The Immigrant

Last night me and some of my fellow "CHUMs" paid a visit to The Phoenix Theatre, Coniston. The play - The Immigrant. It was well written and the sole actor held the audience's attention for the duration of the play and I even shed a few tears with him at the end.

It was about a man who reminisces about how he came to Australia with his father and was subsequently raised here. He had a hard life at the hands of his father and from his fellow Australians. It was assumed that because he was an immigrant that he was uneducated when in fact this was not the case. His life was one of violence; giving and receiving it. He won respect by using his fists and drinking his peers under the table.

He finally married after his parents passed but it was only to fill a void that they had left, it was not for love. He wanted someone to look after him. Their first child died in his arms not long after it was born and this had a profound effect on him. When the second child, a son, came along; he found that he could not love it, no matter how much he tried.

All too soon, he was following in the path of his own father and showing tough love in the form of his fists. He beat the child and was always telling him he was coward, until the day his son hit back and won the fight. After that he saw very little of him and lived a lonely life writing poetry. prose etc.

After downing a bottle of Vodka, the first act ended with him going out to seek his son and hopefully to put things right.  The second act  was the son's perspective on his life and him trying to understand what his father was about and why he did not love him despite the fact that he loved him unconditionally, no matter how badly he was treated.  This was conducted in his father's living room sitting beside his coffin - he had died the night he had gone out to seek his son's forgiveness.

The play left me with more questions than answers; I wanted to know if the son  would turn out like his father or would he finally break the cycle of "tough love" with his own son.  Will the relationship between him and his son be very different and different for the better.

It was very thought provoking play and I greatly enjoyed it.  The acting was superb and the evening went all too quick.

30 Nov 12 - Into The Woods

I was joined by three of my fellow sisters, Lady Regalia Chatterly, Lady Sandy, & Lady Lowsborough-Goodby for an evening of entertainment; Into the Woods presented by the Arcadians Theatre Group; at the Miner’s Lamp Corrimal

This is a 1986 Stephen Sondheim/James Lapine show about some fairy tale characters coming together to learn lessons.  It is about what “we wish for.” and how wishing is not enough.  One must work hard in life to get what we wish for.  Nobody gets anything for free.

Act one and the first few scenes sets up the characters; the childless baker and his wife, the witless Jack (played John Reynolds), the hapless Cinderella (played by Belinda Balhatchet) and the plucky but clueless Little Red Riding Hood (played by Emily Thompson). All are unhappy with the life they have and all are “wishing for something better”.  To get what they wish for, each has to embark on a scary but exciting trip to get what they need………..usually from each other.

The musical required our full attention, especially for the rapid fire rhymes of the Witch played by Jessica Garrawa.  She was a vision of grey and dirt but not very crone like; in fact I thought she was more like an old tree, with fingers that resemble the finer branches spreading out from one of the main limbs.  Her costume was the most inspired – designed by Ros Whittaker.

Jenifer Bond, as the – sharp-witted Baker’s wife – bent on reversing the Witch’s curse that rendered her husband (played by Rik McCann) infertile – has a lovely voice, and her wide eyed appeal just  radiated out to the audience  The baker and spouse are the most grounded characters even though the Baker struggles with sticking to his goals. However with the support of his wife and the mysterious man, aka the Baker’s father (played by Michael Bond,) he wins through.

Act One has the typically fairy tale ending -“living happily ever after”.  It was at this point that I thought the show had finished and was pleasantly surprised to hear that this was just the intermission.  But then I was left wondering what could possibly happen in Act two

Act two – once again it starts off with everyone wishing for something better.  Hmmmm!  a bit like real life.  Even though the characters have everything they wished for they are still unhappy.  Cinderella’s prince (played by Jack Dawson) is playing around behind her back.  His brother (played by Rory Chatterton) is in an unhappy relationship with Rapunzel (played by Olivia Boyd-Skinner) and is enraptured with Snow White (played by young Keicie Oatrs) – his only obstacle to happiness with Snow White is those pesky seven dwarfs.  Jack is bored with his rich life and wants adventure. The baker and his wife are tired with the babies crying and she wants a bigger house.  The witch, now changed back to a beautiful lady wants company and the love of her daughter, Rapunzel who she has banished to the desert.  CONFUSED!!!

This act also brings a giant – cleverly achieved via effects and a disembodied voice. In the first Act everyone got what they wanted without working together.  In this Act they all focus on needing to kill the Giant and to do this they must work together.  Not everyone survives and relationships change.  I am left feeling that even this “happy ending” is only temporary and so the story will go on and on.

This was a very enjoyable musical, with a difference.  On leaving the theatre we exchanged opinions on what we thought of the musical.  Our entire group like it but some people we met were not impressed with the evening show.

Calendar Girls by Tim Firth

Although The Roo Theatre is a fairly small and compact theatre it was not a full house for this evening’s performance. The audience consisted of mostly middle aged women dressed in their best. And our small group got lots of lovely comments about our red hats and being told how much we were admired for the things that we do. The more we go out the more we find that people seem to open up and chat when they see us sporting our red hats. And we ladies get lots of chances to network …….and all because of a simple red hat. Life is grand!!!

Any back to telling you about Calendar Girls – Most of the action is located within a village hall. There is an amateur dramatic feel to the staging that works well with this play. The plot is about real events; the making of a nude calendar by members of a Yorkshire Women’s Institute (WI) who after reeling from the loss of one of their peers husbands, band together to shoot a nude calendar to raise funds for a small memorial (a sofa for the cancer ward’s waiting room). However in doing this they not only raise the required money but capture the attention of the world’s press and get more than they bargained for.

The ladies in the WI are a group of women - bored, retired, frustrated, and searching - who are bonded by their dislike for their snobby chairwoman. Without spoiling it too much for those that have not seen it, it really is a testament to the confidence of the performers, and the competence of the staging and direction that nothing is actually revealed, and the emotional reaction from the characters is nothing but infectious, with laughter and applause ringing around the theatre as they strike a tastefully nude pose for the slightly embarrassed photographer.

The message however remains clear and present throughout, and the strong sense of community between the characters, the moral of the story, the supportive nature of women and their capacity to love, really did hit home.

All in all, it was a terrific performance where no one performer eclipses another. The girls refer to themselves as “women of a certain age”, and that really was the target audience this evening. While everyone in The Roo Theatre seemed to enjoy themselves, it was the “women of a certain age” and us Red Hatters that really got into the performance, and maybe were more able to read into the nuances in the play that would go over the heads of a younger theatre goer or some of the men in the audience.

It was a good night but as one of my fellow Red Hatters said, “I still preferred Pippin”. And I would have to agree with that and we both suspect it was because Pippin was a musical and nothing to do with young men in tights.

Low Pay? Don't Pay

“Low  Pay? Don’t Pay!” - Written by Dario Fo – was originally set in Italy at a time of social upheaval.  However this production was translated to reflect the current social and political life of the workers in Wollongong.  Workers were striking in a bid to win better wages and women wouldn't accept that they were inferior.  This production takes Fo's writing and embellishes it with slap stick (reminded us girls of John Cleese and the Ministry Funny Walks) which is at times daft but never degenerates into the surreal.  Stage managers are brought into the action to get extra laughs by clever use of props.

As part of the civil unrest, people refused to pay spiralling prices for electricity and consumer goods. In fact they insisted on paying only what they considered to be a fair price for essential items - or nothing at all. Shoplifting and theft became rife.

Low Pay? Don’t Pay!” traces the story of Antonia and Margherita as they join the crowds of people taking groceries from a supermarket without paying.  It follows their hilarious attempts to disguise their ill-gotten gains from their hot-headed moralist husbands, Giovannin and Luigi – not to mention the police - by resorting to more and more inventive hiding places.  Finally they take to hiding them under their coats and pretending to be pregnant. The audience was in uproar when Antonia’ announced she had a wet butt but it wasn’t her waters that had broken, it was a bag of olives!

The twist to the play see the husbands fall from their high moral position as they discover they have been made redundant  and they secure some goods that just happen to have fallen off the back of a lorry. 

 The play had a slow start with sections where there was no laughs as time was taken to explain the social conditions.  The result was that “Low Pay? Don’t Pay” was an amusing entertaining evening rather jaw-achingly funny one. 

All the jaw-achingly funny stuff took place outside of the theatre; while the ladies in the back seat of Vanessa’s car struggled to get the seat belts on without strangling themselves.  It was a great evening; great company and excellent value for money.  

Risque Bizniz - 31st Aug 12

Today has been a day of differences, for one it started with coffee with the Minister followed by an evening’s entertainment with old fashioned “Burlesque”. Ahh!!! Burlesque…….. I hear you all think, what is that. Well, let me tell you it was not what we three Red Hatters thought it would be; “A dramatic or musical work intended to cause laughter by caricaturing the manner or spirit of serious works. Or a kind of variety show with gentlemen dressed as ladies with elaborate costumes designed to show off a feminine figure while singing songs with lots on innuendo, as often seen on the European Cabaret Acts”. But I digress…….

We got to the theatre early so that we could have a cuppa before the start of the show. Cheryle insisted we sit on the couches rather than at the coffee tables. So we did and drank our tea while discussing our day and people watching. We noticed that people here all seem to have brought their own drink and nibbles and were all making themselves comfy. It was only than that we realized that the show would not be held in the theatre but on the small stage in front of the coffee tables.

The stage had a piano with candelabra on it – we started to think that the show would be a cabaret act with the singers coming down from the stage to sing amount the audience, and of course with German accents!! Just like in all the best movies. We were also told on our arrival that tonight’s performance would be a very informal affair. So, we Red Hatters went with the flow and every so often we would glimpse some of the young actors coming through from backstage to meet their friends etc.

All of the actors were sporting red outfits and being red hatters we discussed the various merits of these. There was a wide selection of boas, hats of many descriptions, flowers to wear in your hair or hat and the odd risqué outfit discreetly covered by a coat, but offering us just enough of a glimpse to get us either admiring it but wishing we were younger or had the figure to do the outfit justice. The main thing all the outfits had in common, apart from the colour red, was that they seemed a bit skimpy but in keeping with our thoughts on what would be needed to perform “Burlesque.”

All too soon the place started to fill up and we shared our little corner with a couple of young men, who might I add were very impressed with our red outfits. We of course explained that we were Red Hatters and how as we grow older we just want to have fun. In hindsight it may not have been the best way to describe ourselves……….but thankfully no harm was done and the young lads accepted us a bunch of eccentric ladies.

The lights finally dimmed and the Master of Ceremonies came on stage with Madam Tickler. His face covered in white face paint. In fact he looked a bit like the joker from the Batman films.  And Madam Tickler was dressed a bit like a French Maid from the Hello Hello series. He told a few jokes, in a German accent, before introducing the first act. A young lady dressed in a cream “Charleston outfit”

The music started to play and she mimicked singing along to a song while performing her version of the Charleston. Her version for some reason involved her slowly removing her long gloves and flinging them into the audience and every so often she would drop the shoulder strap of her outfit – just teasing the audience and then shaking her index finger from side to side - in a” No No” fashion - as if to say we were very naughty. But before you know it the young lady had removed her dress and we three red hatters were left sitting speechless, for the first time that evening. And I kept thinking about what we had said to the young lads about wanting to have fun…………..and hoping they did not take it the wrong way.


It seems that Burlesque is a form of striptease where the ladies strip down to their underwear and finally take off their bra as they turn to face the audience in the last few seconds before they exit stage left/right to much applause. After the initial shock we sat back and enjoyed the show. It was very well choreographed and the ladies teased the audience with their routines before giving them a brief glimpse of their “titties” ( a word much used by the Master of Ceremonies).

The audience; a mixture of young and old as well as ladies and gentlemen  - all showed these brave souls the greatest of respect. All in all it was a great evening full of risque fun and laughter.  At the end of the evening we were informed that the Burlesque troupe would be recruiting on the Monday and if anyone would like to join the troupe they would be made very welcome

We Red Hatters gave it a moment’s thought - well more like a nanosecond - and decided not to take advantage of this wonderful opportunity. Now as I write this I wonder how Delia will explain to the Minister how the rest of her day went when she sees him on Sunday.

The Odd Couple

The Odd Couple - one true masterpiece beloved for generations throughout the 20^th century, and

with good reason.   It has been made into a film starring the indelible duo of Walter Matthau and Jack Lemmon. 

Its dialogue is sharp with well-paced one-liners and all this is tied together with the constant conflict and resolution between the Felix and Oscar.  The plot is tied together by weekly poker games held in Oscar’ home where a bunch of middle aged men gather to escape their wives and home life.  And to sup a few beers, make a mess without being nagged as Oscar pays for a cleaner to clean up after the game.

One night, Felix is late, which is so unlike him. Everyone has some idea as to what might have happened, but a phone call to Felix’s wife reveals that he’s actually M.I.A. and has already threatened suicide via telegram after they have agreed to separate.  “He didn’t want to do it at home because the kids were sleeping.”

Oscar takes in Felix and they both carry on with their lives, very much in the same vein as they did when they were married.  Felix is so considerate, neat and frugal that it is grating and just gets in the way of Oscar’s attempt to have a good time and help Felix to move on.  

All the time this is happening their poker buddies are envious of them, as on the surface it appears that they are living the kind of lives that they wish they could have; one of freedom to do what they want  etc.  But in reality both Oscar and Felix, in their own ways, want to be closer to their wife and kids.  I guess this is the preverbal case of the grass is always greener.

The play was well presented and the one liners that the Odd couple is noted for, flew out  - one after the other.  The audience along with us Red Hatters did a fair bit of chuckling.  This was an exceptional evening and one that offered great value for money. 

After the evening's performance was over, we three dragged ourselves home making promises to see some of the other plays that they have on offer at this theater and other in NSW.

Pippin

This was a small Red Hat Theatre Event with only two of the CHUMs in attendance,  Delia & I  in our new red hats.  The event was Pippin, a Musical.  It is about a young Prince’s quest to find personal significance and it is narrated by a magician.  The audience follows Pippin through the trials of war, love and politics until he finds himself alone and far away from the wealth and privilege of his royal life. 

A widow, Catherine, finds him and takes him in.  She uses all her charms on him and Pippin falls in love with the widow.  However he finds that this is not enough and Pippin leaves to continue his quest for fulfillment and to find a reason for “being”. 

In the end the Magician tries to convince Pippin to commit suicide but Pippin resists and decides to spend the rest of his life with Catherin and her young son.  However there is a twist, as at the end of the last scene we are left with the impression that Catherine’s young son is drawn into the Magician's power and the whole quest for “being” starts again.

The actors were enthusiastic and put their heart and soul into the performance which made the whole evening a very enjoyable and funny experience.  There were some technical problems at the start of the evening but they soldiered on and made the best of it when the sound system let them down.

All in all it was a great evening filled with humour and lots of belly laughs at the antics of some of the men in very tight tights..  If Delia had her way she would have taken one of the young men home with her.  Or to put it another way; “He can share some toast with me in the morning.”  And this lad did not have camel eyes but at the risk of sound sexist, he did have a lovely body along with very sexy eyes.   The evening left these two CHUMs very animated and excited about seeing future events at this theatre.

What is on in the Theatres.

As promised I have looked around to see what is on at our local theatres and have the following to report:

ROO THEATRE

• 27th July - 11th August 2012 - The Odd Couple.  Adults $20.00,  Conces $15.00
• 7th Sep - 22nd Sep 2012 - Calendar Girls. Adults TBA, Concess TBA (Tickets on sale soon)
• Nov 2012 - Les Miserables.

THE ARCADIANS THEATRE GROUP

• 23rd Nov - 8 Dec 2012 - Into The Woods.  Adults $25.00 (I think), Concess $22.00 (I think)
• Tickets on sale 28 Sep 2012.

THE PHOENIX THEATRE - CONISTON

• 7 & 8 July 2012 - Opera at the Phoenix.  Adults $25.00 Concess $15.00, plus booking fee
• Show Times: Saturday July 7 at 8pm Sunday July 8 at 2pm.
• Favourite arias sung by Sydney’s rising opera talents! Works by Messrs Bizet, Mozart, Puccini, Delibes, and others, along with a brilliant new performance of some of Händel’s hidden opera gems.  Two performances only!

oo0oo

• 13th to 28th July 2012 - Pippin.  Adults $30.00 Concess $25.00
• Show Times: Wednesday July 18 & 25 at 8pm, Friday July 13, 20 & 27 at 8pm, 
• Saturday July 14, 21 & 28 at 8pm, Saturday July 28 at 3pm, 
• Sunday July 15 & 22 at 3pm
• Pippin is a musical with music and lyrics by Stephen Schwartz (Godspell and Wicked) and a book by Roger O. Hirson. Bob Fosse, who directed the original Broadway production, also contributed to the libretto. The musical uses the premise of a mysterious acting troupe, led by a Leading Player, to tell the story of Pippin, a young prince on his search for meaning and significance. They offer a young actor fame, glory and a spectacular finale. Pippin tries various paths to fulfillment and to live an extraordinary life but nothing satisfies him ultimately he must choose to play out the troupes Faustian Game or live an ordinary life with no music, colour or pretty masks to hide behind.

oo0oo

• 25th August 2012 - The Dancing Mice and the Giants of Flanders.  Adults $15.00, Concess $10.00 
• Show Time - at 8pm
• A new opera by Houston Dunleavy and Laura E. Goodin.  A concert performance of a new opera in development - your chance to give feedback and participate in the creation of this exciting and enchanting work!