ARTS THURSDAY
WEST END to EASTSIDE………..week two…..
London is springing everywhere, music , dance and theatre blossoming.
The summer festivals are open for booking- and everyone knows that U2 will headline Glasto…but none of them have Junglehammer…whose new cd launch will be at THE STUDIO, SYDNEY OPERA HOUSE, May 14.
The sensation that is iOTA stars, with Lily Dior and the genius of James Guiney and Lindsey, and Arts Thursday listeners know how much I love and play Strange Fascination-this is going to be a beautiful soundtrack 2010.
Australian theatre doesn’t often premiere the West End, ( David Williamson, Stephen Sewell, Michael Gow, Hannie Rayson Joanna Murray-Smith-, Andrew Bovell and Andrew Upton- quite a few writers when I think about it) but now Tommy Murphy and director, David Berthold are here with HOLDING THE MAN -now in preview at the Trafalgar Studios at Trafalgar Square, and selling well. Jane Turner, is a big bright star here- already. Tim Congreve’s story is a gift to audiences. Chookas!
And in a special soiree, the fabulous Simon Burke will be performing Tommy Murphy’s previous play STRANGERS IN BETWEEN in a play reading .
Speaking of Play readings……I saw a stunning performance by GRETA SCAACHI as Bette Davis in a new play by Anton Burge.
“Whatever Happened ON Baby Jane”- those who saw her as Elizabeth I in Mary Stuart at the Ensemble Theatre a year ago would be astounded at her transformation from the jealous Queen of England to the stirring star of Bette.
Bold beautiful and very Bette- Sharp incisive, smart, relaxed, real and really uncanny. Greta shone.
A new production at the National Theatre, in the intimacy of the Cottesloe , acclaimed by press and public, is SPRING STORM, a very rare offering by Tennessee Williams. It was his first play, written in 1937 while the young ‘Tom’ was at the University of Iowa, and lay undiscovered until 1996. So many other his other characters and considerations are set up here..
“My greatest affliction ..is perhaps the major theme of my writing, the affliction of loneliness, that follows me like a shadow..”
More to tell soon but if I were in Sydney I would be seeing…..
“Italian American Reconciliation “- a little bit Romeo and Juliet, a little bit Cyrano de Bergerac, and a lotta Tony Danza- at the NEWTOWN theatre
SOULFOOD ON SUNDAY show at 103…
It’s a FLAMENCO night…with a stunningly beautiful exploration of Indian Classical .
with RASA DUENDE feat Adrian Mcneil (Sarod) Bobby Singh (Tabla) & Damien Wright (Guitar), and…
BANDALUZIA feat Damien Wright (Guitar), Antonio Soria (Vocals), Tomas Arroquero (Dance) Jessica Statham (Dance)
And Book now for JUNGLEHAMMER launch… MAY 14 the Studio… is London, Paris or Cannes really worth missing that?
London streaming back at you……………..Susie