La Bayadère (4.0/5)
The Paris Opera Ballet
Lyric Theatre, QPAC, Brisbane
26th June 2009
(Choreography: Rudolf Nureyev after Marius Petipa, Music: Ludwig Minkus, Nikiya: Aurélie Dupont, Solor: Hervé Moreau, Gamzatti: Dorothée Gilbert)
Visually stunning production, sparkling sets and costumes almost overwhelm the drama and dance of love lost. Set in India, the choreography is decidedly Russian, danced with French precision if a slight lack of passion and undistinguished music. Each act enhances the delights of this ballet cumulating in the entry of the souls of 32 bayadères that rivals the more famous swans for haunting beauty and splendour. Highly accomplished solos show-off French ballet’s athleticism and technicality.
Tuesday, June 30, 2009
Tuesday, June 23, 2009
Simon & Garfunkel
Simon & Garfunkel (4.5/5)
Acer Arena, Sydney
20th June 2009
Almost unbelievably good. At 67 the voices are starting to go, this especially affects Art Garfunkel who sings the soaring melodies. Others would have covered-up with orchestra and backing singers. This was genuine, delightful, emotional; songs as rich and powerful as ever. A highly accomplished band delivered classic tunes just as we remembered them and never took anything away from S&G. 4.5/5 for just being Simon & Garfunkel and a nostalgic evening to remember for ever.
Acer Arena, Sydney
20th June 2009
Almost unbelievably good. At 67 the voices are starting to go, this especially affects Art Garfunkel who sings the soaring melodies. Others would have covered-up with orchestra and backing singers. This was genuine, delightful, emotional; songs as rich and powerful as ever. A highly accomplished band delivered classic tunes just as we remembered them and never took anything away from S&G. 4.5/5 for just being Simon & Garfunkel and a nostalgic evening to remember for ever.
Monday, June 22, 2009
Is Anyone There?
Is Anyone There? (3.0/5)
Palace Cinema, Centro, New Farm, Brisbane
10th June 2009
(Director: John Crowley, Cast: Michael Caine, Bill Milner)
Michael Caine has played the same crusty character in many a film, it’s aged with him and he plays it very well. Caine’s retired magician befriends the retirement homes owner’s young son. Together they ponder death – the magician’s own and the boy’s morbid fascination. A typically English tragic-comedy - a lightish though nonetheless moving story. Caine gives a fine performance, well in contact with the final days of his character.
Palace Cinema, Centro, New Farm, Brisbane
10th June 2009
(Director: John Crowley, Cast: Michael Caine, Bill Milner)
Michael Caine has played the same crusty character in many a film, it’s aged with him and he plays it very well. Caine’s retired magician befriends the retirement homes owner’s young son. Together they ponder death – the magician’s own and the boy’s morbid fascination. A typically English tragic-comedy - a lightish though nonetheless moving story. Caine gives a fine performance, well in contact with the final days of his character.
BodyTorque 2.2
BodyTorque 2.2 (3.0/5)
The Australian Ballet
Sydney Theatre, Sydney
30th May 2009
(Choreography: Reed Luplau “Bleeker”, Damien Welch “Chemical Trigger”, Kevin Jackson “Enter Closer”, Remi Wortmeyer “Fade Not”, Robert Curran “Veiled”)
Five new dances, five new(ish) choreographers, five new musical compositions. A consistent standard - challenging in places, underdone in others. A mix of classic and modern dance, rewarding whilst never quite fulfilling. Nonetheless TAB is be praised for promoting new talent and innovation.
The Australian Ballet
Sydney Theatre, Sydney
30th May 2009
(Choreography: Reed Luplau “Bleeker”, Damien Welch “Chemical Trigger”, Kevin Jackson “Enter Closer”, Remi Wortmeyer “Fade Not”, Robert Curran “Veiled”)
Five new dances, five new(ish) choreographers, five new musical compositions. A consistent standard - challenging in places, underdone in others. A mix of classic and modern dance, rewarding whilst never quite fulfilling. Nonetheless TAB is be praised for promoting new talent and innovation.
What Just Happened
What Just Happened (1.0/5)
Palace Cinema, Centro, New Farm, Brisbane
23rd May 2009
(Director: Barry Levinson, Cast: Robert DeNiro, Sean Penn, Catherine Keener, Robin Wright Penn, Kristen Stewart, Stanley Tucci, Michael Wincott, Bruce Wills)
What just happened is that I wasted two hours. This supposedly humorous exposė of Hollywood backroom deals is neither funny nor revealing. De Niro plays a film producer fighting studio bosses, directors, actors, agents and ex-wives to finish one film and launch another. If it sounds confusing it is and there is no encouragement to care for any of these egotistical characters. What just happened? Who cares.
Palace Cinema, Centro, New Farm, Brisbane
23rd May 2009
(Director: Barry Levinson, Cast: Robert DeNiro, Sean Penn, Catherine Keener, Robin Wright Penn, Kristen Stewart, Stanley Tucci, Michael Wincott, Bruce Wills)
What just happened is that I wasted two hours. This supposedly humorous exposė of Hollywood backroom deals is neither funny nor revealing. De Niro plays a film producer fighting studio bosses, directors, actors, agents and ex-wives to finish one film and launch another. If it sounds confusing it is and there is no encouragement to care for any of these egotistical characters. What just happened? Who cares.
Nutcracker
Nutcracker (4.5/5)
The Australian Ballet
Opera Theatre, Sydney Opera House
16th May 2009
(Choreography: Graeme Murphy. Clara: Lucida Dunn (elder: Marilyn Jones, child: Emily Seymour), Doctor/Young Office: Robert Curran)
Murphy’s dramatic story of a ballerina’s journey from revolutionary Russia to 1950’s Australia via the Ballet Russes is enchanting. Intelligent chorography acknowledges the original whilst adding energy and glamour. The three Clara’s perfectly convey the innocence of childhood, precocious talent and longing for love lost. Curran’s gentle presence is ideal for the good doctor and gentleman officer perfectly complimenting Dunn’s radiance and Jones’ frailty. A very successful, and different, telling of this ballet classic.
The Australian Ballet
Opera Theatre, Sydney Opera House
16th May 2009
(Choreography: Graeme Murphy. Clara: Lucida Dunn (elder: Marilyn Jones, child: Emily Seymour), Doctor/Young Office: Robert Curran)
Murphy’s dramatic story of a ballerina’s journey from revolutionary Russia to 1950’s Australia via the Ballet Russes is enchanting. Intelligent chorography acknowledges the original whilst adding energy and glamour. The three Clara’s perfectly convey the innocence of childhood, precocious talent and longing for love lost. Curran’s gentle presence is ideal for the good doctor and gentleman officer perfectly complimenting Dunn’s radiance and Jones’ frailty. A very successful, and different, telling of this ballet classic.
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