Charlie Chaplin comes to Noosa

I know. I’m jumping the gun again.

Chaplin – A Life. In Concert doesn’t happen until Friday.

 

But have you worked it out yet?! That’s right! If you don’t book you MISS OUT!

 

The show has received some mixed reviews but you know what I think? I think you need to see David Pomeranz in full performance mode for yourself!

 

One actor, one piano, one amazing performance. This is Chaplin – A Life. In Concert, a unique evening of Musical Theatre which dramatises in song, the life story of the brilliant and controversial artist, Charlie Chaplin, starring multi award winning artist, David Pomeranz.

 

Part Concert; part Stage Musical, Chaplin – A Life. In Concert is an imaginative, emotional and inspiring journey that leaves the audience walking on air, humming its tunes, and in love with the artistry of the great Chaplin.

 
“The score is a knock­out…touching, clever, theatrical…wonderful!”….­Michael Feinstein

 

 

“David Pomeranz is wonderfully talented!”­….Mel Brooks

 

 

“I would give up all of my awards, and they are many, if I could do what David Pomeranz can do with his music.”­….Richard Harris

 

 

“This young man has captured the soul of the man I knew so well.”….­Jerry Epstein  (Charlie’s associate producer and “right hand” for more than 30 years)

 

 

“Straight from the heart…brilliant!”….Southern Evening Echo

 

 

I’m checking out Chaplin – A Life. In Concert on Friday night! See you at The J Theatre for 6pm

AND MEOW MEOW from 9:15pm (sorry, it’s sold out!).

 

 

Robyn Archer: Que-Reste-t’il Queensland Premiere

Que-Reste-t’il?

The Noosa Long Weekend Festival

The J Theatre

Monday 17^th June 2013

 

 Reviewed by Xanthe Coward

 

If you were lucky enough to be in the house for Robyn Archer’s Queensland Premiere of Que-Reste-t’il on Monday evening at The J Theatre, you won’t need me to point out that we were taken on a pretty special journey, back to the place where cabaret really began, Paris in the 1880s. A city of grit and disease, as we discovered after Archer’s first fun song choice, which came complete with audience participation (singing in French WITH actions!), and in complete contrast, “here comes cholera, here comes cholera, here comes cholera…” (Now sing it to the tune of Here Comes Santa Claus…oh dear!). Like Arthur Schnitzler’s La Ronde, there was a lesson to be learned from the art. And audiences do like a good, rousing, beer-swilling chorus, don’t we? Such was the cabaret cum vaudeville of old.

 

The mood changed abruptly as we moved forward through time, taken via Archer’s in-depth social commentary – it remained interesting and surprisingly succinct throughout – into the various dark corners of Paris, into places riddled with disease and populated by questionable characters – the tart, the mole, the bastard, the whore. As a singer, we know Archer is a dynamic and intriguing character actor (but others simply love her gusto, I know). Her face is without a hint of makeup and she wears black. Oh, no, not the black dress of Piaf, or anything flowing or suitably (suitably? who says?) vintage looking, just a plain, black, collared, buttoned long shirt over straight black pants, as is her wont.

 

It’s as if Archer doesn’t want us to forget that it’s her – the storyteller – however, she embodies each character so completely (we even get a bit of Brigitte Bardot!) and there is little vocal subtlety, some will say appropriately so, until the latter half of the program, when the love songs come out to play. There is also the occasional knowing wink, as if she has a lot more to say on the subject at hand. Tit was the latter half of the program I enjoyed most, with more familiar melodies in it, and my own memories flickering around and about the theatre, like Poppy’s fairies (they’re with her all the time, you know. What? You can’t see them? BELIEVE!). I’m sure if you’ve been to Paris you would, as Meghan did, felt taken right back there during the show.

 

 

Amazing, delightful and exhilarating! When I closed my eyes I was back in a cafe in Paris reliving the satisfaction of exquisite and mesmerising memories! Meghan Halverson

 

 

I loved hearing La Mer (in French and English), Autumn Leaves and She in a no-nonsense medley, which my sister said she was grateful for (she means its brevity) because she had enjoyed the first half of the show, it suited her to hear the more aggressive and mad numbers. We agreed that the truth is ugly and Archer knows just how to share it! Nothing is offensive, but it might have been in its original context. As Liza commented, Jaques Brel’s Carousel had quite an impact on the audience.

 

 

Robyn Archer hasn’t lost her sensational ability to find the truth in the lyric, and, as ever, the timing was impeccable. The Jacques Brel song, Carousel, just about brought the house down. First saw her over 30 years ago, and she was a star then – a constellation now! Liza Park

 

 

A couple of absolutely beautiful moments – frozen-in-time moments – came when Archer sang about the rag and bones man, the rain, and the Red Room. Each number was superbly lit, and this also impressed Analiese. Having travelled the world almost three times over with Cirque du Soleil, she’s seen some good lighting. And she knows good lighting, you know? With colour serving as Archer’s only backdrop, the focus remained on her, and on her musicians, Michael Morley (piano) and George Butumlic (accordion).  At times it seemed as if they were completely transfixed by their music; caught up in their own little world up there on the stage. But when I looked around, they weren’t the only ones. People ADORE Robyn Archer. So much so, that there was stomping. That’s right. A STOMPING OVATION! I suspect this is partly due to the chilly weather – it was difficult to keep warm, after all – and also due to the fact that the average age of the audience must have been well over sixty fifty forty (oops. I know too many people; it won’t do to offend them simply for being there).

 

This audience was so warm of heart, and genuinely involved and appreciative, singing along sporadically, moving in their seats to the music. An accordion will do that, don’t you find? The very sound is so evocative of all things Parisian (to everyone’s delight, she sang Piaf’s Accordionist). Speaking of which, Archer returned for a very comical encore, singing a French vocabulary list to the tune of Non, Je ne regrette rien, which was just hilarious. So like the ridiculous car songs we sing when everybody gets sick of I Spy (we have a street sign song game too. Hours of legit road trip entertainment right there). It was a highlight for me, and a fantastic finish!

 

There’s no doubt that Archer is an acquired taste, and like anything that requires a little concentration and deeper consideration, the reward is great. How lucky we are to have had the incomparable Robyn Archer in our midst for the first week of the Noosa Long Weekend. You can hear from her, wearing another of her hats, as the director of so many arts festivals, on Wednesday at 3pm over a spot of afternoon tea. I can’t wait to hear more from the mind and heart of this incredible artist so I’ll see you there!

 

 

Today at The Noosa Long Weekend Festival

Tuesday 18th June

 

 

8.30am-11am Annie Gaffney from ABC Coast FM broadcasting LIVE from The J. I’ll be chatting with Annies after 10am. Come say HI or tune in!

 
10am FREE Teasing the Domestic Exhibition at The J Theatre + FREE The Long Exhibition at Harbourside Gallery

 
10.30am Literature – ‘All Good Things, A Memoir’. Morning Tea with Sarah Turnbull. RACV Noosa Resort

 
12noon & 1.15pm Ducks Deluxe progressive lunch.3-courses with 3 glasses of wine. Gaston Bar Bistro, Bistro C & Sails Beach Cafe I’ll be chatting with Festival Director, Ian Mackellar along the way, and live-tweeting his comments about the Festival! SEE YOU THERE

 
1pm FREE Heritage Walk Mill Point with Archaeologist Steve Nichols. Meet at Parks & Wildlife Centre, Elanda Point

 
6pm Now Hear This. Richard Fidler & Melanie Tait. Noosa Arts Theatre SHHH…you might be surprised to see who takes to the stage

 
7.30pm QLD Premiere ‘Happiness’ by David Williamson. The J SEE YOU THERE

 
8.30pm. Supper Club – Naomi Price as Adele. 2-course supper & glass of wine. berardo’s restaurant & bar SEE YOU AFTER THE SHOW

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

It’s Raining Me & Julie, Madly, Deeply – Tom Sharah and Sarah-Louise Young shine at The Noosa Long Weekend Festival!

It’s Raining Me & Julie, Madly, Deeply

The Noosa Long Weekend Festival

The J Theatre

Sunday 16^th June 2013

 

Reviewed by Xanthe Coward 

 

This was the most extraordinary double bill! And it worked!

 

As I’d said to Festival Director, Ian Mackellar, after the show, I’d been wondering how a Julie Andrews tribute show (it’s so much more than that!), could follow up a spunky original cabaret. As it turned out, the programming was perfect for a number of reasons.

 

We’ve seen some cautious programming over the years, and on the strength of some of his previous cautious gambles paying off – for example, our Erotique, which enjoyed an extended season at Noosa Arts Theatre in 2012 – our Festival Director is able to make increasingly bolder decisions. And audiences love it!

 

It’s Raining Me

Tom Sharah

 

The first act belonged to relative newcomer to the cabaret scene, Tom Sharah, who you might recognise from his debut at The Noosa Long Weekend in 2010 (Que Sera, Sharah), or from his stint on Ten’s brilliantly conceived but strangely unpopular Priscilla, Queen of the Desert inspired reality television talent show I Will Survive, which serves as the fodder for this show, based on his experiences over three and a half months spent in the Australian outback, with the other contestants – “the boys” – on the silver bus. Sharah didn’t win, he was runner-up, and like so many second place getters, he’s mapped out a path that will take him ahead of the rest.

 

Suffice to say; when I use the term, “relative newcomer”, I use it loosely. Sharah won the Sydney Cabaret Showcase in 2009 (see last year’s winner of the Australian Cabaret Showcase, Bradley McCaw, on Sunday night at berardo’s), and premiered his one-man show Que Sera, Sharah at the Adelaide Cabaret Festival, which led to engagements at Sydney Mardi Gras, Melbourneʼs Midsumma Festival and the Noosa Long Weekend Festival, as well as three sell-out Sydney seasons.

 

Sharah regales us with many amusing anecdotes during the show, including a hilarious chicken run tale — picture the lovely looking Sharah in heels and a wig chasing and diving for chickens in a coop – surprisingly (or not) the segment didn’t air. The personal stories help to contextualise the song choices and demonstrate Sharah’s ability to connect with his audience. It’s quite an intimate atmosphere, despite the generous space in The J, because Sharah invites us in and chats effortlessly with us, as if we were sitting at his breakfast table.

 

I loved so many of the songs but my favourite number, and the real start to the show (the third song in) was Let Me Be Your Star from SMASH! The lyric seemed to sum up everything he’d told us in the opening patter and poignantly reminded us that those with the drive and passion in this industry will usually get what they want! In case we missed that message, Sharah belted us over the head with it in an absolutely spectacular rendition of Here I Stand, from the film Camp. The audience adored The Facebook Song and a sassy mash-up of Sweet Transvestite and Natural Woman.

 

I have to mention that Sharah has a younger brother, Oscar, who is also stupidly talented and cute to boot! A beautiful arrangement of Cyndi Lauper’s True Colours indicated that Sharah may need to quit inviting his brother to join him onstage, as the audience responded very generously to his singing and guitar playing! (The response is also an indication of Noosa Long Weekend audiences, expecting a top night of entertainment and getting it in abundance!).

 

From the eccentric child who used a cricket bat given to him by his father as a microphone, to the eccentric adult, who can think of nothing better than landing the role of Frank N Furter in John Frost’s upcoming production of The Rocky Horror Picture Show (“It’s on my bucket list!”), It’s Raining Me is a fabulously funny and entertaining show. Sharah has a way to go in terms of total confidence, but the stage persona is larger than life and the voice is superior.  He’s a born entertainer.

 

 

AND YOU CAN TAKE HIM HOME

 

 

Remember to pick up the EP after the show, have Sharah sign it and get your photos for social media.

 

 

With an extensive, easy vocal range, and a flamboyant style all his own, Sharah will do much more than survive; he’s a star on the rise. Look out for this show and go see him shine when you get the chance.

 

Julie, Madly, Deeply

Sarah-Louise Young

International cabaret artist Sarah-Louise Young has been named one of Time Out Londonʼs Top 10 Cabaret Acts. She performed extensively in London and New York, and sold out her critically acclaimed solo shows at the Adelaide Cabaret Festival and Noosa Long Weekend Festival (do you remember? She played seven characters!), as well as in Sydney and Melbourne. Widely known in the UK, her original songs and unique character comedy have earned her awards and critical acclaim from Edinburgh to Berlin.

 

In 2011 Sarah-Louise joined the legendary Fascinating Aida, making her debut with them at the Edinburgh Fringe and touring nationally before a West End run. She is also a member of the award winning Showstopper! The Improvised Musical, appearing with them in Edinburgh and the West End and on BBC Radio. All this is in addition to extensive UK television credits, and theatre work that includes plays at the Royal Exchange and National Theatre, as well as national and international tours.

 

Julie, Madly, Deeply showcases her diverse range of skills and challenges audiences to look at Julie Andrews in a different light.

 

I only knew Sarah’s stellar cabaret performances from the YouTube footage recorded at Jim Caruso’s Cast Party, but her new show demonstrates an uncanny ability to put a string of brilliant ideas together in an entertaining, and moving way to create a show unlike any other.

 

Loved and adored by millions around the globe, Dame Julie Andrews is a genuine legend of entertainment. But does Mary Poppins ever long to let her hair down at the end of a hard day? Does Maria Von Trapp ever wish she was called sexy instead of saccharine? In this loving and affectionate pastiche, Miss Squeaky-Clean finally comes clean.

 

Everybody’s favourite Julie Andrews songs are seamlessly intertwined with stories and anecdotes from Andrewsʼ own life, as well as a selection of witty and insightful elaborations. What emerges is a delightful and mischievous love letter to a true show business survivor.

 

From wrangling child actors in Salzburg, to going topless on film; from seeing Audrey Hepburn steal her role in My Fair Lady, to hearing Christopher Plummer say that working with her was “like being hit over the head with a Hallmark Card” – Julie Madly Deeply gives audiences the chance to hear ʻJulieʼ explain how she copes with the constant pressure of having to be practically perfect in every way.

 

The mimicry is delightful and the comedy razor-sharp. Self-confidence and improvisational skills are put to the test when the various characters along the way start to select their own accents… Sarah-Louise laughs and tells us gleefully (something like), “Before the show I put all the accents in a bag and told the characters to GRAB ONE!” What might be perceived in anyone else’s performance as a careless or under-rehearsed slip-up comes across convincingly as an endearing tactic to get past a slightly awkward moment. And a couple of quick, sweet jibes at the audience, including, “You didn’t get the Marni Nixon reference so you won’t get this one” only serve to bring us closer to the artist and the character. A less accomplished performer would have made a right, royal mess of anything of the sort. Clever girl.

 

Most impressive is the way Sarah-Louise manages to manipulate us, at first wooing us and gently gaining our trust, before pushing us over the edge and beyond an emotional response at which we were teetering…it’s delicious. It’s the kind of theatricality that makes Sam and I turn to each other and go, “Phoar!”. The dark moments come as complete surprises – just a couple, perfectly placed and timed – because we already felt like we knew Julie. And now we’re not so sure. But we still LOVE Julie. Even though we now feel the need to take a step back. Just as when a star throws a phone at the Concierge wall, or lashes out at the paps… The momentary shock is perhaps replaced by a deeper understanding of anyone who seems destined to live out his or her life in the spotlight.

 

This performance, for The Noosa Long Weekend Festival, was Sarah-Louise Young’s WORLD PREMIERE, the slickest world premiere I’ve ever seen. This is a show – and a stunning performer – ready for the world stage.

 

The National One-Act Playwriting Competition – winner announced!

 

At the final sold-out performance this afternoon at Noosa Arts Theatre, Adjudicator Kate Foy offered some feedback on the plays and performances, and announced the winner of The National One-Act Playwriting Competition.

The winner of the National One-Act Playwriting Competition 2013 is…..

 

Distinguished Guest by Richard Harris of NZ

Second Place Direct Pressure by Nicola Bradbury of WA

Third Place Daring Greatly by local playwright Rainee Skinner

 

The Nancy Cato Audience Choice Award Daring Greatly

Best Director Jacqueline Twigg for Daring Greatly

Best Actress Peppie Simpson in Daring Greatly

 

Best Actor Steve Mitchell in Direct Pressure

 

Adjudicators Certificates to Jenni McCaul for Direct Pressure, Yvie Somerville for Distinguished Guest, and the cast of Daring Greatly for their ensemble work.

 

Images by Andrew Seymour

 

 

Congratulations to all the winners!

 

Poppy’s Perspective: Circa Zoo Wonderland

 

Circa Zoo: Wonderland

The Noosa Long Weekend Festival

The J Theatre

Saturday 15^th June 2013

 

Reviewed by Poppy Eponine

 

Circa Zoo is a troupe of young performers daring to create and deliver spectacular contemporary circus art through performance.

 

See a glimpse of their world through the elegance and tenderness of relationships and experience the true meaning of adventure being about the journey, not the destination.

 

Based at the Judith Wright Centre of Contemporary Arts in Fortitude Valley, the Circa Zoo program is just one of many circus training programs run by internationally renowned contemporary circus company, Circa. Circa Zoo is Circa’s extension performance program for talented young people who, in following Circa’s ethos, re-imagine circus in their own way under the guidance of trainers and directors.

 

Circa Zoo is a troupe of young performers daring to create and deliver spectacular contemporary circus art through performance.

 

At The J Theatre I went to Circa Zoo and when we walked into The J it looked beautiful with beautiful decorations, just especially for The Noosa Long Weekend. We saw Trena and Ian and Travis but I didn’t remember Travis because I was too little when he went to WAAPA. I was a bit shy when I saw him. I didn’t want to give him a hug but I know Trena so I gave her a big bear hug.

 

When we went in to find our seats we saw coloured hoops along the front of the stage. It was interesting because it looked like they might throw the hoops into the audience. The hoops looked like the middle of the pom poms I make.

 

 

The best tricks were the swinging body slams.

 

 

And the body slams, the hanging hoops, the swing, and the giant round toys that the youngest girl in the troupe had, and they hid behind them. She had the mini set of the round toys. They did handstands on them. And one kid tried to steal the toys from her. There were other funny acts like that.

 

They didn’t roll over the giant one, but they tumbled, galloping on their hands. Then they rolled the biggest one over a kid. Two kids! That was very cheeky. And at the end they used it to make a tree. They all made a tree with their bodies and that was nice. They seemed to all be friends, and that’s nice. It was like it was a family tree, like the people make one big family.

 

It was fabulous and I loved it. It wasn’t just the tricks. It was funny. It was funny because it was cheeky when they rolled the giant toy over the two girls but it looked like they probably didn’t mind because they’d practiced doing it.

 

It was interesting when the girl did the hoop tricks. She did tricks that I think you would need to do many, many days of practice for, unless you’ve already done years of hoop practice because you’ve grown up as a circus kid. She had a beautiful face, her expression was beautiful and I liked the eye contact she had with everyone in the audience.

 

The music was beautiful and it was my favourite kind of music when it was upbeat and I could find two beats in the music. It was a good choice for the types of acts there were. They had a good sense that it would be good for the show and I loved it. The music made me bounce up and down. I was dancing in my seat! Maybe the people behind me had to bounce up and down or move around to see because I was dancing. It would have been a bit annoying for the people in that row. BUT I hope they still enjoyed the show.

 

The circus kids had extremely wonderful faces. Their faces looked surprised, like in Alice in Wonderland, when Alice saw a rabbit in clothes.

 

They must have had the best teachers because they did so well. After the show we met Abby, one of the trainers, so I have to give her a bit of love because she’s one of the trainers.

 

I know how hard it is to put on a show because I just did my BYTES concert, but the difference is that this show was harder and they must have practiced A LOT!

 

 

They were brave.

 

You’ve gotta’ be brave to be a circus person. I wish I could do it. I would need to practice A LOT! I would like to learn the balance work and if I was able to, I would like to do the swinging slams. I’ve actually been practicing already. Dad can catch me when they swing me into his arms. And I can do both types of splits.

 

I won’t get to do the workshop next week but when Circa Zoo comes back to Noosa I would like to work with them. Mum says we had better tell the mums and dads to BOOK EARLY!

 

 

IT WAS THE BEST!

 

 

Poppy Eponine just turned seven and she knows what she’s talking about.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Sunday 16th June at the Festival

 

10am David Malouf (The J) in conversation with ABC’s Richard Fidler

10am IFilmaking workshops for kids 14-17years (The J)

10.30am African Drumming Workshop (Bicentennial Hall)

11.30am Women in Power Forum (Outrigger Little Hastings Street Resort) – I’m live-tweeting it!

11.45am African Drumming Workshop #2 (Bicentennial Hall)

2pm The New Palm Court Orchestra (The J)

3pm Tea Treats and Tales cooking demo and afternoon tea with Janelle Bloom (RACV Noosa Resort)

3.30pm Refugees Forum (Outrigger Little Hastings Street Resort)

7pm Tom Sharah ‘Its Raining Me’ & Sarah-Louise Young ‘Julie Madly Deeply’ double bill show (The J)

 

4 Seasons in One Night Starring Bobby Fox

4 Seasons in 1 Night Starring Bobby Fox

The Noosa Long Weekend Festival

Bobby Fox

The J Theatre

14th & 15th June 2013

 

 Reviewed by Xanthe Coward

 

 

Wow! Bobby Fox is a superb showman and a true gentleman.

 

 

One of the hardest working, and nicest guys in Aussie showbiz, Irish-born Bobby Fox stopped by The J Theatre in Noosa last night to perform his show 4 Seasons in 1 Night for the Noosa Long Weekend Festival opening night celebration. If you can steal still get tickets online for tonight’s encore performance DO IT!

 

Bobby Fox is outstanding.

 

Following the fun and formalities of the official launch, including flowing drinks and delicate canapés, as well as the obligatory social pics (check out The Sunday Mail, Noosa News and The Noosa Long Weekend Festival Facebook page), a well-dressed capacity crowd headed downstairs and into The J Theatre for a night of broad smiles, toe-tapping, and singing and dancing in the aisles.

 

The super talented and mischievous Bobby Fox turned on the charm and won over the opening night audience even as he made his entrance onto The J stage, and made his mark on the well known, much loved songs of Frankie Valli and The Four Seasons, made all the more popular, all over again, by the success of the award-winning smash hit musical Jersey Boys.

 

Bobby was handpicked by Franki Valli to play Franki Valli so we always knew he’d be convincing in the role, both vocally and physically. However, this is not simply a tribute show, or a nostalgic “this is what I sang then” kinda’ show, although there is a more than a hint of nostalgia to the performance, since Bobby had the time of his life being involved in the show and generously shares intimate details about his hard work and perspective throughout the incredible journey. In fact, 4 Seasons in 1 Night cleverly pieces together just about the entire creative process of a performer, from pre-audition ambition, to determining when might be the right time to leave the show and move on. Of course it’s fascinating to performers and non-performers alike. Bobby tells all as if we were comfortably sitting around, down at the cosy local together (although, it’s no longer Irish themed, is it, that pub on the corner?). The patter is therefore pretty seamless, giving us plenty of laughs and insight into life as a Jersey Boy.

 

With the unwavering support of a slick band, and the impressive vocals of Josie Lane and Tom Sharah, Bobby’s show runs smoothly and quickly through a catalogue of hits, to which most of which the audience enjoy singing along. It was the reprise of Oh What a Night that got ‘em up dancing in the aisles, which is a rare sight in Noosa. But when a performer is so polished and relaxed on stage, even in the most impossible skinny black neoprene pants – Bobby sprayed them on during interval – you can’t help but go along for the ride.

 

Bobby has all the moves, and now that he no longer has to commit to merely (and I don’t mean merely as in there is little effort to the task, quite the contrary, obviously), impersonating Franki Valli, he can sing the songs his way. His falsetto is strong and self-assured, as you must expect, and his lower register is just gorgeous. Actually, look, Bobby is just gorgeous. With a Robbie Williams Swing When You’re Winning thing going on, and a knack for connecting instantly with audience members as part of his showmanship, it was no surprise to see Bobby swamped by fans with iPhones in their hands right after the show, which he loved! And we loved!

 

Thanks to Barry Alsop (Eyes Wide Open Images), the Festival Photographer, you can see even better pics now than you will have seen at the time, on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter.

This is one of the best aspects of The Noosa Long Weekend Festival- the stage door comes to you. That’s right. Head to the bar after a show at The J and in the short time it takes to get a drink, the artists are bound to appear and enjoy a chat with you. Bobby’s generousity after a stellar performance absolutely sealed the deal for me – Bobby Fox is winning in Noosa.

 

The bar has been set high with one of the best launch events The Noosa Long Weekend has ever seen. The J Theatre has never looked and sounded better, and all augers well for a spectacular festival!

TODAY:

Saturday 15th June at the Festival

Ifilmaking workshops, Ramona Koval literary event, Creative Writing workshop, Circa Zoo’s show ‘Wonderland’, One Act Play Festival, Show me the Magic Don McAlpine documentary, China Forum, The Flinders Quartet and the second performance of Bobby Fox (of Jersey Boys Australia & Hot Shoe Shuffle fame!) Tickets www.noosalongweekend.com or door sales at The J.

 

Images by Festival Photographer Barry Alsop Eyes Wide Open IMAGES

 

The Noosa Long Weekend Festival begins tonight!

 

The Noosa Long Weekend Festival is finally here!

 

We’re excited to be attending the official opening function and following that, the sensational Bobby Fox in 4 Seasons in One Night!

 

You might have noticed that the Brisbane Festival program launched this week but we haven’t had a chance to look at it yet! You can do so though, right here, and let us know what you’re planning to see. I will be making sure I get to UTE LEMPUR, THE WIZARD OF OZ, and a heap of other shows once I have time to pour over the program and lock in some things, just in case you’re not able to. Wait. Really? Seriously? I don’t think so! There’s really, seriously no excuse to miss anything, because to celebrate the launch, Brisbane Festival is offering friends of the Festival an exclusive opportunity to purchase tickets to events before they go on sale to the general public, to ensure you don’t miss out! The pre-sale begins 9am Thursday 13 June and ends on Sunday 16 June at 12 midnight. Access this special Brisbane Festival link to take advantage of this presale offer. Visit brisbanefestival.com.au for the full list of Brisbane Festival events.

 

Also, there is some talk amongst industry peeps regarding the level of female involvement in the festival this year. Sadly, this doesn’t appear to be new news, and I don’t think the issue is about to go away so keep an eye out for a post about that soon. Have you checked out the program and noticed a substantial lack of female artists there?

 

Meanwhile, after Mister Bobby Fox takes care of the opening night entertainment at the Noosa Long Weekend, it seems there is a WEALTH of female talent involved! I’m sure you’ve missed out on seeing a couple of this year’s very BEST female performers if you haven’t booked already – I’m sure ADELE & MRS BANG are probs sold out already – sorry about that but, you know, BOOK EARLY FOR NEXT YEAR’S EVENTS. Here’s my schedule for the weekend, in case you’re also there and you want to say hi, or you want to keep up with where we are, what we’re wearing and who we’re drinking catching up with!

 

Follow us on Twitter | Instagram | Facebook

 

Use the official hashtag #NLWF2013

 

TONIGHT!

 

Official Opening Night Function

 

Bobby Fox 4 Seasons in One Night

 

Saturday

 

Ramona Koval –  By the Book

 

Circa Zoo

 

 

Sunday

 

Women & Power Forum

 

It’s Raining Me & Julia, Madly, Deeply

 

HOT TIP! Tom Sharah’s show It’s Raining Me includes a delicious taste of The Rocky Horror Picture Show

 

 

Jesus Christ Superstar: Australian Arena Tour

 

Jesus Christ Superstar: Australian Arena

Tour Brisbane Entertainment Centre

 
11^th, 12^th & 18^th June 2013

 
Reviewed by Xanthe Coward

 

 

CONSUME THIS

 

 

Let me just get this out of the way. I adore Tim Minchin and I don’t think I’m the only one. The legion of followers on Twitter, and the fans overheard at Brisbane Entertainment Centre on Tuesday night planning their post-show stage door strategy for meeting the stars (a decent way to wait for the carpark to clear, let’s face it, although personally, prefer a glass of something at the bar these days, having spent too many hours at stage doors in another life), as well as the standing ovation for this Judas Iscariot, indicate that the infamous atheist Minchin is the real superstar of this massive
new production. Judas has always been the plum role, in what was the first officially recognised “rock musical”, written by Andrew Lloyd Webber and Tim Rice after the success of their high school musical, Joseph and the Amazing Technicolour Dreamcoat. I grew up with these shows playing at maximum volume (on scratchy albums, kids. RECORDS. PLAYED ON A RECORD PLAYER).

 

Through the eyes of Judas, we see the events of the last days and nights of Jesus Christ, including the crucifixion (and not, to the slight distress of staunch Christians over the years, the resurrection). If we don’t feel the anguish and self-loathing of Judas there’s something very wrong with the production. In this role, Minchin gives generously so much anguish, self-loathing, confusion and disbelief that there are a couple of moments to bring us to tears if we are so inclined. His Heaven On Their Minds sets up for a faultless performance; it’s a gutsy and unforgiving opening, and Damned For All Time/Blood Money and Judas’s Death set Minchin well apart from the other strong leads, including my (other) favourite, Jon Stevens, whose performance is exceptional despite some unusual directorial decisions having been applied to his character, Pontius Pilate. He nevertheless commands the stage at every moment. These two performers are in a calibre of their own and will have you completely captivated.

 

I saw Stevens as a bare-chested, black-leather-pants-clad certified Rock God Judas in the last arena tour (in the round) in 1992, with John Farnham as Jesus, Kate Ceberano as Mary Magdalene, Angry Anderson as Herod, and John Waters as Pilate. Incidentally, going by the evidence kindly provided by the form-fitting black Nike gear he wears so well, Stevens is in better shape now than he was then. Just saying. By leaping into both demanding roles, Stevens has well and truly proven his versatility and his prowess as a stage performer (and look, in 1992 certified Rock Gods making their musical theatre debut could get away with taking a breath in the middle of a phrase), not to mention his commitment to basic stagecraft, which is not to be undervalued even (or especially) at this level.

 

 

Ben Forster, who won the title role in the British Superstar comp, can’t help but head into overly dramatic territory, where his vocals suffer slightly when there’s no need to push it; clearly, he has the necessary vocal range and depth of emotion. Despite his obvious talent and earnest efforts, he seemed slightly fatigued and his Gethsemane failed to move me, with his best moments happening in tandem with Minchin. The kiss from Judas, and the embrace that follows it, is heart wrenching. I defy you to sit unmoved during this small, spectacular moment. The devil is in the detail.

 

 

Andrew O’Keefe as Herod in a flashy red velvet suit, manages to pull off an appropriately cheesy reality television game show, complete with faux audience participation, our host pandering to the cameras, and a bevvy of beautiful Deal or No Deal (well, they’re really “Lord or Fraud”) girls in gold. The girls return later, as SMASH style angels, in frilly knickers and corsets, and help leather-bound Minchin to make Superstar the showstopper. In one foul swoop, there it is, exactly what we came to experience; the Superstar Arena Spectacular!

 

Mel C – who is being raved about by other critics so, you know, don’t take my word for it – forgot, I think, that she was here to play the role of Mary Magdalene and after her perfectly measured part in Everything’s Alright, insisted on reverting to Sporty Spice style, shouting more than singing I Don’t Know How to Love Him. (I’m sorry, but you got nothin’ on our Naomi Price, girlfriend!), and Could We Start Again Please (poor, poor Peter – the talented Tom Parsons – didn’t stand a chance!). Suffice to say, after her first number, Mel C failed to impress me. AND I WAS READY TO BE IMPRESSED. After all, each and every lead role in this show is so, so, SO covetable, and we (quite rightly) expect the best. It’s not just a matter of getting up and making your mark as one of these characters. We need to see more than the star on stage. To be cast in any iconic show demands a step away from the ego and a back to basics approach in terms of discovering and developing characters and relationships. It’s the difference between recognising an actor like Robert De Niro or Daniel Day Lewis in a role, and not seeing anyone other than Keanu Reeves in a role. JUST SAYING.

 
Director, Lawrence Connor, has drawn on the global Occupy Movement to perfectly recontextualise this adaptation, dragging even the most reluctant of the original 1970s fan base into Big Brother’s digital age, with news updates, headlines and tweets (and hashtags, including #RomeLies and #FollowTheTwelve – of course I loved it!) embedded on the massive screen before us in between live-streamed footage of the performers and the changes in surroundings. It’s more like a rock concert than a musical, with camera operators sharing the steps and stage space with the cast and band, and a lighting design by Patrick Woodroffe worthy of a Freddie Mercury Resurrection Tour.

 

Speaking of the band, I don’t often list an entire collective but these guys, placed in full view on the scaffold at either side of the steps/stage space are outstanding, and if you faked a standing ovation in order to surreptitiously take your leave and get out to your car during the play-out music SHAME ON YOU. You missed the final fantastic notes from Louise Hunt (Musical Director/keys), Peter Adams (keys), Lewis Osborne (guitar), Frissi Karlson (guitar), Phil Mulford (bass), Andy McGlasson (drums), John Clark (percussion), Nicole Dixon (French horn), Kate Robertson (sax & wind instruments), and Greg Spence (trumpet). Regardless of your final thoughts about this production, you can’t fail to appreciate the expertise of the musos involved. The same applies to th ensemble, which gives this story much of its energy, excitement and contemporary urban grunge. Their vocals are superb.  

 

There are some clunky scene transitions – there usually are in Superstar and the set is perhaps less visually arresting than expected, although Minchin’s last entrance from - literally – “the gods” up above us, and the lighting bars used for the cross worked well. I’m surprised I didn’t get shivers upon hearing the opening strains of the guitar (it didn’t seem LOUD enough!), or in the final moments (it didn’t seem to MATTER enough!), and I’m disappointed that I didn’t feel completely awestruck by this…impressive production.

 

I love Jesus Christ Superstar – our Sunshine Coast production, directed by Cirque’s Mark Bromilow and staged in a warehouse in Kawana in 1999, retains the record for the largest audience numbers in a season on the Sunshine Coast – and the majority will love this Arena Spectacular, which is everything its tag suggests it should be. But there’s a big-budget-big-ego issue overshadowing a few of the elements, which is keeping me from really LOVING it. That’s not to say I wouldn’t enjoy seeing Tim Minchin the show again!

 

I was impressed enough to get online and book two more tickets for the third and final Brisbane performance – for my husband, the producer of that unforgettable local production in ‘99, and for my dad, singing at the top of his voice and playing the original scratchy cast recording since 1970.
 

Jesus Christ Superstar should be experienced at least once in a lifetime and the Arena Spectacular is a terrific, high-voltage version so book your last-minute tickets and chalk it up!

 

 

Mrs Bang is Back! Two sensational shows only at Noosa Long Weekend!

Mrs Bang is Back!

 

Just when you thought it was safe to return to Hastings Street Mrs Bang is back in Noosa with a brand new show!

 

Mrs Bang, the mad and delicious she-cat of song, is hittin’ the road to win more hearts and break more heels.

 

An unabashed mess of calamity, romance and loin-aching seduction, Mrs Bang takes Noosa once again in this hilarious comedy of wine stained vocals and sumptuous catastrophe. Bringing houses down from Edinburgh to Poland, Winner of Best Cabaret at melbourne Fringe Festival and a Green Room award nominee, Mrs Bang: A Serious of Seductions is a fast-paced ride with a woman on the edge, venturing through the music of Supertramp, Talking Heads and Portishead.

 

Seductive and superbly funny, this is cabaret dripped in absinthe and left in the gutter.

 

Wednesday 19 June & Thursday 20 June 8:30pm at berardo’s restaurant & bar

$85 for two-course supper and a glass of wine and show

Bookings online noosalongweekend.com

 

We saw Mrs Bang the last time she was up and SHE WAS HOT!

 

Here’s my review from that original show…

 

Mrs Bang!

 

Sheridan Harbridge and The Noosa Longweeekend Festival

 

Berado’s Restaurant and Bar

 

22nd June 2011

 

Wow! Mrs Bang! I don’t think Noosa was quite ready for you!

 

On Wednesday 22nd June, in the intimate surrounds of berardo’s restaurant and bar on Hastings Street, Sheridan Harbridge brought her alter ego and her ukulele to the Noosa Longweekend’s Supper Club.

 

Despite some questionable sightlines in this venue, Mrs Bang! was a hit. Barely covered, in a beautifully tacky Spanish nightclub cum Sunshine Coast turf club dress (Do You Like My Dress), with hair piled sky high, a-la The Nanny, Mrs Bang! clattered up the central spiral staircase and appeared behind the bar, glass of chardonnay in hand, visibly worried…the band had not yet arrived. An easily considered premise, after days of ash cloud affected flights, meaning for Harbridge herself (well, as she admitted after, for her pianist Nigel Ubrihien) a 14-hour drive to get to us.

 

So with Nigel, the “ring-in” piano player, Mrs Bang! sang for us her favourite numbers, including a rather dramatic and absolutely hilarious rendition of Bizet’s Habanera, Noel Coward’s Mad About the Boy, Kander & Ebb’s How Lucky Can You Get and Portishead’s All Mine.

 

The mood ranged from outrageous, crazy, wild fun and schadenfreude to dark, seductive, irresistibly interactive fun and games; Mrs Bang didn’t realise it at the time but she had none other than the President of the Noosa Longweekend Festival Committee shaking his booty along with the tambourine she had thrust into his hand (and his wife sitting next to him at the table as she sat in his lap).

 

Seasoned performer, Mitchell Butel (who performed his acclaimed new cabaret show, Killing Time, in the same venue the following night) also got involved in the act and got a lot more than he’d bargained for, when catastrophe after cabaret catastrophe culminated with a face-plant into an un-birthday chocolate cake and a make-out session with Mrs Bang! Even Toby Francis, after finishing his own show, Blokelahoma, made a cameo appearance at the conclusion of the show, re-enforcing the simple fact that Mrs Bang! is irresistible.

 

It’s easy to see what makes this show a sell-out. With her sultry voice, wacky humour and a splendidly tacky, tragic character, Mrs Bang! A Series of Seductions is the ultimate slightly naughty night out…

 

 

Join Robyn Archer on an epic musical journey at the Noosa Long Weekend Festival

Robyn Archer stars in the Queensland premiere of her cabaret show

Que-Reste-t’il?

 

 

This will be wonderful! I can’t wait to see this show with my mum – we are long-term Robyn Archer admirers – and THEN we’ll also go to afternoon tea with Robyn on Wednesday (I’ll tweet it!). Her show is an epic journey through two centuries of French song, including works from Aristide Bruant through to Jacques Brel, Brigitte Bardot and Michael Morley. WOW!

 

Sung and spoken by Robyn Archer, musical direction and piano by Michael Morley and accordion George Butrumlic.

 

Que-Reste-t’il?

 

Monday 17 June 7pm at The J

 

 

Bookings online noosalongweekend.com

 

 

BUT WAIT! THERE’S MORE! THERE’S THE LOVELY AFTERNOON TEA!

 

 

Join Robyn Archer (and Mum and I!), for afternoon tea and a chat about Festivals in Australia, a topic Robyn is able to wax lyrical about, with a long list of Festival Director credits to her name.

 

Robyn Archer’s career took this turn accidentally, with an invitation while she was performing her show Le Chat Noir in Canberra to direct the festival, hosted by the national capital. She directed 1993, 1994 and 1995 editions and this began a remarkable string of Artistic Director positions at The Adelaide Festival of Arts (1998 and 2000), the Melbourne International Arts Festival (2002-2004).

 

She created Ten Days on the Island, an international arts festival for Tasmania, spent two years as Artistic Director of the European Capital of Culture, and advised on the start-up of Luminato in Toronto.

 

Helix Tree by Bruce Ramus. Image by Angela Wylie.

In 2007 Archer created The Light In Winter for Federation Square in Melbourne, and in July 2009 was appointed Creative Director of the Centenary of Canberra 2013. She is in frequent demand as a speaker and public advocate of the arts all over the world.

 

 

 

 

In Conversation With Robyn Archer

Wednesday 19 June at RACV Resort

Bookings online noosalongweekend.com

 

HAPPINESS BY DAVID WILLIAMSON

 

Erica Lovell, appearing in David Williamson’s Happiness

Directed by Sandra Bates and featuring Adriano Cappelletta, Glenn Hazeldine, Peter Kowitz, Mark Lee, Erica Lovell & Anne Tenney of Sydney’s Ensemble Theatre, David Williamson’s Happiness will give you something to think about!

 

Roland Makepeace (Mark Lee) knows what makes people happy. Why wouldn’t he? He’s an eminent professor of psychology who has devoted his life to scientifically investigating human well-being. But his theories are sorely tested when his wife Hanna (Anne Tenney) meets an old suitor Sam (Peter Kowitz) and his daughter Zelda (Erica Lovell) threatens to go right off the rails.

 

A sharply observed comedy, just as we have come to expect from David, suggests that theory can sometimes fall well short of reality. And finding happiness is easier said than done.

 

Rather than previewing the play in Noosa during the Long Weekend as has happened in the past, Ensemble Theatre have already given it a run in their home town (to mixed reviews!). I’m looking forward to seeing it myself!

 

Tuesday 18  and Wednesday 19 June 7:30pm at The J Theatre

 

Wednesday 19 June 2pm at The J Theatre

 

Bookings online noosalongweekend.com

 

NOW HEAR THIS

A Radio National Storytelling Show

 

If you’re not at Happiness on Tuesday night, check out the fabulous story telling session at Noosa Arts Theatre, hosted by Richard Fidler and Melanie Tait, and featuring some very brave people sharing their stories to the theme “The First Time”. It’s like being around a campfire, only there’s a few more people listening.

 

Tuesday 18 June 6pm at Noosa Arts Theatre

 

Bookings online noosalongweekend.com