Fred ...

301. Gaze 303. Boats' spines 306. Thickly 308. Test run 309. Blemish 311. Chunkier (stew) 314. Disorder, cerebral ...

315. Screen legend, Marilyn ...

316. Finance in advance 317. Honourably 318. Fond of, ... on 319. Nazi government, The Third ...

320. Nothing 321. Peevishness 322. Alcove 323. Moved furtively 324. Bed cover

Down 1. Do breaststroke 2. Lamented 3. Garden entrances 4. Brief 5. 12-months 6. Despoil 7. Nailfile (board) 8. Fasten (bolt) 9. Legendary kingdom, El ...

10. Take up again 11. Nearly 12. Robbery 13. Egg centres 14. Dress ribbons 15. Beef-cut for stock 16. Senseless 17. Disregard alarm clock (3,2) 18. Tick over 19. Elapse (2,2) 24. Glimpse 28. Work team 30. Irish sweater style 31. Identify 33. Weirder 35. Maxims 37. Windmill arm 38. Part of ear 40. Bridge-player's bid (2,6) 42. Spurs 44. Polar 45. University compositions 47. Concur 48. Risked 49. Mortuaries 50. Helping 53. Yacht's mooring cushions 54. Treated badly (3-4) 57. Seabird with large wingspan 58. Fluctuates 60. Cotton tops (1-6) 63. Detective story 65. Porridge flakes 66. Proportional, pro ...

68. Decoy 69. Scottish lake 76. Plane terminal 79. Silent 80. Bare 81. Perfume, ... toilette (3,2) 83. Brisbane suburb & racecourse 84. Internal 85. Decompose 88. First animals in dictionary 90. Shade of colour 91. Frosted (biscuits) 93. Tottering 95. Drawing pin 97. Incessantly (2,3,2) 99. Word formed from initials 100. Pleased 102. Dummy pass 104. Waned 107. Danger 109. Author, ... Bronte 110. Bullets 111. Non-glossy 113. Powerful light (3,4) 115. Elevate in rank 117. Spicy lentil dish 118. Futile (attempt) 121. Tel Aviv native 122. Side benefit (4-3) 127. Revolving tray, lazy ...

128. Froths 129. Greatest 132. House seller (6,5) 133. Dormant 134. Rainwater channel 135. Least rough 136. Lack of awareness 137. Most swift 138. Blazed trail 140. Deliverance 141. Vehicle distance gauges

Down

142. Capture spirit of 143. British military academy 145. Collects 151. Sack material 154. Spanish friend 156. Addicts 159. Conger or moray 164. Bustle 169. Battle 170. Large pitchers 173. Prickling 174. Baby birds of prey 177. Desist 178. Approaches 181. Foolish 183. Melting 187. Firebugs 192. Firmly securing 195. Standard 199. Inventor 201. Weaponry 202. Carry-on (2-2) 203. All set 204. Charmer, ... fatale 206. Say 207. Employees 208. Deciduous trees 209. London underground 213. Bump into 215. Prosecutor 217. Appearance 221. Take a nap 222. America, ... Sam 223. Chile's tip, Cape ...

224. Singer's solo 225. Narrow bay 226. Quarrel 228. Swedish tennis ace (5,4) 234. Views 236. Bike rider 238. Radio hobbyist 240. Charged particle 242. UK country 243. Speak to 245. Abating 247. Changed suitably 248. Spirit medium 250. Mouth cosmetic 251. Commercials 253. Chore 255. Discontinued 257. Refuses to (3,1) 258. Your school, ... mater 261. Consumable 262. Mood 265. Intimidate 266. Damascus is there 268. Uplift 269. Vendor 275. Peel (apple) 276. Snakes 278. Make bigger 280. Climb down 282. Compass point 283. Exist 285. Carbonated drink 287. ... & nail 289. Euphoric drugs 290. Topped with breadcrumbs, au ...

291. Sprites 292. Called (of donkey) 293. Part of shoe 296. Ward off 297. Stockings fibre 299. Not anybody (2-3) 302. Stun 304. Lodge deeply 305. Store for future use (3,2) 306. Fall 307. Subsequent 308. Anti-flood embankment 310. Door handle 312. ... of Capri 313. Peruse

Melbourne Observer - Wednesday, July 17, 2013 - Page 119

Solution on Page 101

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Page 120 - Melbourne Observer - Wednesday, July 24, 2013

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Page 122 - Melbourne Observer - Wednesday, July 17, 2013

www.MelbourneObserver.com.au

Observer Radio Showbiz Confidential Aspect Theatre Review: Hairspray ■ Parkdale's Shirley Burke Theatre has been bopping to 1960's music as Aspect Inc. presents a lively production of Hairspray.

Director Lyn Laister's colourful sets, co-designed with Peter Martignoles, ensure a smooth-running, well-staged show, avoiding time-wasting scene changes.

Expressive Ashleigh Kreveld is great in the lead role of Tracy Turnblad, particularly vocally. However, wearing the 'big' hairstyle - synonymous with Tracy's character and worn

by Ashleigh in the program photos - would have completed the visual package.

Joining Ashleigh as principal cast members are Phil Lam (Link Larkin), Lisa Brocklehurst (Penny Pingleton), Amy Partridge (Amber Von Tussle), John Davidson (Corny Collins), Susie McCann (Valma Von Tussle), Jennifer Biggs (Motormouth Maybelle), Sam Cucchiara (Seaweed Stubbs), Michelle Carlin-Day (Trudy Pingleton) and Tashiya Prins (Little Inez).

Formidable Michael Young (Edna) and Colin Prossor (Wilbur) delight with their entertaining portrayal of Tracy's parents, and another 19 talented performers complete the cast in support roles and ensemble.

Special mention must be made of Susie McCann and Jennifer Biggs's fine vocal numbers and the performances of Tashiya Prins, Fraser Mitchell, Robyn Walker and Steven Reinhardt.

Musical Director Emma McGeorge's orchestra does good work rendering the toe-tapping tunes, and for me, Kim Annette's choreography was a highlight.

No easy task with varied dance abilities in community theatre to create visually interesting choreography and achieve precision, but it was terrific.

The renovated Shirley Burke Theatre's new design unfortunately means those sitting at the far edges of the first few rows have partly-obscured vision of the stage, and the audio facilities need fine-tuning to do justice to performances.

However, the refurbished foyer facilities are beautiful, and full marks to Aspect's Kevin Custerson for splendid frontof-house management.

Congratulations to Lyn Laister and her team for creating enjoyable community theatre, so popular that the season sold out before opening night.

- Cheryl Threadgold

MTC attracts new audience ■ More than 5100 ticketbuyers enjoyed Melbourne Theatre Company’s inaugural Neon: Festival of Independent Theatre which showcased five independent theatre companies in The Lawler at Southbank Theatre across 52 performances, with hundreds more engaging with Neon Extra free events.

From a 40-minute almost silent theatrical poem to an epic three-hour queer retelling of colonial Australia, the diversity of productions presented by Daniel Schlusser Ensemble, Fraught Outfit, The Hayloft Project, The Rabble and Sisters Grimm opened Southbank Theatre’s doors to new audiences with 47 per cent of ticket buyers new to MTC.

r Observbei z Show

Wednesday, July 24 ■ Jimmy Tunz is 31.

Painter Arthur Boyd was born in Murrumbeena in 1920. He died aged 78 in 1999.

US comedienne Ruth Buzzi was born in 1936 (77).

Actor Michael Richards (Kramer in Seinfeld) was born in Culver City, California, in 1948 (65).

IDEA FOR SEN

■ Influential media commentator Mark Day has suggested that Melbourne sports radio station 1116 SEN team with battling Sydney station 2UE. 2UE is 3AW’s sister station.

Both are part of the Fairfax Radio group.

Day, a former 3AW personality, writing in The Australian, says that 2UE has only been able achieve 4.9 per cent of listeners in Sydney, compared to opposition station 2GB which attracts 13.0 per cent.

Day makes the point that 2UE once was at the top of the ratings tree, but lost its way when businessman John Singleton signed presenters Alan Jones and Ray Hadley to join 2GB. Appointing National Content Director Clark Forbes to look after 2UE’s programming, as well as 3AW, has not altered the fortunes of the network.

Its weekday line-up includes Ian ‘Dicko’ Dickson and Sarah Morice (breakfast), Paul Murray (mornings, on a low 3.1 per cent), Stuart Bocking (afternoons), Jason Morrison (drive), and Murray Wilton (nights).

2UE takes the Melbournebased Australia Overnight program fronted by Andrew McLaren and Mark Petkovic, against the wishes of some of the Sydney advertising sales staff, who want a local midnight-dawn show.

Mark Day says that SEN is 15 per cent owned by Fairfax, and achieves a 5 per cent audience share without the high costs that 2UE must pay. 2UE is losing $100,000-a-week ($5 million annually), Day says.

Blackers in hospital ■ 3AW’s John Blackman was admitted to Royal Darwin Hospital last week, and was being prepared for an urgent kidney operation.

‘Blackers’, who appears on

● Mark Day the Nightline program, returned to Melbourne, without surgery needed with kidney stone passing naturally.

“My eternal/internal gratitude to the staff at Royal Darwin for their wonderful treatment (and all the morphine) - I was such a sooky la la!” Blackman said.

Mal Garvin challenged ■ Mal Garvin, the ex-boss of Melbourne radio station 3AK, which collapsed owing millions, has been challenged about the company failure.

A Facebook user quizzed Garvin on the question that 3AK on-air staff, office staf and contributors “were not paid wages owing to them”.

Garvin was asked if thouse staff who were not paid holiday entitlements and superannuation had since been paid.

Garvin replied: “You ask a good question. To my understanding all staff were taken care of, but some strange things took place that I would rather than talk about here, particularly to do with contributors and the handover to the next lot.”

Four Letter Word Theatre

● The Wild Party cast enjoyed a photo shoot at the Capitol Theatre last week. From left is Bekki Adams, James Worsnop, Samuel Dariol, Alana Kiely, Rosa McCarty, Christian Cavallo and Maree Barnett.

Photo: Robert Alexander Smith ■ Four Letter Word Theatre opens soon with The Wild Party, and director Robbie Carmellotti kindly agreed to an interview.

Robbie says he applied to direct this show because it is one of his favourites.

Based on the famous poem by Joseph Moncure March and set in the 1920s, The Wild Party focuses on the relationship between Vaudevillian stars Queenie and Burrs and guests attending one of their famous parties, which becomes fuelled by bathtub gin and cocaine.

The evening starts off as a fun, elegant party but quickly spirals downward into a dishevelled mass of abuse, sex, dishonesty, substance abuse, rape, murder and shame.

Robbie says he is staging the production as a show within a show- style setting, where the audience assumes they are in a 1928 Burlesque club and the characters are telling the story of The Wild Party.

He says similar to Chicago or Cabaret, the performers are selfish and ego driven, and the ensemble "dark and dirty villains".

"I want people to experience a story which is entertaining, humorous and devastating, all in one," he says.

Originally from a ballroom and Latin dance background, Robbie started competing when he was 12, having three weekly lessons and training three hours per day, five days a week.

When competing, Robbie travelled the world, including through the USA, Thailand, Taipei, Hong Kong, Singapore, New Zealand, Indonesia, Japan and China, winning many major national and international championships.

Turning professional at 21, Robbie still holds the record for the youngest-ever Australian Championships professional Latin finalist.

Since retiring at age 26, he continues to teach, choreograph and adjudicate professionally.

So, what is next for Robbie after The Wild Party?

"StageArt recently announced we are taking the successful, sell out version of Hair we just produced for Midsumma 2013, on tour through regional Victoria in early 2014," says Robbie.

"Also, we have a new artist festival called StageArtXposed. We will produce up to 10 shows for emerging talents and offer mentorship into the industry."

Robbie says he is thrilled with the exceptional quality of his The Wild Party cast, most of whom he has not worked with before, and finds it great working with Four Letter Word Theatre.

He hopes audiences leave the show thinking that "every decision has consequences, and living your life as a lie to please others is always fatal in one way or another."

Performance Season: July 31 - August 3 Time: Doors open 6.00pm. Show starts 7.30pm. 1.00pm matinee August 3 Venue: Revolt Artspace, 12 Elizabeth Street, Kensington Bookings: www.fourletterwordtheatre.com www.fourletterwordtheatre.com - Cheryl Threadgold Melbourne

Observer

On This Day Thursday, July 25

Friday, July 26

Saturday, July 27

Sunday, July 28

Monday, July 29

Tuesday, July 30

■ American character actor Walter Brennan was born in 1894.

He died aged 80 in 1974. See Page 16.

Seekers vocalist/guitarist Bruce Woodley is 71 (1942).

US actor Matt Le Blanc was born in Newtown, Massachusetts, in 1967. The Friends star (194-2004) is 46.

■ American actress Vivian Vance, of I Love Lucy, was born in 1909.

She died aged 70.

US actor Jason Robards (he was a former husband of Lauren Bacall) was born in 1922. He died aged 78 in 2000.

Ex-Prime Minister John Howard was born in 1939 in NSW (74).

■ The late Ted Whitten, VFL legend, was born in 1933.

The Footscray star died aged 62 in 1995.

US actor Jerry Van Dyke was born in 1931 (82). He is the brother of Dick.

American singer Maureen McGovern is 64.

She sand in Posiedon Adventure.

Legendary Australian ricketer Alan Border is 58.

■ Children’s writer Beatrix Potter was born in London in 1866. She died aged 77 in 1943.

Lt General Peter Cosgrove was born in 1947 (66).

Aboriginal artist Albert Namatjira was born in 1902. He died aged 57 in 1959.

Actress Sally Struthers is 65.

■ Entertainment entrepreneur Kevin Jacobsen is 79 (1934).

Comedian Col Elliott was born in England in 1949 (64).

Actress Wendy Hughes was born in Melbourne in 1950 (63).

Comedian John Clarke was born in NZ in 1948 (65). He appears on the 7.30 program.

■ Motoring legend Henry Ford was born in 1863. He died aged 83 in 1947.

Austrian-born actor Arnold Schwarenegger was born in 1947 (66).

Model Karen Pini was born in WA in 1957 (56).

US actress Lisa Kudrow (Phoebe in Friends) was born in California in 1963 (50).

Thanks to GREG NEWMAN of the Birthday Bulletin for assistance with birthday and anniversary dates.

Find out more at www.birthdaybulletin.com.au

www.MelbourneObserver.com.au

Melbourne Observer - Wednesday, July 24, 2013 - Page 123

Melbourne

Observer Victorian Sport

Showbiz Extra ■ From Page 116

Top 10 Lists

NEW MOVE FOR APPRENTICES ■ Racing Victoria recently put in new rules regarding budding young riders who wish to become jockeys and it is pretty stringent.

Gone are the days when a young person would learn through mucking out boxes, getting the riding habit, and being taught with practical experience.

Only four youngsters were recently granted their apprenticeships from a class of 10.

Before being selected they had to undergo a stringent physical examination.

The selection process for budding apprentices, has become a lot more scientific, and likened to the AFL, said Racing Victoria's Chief Executive, Bernie Saundry.

“Over recent years we have refined our selection process for the apprentice jockey training program to better identify the best athletes, who are likely to succeed and represent the sport appropriately.”

The four selected were Boris Thornton, 15, brother of top apprentice Damien; Regan Bayliss, Lily Coombe and Melissa Nicholls.

Thornton had his first ride for his father, Glenn, at Werribee, but unfortunately his mount, French Kook, came down, between the 800 and 900 metre mark.

Boris was taken to hospital where he stayed overnight under observation, and was moved out the following day evidently with no breaks, but badly bruised.

Five years ago, up to 15 candidates applied to become apprentices, but only a handful finished up race riding.

It is hoped, on an average, that five or more from each class of 10 will stay in the industry.

The RVL said it was engaging with multicultural communities in a bid to attract more apprentices, like Ibrahim Gundogdu, Vlad Duric and Brenton Avdulla.

There are a great number of Japanese riders around the Queensland area, popular because they can ride light.

When you consider the age of the apprentice is around 14-17

Ted Ryan

when they start off, they could ride around 48 kilos, if they are built with a small light stature.

A number of our young Australian apprentices find it extremely hard to keep their weight under control.

During the winter months of racing, trainers are looking for good young strong apprentices to claim their full three or four kilo allowance to help their horses on wet and heavy tracks.

Now the industry is turning to hopefully riders like the Japanese or natural lightweight jockeys from overseas to fill the void.

We have a splendid group of young Australian apprentices like Chad Schofield, Daniel Stackhouse, Thomas Sadler, Adam Mc Cabe, Ryan Hurdle, Jake Duffy, Harry Coffey, Jye Mc Neil, Patrick Moloney, and the very good girl rider, Jackie Beriman, just to mention a few.

Like anything if he doesn't make a real

good go at it while they can claim, they will be struggling against the elite riders, later on.

When you consider the average jockey weights between 54 and 57 kilos, it is pretty tough out there.

Riders like Brad Rawiller and Steve Arnold are at it continually to keep their weight down.

Brad Rawiller, for instance, despite riding nearly seven days a week, finds it a big battle.

During the summer months you will see him running around in a track suit and sweat gear underneath.

I reckon Racing Victoria have a pretty big job on their hands into the future with so many things to attract our young people to the riding ranks if the weight is right for the future.

● Tough time for jockeys Photo by SHARON CHAPMAN, phone 9354 5754

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Racing Extra

● Forest Indigo Photo by Sharon Chapman, Fast Track Photography tional win in the outstanding jumper of Grand National his time, Cherry Hurdle at Sporting Jack, who lumped a Bet Park, Sandown. kilo more back in 1940.

The weight of 72 The popular black appeared to be gone kilos equates to around coming down the hill 13 stone in the old, and the last time around, but Black and Bent car■ Champion hurdler showed his courage to ried the weight on a Black and Bent is be- carry 72 kilos to defeat heavy 9 track, which is ing likened to some of Stand To Gain, a one reading away from the greatest ever hur- weight similar to that the heaviest of a Heavy dlers, after his sensa- carried by an another 10.

Plus he travelled is a Champion, le's the journey of 3900 hope the rising eightmetres, nearly 2½ year-old and can get miles once again in the another big one in before the end of the old.

His rider, the best jumping season.

That could be the around Steve Pateman, said after the Australian Hurdle win, that Black and to be run at Sporting Bent, going on 8, gave Bet Park on August him the greatest win of 28.

The Hurdle will be his career on and out along with the Austraand out champion.

Black and Bent is lian Steeple on the raced by Melbourne day, both from the Racing Chairman, meeting that was abanand there was not a doned earlier in the happier man on course year, due to the state of after his ‘mate’ got the the track, and the in● Heavy Metal clement weather. chocolates.

Photo by Sharon Chapman, Fast Track Photography - Ted Ryan There is no doubt he

How good is he?

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Observer Racing Roundup

■ Our roving reporter/photographer, the lovely Sharon Chapman, has reported in from Durban in South Africa.

Covering some of the major events, one of Sharon's spectacular shots features Heavy Metal, winning the Grade 1, R$3.5 million Vodacom, Durban July.

The winning rider, S'Manga Khumalo, became the first black jockey to win the event in the race's 117-year History.

Sharon said that emotions were high before the race as a 50,000 strong crowd of racegoers paid tribute to former President and hero of a nation, Nelson Mandela, combined with an emotional rendition of the South African National Anthem.

In what was a brilliant day of racing, there were no less than four Grade One's on the card, with 10 races on the program.

The racing crowd soaked up the electric atmosphere of the big meeting.

Our special thanks to Sharon for the photos and story (at left).

■ The peoples champion, Subzero, is on the road to recovery, under the care of his constant companion, Clerk of the Course, Graham Salisbury, with him 24 hours a day.

He lost nearly 100 kilos when part of his bowel wedged against his spleen, and an operation looked likely, but thankfully it came good.

I spoke to Graham and he told me he was putting him into the paddock from three weeks just pottering around to put the weight back on, and is back on hard food which is a great sign.

Great news for all horse lovers.

- Ted Ryan

Page 124 - Melbourne Observer - Wednesday, July 24, 2013

www.MelbourneObserver.com.au

Melbourne

Observer Victorian Sport Racing Briefs

Fundraiser for Barry ■ Barry Garbutt, well known throughout the harness world (especially in the Melton area), has not been in the best of health in recent times and a Country Rock Fundraiser to assist him is being held at the Flem & Ken Bowling Club, Flemington between 1pm and 7pm on Sunday, August 11. Admission is only $10.

Trapped three-wide ■ It's great to see Gisborne South trainer Shannon McLean in the winners’ stall again after having a short break away from the business due to fatherhood.

Shannon was successful with Jeremes Jet/ Broadway Gal colt Broadway Playboy in the Goodform 3-Y-0 Pace over 1720 metres at Tabcorp Park Melton on Wednesday July 17.

Driven by Nathan Jack, Broadway Playboy was trapped three wide after starting outside the front row, before easing to be one/one.

Not happy with the tempo, Jack sent the colt forward to park outside the pacemaker Golden Life midrace and dictate the terms.

Proving to be the better stayer, Broadway Playboy was too strong at the finish for Golden Life, scoring by a head only in a rate of 2-01.9, with Art Prevails third after following the pacemaker.

Combined with ‘Rocket’ ■ Bolinda's Brent Lilley combined with ‘Rocket’ Rod Petroff to land the Tab.com.au Pace for R1 class over 1720 metres at TP with 4-Y-0 Christian Cullen/Gail Devers gelding The Kingston Flyer in a rate of 1-59.

Scorching away from outside the front line, The Kingston Flyer pounced on the lead and was never headed in accounting for Lifesaver Lady off a three wide trail last lap from mid-field, with Goodsie running home late from last to finish third.

It was an early present for Petroff who celebrated his birthday the following day.

Reward for persistence ■ At Ararat on Tuesday last weel, Longlea trainer Paul Morrissey was rewarded for persistence with 7-Y-0 Sundon/Waikare Gold gelding Waikare Sun who registered his first victory since 2010 by taking the Ron Praag Trotters Handicap for T0 & T1 class over 2165 metres.

Driven by David Murphy, Waikare Sun from the 10 metre mark settled four back along the markers, before moving to be three back in the running line at the bell.

Giving chase to Gioiosa Ionica which had dashed away in the last lap, Waikare Sun coming very quickly on straightening when the leader galloped, allowing him to race away and score by 25.2 metres in advance of The Night Wind which trailed the leader Frameworks Pride, with Candy Digger making his 201st race appearance third. The mile rate 2-08.8.

Competition at Nyah ■ Rochester trainer Mark Thompson loves competing at Nyah meetings held at Swan Hill and ever reliable 4-Y-0 Real Desire/Zora Paree gelding Drunken Desire brought up a hat-trick of wins by taking the Ivomec Pouron Pace for C2 to C5 class over 2240 metres there on Wednesday.

With stable reinsperson Ellen Tormey in the sulky, Drunken Desire from the extreme draw settled at the tail of the field, before following both Little Red Cloud and Talk To The Hand home three wide in the last lap.

Finishing hard down the centre of the track, Drunken Desire prevailed by 1.1 metres over Little Red Cloud and Talk To The Hand in a close finish, returning a mile rate of 2-00.1.

DRIVING TREBLE FOR ALEX ■ The highlight of the afternoon's racing at Kilmore on Thursday was the driving treble by Tasmanian concessional reinsman Alex Ashwood now attached to the Long Forest stable of Andy Gath.

The first to come along was 4-Y-0 Live Or Die/ Solberge gelding We Never Say Die who overcame the wet conditions of the Hogans Hotel Motel Pacers Handicap for C1 or better class over 2150 metres.

Formerly in the Kilmore stable of Tony Peacock, We Never Say Die raced by Dr Martin Hartnett and wife Kaye is now in the care of Jodi Quinlan at Parwan and after taking a concession, started from a daunting 20metre backmark.

Settling at the tail of the field, We Never Say Die was set alight racing for the bell to park outside the pacemaker Satisfied Grin for the final circuit, before surging to the front approaching the home turn.

Holding a margin all the way up the running, We Never Say Die scored by 3.5 metres in advance of The Dip (three wide last lap from mid-field), with Juan Amigo using the sprint lane from three back the markers after a tardy beginning third. The mile rate 2-03.7. ★ Leg two came about when 6-Y-0 Cr Commando/Our Cullenize gelding Military Precision (trained at Parwan

by Jaime Madruga) snared the Morning Melodies 15 Aug Trotters Handicap for T2 or better class over 2150 metres in a rate of 2-07.8.

Again taking a concession, Military Precision stepped cleanly from the 10 metre mark to spend the majority of the race parked outside the leader Backina Lifetime.

Given full rein to lead on the final bend, Military Precision safely held his rivals at bay to defeat Shiraz Cabernet which trailed the leader, with Wildenstein (three back the markers) third. ★ Four year old McArdle/Sokys Number mare Blue Seelster trained by Long Forest co-trainer Peter Thompson gave Ashwood the treble after greeting the judge in the McIvor Estate Pace for C1 class over 1690 metres after using a concessional allowance.

Trapped three wide from gate six, but following Hoppy Joe, Blue Seelster was sent forward to park in the open outside the heavily supported pole

Baker’s Delight

Harness Racing

This Week’s Meetings ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ Melbourne

Observer

len-baker@ bigpond.com

with Len Baker

marker Real Performer which was hard driven to retain the front running.

Proving to be the better stayer on the day, Blue Seelster prevailed in a rate of 2-00.9 over Lavra Florence along the sprint lane after trailing the pacemaker which finished third.

Ashwood, the son of leading Tasmanian reinsman Rodney, showed outstanding potential in the apple isle, before taking up an offer to join Andy and Kate Gath in Victoria.

Restrained ■ The Warragul fixture on Monday July 15 was great for the Bacchus Marsh area, with Jodi Quinlan taking the John Bickerdike Pace for C3 & C4 class over 2205 metres with Illawong Kath and the Print Solutions @ Work 3-Y-0 Pace over 1785 metres with Franco Seelster, while Andy and Kate Gath landed the Gippsland Media Centre Pace for C1 class over 1785 metres with 4-Y-0 Precious Bunny/Kotare Carmen mare Precious Dragon.

Illawong Kath, a 6-YO daughter of Village Jasper and Kano Home, one of a large team bred and raced by Dr Martin Hartnett was restrained at the start to settle three back in the moving line from gate five, before being sent forward to park outside the poleline pacemaker Courageous Spirit, then crossing to assume control at the bell.

Great guns ■ Lara owner/trainer Paul Younger has 8-Y-0 Dream Away/Torida Princess gelding Torida Heir going great guns at present, winning his fourth race for the season when victorious in the Dooza Racing Sulky Trotters Handicap for T0 or better class over 2205 metres at Warragul.

Driven by great friend

‘Ginger’ Gleeson, Torida Heir starting off a 20 metre equal backmark settled at the tail of the field with the exception of the first starter Ouistreham which was tailed off and Huggers Last which made a mess of the start from 10 metres.

Moving three wide in the final circuit, Torida Heir ran home strongly to snatch victory right on the wire over the pacemaker A Stylish Jewel in a rate of 2-08.8, with Rhondas Idol third after moving to race in the open mid-race.

Torida Heir has fronted the starter on 46 occasions.

Big payout ■ Five year old Riverboat King/Zoloto gelding Ivantowin trained at Wildwood not far from Melbourne Airport by Sergio Lenardi, brought up his second victory in 32 outings when successful in the Sherar Septics Pty Ltd Pace for C1 class over 1785 metres at Warragul, paying a massive dividend of $48.60.

Driven brilliantly by Serg from gate three on the second line to lob in the sweet seat one/one on the back of the hot favourite Ok To Fly, Ivantowin (cleverly named after owner/breeder Ivan Moskaljuk) was eased three wide in the last lap to join the leaders Kenshi and Ok To Fly prior to the home turn, before racing clear on straightening, scoring by 2.7 metres in a rate of 2-00.5 from Inclinator along the sprint lane after trailing the leader, with Melton Little Max coming from last to finish third.

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

Wednesday - Charlton/Ballarat, Wednesday - Cobram/Kilmore, Friday - Mildura/Melton, Saturday - Cranbourne, Sunday - Geelong, Monday - Maryborough, Tuesday - Ballarat

Horses To Follow ■ Fineandsunny, The Gingerbreadman, Lombo Krista Bella, Blissful Art, The Black Frost, Little Red Cloud, Rhondas Idol, Black Coyote, Burninupthestarzzz, Cyclades.

Weakened badly ■ Team Douglas, Glenn and Daryl, rarely come home from Swan Hill without a winner and recent stable addition Narkoola was ultra impressive in taking the BR & C Agents Pace for C1 class over 2240 metres in a rate of 1-59.3.

Spending most of the race at the rear after starting from the extreme draw with the almost unbackable favourite Aldebaran Macha leading from gate five for Shayne Cramp, Narkoola gained a three wide trail into the race following Jilliby Tarzan in the final circuit.

Making the home turn wide, Narkoola a 4-Y-O daughter of It Is I and Chunky Tanner, ran home stylishly to defeat Blissful Art which trailed the winner home, with Lerrad Maharg (one/two) third. Aldebaran Macha weakened badly after holding a handy margin on turning.

‘Drive of the Night’ ■ If there was such a thing as the ‘Drive Of The Night’ award at Swan Hill, it would have had to go to young Bendigonian Haydon Gray for his outstanding exhibition aboard the Trevor Monk (Junortoun) trained Red Riverbed in the Integrated Packaging Eze See Pace for C1 class over 1609 metres.

Taking a concession, Red Riverbed from gate two on the second line was eased to settle three back along the markers, then four back when Who Broke Our Halo crossed the leader Van Celot Robyn at the bell.

Easing away from the inside in the last lap to be one/one approaching the home turn, Red Riverbed three wide on the final bend finished at a great rate to score by a neck in a rate of 1-58 over Who Broke Our Halo, with Pirates Plunder running on late from last to finish third.

Kept going in straight ■ Ararat was the venue for Tuesday harness racing, proving to be a good one for the Western District and South East South Australia which provided five winners on the eight event card.

Great Western's Peter Manning combined with Terang's Jason Lee to land the Charlie Martin 3-Y-0 Pace over 2195 metres with Union Guy/ Hot Reaction gelding Boyz Torque who has had a very busy time of it.

Making his 43rd appearance at the races (34 this season), Boyz Torque was sent forward three wide from outside the front row to park outside the pacemaker Bronco Apache (gate three), before surging clear approaching the home turn.

Kept going in the straight, Boyz Torque scored by 2.7 metres in a rate of 2-01.6 over Whos That Guy which trailed the leader, with Jialiner (three back the markers) third.

Treble for Jason Lee ■ Jason Lee's treble came up aboard Art Major/ Frosty Mattina 4-Y-0 gelding Amajorfrost, leading for the majority of the trip from gate three in defeating the roughie Sky Salute which trailed after leading out, with Naree Belle (four back the markers) running on late to finish third. The mile rate 202.5.

- Len Baker

www.MelbourneObserver.com.au

Melbourne Observer - Wednesday, July 24, 2013 - Page 125

Page 126 - Melbourne Observer - Wednesday, July 24, 2013

www.MelbourneObserver.com.au

Melbourne

Observer Victorian Sport

DEMETRIOU DESERVES SUPPORT

■ I am totally supportive of Andrew D and his daring plan for the AFL’s 18 Teams competition.

He had the ‘Dream’ and ‘Desire’ to Deliver it. Now it is up to us to ‘get behind him’.

Be there with ‘positive’ encouragement rather than ‘negative’ knocking.

It’s a rough road ahead.

It means in each of our five states we have at least one AFL game each week of the home and away season.

It has taken 31 years to achieve, starting with Sydney Swans officially taking over South Melbourne in 1982 in the 12 teams VFL competition.

In 1987 West Coast Eagles and Brisbane joined to push the numbers to 14 Teams.

Adelaide joined in 1991 and in the 15 teams fixture each club enjoyed two byes and we jumped from a Top 5 finals to Top 6.

But we had four interstate teams and in 1994 we started the Top 8 with 15 teams.

In 1995 Fremantle joined so two clubs in WA and 16 teams and no byes.

Come 1997 Fitzroy was amalgamated with Brisbane as the Brisbane Lions, and in came Port Adelaide to maintain the 16 teams.

Now two teams in WA and SA. We waited 15 years until 2011 when Gold Coast Suns joined so 17 teams and Greater Western Sydney was deep into the pipeline to join in 2012 and round-off the AFL’s grand plan for the 18 team completion with all five mainland states having a minimum of two teams.

The experts agreed it would take four to five years for the new clubs to be competitive. Now they want the miracle in less than two years.

There was universal rejoicing in AFL circles on April 28, 2011 at 3.10pm when Chairman Mike Fitzpatrick announced the TV agreement for the next five years from 2012 to end 2016 was confirmed at $1.253 billion, comprising $1.118 billion cash and $135M contra advertising.

This was big-time negotiation bringing AFL into record rewards and sports financial big league. Radio’s ‘chicken feed’ was still to come.

The media moguls were licking their lips as this meant ‘bonanza’ coverage and advertising revenue across the board.

And jobs galore for journos, ex-players, increased fees for current players, coaches, clubs and football department specialists. We hurtled into the $million payments.

But the professional journalists were the big winners in money and numbers.

That is why I cannot accept the AFL media ‘knockers’ who accepted the 18 teams fixture meant extra dollars in their hands but still bite the fingers which feed them.

The ‘knocks’ on the GWS kids are unfair. They are still growing. Come 2015 these Giants will bite you back!

Pro-journos are continually savaging Andrew Demetriou and GWS. To Patrick Smith’s sad, sardonic, satirical scenario, I say: “Pat, you proved you’re out of your league with history’s great satirists, Shakespeare and George Bernard Shaw – the only thing you can claim in common is your surnames start with ‘S’. So stick to your sensible in-depth pieces.”

I recall when there were only a handful of journalists who respected the game and the privilege to report it.

Harry Beitzel www.squidoo.com/harrybeitzel Essendon hits back at reports ■ Here is the Essendon FC’s statement in full without editorial censorship: “Essendon Football Club would like to make the following statement in relation to an article in The Age newspaper and comments made by journalist Caroline Wilson in the media recently.

“There has been a disturbing amount of inappropriate and factually incorrect information being reported regarding senior coach James Hird and the ASADA/AFL investigation at the Essendon Football Club.

“At all times, Essendon players, staff, officials and coaches have fully cooperated with the ASADA/AFL investigation and the Club has repeatedly stated that the ASADA investigators must be allowed to complete their investigation.

“As requested by ASADA investigators, Essendon coach James Hird has agreed not to disclose matters discussed at his interview until the completion of the investigation.

“The Age reported that “sources close to the joint investigation by ASADA and the AFL” have provided information to The Age. “Representatives from the Club have requested all parties to the investigation to guarantee confidentiality and to afford natural justice.

“Breaching this confidentiality directly undermines the trust in the process and selective disclosure of information relating to the investigation appears to be deliberately threatening the integrity of this process.

“For the reputation and integrity of senior coach James Hird to be questioned without the right to due process, is extremely disturbing and inappropriate in the circumstances.

“The Age reported that James Hird received a ‘warning’ after he had been ‘investigating the anti-doping status of certain peptides.’

“This is factually incorrect. Until the ASADA investigation is completed the full context of this particular meeting should not be the subject of innuendo.

“On Monday night on Channel 9’s Footy Classified program and on Tuesday night on 3AW’s Sports Today program, Caroline Wilson, referring to the Club’s supplements regime falsely asserted that James Hird was the “main architect.” This is just factually wrong.

“Ms Wilson also asserted that James Hird was Mr Dank’s initial champion. This is also factually wrong.

“Mr Dank was brought to the club at the insistence of Dean Robinson with whom he had worked previously.

“Essendon Football Club has been limited in what we can comment on, and more than anything else, we want the ASADA investigation to be completed.

“Despite the extraordinary media commentary and speculation, the Club has maintained its commitment to this process.

“However, the Club will not continue to allow the reputation of its players, coaches, staff and the Club itself to be questioned by factual inaccuracies.

MRP findings outrageous ■ The late great Rugby League coach Jack Gibson said “form a committee and give them a title and powers and they are sure to make a mess of things which were running along OK!” I haven’t entered into the criticisms of the ‘controversial’ Match Review Panels (MRP) weekly findings but recent sanctions seem to me to be outrageous.

For a bump in the back worthy only of a ‘free-kick’ by a player with a sixyear clean record to cop a one-week suspension and a blight on a top AFL career surely needs to be examined.

And three weeks to Matthew Pavlich for a bump. It puts him in the ‘brutal-basher’ class. How stupid.

It is NOT the first such sanction to recognised ball players.

Ask yourselves is the traditional ‘bump’ and ‘ground level tackle’ no longer part of our game?

We must keep our game free from “thugs” and deliberate bash tactics to take a star player out of the contest.

We don’t want brawls to ruin the hard fought image of our sport as the game for the youngsters and their parents.

It is my belief the biggest difficulty for the MRP is the constant ‘interpretation’ changes to the rules which has placed this ‘body’ in the position of ‘judge and jury’ of what used to be the umpires’ responsibility.

We now have three central umpires in control of the play plus four boundary, two goal and one emergency, a total of eight umpires at every game with the ‘power to report’ any un-toward onfield misdemeanours.

It is a rarity today for any umpire to report a player – they prefer to shelve their responsibility and leave it to the MRP with all their TV, slow-mo cameras and technology to judge incidents.

Hey! Umpires are you embarrassed some of your ‘ball-players’ have been ‘rubbed-out’?

I have shared with you my reaction, as a one-only umpire, when I had to report a player “that I felt partly responsible because the reported player had to take an action because I had lost his respect and trust to keep the game under control”.

Umpires are at the ‘action front’.

They know the fair, ball-players and the quick tempered, trouble makers who can incite reportable incidents.

It is their job to know the players’ personalities.

Who will ‘fox’ or ‘act’ for a free, who excels in deliberate rough conduct, rather than courageous, ‘body on-theline’ desperate tackles to defend the ball which should be praised but could end up on the Monday being forensically analysed by the AFL’s ‘sanction surgeons’.

The MRP has become a ‘power broker’ and destroying the ‘spirit’ of our game. There is a difference between ‘deliberate’ and ‘accidental’.

It is time to put the onus back onto the umpires to report and face the Tribunal with their case. It is an integral part of their job specification.

Umpires play vital role ■ I’m back onto umpiring. I have explained they as a group can produce the perfect game of Aussie Rules which the AFL strives for better than ALL the sub-committees and ‘brain trusts’ with their endless “new interpretations” to our long standing proven set of rules.

My latest thoughts are prompted by events and decisions with 2.33 secs remaining of the third quarter of the Richmond victory over Fremantle.

The scores read Tigers 51pts to Dockers 42pts but with the momentum after they kicked their fourth goal for the quarter.

The AFL’s oldest (b. 14/11/6746yrs-4mths,) and most experienced umpire (398 Gms. 4G/F) Stephen McBurney had to bounce the ball in the centre to restart the game.

The inefficient umpires at bouncing the ball straight had conned the AFL to drop this unique skill for general play brawling packs, which are plentiful and now dominate our “stop-start” game with the appropriate ‘throw-up’! Well and aptly named!

If the ball is NOT bounced straight and gives an advantage it must be recalled and the embarrassed umpire is forced to revert to a ‘throw-up’.

It favoured Richmond’s Ivan Maric, no recall. The kick according to the commentators sees a wrong ‘free’ paid to Tiger, Ty Vickery and

ROUND 18 Friday, July 26 Essendon vs. Hawthorn (ES) (N) Saturday, July 27 Gold Coast Suns vs. Carlton (MS) Melbourne vs.

North Melbourne (ES) Collingwood vs.

GWS Giants (MCG) (T) Geelong Cats vs. St Kilda (SS) (N) Fremantle vs.

Adelaide Crows (PS) (N) Sunday, July 28 Port Adelaide vs.

Brisbane Lions (AS) (E) Western Bulldogs vs.

West Coast Eagles (ES) Sydney Swans vs.

Richmond (SCG) (T)

a goal resulted. Difference 15pts.

Again the ball is forced into Richmond territory where McBurney is controlling.

He awards a disputed free judged by the experts to Trent Cotchin. Another goal. Game over!

Richmond stays in the Top 8. Freo drops one game from the Top 4.

Stephen, congratulations on your pending 300 games milestone and AFL Life Membership. It is the right time to ‘whistle happy memories’.

Ray out of action

■ AFL senior list umpire Ray Chamberlain will miss the rest of the 2013 AFL season after scans revealed a fracture in his knee cap.

Chamberlain, who umpired both Grand Finals in the 2010 season and the 2011 International Rules Series, made his senior debut in 2004 and has umpired 13 finals among his 175 games.

AFL National Director of Umpiring Jeff Gieschen said Chamberlain had been rested from this weekend’s round of matches, after soreness in his knee, but scans had revealed a much more serious issue and he will now be sidelined until the 2014 season.

“Ray has done an outstanding job to return to top form this season, after missing the whole of the 2012 year with a serious knee injury.

“While he’s disappointed that he’s suffered another long-term injury, he is committed to making a return for next year,” Gieschen said.

“He is one of our best and most experienced umpires on the senior list and the AFL umpiring department and team look forward to having him return to full fitness again.”

Gay radio at footy

■ The AFL has announced that Melbourne community radio station Joy 94.9 will broadcast outside the MCG prior to the Collingwood v Essendon match on Sunday August 4.

The AFL industry including the AFLPA, players, umpires and clubs will discuss programs that are designed to create a safe, welcoming and inclusive environment for all participants and supporters of the game.

There are a number of programs and initiatives that exist across all levels of the game that highlight this commitment to promoting diversity and inclusion including: ■ Anti-vilification awareness and education ■ Multicultural and Indigenous Programs ■ Opportunities for women and girls to play and be involved in football .

www.MelbourneObserver.com.au

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