Australian Opera 2014 Season - Carmen - Opera Review

Milijana Nikolic onstage in Carmen - Australian Opera 2014

Georges Bizet's Carmen is a staple part of any opera company's repertoire and no less so for the Australian Opera. Included in the 2014 season, Carmen brings a story and a music score which has long become far more recognisable and popular than when it first premiered in Paris in March 1875. The opera is in four acts and based on a novella by Prosper Merimee with the libretto written by Henri Meilhac and Ludovic Halevy. The story plot set in Spain follows the seducing influence of the fiery Gypsy, Carmen, who ensnares a naive solder by the name of Don Jose, causing him to abandon both his childhood sweetheart and his military duties. But Carmen sees greater opportunity and Don Jose loses her romantic attention to the flashy and glamorous toreador, Escamillo. In a fit of jealousy, Don Jose stalks and then kills Carmen and thus compounds the tragedy. As an opera, Carmen, broke new ground with the representations of proletarian life, squalor and lawlessness. The use of a chorus of street urchins and pickpockets adds an unusual element to the mechanism of choruses on stage.

For the Australian production the central role of Carmen herself is sung by Nancy Fabiola Herrera or Milijana Nikolic and for this performance Milijana Nikolic gave a perfect representation of the persuasive charm and influence of Carmen. For those who enjoy opera, Carmen is a required attendance in any yearly season.

Earth Hour 2014 - Saturday March 29, 2014 - 8.30PM

Earth Hour in 2014 will be held on Saturday the 29th of March at 8.30PM with this year's focus on Australia's own wonder of the world, the Great Barrier Reef. Earth Hour's theme this year is 'Lights out for the Reef' to highlight the current threats to the reef from climate change and other causes. So light up the candles and turn out the lights on the evening of the 29th March.

Opera Review - The Magic Flute - Australian Opera 2014 Season

Papageno and Prince Tamino facing danger.

The Australian Opera 2014 season includes a perennial favourite for Opera companies and audiences, The Magic Flute. Mozart's two Act opera is performed in English although the original was set to a German libretto by Emanuel Schikaneder and uses the singspiel format of both singing and spoken dialogue. What distinguishes this latest performance of the Mozart classic is that it is the production of Julie Taymor which was performed at the New York Met in 2004. Taymor is best known for her designs for The Lion King and the result is a colourful, dazzling visual spectacle to match Mozart's effusive music.

Over two hours the audience experiences a range of images from giant puppet polar bears, a Queen of Night with enormous, multiple, geometric wings, puppet birds and various other creatures soaring through the air, three women with detachable masks and three boy spirits looking like latter day Methusalahs dressed in white lycra. The stage itself has a partial circular walkway bringing the characters to the audience and around the orchestra pit. 

The Operatic story follows Prince Tamino in his quest to save Pamina, the daughter of the Queen of the Night from the evil sorcerer, Sarastro. He is aided by a magic flute given to him by three mysterious ladies and by Papageno, the bird catcher who has been given some magic bells by the ladies and told to accompany Tamino on his quest. The Queen of the Night appears and tells Tamino that if he can rescue her daughter then Pamina can be his wife. The magic flute has special powers and can change sorrow to joy and the magic bells given to Papageno brings great happiness to all who hear them. The Magic Flute remains one of the easiest operas to enjoy and is accessible to all ages and levels of opera experience.

Film review - American Hustle

(l to r) Amy Adams, Bradley Cooper, Jeremy Renner, Christian Bale and Jennifer Lawrence

American Hustle is an American film spanning the crime, comedy-drama genres directed by David O Russell with an engaging storyline, well positioned period settings/wardrobes and an expert ensemble cast including Amy Adams, Bradley Cooper, Jeremy Renner, Christian Bale and Jennifer Lawrence with a short appearance by Robert de Niro. There are few surprises in most of the storyline structure however there are a couple of twists which are not obvious and provide much needed surprises. It is a well executed film with high production values and accordingly has garnered a series of film industry awards. Interestingly David O Russell also directed Silver Linings Playbook which also starred Cooper and Lawrence.

The film plot follows two con artists Irving (Christian Bale) and Sydney (Amy Adams) who are caught in a sting operation by FBI agent, Richie DiMaso (Bradley Cooper). DiMaso forces the two con artists to help him set up another more elaborate sting operation to snare corrupt politicians and correspondingly enhance his career prospects. One of the targets is the Mayor of Camden, New Jersey (Jeremy Renner). DiMaso promises Irving and Sydney that if they can help him achieve four additional arrests he will release them.  Irving's erratic wife (Jennifer Lawrence) introduces an unstable and unpredictable element to the operation being unaware of its true intent and a tendency to say whatever she thinks at any given moment.

Christian Bale is unrecognisable as Irving and delivers a convincing performance with strong support from Amy Adams as his partner in crime. American Hustle is a competent professional film and well worth the price of a cinema ticket.

Theatre Review - Travelling North - Sydney Theatre Company 2014 Season

Bryan Brown and Alison Whyte - Travelling North

Travelling North is one of the older plays by David Williamson being first performed in 1979. The Sydney Theatre Company has brought it back for the 2014 season but with something of a listless, airless atmosphere, much like the Queensland tropics where much of the action is set. The story is centred on Frank (a retired engineer) and Frances, who are in a later life relationship, and decide to relocate to sunny, laid back Queensland from chilly Melbourne. The children from their previous marriages have long grown up and established their own families but retain ties to their parents. In the case of Frances' two daughters, Helen and Sophie, they are resentful of their mother's move away which they portray as Frank's manipulation rather than a sensible decision by Frances. The change in lifestyle, pace and climate for Frank and Frances is brought to an end by the discovery of Frank's failing heart condition which necessitates a re-evaluation of their lives, relationship and commitment.

Bryan Brown and Alison Whyte are cast as Frank and Frances respectively with Harriet Dyer and Sara West providing a strong portrayal of Frances' two truculent and possessive daughters, Helen and Sophie. Alison Whyte who had to replace Greta Sccachi at short notice is extremely effective as the free-spirited Frances. The play is curiously lacking in several elements - Bryan Brown as Frank is simply playing Bryan Brown and his delivery of Williamson lines from the script lacks vigour. The set design is so minimalist that it is little more than two-level decking for the first Act with the addition of a chair for the second Act. The resulting expansive space is poorly used with any advantage lost. The period wardrobe of the actors is well researched (stubbies, sandals with socks) but is the only bright part of an unenterprising production.

Film Review: Saving Mr Banks

Walt Disney (Tom Hanks) and Pamela Travers (Emma Thompson)

Saving Mr Banks is the story of the fortnight-long visit by Mary Poppins author, P L (Pamela) Travers to Los Angeles to meet with Walt Disney to negotiate on the purchase of the film rights to her books. Disney's daughters had been captivated by the Mary Poppins story urging their father to make a film but Disney's efforts to obtain agreement from Travers had extended over decades without success. Finally in 1961 at the urging of her agent, Pamela Travers agrees to meet with Walt Disney and his creative team, particularly the Sherman brothers who compose the music for the Disney films. The negotiations are tortuous as Travers has a profound dislike for animation and the patience of Disney and his team are tested to the full whilst trying to meet the many conditions imposed by Travers.

The film directed by John Lee Hancock has Tom Hanks and Emma Thompson in the two lead roles as Walt Disney and Pamela Travers respectively and is shot on site at the Disney studios. Travers early life in Queensland, Australia is also shot in California and it is her early life particularly Travers' relationship with her father that provided the background for Mary Poppins. The script was written by Kelly Marcel and Sue Smith with experienced actors filling the supporting roles such as Paul Giamatti, Bradley Whitford, Colin Farrell, B J Novak and Jason Schwartzman. To a degree this is sugar-coated film and both Tom Hanks and Emma Thompson look considerably younger than the actual ages of their real-life counterparts.

Film Review - August: Osage County

Julia Roberts and Meryl Streep in August: Osage County

Tracy Lett's powerful and insightful play 'August: Osage County' dissecting the relationships of the Weston family has been brought to the cinema screen not only capturing but expanding on the intensity and complexities of the stage production. Set in the plains of Oklahoma, the storyline is centred on family matriarch, Violet (Meryl Streep) and her relationships in the dysfunctional Weston clan most notably her three adult daughters, Barbara (Julia Roberts), Ivy (Julianne Nicholson) and Karen (Juliette Lewis) with their respective partners and family. The story commences with family patriarch, Beverly (Sam Shephard) himself an alcoholic and unsuccessful poet hiring a young Cheyenne woman to be the carer for the cancer-stricken, drug dependent Violet. After this task, Beverly disappears triggering the arrival and assembly of the Westons after which all manner of crises emerge, relationships shattered and secrets exposed much due to the actions of the malevolent, controlling Violet. Beverly is found to be deceased but the circumstances involved provide one of several twists. Following this maelstrom, the characters depart, much the worse for their encounters with the rest of the clan and Violet.

Letts play was originally produced for the Steppenwolf Company in Chicago and was brought to Sydney with the original cast by the Sydney Theatre Company in 2010. The play was a sell-out success despite the emotionally draining storyline. This is essentially a series of plots involving the female characters as much of the male roles are quieter, more supportive or of less significance. The play and the film are impressive with superb acting managing complex characters within elements of American Gothic and small moments af dark humour.

New Year 2014 - A new year in a challenged world

As 2014 rolls forward the world appears as challenged on several fronts as much as many previous years - whether this is economically, in politics and international relations or with the environment. The ongoing approach taken by many leaders is to assume the BAU (Business-As-Usual) approach which neither confronts nor addresses many of the challenges which have become entrenched across the globe. Economies and economic activities are not restricted to a single border but operate in an integrated world with Economic Forums, Free Trade Agreements, the World Trade Organisation and cross border movements of currencies at the stroke of a key on a computer system. The environment, on which all life on the planet survives, remains under severe pressure with limited and often inconsistent responses from many governments. A point in case is to build large wind turbine farms and solar energy collectors without actually reducing the number of electrical power stations which operate on coal. Inconsistent political decisions whereby promises made in elections are subsequently dishonoured on assumption of power in government (without any intention of ever committing to the intent) have led to a record level of distrust in democratic institutions and a loss of faith in leadership. 

2014 will be a difficult year upon which much stoicism and strength of commitment will be needed.

Christmas 2013

As the year comes to a close, the holiday season beckons across the globe. One of the most recognisable iconic images of this period is the Christmas Tree from the Christian festival commemorating the birth of Jesus. The Christmas Tree itself originates from customs of the 15th and 16th Centuries in Germany and the placement of an angel or star at the top of the tree symbolises either the angel, Gabriel or the star from the Nativity. Tree worship itself originates from more pagan ceremonies focused on the representation of eternal life. This background for Christmas Trees demonstrates a fusion between pagan ritual and Christian belief which conveniently has now become locked into the exchange of expensive gifts, material wealth and consumerism in general. Perhaps a far cry from the original intent of having a tree with simple decorations.

Nonetheless at this time of year, the opportunity to reflect on the year past, the health and well being of others and to take stock of one's life provides a balance to the various exertions of the previous 12 months. In the words of the American Writer, Kurt Vonnegut, "and so it goes.." Joyeux Noel ! 

Theatre Review - Vere - Sydney Theatre Company 2013 Season

The cast of Vere onstage - Paul Blackwell as Vere (sitting, centre)

'Vere" written by John Doyle is a play of consummate comedy including bawdy school boy toilet humour, critical if somewhat obvious social observation but tinged with pathos and sadness. The theme of Doyle's play is dementia particularly its impact on the person facing this devastating mental  deterioration as well as those who care for that person. A mix of other themes including the science versus religion debate are weaved into the texture of the script for this two Act play with effective absurdist and comedic effect. 

Vere is a physicist and passionate advocate for a "theory of everything" to unify the known phenomena of the universe into a seamless whole. As an associate of Peter Higgs, he has been invited to participate in the proof of the Higgs boson at CERN's Large Hadron Collider in Switzerland in only a month’s time. It will be the crowning summit of his life in all ways personally and professionally. Alas medical tests have revealed Vere is suffering from early onset dementia with rapid deterioriation and he has only weeks, not months left. Act I is set in the University as Vere bids goodbye to the Vice Chancellor and his colleagues whilst hiding his dark diagnosis whilst Act II finds Vere living with his adult son's family as his condition worsens. 

Paul Blackwell commandingly holds centre stage as Vere with Geoff Morrell as the Vice Chancellor and later the pompous Reverend Roger. Rebecca Massey appears as both Vere's academic colleague and as the churchman's bi-polar but cheerfully ignorant wife. Matilda Bailey, Matthew Gregan, Ksenja Logos and Yalin Ozucelik (playing Vere's son) provide the strong supporting cast.

Doyle himself is well known to Australian audiences with an impressive list of credits to his name in theatre, film and television both as writer and as a performer. Overseas he is better known for his role as one of the Roy & H G duo of social and sports commentators.