MAN ABOUT TOWN

Some more brief mini-reviews of a couple of shows I caught during Next Wave... THE TENT Created by writer/performer Matthew Prest; Danny Egar, tent construction; Clare Britton, puppeteer; Eddie Sharp, performer/co-deviser. A Next Wave performance, The Tent was set within a purpose-build tent-cum-theatre that was both set for the show, and catalyst for the unfolding story we were priviledged to watch. Michael (Prest), a still-adolescent 20-something, walks away from his life wearing only pajamas, and encounters the sage-like figure of Brett (Sharp), a worldly, well-read recluse who calls the tent home. Some years later, Michael, now just another city suit, takes us, the audience, on a similar journey; re-discovering the tent and telling us about his experiences within and around it, in between dishing out bowls of hot soup and passing around blankets to ward off the autumn chill. Managing to invoke a sense of menace (just what is in the soup we're eating? Is the hermetic Brett, who ...

As I still haven't got over this ghastly lurgie that's been afflicting me for almost a week now (note to self: Eurovision parties the day after you've come down with a viral infection are a bad idea; fun, yes, but still a bad idea) I can't quite bring myself to blog about anything too serious just now. Instead, let me give in to my inner geek once again, and post a few more Doctor Who snippets for you all (and for me, if I'm being completely honest). Firstly (and thanks to Simon for showing me this) author Neil The Sandman Gaiman is a big Who fan, and wrote this over on his journal upon hearing that current Doctor, David Tennant, is taking time off in 2009 to play Hamlet: "I know that David Tennant's Hamlet isn't till July. And lots of people are going to be doing Dr Who in Hamlet jokes, so this is just me getting it out of the way early, to avoid the rush... "To be, or not to be, that is the question. Weeelll.... More of A question really. No...

I've held off from blogging about the mob currently baying for Bill Henson's blood for a variety of reasons, not least because I've been sick since Saturday, the day after this furore erupted (which is also why I haven't blogged about some of the Next Wave shows I saw late last week, though I heop to get around to that later today or tomorrow). Having taken today off work to try and sleep through the worst of my current fog and fever, I thought it due time to catch up with things, Henson included. The other reason I didn't blog about the situation is because I hoped, perhaps foolishly, that it would all blow over quite quickly. Far from it. Instead, it's only spurring on additional attacks on the arts and artists. There are two main points I'm been thinking about as I read the papers in recent days. One being the fact that I feel truly sorry for people who can't seperate nudity from sex - and in this case, sexual abuse of children by adults. There is, ...

Here's the new series four mid-season trailer, which confirms certain rumours about which old enemy of the Doctor is returning in the final episodes of this season...

Being some brief impressions - I wouldn't call them reviews - of some recently seen performances around town. (I deleted last night's version of this post as I was in a foul mood when I posted it, and figured I might have been a bit too harsh on at least one of the shows I was discussing. On retrospect, it's still crap, but I wanted to be more considered in my condemnation...) Bangarra Dance Theatre: Mathinna The latest work by indigenous dance troupe Bangarra explores the life story of a young Indigenous woman, Mathinna , who was removed from her family at a young age and raised in the household of the Governor of Tasmania. Choreographed by Stephen Page, this production tells her story - a tale of vulnerability and a search for identity - through dance. While featuring a beautiful set and striking lighting design, I found the story itself presented almost too literally; an impression given weight by David Page's score, which lacked shading and subtlety. That said, a mo...

According to a report from the BBC (so like, it's probably rather accurate) acclaimed screenwriter Steven Moffat is to take over from Russell T Davies as Executive Producer of Doctor Who for the show's fifth season (or season 31, if you include the classic series) which will screen in 2010. This is excellent news, as Moffat has given us the best episodes of the new series to date: the two part 'The Empty Child'/'The Doctor Dances' in season one, the exquisite 'The Girl in the Fireplace' in season two, and the totally chilling 'Blink' in season three. To quote the media release: "My entire career has been a Secret Plan to get this job," said Steven Moffat. "I applied before but I got knocked back cos the BBC wanted someone else. Also I was seven. Anyway, I'm glad the BBC has finally seen the light, and it's a huge honour to be following Russell into the best - and the toughest - job in television. I say "toughest" ...

Ah, Eurovision , how I love thee. I'm a relatively recent convert to the over-the-top camp kitsch which is the annual Eurovision Song Contest (thanks to Ms Sam opening my eyes for me at a party a few years ago) but it's rapidly become something that I absolutely love. Russia's Dima Bilan From Finland: Teräsbetoni Andorra's Gisela Big hair. Inane lyrics. Wonderfully ghastly costumes. Drinking games. Eurovision is lurid, spectacular, and wonderful. Will you be watching?

Some villainous poltroons have robbed a warehouse, stealing gear from The Suitcase Royale and other fine performing folk. There's a benefit being held this coming Sunday May 25 in order to get some money together so they can replace their stolen equipment. Please say you'll come, do. There will be performances by: POST (SYD), the Brown Council (SYD), the Caravan of Love, the Black Lung, Bron Batton, Film by the Safari Team, Live Music, swingin DJs and much more (to be announced) hosted by the Suitcase Royale at 25A Eastment St Northcote . Doors open at 8pm, performances around 9pm. A mere $10 entry!

I've had a couple of things on my mind this week, including work issues and lifestyle changes; the catalyst for such contemplation being the imminent departure of my housemate to his new abode. Mike moved in at the start of last year, and having recently entered the world of the home-ownership (namely a one-bedroom apartment in Clifton Hill) he's moving out tomorrow. It's been fun having him around, and certainly having someone to share the bills and rent has made my life a bit easier, though in some ways it's also allowed me to continue my somewhat eratic and indulgent lifestyle. With Mike moving out, I'm now facing the decision of whether to find another flatmate (recognising that finding someone who can put up with me could be tricky) or go back to living on my own, which I did for six years before he moved in. At the moment I'm leaning towards living by myself again; I miss having a study - a dedicated workspace is advantageous when I'm writing - and wit...

Until today (thanks, Defamer !) I hadn't heard anything about Twilight , a new teen vampire movie based on the young adult fiction series by Stephenie Meyer, which looks pretty damn cool. Check out the trailer and tell me what you think... I reckon I might have to track the books down, too.

This one man show, written by Irish playwright Donal O'Kelly and performed by Cork-born Melburnian Des Fleming, is a cinematically-structured exploration of a remarkable historical event: the rescue of six Fenian prisoners from an English prison in Fremantle, WA, in 1876. The six men, soldiers in the English occupying forces, had been convicted of treason for their involvment with the pro-independence Irish Republican Brotherhood, and transported to Australia. Over the next ten years, the plan to spring them from the penal colony, on board the whaling ship Catalpa , captained by George Anthony, was engineered. The play opens with Fleming playing a struggling screenplay writer who has just fumbled an all-important meeting with a group of producers. In frustration, he presents the pitch he should have made: talking through and acting out the settings, scenes and characters of his screenplay-within-a-play about the rescue by the Catalpa . From describing wideshots to sudden cuts; from...

I'm baaaaaack! Rested, re-energised and raring to go. Or something like that. And what better way to begin than by posting about the forthcoming 3rd Melbourne Zombie Shuffle ? What do we want? BRAAAAAAAINS!!! When do we want em? BRAAAAINSSSSS!!! Yes, a day of undead hi-jinks when rotting corpses (or at least a close approximation of same thanks to theatrical make-up) stagger the streets of Melbourne, drooling, twitching and generally staggering amok. What fun! Will you join us? Date: Saturday, June 14, 2008 Time: 12:30pm - 3:30pm Location: Carlton Gardens and beyond Street: Cnr Rathdowne & Victoria City/Town: Melbourne, Australia

No, I haven't forgotten you, but apart from talking about the various DVDs I've been watching this week there doesn't seem a lot to blog about. That, and the fact that I still don't have access to teh interwebs at home yet after more than a fortnight thanks to a fuck-up by Netspace, means that posting updates is kind of tricky at the moment. But soon, I promise!