PROMPTSIDE

People & Theatre

Mex-tli Mexican Goddesses

Posted on 15/05/2013

At the centre of a very nostalgic opening night were set/costume designer Yunuen Pérez and cinematographer Sissy M. Reyes, who co-created these robust photographic works . The exhibition presents self portraits of the two Mexican goddesses, in their own right, costumed in rich colorful traditional finery and set against a sometimes distinguishable backdrop of Sydney and Melbourne landscape. Each of the photographs reveal a captivating story through powerful expressions, settings and compositions captured within the split second click of the camera.

 

Queen Victoria, one of the photos in the exhibition. Photo by Sissy M. Reyes.

Queen Victoria, one of the photos in the exhibition. Photo by Sissy M. Reyes.

Having studied with Yunuen at the VCA and retained a close friendship with her, the exhibition is bittersweet for me on a personal level as it documents, definitely with a Mexican panache, this precious and ethereal time spent in Australia.

Mexican Goddess Yunuen Perez

Mexican Goddess Yunuen Perez

 

 

Sissy M. Reyes

Sissy M. Reyes against a backdrop of some of her bold photographs

 

Carefully curated by José Antonio González Zarandona, this stunning cross-cultural event has generated much discourse in the past week. The exhibition ends this Saturday, the 18th May, so catch it while you can at Fortyfive downstairs.

 

 

Meanwhile, at the opening night, the guests come as brightly decorated as some of these photographs;

 

Helena Turinski, graphic designer, channels her inner goddess with this gorgeous textured and layered ensemble, finished off with bright red shoes upon stockings of green.

 

Helena Turinski

Helena Turinski

 

Art student Lee Su Fern highlights her violet handbag with a strong yet muted palette of black and white and silver.

 

Lee Su Fern

Lee Su Fern

The Green Room Awards Ceremony

Posted on 09/05/2013

The Green Room Awards Ceremony was held at the Comedy Festival this year, on the grand and sombre set of Driving Miss Daisy.  The spirits of Jessica Fletcher and Darth Vader were quite possibly lurking backstage, maybe in the actual Green Room, in honor of the award’s name which Rhonda Burchmore Googled and attempted to explain on stage. This year, the ceremony was swift and stylish, and got people out with enough time for dumplings before bedtime.

 

When the Green Room like something, they really like it.  This year’s sweeps include The Production Company’s Chess, which took home 7 awards, and Opera Australia’s Salome and Fraught Outfit’s Persona each taking home 5 awards, including the award for Direction (Independent Theatre) going to Adena Jacobs. The other awards from the Independent Theatre sector went to Richard Bligh for The McNeil Project (Male Performer,) Ellen Warkentine and Mat Sweeney for The Temptation of St Antony (Sound Composition) and Tim Spencer for Show Me Yours, I’ll Show You Mine (Writing.) In a surprise announcement, MKA, for its North Melbourne / Winter season, received a special new award for Contribution to Independent Theatre in Melbourne, for found space, design, writing and performances.

 

The Green Room Awards recognises excellence in performances in Melbourne since 1982 and have become regarded as one of the highest honors for an artist to achieve.  It’s important to have one’s work acknowledged, thus it is equally important to realize that, while the organisation have done their very best to ensure that judging is fair,  some great works may have been overlooked.  In 2012, I attended a fair few performances, many of which could have shared equal recognition with those that have been presented that night.  Many of my peers, I’m sure, would have cast their votes differently. I realize, of course, that foyer opinions are naturally fickle, but leaving important judgements to be made by only a handful of people, albeit a highly credible lot, has its cons. Woodhead may have made a few interesting points in his post-awards article last year, so in the meantime we should always keep in mind that it’s not ‘Green Room or nothing.’  In the end, however, it was nice to see some of my peers receiving the acknowledgement they deserve, and Bob and Rhonda’s glitteriffic outfits ensured that it was a happy, sparkly night.

 

 

Tanya Dickson, nominated for Direction (Independent Theatre) for Triangle.

 

Tanya Dickson

Tanya Dickson

 

Lyall Brooks, one of the fabulous cast members of The Pride, nominated for Ensemble Performance.

 

Lyall Brooks and friend

Lyall Brooks and Adam Fawcett

 

Mark Trevorrow, also known as his alter ego Bob Downe, received the Special Award for Lifetime Contribution to Cabaret, playing charades with the award’s catchy nickname.

 

Mark Trevorrow, aka Bob Downe

Mark Trevorrow, aka Bob Downe

I Know There’s A Lot Of Noise Outside But You Have To Close Your Eyes at La Mama

Posted on 20/04/2013

Last night, that show with the ever-so-cumbersome-to-say-very-long-title opened at La Mama.  The company, I’m Trying to Kiss You, comprised of Allison Whiltshire, Zoey Dawson and Anna McCarthy, returns to Melbourne with this its third season of I Know There’s A Lot Of Noise Outside But You Have To Close Your Eyes, after a sell-out season at Melbourne Fringe Festival in 2011.

At the foyer before the show, many audience members expressed some excitement to see the show but admitted that they had no idea what it was all about.

Having seen it many times, I must say that the first reading was just as stunning for me as last night’s viewing. I think it has a lot to do with how the piece melds a bawdy, naturalistic, unapologetically awkward yet hilarious ex-BFF reunion with rhythmic pulses of surreal insights into the deep, dark yet intoxicatingly beautiful realms of the female psyche.  The established stereotypes of angry Fitzroy hipster and the ‘frothy’ Prahran girly girl, brutally relatable, are quickly punctured to reveal a gooey rich centre of longings, aspirations and desires that one can’t help but empathise with. Rhythmically, the poetic vignettes shift from one state to another like a well balanced artwork not unlike a perfectly written symphony.

You can catch this show at La Mama until May 5.

 

Anna McCarthy and Zoey Dawson (beyond) in ...Noise...

Anna McCarthy and Zoey Dawson (beyond) in …Noise…

 

After the show, at the La Mama courtyard, the audience gathered around that famous fire to contemplate.

 

Actor Zoey Dawson, swathed in blue that is oh so harmonious with that platinum blonde hair and blue eyes.

Zoey Dawson

Zoey Dawson

 

Fabulous producer Bek Berger with a corresponding dolly.  Note the special laminate necklace, made by herself, from an old children’s fact book.  This one combines a boy holding a seashell with a box of butterflies.

Bek Berger

Bek Berger

 

Super at SUPANOVA

Posted on 20/04/2013

Once in a blue moon, our inner Superhero comes out to play.  I visited SUPANOVA, a superhero’s convention, this year with the Super. cast and crew and found out what Superheroes are made of.

 

Actor Josh Ferenbach, who recently appeared in NOA at La Mama last year, chanelling his inner Batman.

Josh Ferenbach

Josh Ferenbach

 

Directors are certainly not to be afraid of.

Samara Hersch

Director Samara Hersch

 

Actor and film maker Brett Ludeman getting a low-down on the action.

Super Shooter Brett Ludeman

Super Shooter Brett Ludeman

Happy Easter – love, MONA.

Posted on 10/04/2013

I’m fully aware that that Jesus festival occurred quite a while ago, and apologize profusely for this belated Easter greeting, but you see, my modem broke, which means that there was no INTERNET CONNECTION.  Which means that nothing happened. Maybe He willed it to happen.  I’m not very sure.  Maybe my MONA Easter experience was so arty and out of left field that some wires got crossed and Internet normality failed to occur.

 

We lounged upon candy pink bean bags on the lush green lawn as the host spoke to us, seemingly in verse, from somewhere undefined.  A stream of girls, nonchalant, dressed in costumes that can only be described as ‘art,’ appeared suddenly and flowed slowly into a ritual circular formation, watched over by an older lady, whom I assumed made the costumes.  But who can be sure?

 

Mad Hatter's Easter delivery

Mad Hatter’s Easter delivery

 

MONA Easter Delivery

MONA Easter Delivery

 

After several loops, they broke apart and proceeded to give coloured foam love-heart cutouts to the guests.  Not everyone received one.  Mine was yellow.  I’m still unsure of what it all means.

 

MONA Easter Delivery

MONA Easter Delivery

L’Oreal Melbourne Fashion Festival Graduate Show

Posted on 03/04/2013

One of my favourite shows to attend at LMFF is the Graduate Show which showcases the cream of the crop of fashion’s freshest graduates.  Avant garde and dramatic, it is fashion at its most theatrical.  These creations spill gracefully into the realm of costume design and display wearable (most of the time) showstoppers.

 

The show opens with Bernadette Francis’ stunning beaded sheath dress.

Designer Bernadette Francis

Designer Bernadette Francis

 

Natasha Fagg redefines lingerie with luminous beading, tassles and scales of transparent sequins.

Designer Natasha Fagg

Designer Natasha Fagg

 

 

Designer Natasha FAgg

Designer Natasha Fagg

 

Loretta Maine at MICF

Posted on 03/04/2013

Comedy’s trashy princess of darkness, Loretta Maine (aka comedian Pippa Evans) has arrived in Melbourne to stir up some trouble at the Melbourne International Comedy Festival with her show Bipolar, nominated for the if. comedy Best Newcomer Award. Time Out describes this troubled, inebriated American rock chick as ‘the white wine witch’ and The Evening Standard calls her ‘murderously funny.’ I approached her with some questions, gingerly, hoping that funny negates angry, yet fearful that she might let loose and scold me or hit me with her guitar. 

 

Loretta Maine

Loretta Maine

 

What is it about your dark angst-ridden character that is so appealing to the audience?

ThEy SeE A LitTle Of TheMSelVes BuT NOt toO mUCH. So TheY ThinK “weLL aTleasT I’M noT a TotaL FreaK”. ThanKS by thE wAy.

 

Is there a secret pleasure that people derive when communicating through anger?

YeS. It MakeS YoU FeEl BettER. ANd It doeSn’T Make You Fat. BetTer To ScreaM tHaN eaT IcE CreaM. PersOnalLy I screaM wHIlE i eaT iCeCReaM. ApParenTly IT buRnS MoRe caLorieS.

 

Do you think this generation thrives on suppressed rage?

TheY Don’T SupReSS IT. WhO is SupreSSinG It? EvEryTImE I havE to HEaR soMEonE On theIR CeLL PhoNE riDinG The MEtrO, screaMinG inTo thE ReceiveR, I think “ThiS Is a HEalThy CouNTrY”.

 

I bet you’re going to get a lot of material here in Melbourne. Are Australians just as annoying as Americans?

We arE alL annOyinG iN OUR Own lItTLe waY. AustraLIaNs HavE a LoVElY waY oF HavIng opInIoNS. I don’T caRE, Mr 7/11 – I ONly listeN tO Me anD So ShouLD YoU righT??

 

For Promptside: What inspires your fashion style? How do you get dressed in the morning?

I waKE Up anD graB whaT’s On the FLOoR and RuN to WhaTever I aM Late FoR. MainlY I weaR  bLacK anD hoLEs.

 

Is Bipolar going to be a fun show?

It”s FuN likE a SliDe thaT is higHEr up ThaN YoU FirsT ThougHT.

 

Thank you so much for your time with Promptside and chookahs for Bipolar!

 

Bipolar promises to be a scream! See Loretta in the Powder Room at the Melbourne Town Hall until the 21st April.

Idiots of Ants at MICF

Posted on 29/03/2013

Having been thoroughly impressed by their show last year, I was curious to pick the brains of these comedy superstars, Idiots of Ants, who are back at the Melbourne International Comedy Festival this year with their new show, Model citizens. 

 

I came to see your rollicking show last year. It seemed like you had lots of fun performing it- Is the creation process just as much fun?

Idiots of Ants

Idiots of Ants

The creation process is nightmareish! How do we top our last script? Can we write another hour of funny? Blaaaaaaarrrrrrrrgggggghhhhhh!

We write and we argue and we squabble and we strangle. But we make sure we come out of the whole sordid process with a belting show – No excuses!

 

How do the four of you work together- Are there roles within your team, and how do you prevent the ‘too many cooks’ scenario?

We have worked together for so long that we know each others strengths. We all take jobs… some write jokes, some make posters, some take care of the admin… it is a tightly oiled comedy machine.

We all make delicious comedy casseroles in our delicious comedy asseroles.

 

The Sketch genre is synonymous with unrefined charm. How much professionalism comes with the business of comedy?

We can’t possibly call ourselves professional. We are lucky enough to be silly little prats for a living… Not much of a living… but a living.

 

You have done a melange of sketches that range from dad jokes to WWII to Facebook. Where do these ideas come from?

Who knows? We wish there was a formula to our writing… there is not. Coming up with sketches is not easy. We are constantly throwing up ideas… mostly bad ones. From every hundred ideas we get one the might work… for every hundred ideas that might work … one does.

 

You reference a lot of technology; Computer games, Ipad Mini, Facebook… Do you love or loathe technology?

We love technology…but some people (especially poncey ‘apple fans’) take it all way to seriously. Comedy has to be relevant to be funny and we are in the middle of a huge technological revolution…what could be more relevant than that. #sorryapplefanboys #dicks

 

And lastly, for Promptside , what’s with the white shirts and black ties? Are there any plans for new costumes/uniforms?

Actually in this show, our fifth full live hour, we have changed our uniform… is it floral shirts? Is it cricket whites? Are we in the full nude? Find out at Idiots Of Ants – Model Citizens!

 

Chookahs for you show dudes!

Catch Model Citizens at the Melbourne Town Hall until 22nd April.

 

MKA Group Show!

Posted on 28/03/2013

The prospect of attending an MKA production is always exciting and their latest venture definitely does not disappoint.  Featuring five new pieces of writing in one show, Group Show is a delicious stew of short-and-sweets complete with a sprig of glitter.

 

Actor/model/writer and all-round gorgeous person Leila Rodgers looks stunning in this pale blue dress.

Leila Rodgers

Leila Rodgers

 

Designer Amaya Vecellio is commanding in this atonal black-white and ‘lemon’ ensemble.

Amaya Vecellio

Amaya Vecellio

 

 

Tobias Manderson-Galvin

MKA co-creative director Tobias Manderson-Galvin

Costumes for the Ark

Posted on 23/03/2013

We witnessed a sneak preview of Jake’s craft in the publicity image for Two by Two last year, which pits a contemporary dilemma against the biblical tale of Noah and the Ark.  Now, Jake provides us with a parade of same-sex couples masked by costumes as they present themselves upon entering the Ark.

Jake Preval

Jake Preval

 

Beck Roy is dressed for the flood as she floats upon a print of Hokusai’s Great Wave on her tights.

Beck Roy

Beck Roy

 

Dyana portrays disheveled-chic in a sheer top and tastefully storm-blown hair.

Dyana Grey

Dyana Grey