Brighton Beach Memoirs Premiere Season BRIGHTON BEACH MEMOIRS by Comedy-Dramas American Theatre Has 1983, "I Laughed and I Cried Although Neil Simon Ever Had

W,el,-\ SEPTEMBER, 1985 Vol 8 No 9 ISSN 0314 - 0598 A publication of the Australian Elizabethan Theatre Trust

Brighton Beach Memoirs Premiere Season BRIGHTON BEACH MEMOIRS by comedy-dramas American theatre has 1983, "I laughed and I cried although Neil Simon ever had. " The play went on to win the dangerously I enjoyed it more when I Directed by Ron Link Best Play Award of the 1983 NY Drama was laughing than when I was crying. " 'aligned by Laurence Eastwood Critics Circle. The Australian premiere of ~t includes: Sandra Webb, Jill Perry­ BRIGHTON BEACH MEMOIRS, as BRIGHTON BEACH MEMOIRS man, Judi Farr, Tim Conigrave and the name suggests, is a memory play and opens at the York Theatre on November Miles Buchanan we can make the assumption that it has 2. It is directed by American director York Theatre more than a hint of autobiography. It Ron Link and stars Jill Perryman and deals with seven members of a middle­ Judi Farr. The boy, Eugene, is played by eil Simo'n is synonymous with com­ class Jewish family in Brooklyn during Miles Buchanan who played the young N edy; at the mention of his name a the depression years. The hero of the boy in TORCH SONG TRILOGY. whole string of successful plays and films play is a fifteen-year-old boy in the clos­ come to mind - PLAZA SUITE, THE ing phases of puberty whose mind is full ODD COUPLE, BAREFOOT IN THE of fiercely fantasised dreams of baseball BOOKING INFORMAnON PARK, and THE GOODBYE GIRL to and dimly fantasised images of girls. Mon Nov 4 to Sat Nov 16 name just a few. But his latest play which The action is a collection of minor crises Mon to Sat at 8 p.m. has just chalked up its I,OOOth perfor­ faced on a day-to-day basis. Eugene Wed and Sat at 2 p.m. mance on Broadway is considered by eavesdrops (through the walls or AETT $17.90 (except Fri and many critics to be his finest work. through his imagination) on his cousins' Sat evg) Reviewing its premiere season at the Los privacy, after finding that he's in love G.P. $21.90 Angeles Ahmanson Theatre in 1982, with one of them. And he seeks counsel Pens/Stud $14.90 (except Fri and Variety magazine said "For this one, from brother Stanley, who's experienced Sat evg) Simon has put away his bag of tricks and in affairs of the heart - and sex. "I en­ Two AETT tickets per member gotten down to some real, insightful joyed it a lot, " said Clive Barnes review­ writing that results in one of the finest ing the Broadway opening in March 2

Stoppard play for STC THE REAL THING by Tom Stop pard Directed by Richard Wherrett Cast includes Jacki Weaver and John Bell Settings and Costumes by Roger Kirk Drama Theatre, S.O.H. toppard has done it again. Following S his remarkable plays ROSEN­ CRANTZ AND GUILDENSTERN ARE DEAD, JUMPERS and TRA VESTIES, British playwright Tom Stoppard has come up with a romantic comedy which won the New York Tony Award for "Best Play" of 1984. This time he's written about the domestic dif­ ficulties of a group of nimble-tongued 'The Waltz o{ the Wealthy' - a scene {rom ADIOS CHA CHA theatre people. Indeed there's so much playacting going on that it's often hard Plea for Third World Off the Wall Humour to distinguish the play from the real thing. Hence the title. ADIOS CHA CHA devised by Sidetrack PURE PUPPET ADULTERY devie On the surface, THE REAL THING is Theatre and directed by Richard Bradshaw Puppeteers: Steve Coupe, Greg Howard, a throwback to the comedies of Oscar Directed by Don Mamouney Wilde, Noel Coward and Philip Barry. Performance Space Sue Wallace Off Broadway Theatre This is love among the leisure classes, in which aristrocrats of style spend their lthough unfamiliar to mainstream time polishing epigrams and tiptoeing A audiences, Sidetrack Theatre is one ust when you thought it was safe to into one another's penthouse souls. But of the most respected theatre companies J take the children to puppet theatre, THE REAL THING also has a heart - in Australia. Its plays are controversial along comes the Sydney Puppet Theatre warm and throbbing with the domestic and cultivate new ground in the perform­ with PURE PUPPET ADULTERY. It's passion to which anyone can succumb. ing arts. a nonsense play devised and directed by Their production of ADIOS CHA Australia's internationally renowned CHA will be presented at the Perfor­ puppeteer Richard Bradshaw specifically mance Space throughout September. It is for the Sydney Puppet Theatre. The a powerful drama, full of hope and show deals with adult topics - abortion laughter and music about life in a Third (does not sitting on an egg constitute World mining town where "el patron" abortion?), the arms race Gust an armless has taken over land which should be piece of puppetry) and bestiality (we growing beans to grow carnations for the witness the effects not the act), and that export market. The play asks why people age-old question of which came first the in the Third World are taking up arms emu or the egg. The company's pra against their governments; why little release pointed out that some may fin. Nicaragua and Cuba seem so threatening Egg Scrutiating; which was so to the world's great powers and why the excruciating we had to repeat it. kidnapping of a few Americans is allow­ The cast includes an average suburban ed to overshadow the murder, rape, couple (height 142 cm/ weight 5 kgs and maiming and disappearance of thousands nothing between their ears) and their pet by armies which America has trained and emus, a granny (no one is quite sure Jackie Weaver and John Bell will star in equipped? whose) and her dead cat, as well as hun­ THE REAL THING Sidetrack is anxious that the play dreds of sausages and eggs. They'll all be Jacki Weaver and John Bell star in this should work for the migrant community at the Off Broadway Theatre from Sydney Theatre Company production and therefore is inviting different migrant September 5 and teenage children will be which will be directed by Richard Wher­ groups to speak with the audience after very welcome. rett at the Drama Theatre. each performance and if they wish to pre­ BOOKING INFORMATION sent their national food for supper. BOOKING INFORMATION Thu Oct 17 to Sat Nov 16 Thu Sep 5 to Sat Oct 5 . Mon to Sat at 8 p.m. BOOKING INFORMATION Tue to Sat evg Sat mat at 2 p.m. Until Sat Sep 28 Late show Fri at 10:30 p.m. AETT $19.00 (Mon to Thu) Tue to Sat at 8 p.m. Sat mat at 4 p.m. G.P. $22.00 AETT discount $1.00 AETT discount $2.00 Pens/Stud $16.00 (Mon to Thu) Bookings on 699 5091 Bookings on 692 0964 Two AETT tickets per member 3

The Australian Opera CANDIDE and THE VENETIAN Glasgow revisited TWINS, and more recently STEAMING, 1986 Season MEN SHOULD WEEP by Ena Lamont and IN THE BELLY OF THE BEAST by the Los Angeles-based Centre Theatre he Australian Opera recently an- Stewart T Directed by Doreen Warburton Group. nounced details of its 1986 season Bookings for the 10th Anniversary which includes a two-month summe; Designed by Robert Kemp Q Theatre, Penrith Concert can be made through the s~ason from January 4 to March 1 and a Seymour Centre on 692 0555. An AETT fIve-month winter season extending from concession will apply but details had not lasgow in the 1930s will be rEcreated June 5 to November 1. The seasons will been confirmed as we went to press. include the return of many of the com­ G when the Q Theatre presents the pany's most popular works and will be Australian premiere of MEN SHOULD highlighted by six new productions. Of WEEP between September 4 and 29. Robyn Archer Cabaret particular importance will be the MEN SHOULD WEEP was written in 1947 by former Glasgow nurse Ena La­ premiere of Richard Meale's VOSS to a THE 1985 SCANDALS by Robyn mont Stewart and was revived at the 1982 libretto by David Malouf, based on Archer Edinburgh Festival where it received Patrick White's novel. VOSS will com­ Directed by Robyn Archer and John critical acclaim. It is an extraordinarily bine the unique talents of director Jim Gaden moving and original play about the way Sharman and designers Brian Thompson Musical direction by Andrew Bell women survived in the 30s in the East • Lu.ciana Arrighi. Other new produc- Cast: Robyn Archer, John Gaden An- s mclude two twentieth century End of Glasgow. It finds in the lives of drew Bell and Yantra de Vi/der ' Maggie Morrison, her family and masterpieces, Britten's PETER GRIMES Belvoir St. Theatre and ~enotti ' s THE CONSUL, as well as neighbours, not only all the tragedy that Tchalkovsky's EUGENE ONEGIN and appalling housing, massive unemploy­ ment and grinding poverty can produce ollowing the success of KOLD KOM­ Mozart's THE MAGIC FLUTE. F FORT KAFFEE in 1978, THE PACK Another highlight will be Joan but also a rich vein of comedy - the sense of the ridiculous and the need for a OF WOMEN in 1983, and the London Sutherland's world renowned interpreta­ production of CUT AND THRUST tion of the title role in Donizetti's comic good laugh that keeps people going in difficult times. CABARET this year, Robyn Archer opera, LA FILLE DU REGIMENT. returns to her favourite element - the Members will be offered A Reserve political cabaret. "If political cabaret is tickets to certain performances during the BOOKING INFORMATION to succeed, this is how to do it: with season but those wishing to see six or Wed Sep 4 to Sun Sep 29 polish, passion and pity" wrote the Lon­ Wed to Sat at 8 p.m. more performances would benefit from don Financial Times of CUT AND Sat mat at 4 p.m. Sun mat at 4:30 p.m. being a subscriber and receiving the THRUST. substantial discounts offered. New Wed mat at II a.m. subscriber brochures can be obtained AETT discount $1.00 Bookings on 047 21 5735 from Th; Australian Opera on 699 1099. Trust Orchestra Seymour Centre's 10th ~ncert Anniversary T ru s ~ Members will have a rare oppor- turuty to hear their Elizabethan Sydney Orchestra on stage (rather than in t seems hard to believe that the I Seymour Theatre Centre is now ten the Opera pit as is usually the case) in ~ concert with international organist Peter years old. Celebrations are taking place "E on September 27 with a recital by Carl Hurford on Tuesday, September 3. Peter <:: Hurford will play the Grand Organ in the Pini and by the Centre's resident musical " .2o Concert Hall of the Sydney Opera group, The Seymour Group. The Carl Q:; House. The concert will include three Pini Quartet will play Schubert A Minor Downstairs at Belvoir St. will be con­ organ concertos by Handel, two Bach 9uartet, which they played at the open­ verted to an intimate cabaret setting with Suites for Orchestra, and two Bach mg 10 years ago, and Schubert's C Minor tables and chairs and drinks for paying Organ solos. The concert will be con­ Quartet. customers. The show opens on ducted by the Trust's Director of Music Some of the most memorable theatre September 12 for a limited season. William Reid. See Member Activities fo; seen there have been the Athol Fugard plays SIZWI BANZI IS DEAD and THE post-concert supper. BOOKING INFORMATlON ISLAND, Warren Mitchell in DEATH Tue to Thu at 8 p.m. OF A SALESMAN, Robyn Archer in A BOOKING INFORMATION Fri and Sat at 6 p.m. and 9 p.m. Tue Sep 3 at 8 p.m. STAR IS TORN, The Old Tote Theatre Sun at 5 p.m. AETT discount $3 .00 Company's NORMAN CONQUESTS, AETT discount $1.00 Bookings on 20588 THE ELOCUTION OF BENJAMIN Bookings on 699 3273 FRANKLIN, Nimrod's production of an amiable bachelor don who is full of he late-in-arriving British summer has A new play by Alan Ayckbourn, who deft hand - keeping a balance between Too Young For Ghosts The Club good intentions but is regularly defeated T at least brought with it, to the West also directs a cast including Gemma Barnes' intention to shock and stimulate by stronger personalities. Terence Clarke End and the main subsidised companies Craven, Michael Gambon and Moira as well as divert his audience. As usual there are many more items of he dreams of the German explorer he David Williamson play THE directs the production which also in­ at the National Theatre and Barbican, Redmond, opened at the National news - looking ahead - in late T Leichhardt and those of more recent T CLUB opens on September 17 a cludes Barry Creyton, David Downer and some exciting and varied theatrical fare. Theatre on August 1. A CHORUS OF September the small Cottesloe Theatre European migrants are juxtaposed in Phillip Street Theatre. The play is se Linden Wilkinson. The much-admired Lauren Bacall has DISAPPROVAL is billed as "being the Janis Balodis' new play, TOO YOUNG behind the scenes at a Victorian football opened in Harold Pinter's production of cautionary tale of Guy, a man who re-opens with a festival of 10 new plays Tennessee Williams' SWEET BIRD OF couldn', say no to wine, women or song, developed in the National Theatre studio, FOR GHOSTS, to be presented by the club where the dirty politics of playing to BOOKING INFORMATION Sydney Theatre Company in the Drama win are exposed with typical Williamson YOUTH at the Haymarket Theatre and of his consequent rise and faU in the while Alan Bates will make his NT debut Sun Sep 8 to Sun Sep 22 in John Osborne's robust elegy for Im­ Theatre, S.O.H., from September 11. humour. There's the megalomanic, pie­ Tue to Fri at 8:15 p.m. Royal. Bacall, last seen on the London world of amateur operatics". A report perial Britain and the English music hall The play is set in tropical North manufacturing president, the nashy im­ Sat and Sun at 5 p.m. stage in the musical APPLAUSE, plays next time! Queensland in 1948 where the migrants, ported star player, the long-time captain Wed at II a.m. the fading Hollywood movie queen in The RSC's recent contribution to the - THE ENTERTAINER, directed by displaced people from war-ravaged cities and the old coach who both have their AETT discount $2.00 (Mon to Thu flight from an apparently disastrous large scale new play with music is Peter Ronald Eyre. At the Barbican the RSC of Europe, are confronted by echoes of heads on the chopping block when the except Sep 11/12) comeback. As described in the Observer, Barnes' comedy, RED NOSES, at the will give the British premiere of a musical Leichhardt's expedition through the team isn't winning. THE CLUB will $3.00 (Fri to Sun) she is "slinky as a lynx, hot as pepper, Barbican which runs in the repertoire un­ by Alain Boublil and Claude-Michel same bush 100 years before. strike a chord with anyone who has ever Bookings on 498 3166 cool as rain, dryas smoke. There's con­ til mid-September. Described by some Schonberg, LES MISERABLES, based been involved in an organisation in which siderably more to her than staying sexy at critics as brilliant and by others as a waste on the novel by Victor Hugo and directed by the team that brought London BOOKING INFORMATION the will to win prevails. It is directed by 60"! of time, RED NOSES is an immensely Wed Sep 11 to Sat Oct 5 John Tasker. enjoyable, if bizarre, entertainment. NICHOLAS NICKLEBY - Trevor Mon to Sat at 8 p.m. ~OUNTY!, the new musical by David Ultimately, one is left with an unsen­ Nunn and John Caird. At the Lyric Sat mat at 2 p.m. BOOKING INFORMATION .x and starring David Essex as Flet­ timental vision of love and hope, but not Theatre, John Dexter's production of AETT discount $2.00 Tue Sep 17 to Sat Oct 19 cher Christian (with Frank Findlay as until we have followed the fortunes of a Lerner and Loewe's GIGI, with Beryl Mon to Fri at II a.m. Bookings on 250 1777 Captain Bligh) at the Piccadilly Theatre, troupe of red-nosed clowns on the road Reid and Sian Phillips, opens on Wed, Fri and Sat at 8 p.m. round the plague pits of 14th century September 17, while the Old Vic will of­ AETT discount $5.00 (18, 19, 20 and 21 has not, according to the critics, lived up to hopes of a great revival in the British France! Anthony Sher (fast becoming a fer a new musical based on J. B. Arms And The Man at 8 p.m.) Priestley's LOST EMPIRES from the $1.00 other performances musical. However, William Dudley's popular drawcard for RSC audiences) team who created BILLY LlAR - Keith ichard Cottrell will direct the Nimrod Bookings on 232 4900 remarkable set, which creates the Bounty plays Flote, the priest who believes God before the audiences' eyes, has been has sent him to cheer the dying and forms Waterhouse and Willis Hall. What will R production of George Bernard they think of next? Shaw's ever-popular romantic comedy credited as the star of a show which has an unlikely troupe of entertainers to ARMS AND THE MAN. The play takes Tears Before Bedtime been criticised for too many musical travel the country. "While celebrating a wry look at heroes, heroism and the numbers (28 in all), leaving little room happiness the play also amounts to a con­ Margaret Leask is a former editor of "glamour" of war, set in a perverse and t is now four years since Barry for character and dramatic development. tinual discourse on the nature of laughter Trust News now living in London satirical world of comic opera. Robert I Humphries last presented his devoted No doubt audiences will love the spec­ itself" (The Guardian). Terry Hands where she is an artist's agent. Coleby plays the hero, or anti-hero, Australian public with a new one-man of­ Crown Matrimonial tacle! directs 'this Dark Ages Vaudeville' with a Bluntschli, a Swiss mercenary who takes fering. Mr. Humphries new "attempt", the sensible view that he would rather run as he chooses to call this offering, is titled pening on October 1 at the away than fight. It plays in the York TEARS BEFORE BEDTIME after the O Playhouse, Sydney Opera House, is Theatre, Seymour Centre, from traditional maternal exhortation "Don't the revival of the highly successful Royce September 18. get too excited or there'll be tears before Ryton play CROWN MATRIMONIAL. bedtime". It opens at Her Majesty's Set in the grandeur and privacy of Queen BOOKING INFORMATION Theatre on September 21. Mary's London sitting room" Wed Sep 18 to Sat Oct 19 Marlborough House in 1936, CRO~ Mon to Sat at 8 p.m. MATRIMONIAL takes a behind-the­ BOOKING INFORMATION Hunter Valley Theatre Company will of price and tax rises. Directed by John Sat at 2 p.m. scenes look at the private agony of the ontinuing at the Bridge Theatre, AETT discount $2.00 (Mon-Thu and Sat Commences September 21 present the MAITLAND AND Derum, it features Lex Marinos, Trevor Royal Family during the abdication C Wollongong, until September 14 is mats) Mon to Sat at 8 p.m. MORPETH STRING QUARTET at Kent, Clare Allridge, Denis MacKay, Sat mat at 2 p.m. crisis. The 1985 production will retain Theatre South's production of Bookings on 692 0555 Newcastle Regional Art Gallery from Bernadette Vincent. AETT $19.90 (Mon-Thu) several cast members from the original EDUCATING RITA. Made into a suc­ Septem ber 2 to 7, followed by a Valley G.P. $22.90 production including June Salter and cessful film starring Michael Caine, Our apologies to Human Veins Dance tour. Originally written by Nick Enright Pens/Stud $11.90 (Sat mat) John Hamblin in the principal roles of EDUCATING RITA is the story of the Theatre for an error which occurred in as a children's story, it has been Two AETT tickets per member Queen Mary and Edward VIII. unlikely relationship between a university July T.N. The comments by Don Asker lecturer and a "dizzy" hairdresser who developed into a theatre-piece for the which were described as relating to the seeks to better herself through Britain's whole family. The action takes place dur­ BOOKING INFORMATION dance work STROLLERS should have open university scheme. It will be follow­ ing the time of the Maitland flood when The Philanthropist Tue Oct I to Sat Oct 26 been related to Graeme Watson's work, Tue to Sat at 8 p.m. ed on September 26 by a touring produc­ four members of a community discover a TRUE BLUE AND THE DREAMERS, irst up in Northside Theatre Com­ Wed and Thu at II a.m., Sat at 2 p.m. tion from the Lismore-based Nomads mutual interest in music. which was presented on the same pro­ F pany's new season at Marian st. AETT $19.90 Oct 8, 9, 10 (8 p.m.), Theatre Company of MASS APPEAL. Playing at the Canberra Theatre Cen­ gram at the ANU Arts Centre in July. Theatre is Christopher Hampton's 5 (2 p.m.) and 10 (II a.m .) This successful Broadway play focuses on tre from September 7 to 28 is a new $24.90 (other performances) award-winning play THE PHILAN­ the conflicts between a young idealistic Australianised version by Theatre A.C.T. G.P. $25.90 It seminarian and a middle-aged priest of Dario Fo's play CAN'T PAY WON'T AETT discount all performances THROPIST. opens on September 8. Pens/Stud $14.90 John Krummel, Northside's artistic whom the young seminarian accuses of PAY. Called DON'T PAY DON'T $1.00. See local press for booking Two AETT tickets per member practising "song and dance theology". director, takes to the boards himself to (except Oct 5, 8, 9 and 10) PAY, it is an hilarious farce in which information. play the lead role of the philanthropist, As part of the Mattara Festival, the people jack up against the constant spiral 6

Spo1,_r;t___ ---1I A RAVAGED STAGE HERO

by Michael Billington

Following the death of Sir Michael beautiful, a lifelong possession". At the legendary production of THREE Redgrave on March 21 this year, Michael age of 26, he broke with schoolmastering SISTERS. As the Baron, one critic said, Billington paid tribute in the British Arts and joined the Liverpool Playhouse "His very bones seemed to shape Guardian to a great English actor who under William Armstrong. In the next themselves differently and his physical was supreme at playing souls in torment. two years he played some 27 roles, wrote habits (permanent in some actors) to The article is reproduced here by kind a couple of plays and married a beautiful adapt themselves to the mental habits he permission of The Guardian newspaper. young actress, Rachel Kempson. took on with the character. " This may Tyrone Guthrie brought him to the Old have had much to do with his eager ir Michael Redgrave, who died yester­ Vic in 1936 in a remarkable company that discovery of Stanislavsky and the stress Sday at the age of 77, was one of the included Laurence Olivier, Edith Evans, on a precise, detailed, methodical (as greatest English actors of his generation. Ruth Gordon, Alec Guinness, Alec opposed to Methody) approach to the art He triumphed in many of the big Clunes and Ernest Milton. He played of acting. ~~ Shakespearean roles (Hamlet, Lear, Laertes, the King of Navarre, Mr. A rising classical star, he also establ" Mark Antony) but he was equally at Horner in THE COUNTRY WIFE and ed himself in 1938 as a box-office screen home in Turgenev or Chekhov (I can still Orlando to Edith Evans' mature, attraction with his performance as the remember almost every inflection of his Restoration Rosalind; a performance folk-music collector in Hitchcock's THE astonishing Uncle Vanya), and also a film that led the New Statesman to remark, LADY VANISHES. At the time actor of remarkable finesse and subtlety. "He has the power to speak verse and Redgrave claimed to have only half­ For years he was dogged by the reputa­ also - which is rare these days - knows applied himself to the role. He always tion of being over-cerebral in his ap­ how to wear costume and still look like a claimed one could see the join in the film proach to acting. But what made him so man. " where he started to act. compelling to watch was his combination On the strength of his Orlando, he was During the war years (he was invalided of Nordically romantic good looks and engaged by John Gielgud for a starry and out of the Royal Navy in 1942 with a fuelled neurosis. Sybil Thorndike once memorable season at the Queen's in damaged arm) Redgrave managed to said he had, even more than Olivier, the which he played Bolingbroke to combine stage and film work. He was a capacity to act agony. And his particular Gielgud's Richard II, Charles Surface in dashing Macheath in THE BEGGAR'S forte was in playing men of intellect flaw­ THE SCHOOL FOR SCANDAL, and OPERA, the idealistic lighthouse keeper ed by a fatal passion. Baron Tusenbach in Michel St. Denis' in Robert Ardrey's THUNDER ROCK, a Father himself to a famous theatrical family, he was born of acting parents in theatrical digs in Bristol on March 20, 1908. His parents split up when he was three and six years later his new step­ father offered to send him to public school and university provided he never became an actor. In fact, at Cambridge from 1927-31 he was better known as a poet and editor than as an actor. He wrote for Granta and The Cambridge Review and, with Anthony Blunt and Romilly Fedden, launched a magazine called The Venture which, in its first number, included poems by Basil Wright, Louis Macneice and George Rylands. But though he became a schoolmaster at Cranleigh after Cambridge, he could not easily suppress his theatrical instincts. At Cranleigh he directed, designed and played the lead in HAMLET, KING LEAR, THE TEMPEST and SAMSON AGONISTES where his work attracted the attention of critics and scholars: J. Dover Wilson for instance described Redgrave's Lear as "unimaginably 7

repressed neurotic jn Thomas Job's of flawed nobility. In 1953 he was a I shall also not forget the spectacle of UNCLE HARRY. His capacity to act memorable Antony (bare of chest and Redgrave and Olivier at the curtain-call, characters on the edge of breakdown and great of heart) to Ashcroft's Cleopatra their hands upraised in joyful union. It madness was beginning to emerge; and and an infinitely moving Blakeian Lear seemed as if our two greatest actors were nowhere more chillingly than in an ("Michael Redgrave," wrote Tynan, entering on a period of friendly col­ episode from Cava1canti's film DEAD "has played King Lear and wan''). laboration. OF NIGHT where he played a ventrilo­ Five years later, at the age of 50, he But it was not to be. Although UNCLE quist obsessed and then demonically was also quite the best Hamlet I have ever VANY A duly entered the National possessed by his dummy. seen (particularly late in the Stratford Theatre Company repertory in 1963, Some critics found his ability to play run): quick of brain, noble of mien and at Redgrave was not particularly well-cast in neurosis unnerving ("This actor," said the last bathed in a beautiful melancholic the opening productions. Neither as the Tynan of his Macbeth in 1948, "always serenity. London critics were rather robust patriarch in HOBSON'S startles me by behaving as if he is suffer­ grudging about the performance: CHOICE nor as the mesmerised architect ing from persecution mania"). Others Muscovite critics, when the production in THE MASTER BUILDING did he were more charitable. T. C. Worsley, toured, flung their fur hats in the air. seem particularly at home. He left the reviewing his HAMLET in Hugh Hunt's He added further laurels to his crown company in 1964 and shortly after 1950 production at the New, wrote: "In in 1959 when he presented, directed and directed the opening season at the the past few years we have sometimes felt starred in his own adaptation of Henry Yvonne Arnaud, Guildford, playing that his feelings were not coming out as James' THE ASPERN PAPERS: he Rakitin in A MONTH IN THE COUN­ an as they should. His laughter seemed gave a lovely performance as a New TR Y and Samson in SAMSON ,. distorted; grief, when he wanted to England intellectual propelled by quiet AGONISTES. It was distinguished work; express it, remained half-strangled in the avarice. But his finest non­ but it was hardly an assault on the peaks throat. But now his acting is almost en­ Shakespearean performance came in of his profession. 1962 when he joined Laurence Olivier at tirely free from these constrictions. 'He In the years after 1965, Redgrave in­ Chichester to play Uncle Vanya in a pro­ moves with a new grace and certainty. creasingly became a prey to poor health duction that no one who saw it will ever His voice, musical and flexible, has and to a fallible stage-memory. He forget. discovered in itself a new richness. " directed opera at Glyndebourne, notably This was evident the following year: took over the part of the Father in John something of an annus mirabilis for Mortimer's A VOYAGE ROUND MY Redgrave . At Stratford-upon-Avon he FATHER, toured in solo Shakespeare played Richard II, Hotspur and Prospero performances and in THE HOLLOW as well as directing HENRY IV PART 2. CROWN, and effortlessly dominated the It was astonishing to see him follow his stage as the silent, grieving paterfamilias melodic, effeminate Richard with a in Simon Gray's CLOSE OF PLAY at rough-hewn Hotspur for which (with the National in 1979. But it is hard to typical care) he had set off with a tape­ avoid Findlater's conclusion in 1971 that recorder to research the precise Northum­ " in spite of all his achievements he has brian country accent. remained an actor in search of a theatre His acheivements at Stratford were and a drama". complemented by his finest screen perfor- The memory he leaves behind, ce as Crocker-Harris, the Himmler however, is of an actor supreme at play­ o the Lower Fifth, in the film version of ing souls in torment, men of intellect and Rattigan's THE BROWNING VER­ substance destroyed by some strange SION. Thin-lipped, wire-spectacled, dry­ Derek Jacobi alld Sir Michael Redgrave in THE inner demon. With his gifts (he was a voiced, Redgrave is in the early scenes the HOLLOW CROWN notably fine author and lecturer), one very essence of blinkered pedantry: but feels he should have run his own com­ the moment when years of banked-up Redgrave's Vanya was a stunning portrait of a man bursting with sexual pany. But although at the mercy for so emotion burst forth as he is presented long of the haphazard English theatrical with a copy of a Robert Browning frustration and misdirected energy. The system, he achieved much and leaves translation wring one's heart and give voice became shrill and hysterical when behind an indelible imprint of ravaged one a fascinating glimpse of an inner life. he attacked the professor's academic As Redgrave's percipient biographer, vanity and amatory success; the wind­ heroism. Richard Findlater, wrote, here in milling arms would fly defensively to his Off stage I scarcely knew him. But on Crocker-Harris is the visible transubstan­ face whenever he was attacked; there was the one occasion I interviewed him I tiation that is one mark of front-rank a feeling of unutterable spiritual desola­ remember the glowing pride with which acting. tion when he found Yelena in Astrov's he talked of his family; and it is good to Redgrave's capacity to play driven, arms; and in the great scene at the end of think that the Redgrave tradition and divided, hysterical men was again ap­ the third act there was a brilliantly con­ name will be carried on by Lynn, Corin, parent in 1952 as the dipsomaniac actor­ trolled acceleration of emotion so that and particularly Vanessa, who has in­ hero of Clifford Odets' WINTER the shooting became the logical culmina­ herited much of his genius for playing JOURNEY. But it was further Stratford tion of his hysteria and a symptom of his bridled ecstasy and characters poised on seasons that showed him to be a master ineffectualness. the edge of some frightening abyss. 8

COCOON directed by Ron Howard MYSTERIES OF THE ORGANISM and STEAMING directed by Joseph Losey Screenplay by Tam Benedek is currently visiting professor of film at Screenplay by Patricia Lasey Produced by Richard D. Zanuck, David Columbia University, New York. Other Starring Vanessa Redgrave, Sarah Miles, Brawn and Lili Zanuck well-known Australians in the cast in­ Diana Dars, Patti Lave, Brenda Bruce, Starring Dan Ameche, Wilfard Brimley, clude Max Gillies, Paul Chubb, Kris Mc­ Felicity Dean and Sally Sagae Hume Cranyn, Brian Dennehy, Jack Quade and Chris Haywood. Opening mid-September, Academy Gilfard, Steve Guttenberg, Maureen Twin, Padding tan Stapletan, Jessica Tandy, Gwen Verdan, Herta Ware and Tahnee Welch. ell Dunn's play, STEAMING, is one Naw playing HaytsCentre N of the most popular plays ever staged in Sydney, having had four separate and ight of America's most distinguished equally successful seasons, so the plot of E stage and screen veterans star in the this new film is familiar to many science-fantasy COCOON in which an theatregoers. Nell Dunn, having attractive group of Antareans come to previously rejected several film offers, earth to retrieve some magical objects finally released the screen rights of the from the Gulf of Mexico. "Our play to the renowned director Joseph Antareans, " according to producer Lili Losey who says of the film "The picture Zanuck, "are the first fully dimensianal is warm, sensuaus, sensual and abaut the ather-warldly characters yau've seen in a laneliness af sex; it is also., af cau.~ mavie. They 're adult and they have a full abaut the problems af wamen in a .1 range af ematians. They're exactly the male-daminated warld. It shauld be kind af peaple yau hape wauld land in THE EMPTY BEACH directed by maving, sametimes sad, sametimes yaur backyard." During their visit to Chris Thomson frightening, as aften as passible earth a group of senior citizens begin to Praduced by Tim Read and Jahn humaraus and dawnright funny but feel and act half their age. "] daubt if Edwards never vulgar. It affers no. answers ar many peaple expect a spaceship to. came Screenplay by Keith Dewhurst patent salutians excepting a pasitive con­ dawn and change their lives," says Starring Bryan Brawn, Anna-Maria vicatian that individual peaple can still Richard Zanuck, "but it's really a Manticelli, Belinda- Giblin, Kerry Mack, change the warld, even if anly in bits and wanderfuf. ·metaphor far hape - it Ray Barrett, Jahn Waad, Peter pieces. " represents the future, which same af the Callingwaad and Nick Tate characters in the stary had given up an. " Opening September 12, Hayts Centre

HE EMPTY BEACH, which was THE COCA-COLA KID directed by T filmed in Sydney, features many Dusan Makavejev well-known Australian actors. Bryan Screenplay by Frank Maarhause Brown stars as private detective Cliff Praduced by David Rae Hardy who takes us on a trip through Starring Eric Raberts, Greta Scacchi, and Sydney's high life and low life, corrupt Bill Kerr corridors of power and confrontations Opening September 19, Dauble Bay Twin with crime bosses in his search for miss­ ing businessman John Singer. John wo of award-winning author Frank Singer disappeared off Bondi two years T Moorhouse's best-known works - previously and his wife suspects he may "The American's, Baby" and "The Elec­ still be alive. Chris Thomson, who trical Experience" - have been merged directs the film, has acquired a con­ to produce the rollicking satire, THE siderable reputation both in Britain and COCA-COLA KID. It's the story of Australia. He directed the television what happens when an old-time Aussie series WATERFRONT last year, THE soft drink manufacturer (played by Bill LAST BASTION this year and a major Kerr) finds himself pitted against a US part of the highly acclaimed series 1915. A slill from Ihe Joseph Losey film STEAMING Coke marketing whizz kid (played by American actor, Eric Roberts). Filmed in Sydney and the Blue Mountains (where BOOKING INFORMATION residents were bemused by the sight of an Concessional vouchers can be purchased from the AEIT and exchanged at Hoyts, Greater Union and authentic World War II biplane and a Village cinemas for tickets. The vouchers are open dated but some Saturday/Public Holiday restrictions fleet of Coca Cola trucks driven by a fleet apply to their use. See vouchers for details. of Santa Clauses) THE COCA-COLA G.U. $5 .50 ($1 saving), Hoyts $5.00 ($1.50 saving), Village $5 .00 ($1.50 saving). Please note, no hand­ KID is directed by the renowned ling fee applies to film vouchers and members may purchase as many as they wish. Yugoslav director, Dusan Makavjev. He Discounts are also offered at the Dendy Cinema, Martin Place ($2.50), and the Academy Twin, Padding­ won the director's prize at the 1971 ton ($2.50), at all performances except after midday Saturday. Members should present their member­ ship card at the box office. Discount available on one ticket per member. Cannes Film Festival for WR - flf)'/ittl 9 - ~------I

ontinuing until mid-September at the Western hootananny. We are invited to ime is running out if you want to see C Ensemble Theatre, Milson's Point, is come laugh, cry and bleed with the T CATS before the prices go up at the the Australian premiere season of PLAY Dazzling Dunn family from Darling end of January. We still have a number MEMORY by Canadian playwright Downs as they arrive in Sydney for a of dates available with good Stalls seats Joanna Glass. It is a bittersweet drama fateful evening at "Pussies", a sleazy (see below). CATS is not in any tradi­ about a happy family unit which is "southern" nightclub. tional Broadway sense a "musical". It is thrown into trauma when the salesman AETT discount $1.00 a song-and-dance show projected with father takes to alcohol following his Bookings on 335216 stunning force by batteries of technology dismissal from work. The hell the family and humanised by cat-lover T. S. Eliot's endures produces a hero's tale of good feline characterisations. It is played humoured determination, love and ust opened at the Wharf Theatre is against a memorable set which spills out­ courage. Brian Young plays the salesman J Moliere's classic play THE MIS­ wards to embrace the audience as far as with Lorraine Bayly his wife. ANTHROPE which is being presented by the Dress Circle. AETT discount $1.00 Melbourne's Australian Nouveau Bookings on 929 8877 Theatre. Written in 1666 the play is a comedy about truth and sincerity, friend­ BOOKING INFORMATION he Griffin Theatre Company's an­ ship and love. It was presented in Thu Dec 19, Thu Jan 9 and Tue Jan 14 T nual revue will end Griffin's 1985 Melbourne earlier this year where it at 8 p.m. season with a whoop and a holler. The received critical acclaim. Sat mat Dec 28 at 2 p.m. ~ts of Grant Fraser, Ben Franklin, AETT discount $5.50 (Sept 23 and AETT $33.50 G.P. $35.00 .. Ritchie and John Stone have com­ Oct 2) No pens/stud discount bined with the company to produce this $2.00 (other performances) Two AETT tickets per member home-town, thigh slapping Country and Bookings on 250 1777 Discount unavailable at Theatre Royal 111_=-----1#-.,.,------1 RACE DAY AT RANDWICK DA VID WILLIAMSON TALK KIROV BALLET SCHOOL FILM Ii Wednesday October 2 at 11 :30 a.m. Monday September 23 at 5:30 p.m. Sunday September 15 at Roma Theatre Race Day at Randwick is always a very Brian Kiernan, Senior Lecturer in English THE CHILDREN OF THEATRE popular function with Members and their at Sydney University, has written a STREET, a film about the Kirov Ballet friends. It's also a great opportunity for critical biography on David Williamson School, is narrated by Princess Grace and Members who are not AJC Members to and will deliver a talk on the social shows the life of these talented use the splendid facilities of the Members themes and implications of David youngsters who reside at the Kirov Stand. We have luncheon in the Don­ Williamson's works. David Williamson school. Extracts from two new ballets are aer Room and then can watch the will be present to answer questions included. There will be two screenings - ?!Pes, including the Elizabethan Trust following the talk. It will be held in the at 11 :30 a.m. and 2:30 p.m. Tickets are Handicap, from the balcony. Afternoon theatrette of the Qantas International $5.50 for adults and $3.00 for pensioners tea is served later. Tickets are $25.00 Centre in the city. Tickets are $8 for and children. . which includes luncheon, afternoon tea, Trust Members, $10 g.p. and $7 students, and entries. which includes coffee/ tea and cakes from ORCHESTRAL SUPPER 5:30 p.m. Tuesday September 3 KINGS CROSS FAIR . Following the Elizabethan Sydney Sunday September 22 from 11 a.m. Orchestra concert with Peter Hurford, The Sydney Committee is running a stall CROWN MATRIMONIAL DINNER Members and their friends are invited to join the musicians for supper in the and chocolate wheel at this first Kings Tuesday October 8 at 6 p.m. Northern Foyer. Tickets are $13 .00 each. Cross Fair to raise funds for the Trust's If you're planning to see CROWN Theatre of the Deaf. Organised by the MATRIMONIAL, why not choose As time is short bookings should be made same people as the Queen Street Fair it October 8 so you can join us for dinner on 357 1200. will take place in a closed off Darl­ beforehand in the Banks Restaurant at BOOKING INFORMATION inghurst Road between the Crest Hotel the Wentworth Hotel. We'll arrange Unless otherwise stated bookings for and Fitzroy Park. The Committee would transport down to the Opera House Member Activities should be sent in on appreciate donations of home-made afterwards for those who want it. Dinner the same grey booking coupon as your cakes, jams, pickles, and any fancy tickets are $17 for a two-course meal with theatre bookings. The handling fee does goods. Please bring them to the Trust or wine. Theatre tickets should be ordered not apply to Member Activities. ring on 357 1200 for a pick up. separately. IO fa! ~e 1I._~~_tI9~_____ -----li

With the school holidays upon us once again we present for your information a guide to holiday activities for young peo­ ple. Because of the low ticket prices for Young People's Theatre, no AETT dis­ count applies.

ustralia's National Treasure, THE A FLYING FRUIT FLY CIRCUS, is playing at Wentworth Park until September 7. This 32-member troupe of ordinary kids from Albury-Wodonga has achieved an international reputation since their establishment in 1979. This year they were acclaimed as the 'Best Act' at the prestigious Vancouver Inter­ national Children!s Festival. But if you go expecting to see a Barnum and Bailey­ type circus you're in for a surprise. There's not an animal to be seen as the kids whizz through their repertoire of juggling, tumbling, walking the tightrope, clowning, trapeze work and unicycle riding. Bookings at Mitchells­ oe Gladwin's production of BEAUTY overs of good old-fashioned Bass on 266 4800. J AND THE BEAST for the Marionette L pantomime have a choice of two Theatre of Australia was such a success in productions these holidays. At Phillip St. the May school holidays that it's being re­ Theatre they're presenting PUSS IN mounted this month. The production BOOTS until September 7 with Lola Nix­ transposes the traditional story into the on wearing the boots. As usual there's space-age with slide projections of lots of audience participation for the kids scenery and interesting lighting effects. and plenty of innuendo for the adults. At "Colourful and lively production. Kids the Footbridge Theatre LITTLE RED love it" was The Sun Herald's verdict in RIDING HOOD is being given a contem­ May. The production, which is suitable porary flavour (the Big Bad Wolf even for 5- to ll-year-olds, plays until sings his own version of "Ghostbusters") September 8. Following the Wednesday and children will be very involved in the 10:30 a.m. performance there's a two­ action. Both productions are geared for hour children's puppet workshop. Book­ young children and are suitable for 3 to ings for the show and workshop on 12 year olds. Bookings at Phillip St. on 273274. 2324900 or the Footbridge on 692 9955.

he Australian Theatre for Young T People is holding workshops for young people throughout the holidays. he younger age range (3 to 9) will also From September 2 to 6 they'll be catering T be well catered for by Northside for 11- to 15-year-olds at Mosman, Par­ Theatre Company. At their Marian St., ramatta and Sutherland. The workshops Killara, vanue they will present a new which last a full week (10-4 each day) in­ play by Wendy Blaxland, ZOO clude mime, improvisation and ESCAP ADE. It describes the adventures theatrecrafts. Enquiries on 698 7022. of three animals, a pelican, wombat and The Flying Fruit Fly Circus a cockatoo, who escape from a zoo to a nearby nature park. The production, he Bondi Pavilion Theatre has a our of the plays being presented at the which includes original music, plays T variety of performances throughout F International Festival of Young Play­ throughout the holidays and then on the holidays. On September 2 there's wrights during the last week in August Saturdays only until October 19. As with "Ambroz" the clown and for the re­ will be shown at Shopfront Theatre in all their children's productions, ZOO mainder of that week Modern Music Carlton this month. All four short plays ESCAPADE will be presented from a Theatre will present DRUMMIN UP A will be presented as a single evening's small podium rather than the stage which STORM, a magical presentation of per­ entertainment over the weekends of allows the children to gather around and cussion instruments, set on a lost volcanic September 6/7 and 13 / 14. The plays are join in the action. Their enchanted faces island inhabited by tribal dancers and suitable for 8 to 20 year olds. Bookings are a sight to behold. Bookings on pirates! Bookings on 303325/ 6. on 588 3948. 498 3166. ~ e month of September has special meaning at An expanded Trust Membership means ; .1 the Trust 'cause it's our anniversary month. 1. a larger, reliable audience for the performing arts, We've thought a lot about how to celebrate this 2. reductions in the 'per member costs' which will special occasion and have hit upon an idea which has allow us to extend the scope of our membership all the right elements as both OUR MEMBERS and the services, P~ORMING ARTS will benefit ... this month, we're 3. an increase in our ability to negotiate better deals aag each member of the Trust to join an anniversary for our members. initiative and become an "advocate" of the Trust. It's a challenging goal, but if each Trust Member Just think about it. If every member influences can persuade just one relative, friend, neighbour or just one person to join the Trust, we will DOUBLE workmate to join the Trust, our anniversary goal can our membership to 10,000. become a reality. Let's all get into the act!

------Send to: AETT Membership Dept., PO Box 137. Kings Cross, NSW 2011. Phone: 357·1200.

I've been convinced about the benefits of Trust Membership: FORNI OF PAYMENT : o Charge my Bankard D Mastercard Mr.lMrs./MissIMs. FULL NAME - PLEASE PRlNT 0000000000000000 Expiry Date_' ___

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Introduced by: ------=:-:::=:c==-:=-:-::------­ HOME PHONE BUSINESS PHONE TRUST MEMBER'S NAME 12 1'f!JS11Je!11S is a publication of the Australian Elizabethan POSTACE Theatre Trust and is mailed to its 5000 members in New South Wales eleven times per year. PAID THE AUSTRALIAN ELIZABETHAN AUSTRALIA THEATRE TRUST (incorporated in the A.C.T.) Patron Her Majesty The Queen President Sir Ian Potter Chairman Andrew Briger, AM Directors Alderman S. Atkinson Sir David Griffin CBE The Hon. Mr. Justice C. J. Legoe R. C. Lovejoy OBE Dr. T. Manford D. A. Mortimer i N. R. Seddon AO CBE L. G. Teale L. D. S. Waddy • T. Yates Chief Executive: Kathleen Norris Company Secretary: Don Grace Accountant: Barry Tree Entrepreneurial Administrator: Jeffrey Kovel Australian Content Administrator: Wendy Blacklock Executive Producer for Musical Theatre: Noel Ferrier Orchestral Director of Music: William Reid Theatre of the Deaf Artistic Director: Ben Strout Theatre of the Deaf Administrator: Priscilla Shorne Public Relations Manager: Andrew McKinnon i Building, Props and Electric Supervisor: Roger Taylor Costume Hires Manager: Michael James Trust News Editor: Carole Long Membership Secretary: Carol Martin

The Australian Elizabethan Theatre Trust receives financial assistance for its activities from: !I The Music, Theatre and Aboriginal Arts boards of The Australia Council a statutory body of the ! Commonwealth Government. The Department of Aboriginal Affairs. The New South Wales Government through the Office of the Minister for the Arts. The Queensland Government Directorate of Cultural Activities. The Victorian Ministry for the Arts. The Government of Western Australia through the Instant Lottery. Esso Australia Ltd. The Ian Potter Foundation. i

The Australian Elizabethan Theatre Trust is a founder member of CAPPA. I Membership enquiries should be directed to the Membership Secretary on 357 1200, 153 Dowling St., Potts Point. Postal address: P.O. Registered by Australia Post - Publication No. NBH 1305 Box 137, Kings Cross 2011. May be opened for postal inspection

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