Category: ARTS & CULTURE

When does Book Of Mormon Sydney close? Sooner than you think

Book Moron

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Posted: 16/12/2018

The Book Of Mormon has had a good run in Sydney and around Australia, but for those who’re planning on seeing it before it goes for good, you’d better act quickly!  Following a record-breaking season, The Book of Mormon will hold its final performance at the Sydney Lyric Theatre on Friday 8 February 2019. Sad times. The show will then move north to the Lyric Theatre, QPAC from 16 March followed by the Festival Theatre, Adelaide from 27 June 2019. Final Sydney tickets will go on sale on 17 December from BookOfMormonMusical.com.au After an epic run of 752 Australian performances since opening at Melbourne’s Princess Theatre in January 2017 for a one year run, before moving to the Sydney Lyric Theatre from 27 February 2018, it’s time for the book to close on the Sydney leg and carry the highly successful production north to share it with the rest of Australia.  At the 2017 Helpmann Awards, The Book of Mormon was crowned winner of the coveted Best Musical award, while Trey Parker and Casey Nicholaw were awarded Best Direction of a Musical. Tickets are available from BookOfMormonMusical.com.au

Category: ARTS & CULTURE, LIFESTYLE, THEATRE

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Evita the Musical in Melbourne: A review

Tina-Arena-EVITA-Sydney-2018-photo-Jeff-Busby-1024x691

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Posted: 10/12/2018

If you had asked me – before the announcement of this production – which Australian performer would be best suited to play the role of Eva Peron in Evita, I doubt I would’ve been able to think of any. Yet, as soon as the casting was announced I was simultaneously surprised, excited, and relieved that the enormously talented Tina Arena had been cast. (Full disclosure – I am a huge Tina fan).  With effortless delivery and commanding vocal range, Arena takes hold of the legendarily demanding role and delivers a multiple standing ovation-worthy performance; one that is sure to be remembered by all who bear witness. Setting the tone and direction of the story Kurt Kansley as charmingly sardonic narrator Che, captures the audience from the outset with cynical asides and humour and like Ms. Arena, delivers a pitch perfect performance imbuing Tim Rice’s simple lyrics with deep understanding. Paulo Szots’s gutsy Peron is grounded, rich and much more three-dimensional than other interpretations and is both refreshing and absolutely right.  The powerhouse ensemble was the glue that brought the show together and effortlessly delivered a new standard in cohesiveness and unity that punctuated and allowed the score to flow with ease. The greatest privilege was to be able to see the original production design, choreography,and costume. With a strong reference to Brechtian staging and direction it allows the performances to be the focus of every moment and shows great restraint that perfectly balances the grandeur of the subject matter that led to the world’s fascination… Read More

Category: ARTS & CULTURE, CITIES, LIFESTYLE, MELBOURNE, THEATRE

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NGV Friday Nights return with late-night summer access to Escher X nendo

NGV Friday

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Posted: 15/11/2018

Food, drink and dining are back on at the NGV this summer, into the late hours for the gallery’s loved Friday Nights arrangement. Complete with a music line-up fusing classical and contemporary influences, exclusive late-night access to Escher X nendo / Between Two Worlds, this summer’s headline electronic artists and DJs include songwriter and producer Andy Bull, Melbourne duo Confidence Man, Sydney’s Nicole Millar, record producer Jonti and Australian/Filipino artist Chela are ones to see. Creative collaboration platform anon. will also present Bach X Reimagined, an immersive music installation featuring live classical musicians in the Gallery Kitchen. Head along any Friday from 7 December 2018 – 5 April 2019 + 6 April, 6pm – 10pm. Get tickets here.  

Category: ART, ARTS & CULTURE, CITIES, LIFESTYLE, MELBOURNE

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Free opera is coming to Melbourne with the Mazda Opera in the Bowl

Opera Sidney Myer Music Bowl

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Updated: 26/03/2022

With ol’ faithfuls Natalie Aroyan, Sian Pendry, Virgilio Marino and Luke Gabbedy, Opera Australia about to knock Melbourne’s socks off with the annual Mazda Opera in the Bowl, coming this November. On 24 November, Australia’s premiere opera company will take over the Sidney Myer Music Bowl on the fringe of Melbourne’s CBD to fill the city skyline with some tracking tunes from the world’s most beloved productions. Classics from Carmen, Turandot – which is coming back this season – Tosca and The Barber of Seville, you can get in amongst the action for free from 4pm. Here’s the program for the night… BIZET Overture to Carmen ROSSINI ‘Largo al factotum’ from The Barber of Seville BIZET The Flower Song from Carmen SAINT-SAËNS ‘Mon cœur s’ouvre à ta voix’ from Samson and Delilah VERDI ‘Ritorna vincitor’ from Aida BIZET ‘Au fond du temple saint’ from The Pearlfishers Interval ROSSINI Overture to William Tell BIZET Seguidilla from Carmen BIZET The Toreador Song from Carmen PUCCINI Vissi d’arte’ from Tosca MASCAGNI ‘Intermezzo’ from Cavalleria Rusticana DELIBES ‘Dôme épais, le jasmin’ from Lakmé PUCCINI ‘Nessun dorma’ from Turandot See more info at the Opera Australia website.

Category: ARTS & CULTURE, CITIES, FEATURES, LIFESTYLE, MELBOURNE, OPERA

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Summer is getting cold with Opera Australia and the return of Turandot

Turandot

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Posted: 14/11/2018

It’s been a few years since the Chinese princess locked away in her Pagoda tower graced the Sydney stage in Turandot, but she’s back again this summer, and bringing the chill. She’s known for her cold demeanour, ruthlessness and cunning nature – especially toward men – sure to add a bit of frost to Sydney’s revolting humidity right in the thick of the summer months. Opera Australia is bringing back Puccini’s principessa as part of the spring-summer season and it’s sure to be a hit. She’s lauded as one of the ultimate classics in the Opera Australia repertoire. This time around, the production will feature the director’s own famous choreography, sculptural stagecraft and larger than life costumes, this renowned staging of Turandot has transformed this already powerful drama into a spectacular piece of theatre. After stunning audiences with her role debut in Opera Australia’s 2018 digital production of Aida, American powerhouse soprano Amber Wagner makes her triumphant return to Sydney to take on the role of the brutal Turandot. Read more about the last time Opera Australia performed Turandot at the Handa Opera on Sydney Harbour here. Turandot is on in Sydney from January 15-29, February 1-27 and March 1-27. Get tickets for the production from Opera Australia.

Category: ARTS & CULTURE, CITIES, LIFESTYLE, OPERA, SYDNEY

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Opera Australia has released the new set design for West Side Story in March

West Side Story

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Posted: 04/11/2018

It’s back again in March and in 2019, the Handa Opera on Sydney Harbour by Opera Australia is doing something a little less conventional. They’ll bring the full splendour of New York City to Sydney’s waterfront with a dazzling set design offering a brand new take on one of the 20th century’s most iconic musicals. It’s a far cry from previous years’ Turandot, La Boheme and Carmen, but if it’s by Opera Australia, you know it’ll be great. One of Australia’s most accomplished theatrical designers, Brian Thomson, is shaping a spectacular vision for West Side Story that will invigorate Sydney’s iconic harbour with the spirit of New York, the city that never sleeps. Renowned for creating sets that feature huge iconic objects that encapsulate the story, Thomson’s remarkable set design will be dominated by a giant 15 metre tall highway overpass that will soar 30 metres across the length of the stage, symbolising the gritty underbelly of New York’s urban gang culture. Keep your eyes on the Opera Australia website for more.

Category: ARTS & CULTURE, CITIES, LIFESTYLE, OPERA, SYDNEY

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What to look forward to this spring from Opera Australia in Melbourne

Opera Rigoletto

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Updated: 08/11/2018

As we move into spring in Melbourne, Opera Australia really starts to fire-up, putting on some of the country’s most astonishing opera productions for everyone – free and not! If it’s not the classics like Turandot or The Magic Flute, then you know Opera Australia will put on any combination of other sensational productions to whet your appetite. These four must-see productions are sure to get you going. METAMORPHOSIS (Howard) Opera Australia offers a rare and exciting opportunity to experience a chamber opera in an intimate setting this October when it presents the Melbourne premiere of a new production of Australian composer Brian Howard’s Metamorphosis in an all new location; The Coopers Malthouse, Merlyn Theatre. This opera, directed by Tama Matheson, tells the tale of a broken man turned insect and how he and his family grapple with the riveting and terrifying transformation. Brian Howard’s score is percussive, inventive, courageous, and truly reflects a story of social alienation in a modern, inhumane world. The Coopers Malthouse Merlyn Theatre, 113 Sturt Street, Southbank 25, 26, 27 October 2018 | Tickets $79 LA BOHEME (Puccini) Known as one of the world’s all-time favourite operas, and the inspiration behind Moulin Rouge and the musical Rent, Puccini’s La Bohe?me continues to delight audiences. With its lush sets and costumes, soaring music and a world-class cast, this glittering production, set in the bohemian streets of 1930s Berlin is the perfect showcase for this heartbreaking love story. Returning to the Melbourne stage in November, this lavish production brings Puccini’s classic to life in a… Read More

Category: ARTS & CULTURE, CITIES, LIFESTYLE, MELBOURNE, OPERA

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LUMAS Gallery has a new exhibition of photographer Werner Pawlok

House of Maria © Werner Pawlok au.lumas.com

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Updated: 26/03/2022

The culture capital has again turned it on at LUMAS Gallery, putting on a show for photography lovers the city/country-wide. The artist? Photographer Werner Pawlok, of course and it’s not stingy on the colour; if that’s your thing. Pawlok first started photographing his idol Jimi Hendrix way back when, and has now established a strong portfolio of profile and celebrities images including John Malkovich, Jean Paul Gaultier, Juliette Binoche and in a good Australian connection, Leigh Bowery. In 1988, Werner contacted Bowery after seeing him in a magazine and Bowery came to Pawlok’s studio for an exclusive shoot and his images have become some of the most synonymous with the performance artist. This exhibition in October at the gallery in Melbourne features a series of works capturing the homes of Havana across the last decade. So, if the reclusive Communist state that almost sparked the end of the world in the Cold War is your thing, then you need to go. The images offer a fascinating glimpse into life in the Cuban capital as it begins to undergo a process of momentous change and reflects on the former glory of its past. The images are stunning, rich blues and greens with old world chandeliers and antique furniture situated alongside to faded photos of revolutionary director Che Guevara. Pawlok has visited Cuba a number of times including for a Chanel fashion show with Harper’s Bazaar and seeks out less accessible places to shoot, literally driving around town for hours until he sees a building he is drawn too and then knocking on strangers doors… Read More

Category: ART, ARTS & CULTURE, CITIES, FEATURES, LIFESTYLE, MELBOURNE

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Paolo Bordogna in The Turk in Italy by Opera Australia will make you actually laugh

Paolo Bordogna in The Turk in Italy

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Posted: 23/08/2018

So, if there’s one thing you notice about operas that some of the world’s best opera companies like Opera Australia produce, is that a lot of them are really sad. Like, really sad. Everyone dies, there’s lots of heartache and you leave wanting more, but feeling sad about it. In an insatiably excellent way. It’s one doozie of an emotional rollercoaster. But from time-to-time, you come across comedic productions that turn all that around for the better part of two hours, transforming the stage of Joan Sutherland Theatre in the Sydney Opera House into a source of laughs, brought-about by a cast lead by – fastly-becoming favourite – singers, Paolo Bordogna and Melburnian diva, Stacey Alleaume. The latest production by Opera Australia, The Turk in Italy (on until 1 September 2018) is just that and so much more. With new import, Bodogna, alongside the likes of Alleaume, Virgilio Marino (who plays Narciso) and Warwick Fyfe (Geronio), the cast, choir and conductor Andrea Molino do a stupendous job in bringing a 50s-themed tale of sexual tension, debauchery and mischievousness to light for the laugh-out-loud enjoyment of the audience. It’s basically a tale of a bored housewife, a sycophantic husband, a sexy Turkish visitor, a nymphomaniacal gypsy and a poet who’s just after a good storyline, all of whom culminate in a comedic explosion that really does wonders to punctuate the winter season for the opera company. We spoke with Bordogna, the Italian tenor, who admits though it’s a funny production, there’s a hell of a lot of finesse… Read More

Category: ARTS & CULTURE, CITIES, LIFESTYLE, OPERA, SYDNEY

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