JAMES MARSTERS Once More With Feeling Best known for his role as the vampire Spike in Buffy The Vampire Slayer (and its spin-off, Angel), James Marsters has since gone on to appear in numerous genre shows such as Torchwood, Smallville, Caprica, and Warehouse 13. As he will be a guest in Perth for Supanova next month, X-Press scored to have its very own interview with a vampire. “Buffy was kind of everything,” admitted Marsters, ”it was delicious. I couldn’t wait for the call ‘action’ so I could exist in those amazing worlds. It’s also terrifying when you work with Joss Whedon, you have no idea what’s coming up. There were time where there were things I didn’t want to do and didn’t want to experience. In hindsight I’m very proud of it all. It’s not good to be in your comfort zone, as an artist or as a human being.” The relatively small TV budget meant that the cast and crew worked gruelling hours to keep on schedule. “The most challenging thing was the hours we spent working. We would start filming at 4 o’clock in the morning on Monday and get out when the sun came up on Saturday. Joss was trying to get the best he could and was devilishly clever on how to get the most from his budget.” A sci-fi fan, Marsters quickly recognised the appeal of the show. Saying to the cast that if they did this well they could
be the new Star Trek (and if so, he claims Spock) “I’ve been a sci-fi fan since I was 11. Original Star Trek, original Twilight Zone... I loved those. It can speak more directly to social issues than say a cop show can. The Twilight Zone was speaking about the psychological pressures of the Cold War. Trek was talking about the strength of diversity. Buffy was a show talking about how women could defend themselves in the ‘90s! Torchwood was talking about the fact that gay people could be heroes. The list goes on and on. Genre speaks to the subversive in me. Still pisses off all the right people.” Since then, Marsters has gone on to be a staple in the sci-fi and fantasy community, appearing in multiple genre shows, writing comics, voicing computer games, and touring with his band Ghost Of The Robot. It’s certainly been varied. “I’ve got more interesting roles taking life as it comes,” he states. “As Lennon said, ‘life is what happens when you are making other plans’.” The Supanova Pop Culture Expo lands at the Perth Convention & Exhibition Centre on Saturday-Sunday, June 25-26. DAVID O’CONNELL
SUGARLAND experiences (the play Want to see theatre that focuses on the lives contains coarse Pic by John Tsaivis of teens in remote Australia? language, Sugarland is definitely your scene.= Presented by Barking Gecko Theatre drug use, and themes that might be challenging), music is one thing that links Company, Sugarland by Australian Theatre them. Not surprising: for most people, for Young People (ATYP), follows a group of regardless of age, music and youth are teenagers and their social worker. indelibly linked in memory. Written by Rachael Coopes and Perhaps the authentic feel of the Wayne Blair in 2011, the play is inspired by their residencies in Katherine in the Northern material is because the playwrights spent months getting to know people during their Territory. residencies, and as a result the narrative Co-director Fraser Corfield says, “I doesn’t condescend, while also promoting love that Sugarland presents characters we conversation; expect to laugh, and maybe cry. simply don’t see on Australia’s professional Corfield believes this is one of theatre stage. These characters are raw, those rare theatre experiences that set a new honest, at times painfully inarticulate and, at direction in our national industry. “In this case others, breathtakingly eloquent.” that direction involves a teenage identity that Rather than the sugar-coated teen is cultural diverse but completely Australian. tales of Hollywood, the narrative addresses contemporary issues, striving to communicate The events in these young people’s lives are with today’s youth in a way that is authentic, unbelievable but common, deeply moving and while realistically representing the experiences profoundly political.” The play runs during National young Aussies can face. Reconciliation Week (May 27-June 3). Two “Sugarland touches on profound current themes like the safety of our children shows are scheduled for Saturday, May 28, and the Barking Gecko Theatre Company and the identity of regional communities in takes over the foyer of Studio Underground modern Australia,” says Corfield. “Ultimately, on this date so young people who catch it’s about finding the universal truths that unite us, whatever your background, whatever the performance can chill with others while enjoying food and music. your problems. Sugarland asks important Sugarland runs May 27-30 at Studio questions about the country we live in.” Underground, State Theatre Centre. Tickets Obviously the production isn’t only available through Ticketek.com.au. Please for a younger audience. The writing aims to note the production is 14+. give all ages an insight into young Australia, a place that might be unfamiliar to older people. While the teenage characters presented onstage have different life
Indiana Jones and the Raiders of the Lost Ark, Live in Concert Indiana Jones: Raiders of the Lost Ark became PICA Jan-July Program an instant classic upon its release, topping Perth Institute Of Contemporary Arts 1981’s box office charts and claiming five Academy Awards. (PICA) has released its guide for the To mark 35 years since the release of Indiana next six months up to July. Exhibitions, performances, resident artists and education Jones, the Stephen Spielberg’s original film will be presented in two very special screenings dominate the scene, providing a landscape – with the West Australian Symphony for wide community to enjoy, including Orchestra (WASO) at Riverside Theatre, Perth pieces such as Nathalie Djurberg & Hans Convention and Exhibition Centre, led by Berg’s The Secret Garden, the always massive conductor Benjamin Northey. It’s all happens Revelation Film Festival, PVI Collective’s at 7.30pm on Wednesday-Thursday, June blackmarket, and more. For the full program, 16-17. Bookings via ticketek.com.au or 1300 head to pica.org.au. 795 012.
VISUAL ARTS
Vincent Fournier + Katie West In conjunction with the Perth Winter Arts Festival 2016, the Perth Centre for Photography welcomes highly acclaimed French artist, Vincent Fournier, to Perth to showcase Post Natural History (Archeology of the Future) and local Perth artist, Katie West for her first solo exhibition in WA. French-born artist Fournier regularly exhibits his work in international galleries and festivals and his work can be found in public and private art collections such as the Metropolitan Museum of Art, permanent collection (New York), LVMH Contemporary Art Collection in Paris, MAST Foundation in Bologna, The SchlumbergerPrimat Collection and The Baccarat Art Collection in New York. Perth-born artist Katie West will be exhibiting a portrait series derived from conversations revolving around the custodial ethic and a de-colonist identity. Through her artworks, Katie explores her own sense of Aboriginality, informed by her family history and that of history and her heritage. Exhibition runs from Friday, June 10, until Saturday, July 9, at Perth Centre For Photography, 18 Colin Street, West Perth.
Remote Identities
Carrion Crow, Bird of Memories © Vincent Fournier
THEATRE/DANCE/ PERFORMANCE Subiaco Theatre Festival Running from Wednesday, June 8, until Saturday, July 2, at the Subiaco Arts Centre, the Subiaco Theatre Festival brings together four independent theatre companies for a season of challenging and entertaining stage productions. Among the works on offer are The Last Great Hunt’s FAG/STAG; Damon Lockwood’s I (honestly) Love You; Moving On Inc. from Lost Boys Theatre, and Second Chance Theatre’s Coincidences At The End Of Time. Tickets are available now via Ticketek.
A Conversation On Making A Murderer Attorneys Dean Strang and Jerry Butling, who defended Steve Avery as seen in the acclaimed Netflix series Making A Murderer, will be shedding more light on the subject in a just-announced speaking tour of Australia. They will address the systemic failures of the US justice system, using the Avery case as a jumping-off point, following up with a Q&A session with the audience. It all takes place at the Perth Concert Hall on Tuesday, November 1. - Head to livenation.com.au for full details and ticketing info. Fawlty Towers - Live On Stage One of the most beloved television series of all time comes to the stage for a strictly limited engagement. Written by series creator John Cleese, Fawlty Towers - Live On Stage sees Stephen Hall as outrageous hotelier Basil Fawlty and Blazey Best as his long-suffering wife Sybil in a show that is sure to have fans of British comedy howling with laughter. Check in at the Regal Theatre from Thursday, November 17, until Sunday, December 18.
FESTIVALS Beats In The Heat With Early Bird VIP tickets sold out, the Pilbara’s two-day Beats In The Heat festival is looking to be one hot ticket. Friday, June 24, features John Williamson, Potbelleez, KLP (Triple J), Some Blonde, Nino Brown, Che Fu + DJ Tiklez, Kid Kenobi, Black & Blunt and Pilbara artists Panda, Genga, Fl3ggless, Saccas, Corey David, Matt M, Lace Em Tight, Hemi, Lachy Mckay, Jackt, DJ Oh, Rhyval, Fred Kettlewell, Brandon Saena, Dpx, Knew and Harry Gray. On Saturday, June 25, catch The Cat Empire, Drapht, Art vs Science, British India, Yolanda Be Cool, Mashd n Kutcher, Savage, Sid Diamond, Kate Foxx and DJ Tiklez. It’s all happening at Karratha Entertainment Complex, Bulgarra. Tickets (including VIP) are available from Moshtix. com.au. Big Sky Readers & Writers Festival From Friday, May 20, until Sunday, May 22, Geraldton is the place to be for lit-lovers and bibliophiles. Headlined by Australian actor and author Steve Bisley, the festival encompasses more than 22 events over three days, including readings, debates, masterclasses and presentations. For more information, go to library.cgg.wa.gov.au.
Fremantle Heritage Festival This year the Fremantle Heritage Festival’s ‘choose your own heritage’ theme explores the colourful history that has shaped Fremantle into one of Lonely Planet’s top cities to visit Craig Robinson & The Nasty Delicious in 2016. One of Australia’s most critically Veteran comedian Craig Robinson is coming acclaimed pianists, Simon Tedeschi, will play to town with his band, The Nasty Delicious, a selection of piano favourites at St Johns for a special one-off show at The Rosemount Church. Donna Simpson from The Waifs will Hotel on Wednesday, June 15. Having built be taking the stage at Mojos Bar alongside a career on a string of scene-stealing turns Fremantle music legends – Dom Mariani (The Stems) and Greg Hitchcock (You Am I) as part in The Office, Hot Tub Time Machine, This of Patron Saints of Pop. There’ll be a keynote Is The End and more, Robinson is a highly speech from author Robert Drewe, a Vintage tuned laugh machine who is certain to Collectors Fair, Fremantle’s Outback Fusion leave it all on the stage. For info, head to Fundraising Gala, The Ultimate High Tea, wearenice.com.au Fremantle’s Fightin’ Forties Long Table Dinner, A Sailor’s Guide to Fremantle and plenty more.
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