MARCH, 1987 Vol 11 No 2 ISSN 0314 - 0598 A publication of the Australian Elizabethan Theatre Trust
The Hon. Peter Anderson (Ie(t), Minister (or the Drug O((ensive, and the Rev. Ted No((s (centre), (rom the Wayside Chapel, discuss with author Simon Grallon his exciting new play, MAGPIE'S NEST Magpie's Nest - A Chilling Indictment to a creative new world opened and he MAGPIE'S NEST by Simon Gratton Magpie, a hardened criminal and drug excelled as an actor, singer and musician. Directed by Peter Barclay dealer. The boy's dependence pushes him He wrote MAGPIE'S NEST after serving Designed by James Lynn to the brink of betraying Magpie's ring - Cast: Craig Ashley, Bob Baines, Tom the worst crime in the criminal code. his sentence in maximum security. MAGPIE'S NEST will be presented by Considine, Paul Gleeson, Ron Graham, What follows provides one of the most the AETT's Australian Content Depart Tony Martin, Lance Ragano and Suzette electrifying final curtains seen in the Australian theatre. . ment Which is committed to the fostering Williams of new Australian talent and Simon Grat Belvoir Street Theatre MAGPIE'S NEST is not,for those who are easily shocked. However, it will be an ton clearly falls into that category. Trust important experience for teenagers, Members are invited to purchase as many tickets as they wish at $8.00 on Tuesday It is a l0ng time since playgoers have parents and teachers alike. The events If March 24. At other performances a $1.00 A seen a contemporary drama of the which befall Hamster could be shared by "L calibre of MAGPIE'S NEST, which any drug-addicted teenager regardless of concession applies. premieres at the Belvoir Street Theatre on religion, school or background. Saturday, March 21. The play confronts The play is a dynamic tour de force BOOKING INFORMA nON society'S most crucial challenge - and a triumph in more ways than one for Sat Mar 21 to Sun Apr 19 teenage drug addiction. The action takes its gifted author, SIMON GRATTON. Tue to Sat 8.15 p.m. At 27 Simon is a reformed criminal and Sat and Sun 5 p.m. place in the ominous and surreal confines AETT $14.00, $9.00 (Mar 24) of a maximum security gaol. rehabilitated addict. It was his one bungling crime that was to lead to his G.P. $16.00 The drama centres around an 18-year Pens/Stud $8.00 old heroin addict, Hamster, who enters salvation. While on remand he was Two AETT tickets per member (except maximum security as a first offender. His admitted to a rehabilitation programme Mar 24) addiction forces him to approach which included music and drama. A door If El An Australian Elizabethan Theatre Trust presentation ______2
One Extra Season Next at the Griffin
URN OF THE TIDE, conceived and BINGE by Karin Mainwaring T directed by One Extra's artistic Directed by Peter Kingston director, Kai Tai Chan, is the major new Designed by Jack Ritchie work for 1987. It will be presented by the Lighting by Mark Shelton company at the Everest Theatre later this Musical director/composer: Michael ' month. Kai Tai always surprises and Stanley delights his audiences because his work is Stables Theatre multi-faceted, ever changing. In contrast to last year's THE he 1987 season started well for the SHREW, TURN OF THE TIDE is T Griffin Theatre Company as their abstract in form. It began with a con production of EUROPE opened in the scious plundering of fragments from newly renovated Stables Theatre to what Kai Tai perceived to be the life and critical acclaim. Now comes BINGE, the works of the late Yukio Mishima. But first play to be written by Adelaide clairvoyant who makes contact with Mishima was soon left behind, and actress Karin Mainwaring, which had a Charles Condomine's first wife. The TURN OF THE TIDE became a dance most successful presentation last year. repercussions for Charles (played by theatre work composed on consciously BINGE explores the difference between John Hamblin) and his second wife pro disparate and discontinuous vignettes: the stereotypes and the reality of vide the humour of the play. EQUUS, Buddhist monks, a baroque Infanta, a women's shapes and how they are taught along with ROYAL HUNT OF THE camp piano bar . . . to feel about them. It's an amusing black SUN and AMADEUS, has been one of The work has a disturbing power to comedy set to music. Peter Shaffer's most successful plays.· make us feel again our futile and perplex CARA V AN was originally mounted by ing struggle to reconcile the contradic BOOKING INFORMATION the Ensemble in 1984 and subsequently tions of the material world: of innocence Sun Mar 15 to Sun Apr 5 was toured nationally by the AETT. and knowledge, of the power and frailty Tue to Sat at 8.15 p.m. Sat and Sun at 5 p.m. Members are invited to subscribe to the of the human body. And in these preoc AETT discount $2.00 three-play season at the reduced price of cupations there remains yet a resonance Bookings on 333817 $50.70 (a saving of $6.00 on the general of the life and works of Mishima. public subscription price) and should BOOKING INFORMAnON New Theatre complete the enclosed application form. Tue Mar 24 to Sat Mar 28 Tickets for individual plays will be of Tue to Sat at 8 p.m. New Company fered to members throughout the year Sat at 5 p.m. and with this edition we offer bookings AETT $17 .00 BLITHE SPIRIT by Noel Coward for BLITHE SPIRIT. A $3.00 discount G.P. $18 .00 Directed by Peter Williams applies at all performances with a special Pens/ Stud $9.00 Designed by Doug Kingsman $5.00 discount per ticket on April 30, Two AETT tickets per member Gowns by Christopher Essex May 1 and May 2. Members may pur Cast: June Salter, Carmen and Paula chase as many tickets as they wish for Duncan, John Hamblin these special performances. Glen Street Theatre, Frenchs Forest BOOKING INFORMATION eter and Ellen Williams have done it BLITHE SPIRIT Wed Apr 29 to Sat May 16 again! Founders of the Phillip Street P Tue to Sat at 8 p.m. Theatre, they have now launched Wed at I p.m. themselves into the North Shore with the Sat at 2 p.m. creation of the Forest Theatre Company AETT $19.90, $17.90 (Apr 30, May I and in a brand new complex, the Glen Street May 2 (8 p.m.) Theatre, at Frenchs Forest (off Forest G.P. $22.90 Way). Pens/Stud $14.90 The first season will start in style on Two AETT tickets per member except April 29 with the transfer of BLITHE Apr 30, May I and 2 SPIRIT from the Sydney Opera House. It will be followed by Peter Shaffer's EQUUS in August and the Australian Hamlet Times Two comedy CARAVAN by Donald McDonald in October. BLITHE SPIRIT ften described as the greatest play has been enjoyed by audiences around Oever written, HAMLET has certainly the world since it opened in London in enjoyed the greatest popularity; more Scott Blick and Kai Tai Chan in TURN OF THE 1941. The current production stars June must been written about this play than TIDE Salter as the famous Madame Arcati, the any other. Members will be interested to 3
know that productions of HAMLET will WILLOWS, based on the Kenneth be given at both the Phillip Street and Q Grahame children's classic, has returned Theatres in March. There. should to the Rocks Theatre for a season therefore be no reason for missing a per General public performances will take formance wherever you live! HAMLET place on Saturdays at 2 and 4 p.m. Other should be of special interest to Higher performances will be for schools. The Schools students as this play forms part script and melody lines for the eighteen of their syllabus and both productions songs has been written by Val Donlon will be presented to school audiences as with music by Judy Bailey. Norman well as the general public on certain even Hetherington is puppet maker and ings. At Phillip Street Sally McKenzie Michael Creighton, director. The produc plays Gertrude and Andrew Tighe tion is suitable for 4 to 12 year olds. Hamlet while at the Q the roles are played by Fay Kelton and Alan David Lee. BOOKING INFORMATION Until Sat Apr 11 BOOKING INFORMATION Sat at 2 and 4 p.m. Q Theatre AETT discount $1.00 Tue Mar 3 to Sun Mar 29 Bookings on 27 3274 Performances at II a.m. and 7.30 p.m. AETT discount $1.00 Miles Buchanan Bookings on (047) 21 5735 Wally Taylor, follows. This is a day in A Lifetime at Odds Phillip Street Theatre Fri Mar 27 and Sat Mar 28 at 8 p.m. the life of two octogenarians sharing a TOM AND VIV by Michael Hastings AETT $15 .90 bench in Central Park. The men are frail, Directed by Aubrey Mellor G.P. $22.90 endearing, tetchy, cast-off by society, Designed by Michael Scott-Mitchell Pens/ Stud $10.90 and spend all day talking to each other Lighting by Mark Shelton Members may purchase as many AETT but not listening. Directed by Ron Link, Cast: Robyn Nevin, Barry Otto, Ruth tickets as they wish I'M NOT RAPPAPORT opens in June Cracknell, Geoff Morrell (see Spotlight article, page 6) . The Wharf Theatre Later in the season, the company is Our Hero Grows Up! presenting DOUBLE DOUBLE, a West his is the story of a marriage of two End comedy thriller, originally presented Textraordinary people; of their in England last year. A Sloane Ranger emotional, turbulent life together in a BILOXI BLUES by Neil Simon picks up a seedy tramp who, when she union that should never have been. In Directed by Jon Ewing has cleaned him up, she passes off as her 1951, a young American called Thomas Designed by John Senczuk dead husband. Needless to say problem is Stearns Eliot married an upper-middle Lighting by Roger Barratt compounded by problem until the final class English girl, Vivienne Haigh-Wood. Cast: Miles Buchanan, Zoe Carides, revelation of truth. A brilliant, repressed Anglophile, T. S. Marcus Graham, Glenn Keenan, Kerry The fourth play in the series stars Eliot hankered after the position and McKay, Jamie Oxenbould, Joe Petruzzi, Jennifer Claire in LILLIAN, a play based acceptance that this marriage would Max Phipps on the life of Lillian Hellman. bring. Vivienne came from an established Playhouse, S.O.H. Members wishing to subscribe to the Edwardian family, only she was its black series should ring the Sydney Opera sheep. Their marriage lasted thirty years, he Garry Penny organisation (which House on 2 0525. Tickets for individual during which Tom became perhaps the T brought us BRIGHTON BEACH plays will be offered to Trust Members finest poet of his generation, while his MEMOIRS in 1985) has just announced throughout the year. Bookings for wife spiralled downwards into a details of its first subscription series. It BILOXI BLUES are offered with this disintegrating hell. TOM AND VIV gets off to a rousing start with two very edition. traces. the lives of two people at odds with witty and amusing plays that have proved each other's emotions and ambitions great successes overseas. Opening on BOOKING INFORMATION who, in the words of the playwright, May 2 is BILOXI BLUES by Neil Simon, Sat May 2 to Sat May 30 Michael Hastings, "by any odds of the starring Miles Buchanan and Max Mon to Thu at 8 p.m. bookmaker, should never have collided". Fri 5.30 p.m. and 8.30 p.m. Phipps. This is a sequel to BRIGHTON Sat at 2 p.m. and 8 p.m. It is a moving and haunting story. This is BEACH MEMOIRS; the hero has now AETT $25.00 (except FriiSat evg) the final production in the Sydney grown up, joined the army and been ship G.P. $28.00 Theatre Company's current season. ped out to Biloxi, Mississippi. Eugene is Pens/ Stud $21.00 (except FriiSat evg) BOOKING INFORMATION still jotting down his memoirs'in the hope Two AETT tickets per member Tue Mar 31 to Sat May 2 of one day becoming a writer and his Mon to Sat 8 p.m . diary is a study of the emergence of a Toad and Friends Wed I p.m., Sat 2 p.m. young man, civilian turned soldier, learn AETT $19.00 (Mon to Thu and Sat mat) ing both the facts of life and of the Return G.P. $21.00 military. Pens/ Stud $16.00 (Mon to Thu and I'M NOT RAPPAPORT by Herb he Marionette Theatre's popular pro Sat mat) Gardner, starring Ron Haddrick and T duction of THE WIND IN THE Two AETT tickets per member 4
The Thalia Company
THE POET ASSASSINATED by Guillaume Apollinaire Directed and designed by Bogdan Koca Cast: Patrick Dicks on, Gos ia Dobrowolska, Bogdan Koca, Robert Davis, Wenanty Nosul, Susan Leith, Nikki Ceylon, Sarah Grunstein Performance Space
any of our members will be aware M of the innovative style of the Thalia Theatre Company under its director, Bogdan Koca, through such productions as THE AMBASSADOR and THE MARRIAGE (Adelaide Festival). The company's aim is to combine theatre entertainment with imagination and challenge to thought rather than as a passive audience pastime. Koca has chosen this play THE POET A scene from the U.S. production of AIN 'T MISBEHA VIN ASSASSINATED because of the great potential it offers in staging techniques The production features the full Lebeau. Later in the year she will direct a and concepts; in essence it offers a American cast from the U.S. tour. Direc new play by Tony Strachan called challenge. The author was prominent in tor Jackie Warners, who was star of the BEHIND THE WINDOW. Carol will the avant-garde literary circles in the early Australian production of STOP THE continue to act with the company as well 20th century, and this work was written WORLD, I WANT TO GET OFF at the as assist Patrick Mitchell, the company's at a time when art was seen as a poor Tivoli in the 'sixties, is now a prominent artistic director, with the overall artistic excuse for a profession. It tells of the life stage director in the U.S. "Honeysuckle policy of the company. of a poet, of his encounters with painters, Rose", "It's a sin to tell a lie", "I'm critics, the theatre and of his final gonna sit right down and write myself a World On Ice assassination. Special guest is Sarah letter", and of course the show's title song, are just a few of the memorable Grunstein who recorded the sound track e have set aside a limited number of for THE GETTING OF WISDOM. songs in the show. It promises to be a tonic of an evening and to echo Fats' W good seats to see WORLD ON ICE BOOKING INFORMATION words, "the joint should be jumpin'''. on Saturday, April 18 at 1 p.m. and 8 Thu Feb 26 to Sun Mar 22 AIN'T MISBEHA VIN was a winner of p.m. A company of 70 artists, it captures Tue to Sat 8 p.m. both Tony and Grammy Awards. all the magic and charm of the immortal Sun at 4 p.m. and 8 p.m. characters created by Walt Disney. This AETT discount $1 BOOKING INFORMATION year's World On Ice has special Bookings on 699 5091 Sat April 25 to Sat May 16 significance as it is Donald Duck's 50th Mon to Thu at 8 p.m. birthday and the show will include a Fri at 6 p.m. and 9 p.m. special salute to that favourite feathered Speakeasy Era Sat at 2 p.m. and 8 p.m. friend. As the number of tickets available AETT $22.50 (except Sat evg) is limited, we do recommend that you G.P. $26.50 book by telephone before Monday, Lives On Pens/ Stud q; 15.50 (except Sat evg) Two AETT tickets per member March 16, the closing date for bookings. ho hasn't heard of Fats Waller, the legendary fleet-fingered pianist who BOOKING INFORMATIO~ W Sat Apr 18 I p.m. and 8 p.m. was surely the first of the black musical New TaD Director AETT $20.20 superstars? AIN'T MISBEHAVIN, the G.P. $24.20 musical revue which opens at the Foot arol-Lee Aquiline, who is one of the Child $14.20 bridge Theatre on April 25, is based on C Theatre of the Deaf's most exper Pens $17.20 his music; in fact the show contains at ienced and talented actors, has now Two AETT tickets per member least thirty of the tunes he wrote and become assistant Artistic Director of the made famous (Fats never wrote any company. STOP PRESS! lyrics). The musical creates the somewhat Carol was last seen as Vladimir in Glen Shorrock returns to Kinselas on low, seedy atmosphere of a Harlem WAITING FOR GODOT by Samuel March 23 with a new show by Graeme cabaret in the speakeasy era. This is an Beckett and as Taciturn in THE MOON Blundell and Bob Hudson. Bookings for evening of great songs, great singing and BETWEEN TWO HOUSES, a children's the show and/ or the dinner can be made great playing. play by Canadian writer Suzanne through the Trust. f1tjt'SOn 5 ~ llAllll \fd1<... by Irvin Bauer m~~------~
s the 1986-7 theatre season limps theatre that seems increasingly dull and played it like a bored housewife from A along, comedy, once a great staple, pedestrian. The new theatre it played in, Rose Bay and sang the role without great now too often a pallid imitation of a TV the 300-seat John Houseman, was com distinction I'm sorry to say. If you were sit-com, is again insignificantly fortable, with a terrific stage area and lucky enough to miss the production, it represented. SWEET SUE, by over-rated state-of-the-art lighting facilities that can turned up on television. A number of A. R. Gurney, Jr., stars major talents accommodate the most ambitious of times . . . and for some reason if you Mary Tyler Moore and Lynn Redgrave as theatre projects. It is a wonderul new wanted yet another taste . . . there was a double version of Sweet Sue. The asset to the N. Y. theatre scene. yet another version from London's double vision is blurred, I'm afraid, and Also Off Broadway we have THE Covent Garden on another channel. This is a conceit that never really works. A CONCEPT, conceived and directed by one also featured Ms Te Kanawa and shame. Two major performers wasted. Lawrence Sacharow, text by Casey Kurtti wasn't much better. You may understand Coming off a bit better is SOCIAL in collaboration with the Company of why I had great reservations about going SECURITY by Andrew Bergman. Again Daytop Village. What that means is that to a small l00-seat opera house to see yet a small cast, six characters and a modest members of Daytop Village, which runs a another production. single setting . . . the prescription for very successful drug rehabilitation pro The Amato Opera Company has its Broadway straight plays; who can afford gramme, have improvised and arranged own theatre on the Bowery, that fabled anything else? It is slight, moves their own stories for dramatic purposes street of shabbiness and lost men, a very effortlessly, ever so quickly, and at and to illustrate the horrors of drug use. unlikely pace for opera to flourish, but moments is very funny. Especially good The presentation, a sort of "theatre as under the direction of Tony Amato it is Caroline Aaron, as the tough, long public service", is effective, compelling, does remarkable things. His Fledermaus suffering sister from suburbia. She seems insightful, chilling and at moments, very was truly inspired and wonderful. It was the epitome of the middle-class malcon touching. It is the kind of dramatic light, effervescent, as sparkling as cham tent American housewife. presentation that could be toured to pagne. It was sung well, if not brilliantly, schools, youth groups and parents' and it boasted the best performance, Moving off Broadway to a musical, associations with rewarding results. singing and acting of Prince Orlofsky THE RISE OF DAVID LEVINSKY, It seems that we have just ventured that I have ever seen. A charming singer book and lyrics by Isaiah Sheffer and through the festival of DIE FLEDER named Vima La Vaidya is sure to make music .by - Bobby Paul, is yet another MAUS by Johann Strauss. This peren her mark on the opera world very soon. "coming to America" musical. It seems nial favourite seemed to be everywhere ethnic is "in" but why must it all be so one looked. First there was the now much Irvin S. Bauer is a Playwright-Producer literal and straight forward ...? We heralded production at the Metropolitan based in New York where he heads THE know the story, now give us an insight Opera starring Kiri Te Kanawa and DEVELOPMENT STAGE, a place .. . some imaginative twist ... a fanciful directed by Otto Schenk. Ms Te Kanawa, where the Writer is encouraged to fulfil the potential of his work. curl, or is that too much to ask in a a singer much talked about th~se days,
by Carole Long, Membership Manager
's the time of year when I report back o make it easier for you to remember TWO HOUSES, for infants this month I to you on our membership growth T us when you're thinking of a gift and this will be joined in May by an and I'm pleased to say that during 1986 for Aunt Sally or that colleague who's upper-primary and secondary play being we enrolled 3448 members, bringing our always talking about how he'd like to get commissioned from Tony Strachan. No national tally to 9607. This represents a to the theatre more often but somehow title as yet! In between, the company will growth of 18 per cent, which is a very never manages to make it, we're be presenting MOON BETWEEN TWO healthy situation. And we have you, our introducing with this edition a tear-off HOUSES at the Come Out Festival, existing members, to thank for a substan gift membership form. Just complete it Adelaide's annual theatre festival for tial part of this growth. Nearly 16 per (or ring us with the details) and leave the young people. The Theatre of the Deaf is cent of our new members resulted from rest to us. Your gift buying couldn't be one of the country's leading theatre-in word of mouth of members and as a easier! Coupled with the gift form is a education teams and should be compul result of gift memberships. It all adds up new member application form which you sory viewing for all school children. My to a very encouraging picture for the can pass on to any friend or relative children think they're "ace" which is growth of our theatre audierttes which is who'd like to know more about our something of an accolade from the the prime objective of our membership services. primary generation. programme. And of course an increased membership base means a reduction in ith SUGAR BABIES now attrac the "per member costs" so we can extend W ting good audiences in Melbourne, the scope of our membership services and it's the turn of our Theatre of the Deaf to increase our ability to negotiate better start its schools' programme. They'll be deals for our members. touring a new play, MOON BETWEEN 6
.'_ Spot~/;;t_____ ------:tn Divining the line to power and glory
by John Ezard Coinciding with the announcement that Herb Gardner's I'M NOT RAP PAPORT is to be mounted in Sydney this year (see OUR HERO GROWS UP p. 3), we publish an interview with Paul Scofield who is still starring in the Lon don production. The article was original ly published in the London Guardian during the provincial tour prior to the London opening, and it is reproduced here with their kind permission.
wo men in their early 'eighties sit on a T bench in the mugger-haunted reaches of Central Park, New York. Their shoulders are hooped, their chatter is of broken hips, cataracts and the fear of waking up silly one morning. But it is patter as well as chatter; its manner is the purest American vaudeville, an interplay of Jewish and black speech rhythms. "That's the system, " says the Polish Jewish old man, slightly foppish, leaning on a cane. "Two years old, you stand up - and then, boom, 70 years later you fall down again." The laughter at this one Howard Rollins and Paul Scofield in the London production of I'M NOT RAPPAPORT liner crashes back to them. And so with (Photo by Donald Cooper) the next one-liner. The jokes are a con spiracy against old age. words sing and the eyes of his audience on pot, the impersonation of a Mafia It is like a very fast expert, two-handed spring with tears in the middle of don, and the rendering of "I'm Alabamy tennis game with the audience. It could laughter. Bound" which he does as Nat, his old have been George Burns, Zero Mostel or It is the unmistakeable music of Paul man of many colours, personas and Jack Benny up there. It is very high-grade Scofield, one of the Big Six tragic actors stratagems, in a 140-minute virtual two showbiz. of his century and the only one still on the hander with Howard Rollins, a negro Then the old negro accuses the old road - back on stage again after the leg stage star and film Oscar nominee from a white of being a liar. His partner's retort injury which knocked him out of the film wholly different tradition of acting. is given in the script as "Not lies. Altera THE SHOOTING PARTY, restricting The play is Herb Gardner's Tony tions! I make certain alterations. him to television and the film 1919 for Award-winning I'M NOT RAPPA Sometimes the truth doesn't fit. I take it three years during the prime of his early PORT, a work like LAST OF THE here, I let it out there, till it fits. " sixties. SUMMER WINE transposed to darker But this actor says the word as "In the theatre, you see, if you're limp surroundings and rescripted by a partner "ALTERA-tions." His voice holds the ing, you're limping for three hours - in ship of Neil Simon and Sam Beckett. word, vibrates on it and opens a deep rift full view," he said in his dressing-room, "We were frightened at first because in it, using his resonance to lodge securely chuckling with glee at the notion rather it's a bit of a tightrope, t{zis play, for with the audience the thought that this than bitter about the absence. myself and Howard, " he said. old man does something at once precise, He has returned extraordinarily and "Once you get on the stage you're magical and rather dangerous. seamlessly absorbed in a role which is his there right through till the end. There's While staying fully in character and full counterpart to Olivier's Entertainer, none of those lovely little five-minute accent he becomes in that moment a a part which seems on paper totally out trips to the dressing-room while Jewish-American Prospero of Central of character and beyond his reach until somebody else does a scene. Park without an Ariel or any other pro you remember that, years ago, the Guar "It is a tight-rope. As we get surer of tectors. Then on with the next laugh; dian's theatre critic Michael Billington, it, it becomes more and more enjoyable. except that a little later, he does the same wrote - of his National Theatre Volpone Oh yes, it's fun - it's really fun. It's got with another of the key establishing lines - that he was at his best in comedy. something quite intoxicating about it for of his part, "The very old, they are Scofield has been touring with the me, this play, a kind of anarchic spirit. miracles like the just born, " making the voice, the soft shoe-shuffle while stoned It's one of those plays in which I feel very 7
It was meant to be the postwar genera tion's definitive Hamlet, deposing all , "That's memories of Gielgud and Olivier. But it it does, one was eclipsed by the impact of his priest, feel free in he now says dismissively, "A certain type it's restric of classical actor when young seems to be to do the obvious choice for Hamlet . .. and somehow is not necessarily the right one to bring it to life. " The second part - "again, I think, because of the madness" - was his KING LEAR, again under Peter Brook. The third was his CAPTAIN OF KOPENICK at the National in 1971. The fourth was in Christopher Hampton's SAVAGES at the Royal Court in 1973. Four parts in 30 years. So Nat, his valiant little truth-tailor in the tragicomedy of Central Park, turns out to be the fifth in a most honourable lineage. About his voice he is less forthcoming because he does not know precisely how he produces the distinctive effects which critics have said evoke the "broken music" of the postwar world. "Of course, there is the willed action of isolating or inflecting a word which you think is important. You may hope that it clarifies, illuminates, brings to life we' lI-ta1 Divining the line to p by John Ezard qftft'hefSl\4 P Coinciding with the announcement that Herb Gardner's I'M NOT RAP I would like to give a gift membership to: PAPORT is to be mounted in Sydney this 1 year (see OUR HERO GRO WS UP p. 3), we publish an interview with Paul Scofield who is still starring in the Lon MRiMRS/MISSIMS PLEASE PRINT FULL NAME don production. The article was original ly published in the London Guardian ADDRESS during the provincial tour prior to the London opening, and it is reproduced POST CODE here with their kind permission. HOMEPHONE BUSINESS PHONE wo men in their early 'eighties sit on a T bench in the mugger-haunted reaches of Central Park, New York. Their D Please send the gift card and new member kit shoulders are hooped, their chatter is of 2 with the following message: broken hips, cataracts and the fear of waking up silly one morning. But it is patter as well as chatter; its manner is the purest American vaudeville, an interplay of Jewish and black speech rhythms. OR D Please send me the gift. card and new member kit "That's the system," says the Polish for personal presentatIOn Jewish old man, slightly foppish, leaning on a cane. "Two years old, you stand up Please arrange for the gift membership - and then, boom, 70 years later you fall 3 to commence on: down again. " The laughter at this one Howard Rollins and Pal~ DATE liner crashes back to them. And so with (Photo by Donald Coop, the next one-liner. The jokes are a con spiracy against old age. words sing and the YOUR NAME It is like a very fast expert, two-handed spring with tears tennis game with the audience. It could laughter. YOUR ADDRESS have been George Burns, Zero Mostel or It is the unmista~ Jack Benny up there. It is very high-grade Scofield, one of the POSTCODE PHONE showbiz. of his century and th Then the old negro accuses the old road - back on sta white of being a: liar. His partner's retort injury which knocke PAYMENT is given in the script as "Not lies. Altera THE SHOOTING CHARGE MY tions! I make certain alterations. him to television ar $28 cheque enclosed Sometimes the truth doesn', fit. I take it three years during l' D D Bankcard D Mastercard here, I let it out there, till it fits. " sixties. payable to AETI But this actor says the word as "In the theatre, y< "ALTERA-tions." His voice holds the ing, you're limping word, vibrates on it and opens a deep rift full view," he said j in it, using his resonance to lodge securely chuckling with glee with the audience the thought that this than bitter about th NAME AS IT APPEARS ON CHARGE CARD old man does something at once precise, He has returned magical and rather dangerous. seamlessly absorbed I While staying fully in character and full counterpart to SIGNATURE EXPIRY DATE accent he becomes in that moment a a part which seems Jewish-American Prospero of Central of character and be Park without an Ariel or any other pro you remember that, SEND COUPON TO: tectors. Then on with the next laugh; dian's theatre critic (no postage required) except that a little later, he does the same wrote - of his Nati< FREEPOST lOOATT in your capital city with another of the key establishing lines - that he was at hi of his part, "The very old, they are Scofield has bee PO Box 137, Kings Cross, Sydney 2011 357 1200 miracles like the just born, " making the voice, the soft shoe GPO Box 438C, Melbourne 3001 6908384 GPO Box 1618, Brisbane 4001 2219528 28 Fifth Ave, St Peters, Adelaide 5069 429576 PO Box 7227, Cloisters, Perth 6000 3214953 7 It was meant to be the postwar genera tion's definitive Hamlet, deposing all "That's memories of Gielgud and Olivier. But it was eclipsed by the impact of his priest, he now says dismissively, "A certain type of classical actor when young seems to be the obvious choice for Hamlet . .. and somehow is not necessarily the right one to bring it to life. " The second part - "again, I think, because of the madness" - was his KING LEAR, again under Peter Brook. The third was his CAPTAIN OF KOPENICK at the National in 1971. The fourth was in Christopher Hampton's SA VAGES at the Royal Court in 1973. Four parts in 30 years. So Nat, his valiant little truth-tailor in the tragicomedy of Central Park, turns out to be the fifth in a most honourable lineage. About his voice he is less forthcoming because he does not know precisely how he produces the distinctive effects which critics have said evoke the "broken music" of the postwar world. "Of course, there is the willed action of isolating or inflecting a word which you think is important. You may hope that it clarifies, illuminates, brings to life a whole phrase, a whole speech. But what you never really know about is the reverberations of that word for the audience. I mean, it could cause no reverberations at all. 'Alterations', which you mention, obviously did work. But other words sometimes don't. "No, I certainly don't stand up there thinking to myself, 'God - I'm really going to make them cry their eyes out Trust members enjoy the most generous with this particular bit of phrasing'. I think it's only - I keep coming back to theatre benefit programme in Australia this - trying to be true to what the with all these advantages ... author is saying. Not because I think it's moving. It's only trying to find the truth Advance Information on upcoming performing arts events of it that makes it moving. " is sent regularly in Trust News. You will be able to plan Since he had talked of feeling "free" in your theatre-going well in advance and have access to the the part, I said I assumed he also found it best seats in the house. liberating. "Oh no, no," he said, "It's going to be liberating when I feel I've Preferential Booking allows you to order tickets for the really mastered it. " shows of your choice either by mail or telephone, all in But what was there left to master? He the comfort of your own home. It couldn't be simpler! replied: "I haven't yet mastered . .. the whole sweep of the play from the begin $$$ Savings are always ~vailable on two ticket purchases ning to the end. I haven't got - yet - per show as part of your membership. You can, of course, Phoenix the unbroken line that goes right through also purchase as many full price tickets as you wish. from the beginning to the end, the lin e that I just follow and. go straight through. Film Discounts are available at major cinemas using our I'm still a bit . .. what's the word broken concessional vouchers. up - fractured. There are still some bones that have got to be joined up. " Members Special Events are planned throughout the year and are designed to entertain, stimulate and inform members. > 6 _Spofi_';;I___ ---=---_-----tI Divining the line t by John Ezard Coinciding with the announcement that Herb Gardner's I'M NOT RAP PAPORT is to be mounted in Sydney this I wish to join today year (see OUR HERO GROWS UP p. 3), we publish an interview with Paul to enjoy the benefits and privileges Scofield who is still starring in the Lon of Trust membership don production. The article was original ., ly published in the London Guardian during the provincial tour prior to the London opening, and it is reproduced MRIMRSIMISSIMS PLEASE PRINT FULL NAME here with their kind permission. ADDRESS wo men in their early 'eighties sit on a T bench in the mugger-haunted reaches POST CODE of Central Park, New York. Their shoulders are hooped, their chatter is of HOME PHONE BUSINESS PHONE broken hips, cataracts and the fear of waking up silly one morning. But it is patter as well as chatter; its manner is the I would like to give the Trust purest American vaudeville, an interplay o a tax deductible donation to help of Jewish and black speech rhythms. "That's the system, " says the Polish the performing arts in Australia. Jewish old man, slightly foppish, leaning on a cane. "Two years old, you stand up - and then, boom, 70 years later you fall . ~$------down again. " The laughter at this one liner crashes back to them. And so with the next one-liner. The jokes are a con o I am unable to help the Trust financially spiracy against old age. words sing but am willing to give my time and effort. It is like a very fast expert, two-handed spring with tennis game with the audience. It could laughter. Please let me know how I can help have been George Burns, Zero Mostel or It is the with the volunteer programme. Jack Benny up there. It is very high-grade Scofield, one showbiz. of his century Then the old negro accuses the old road - back white of being a: liar. His partner's retort PAYMENT is given in the script as "Not lies. Altera CHARGE MY tions! I make certain alterations. $28 cheque enclosed Sometimes the truth doesn't fit. J take it D Bankcard Mastercard payable to AETT o 0 here, J let it out there, till it fits. " But this actor says the word as "ALTERA-tions." His voice holds the ing, you're word, vibrates on it and opens a deep rift full view," h in it, using his resonance to lodge securely chuckling with the audience the thought that this than bitter NAME AS IT APPEARS ON CHARGE CARD old man does something at once precise, He has magical and rather dangerous. While staying fully in character and SIGNATURE EXPIRY DATE accent he becomes in that moment a Jewish-American Prospero of Central Park without an Ariel or any other pro SEND COUPON TO: tectors. Then on with the next laugh; (no postage required) except that a little later, he does the same FREEPOST lOOATT in your capital city with another of the key establishing lines of his part, "The very old, they are PO Box 137, Kings Cross, Sydney 2011 357 1200 miracles like the just born, " making the GPO Box 438C, Melbourne 3001 6908384 GPO Box 1618, Brisbane 4001 2219528 28 Fifth Ave, St Peters, Adelaide 5069 429576 PO Box 7227, Cloisters, Perth 6000 321 4953 7 free. I suppose because there's a madness although it was a plum part in a prestige It was meant to be the postwar genera in my character somewhere, something a production. tion's definitive Hamlet, deposing all little wild that goes over the top from "Yes - it did," he said, "That's memories of Gielgud and Olivier. But it time to time - imaginatively. • absolutely true. It did, yes, it does, one was eclipsed by the impact of his priest, "The script came through the door. It doesn't feel free . .. I didn't feel free in he now says dismissively, "A certain type fascinated me. I had a lot of doubts that play. But at the same time it's restric of classical actor when young seems to be about it. tions were what were interesting to do the obvious choice for Hamlet . .. and "It's immensely New York American technically as an actor. But. yes, yes, somehow is not necessarily the right one in its demands. I wasn't sure that I was you've picked on a very good to bring it to life. " sufficiently in tune with . .. such a dif illustration. " The second part - "again, I think, ferent culture. There are some parts you So you then ask - what parts have because of the madness" - was his can't play. It occurred to me that this was made him feel free? And they turn to be KING LEAR, again under Peter Brook. perhaps one that I couldn't. But then as I few in number but virtually all among the The third was his CAPTAIN OF began to understand the character, it landmark, legendary performances of his KOPENICK at the National in 1971. The occurred to me that where he comes from career. fourth was in Christopher Hampton's doesn't matter as much as his personal, The first - "extraordinary as it may SA VAGES at the Royal Court in 1973. emotional qualities. " sound" - was his whisky priest in Peter Four parts in 30 years. So Nat, his Scofield, has always emphasised that Brook's version of Graham Greene's valiant little truth-tailor in the his job is "to get inside a writer's head". THE POWER AND THE GLORY in tragicomedy of Central Park, turns out Words on a page are paramount to him. London in 1956, the part which took him to be the fifth in a most honourable He does not - like Olivier - specially go from youth to maturity as an actor; lineage. round looking at old men or tramps or, "partly because of his drunkenness, I About his voice he is less forthcoming as Olivier did for the THE ENTER think", but also because of the scene because he does not know precisely how TAINER, at old music hall artistes. where the priest, although a humiliated he produces the distinctive effects which "I think I worked the other way, from creature, proclaims his right to bestow critics have said evoke the "broken the inside out. I think I perhaps dredge the Mass. music" of the postwar world. things up from my inheritance, from my early years. But" I can't honestly tel/ you "Of course, there is the willed action of isolating or inflecting a word which where this one came from - apart from you think is important. You may hope the text, of course. I think you can divine a performance from the text - it's a sort that it clarifies, illuminates, brings to life a whole phrase, a whole speech. But what of dowsing process. " you never really know about is the A dowsing divining process, then, reverberations of that word for the based on the written word. That is the audience. I mean, it could cause no closest he has got in any interview over reverberations at all. 'A lterations ', which the last 40 years to defining how he works you mention, obviously did work. But as an artist. It is a process he describes other words sometimes don't. modestly; but it is no less mysterious or formidable in its method and end-results "No, I certainly don't stand up there than the means by which Olivier got his thinking to myself, 'God - I'm really great cry in Oedipus Rex from the scream going to make them cry their eyes out of an ermine stuck by its tongue to ice on with this particular bit of phrasing'. I which trappers had left salt. think it's only - I keep coming back to It is impossible in print to suggest the this - trying to be true to what the concentration and - often - the excite author is saying. Not because I think it's ment with which Scofield can talk in an moving. It's only trying to find the truth interview when his attention is engaged. of it that makes it moving. " He has never especially relished being Since he had talked of feeling "free" in Ron Haddrick, who will play the role of Nat in the the part, I said I assumed he also found it interviewed. "My function is to act, and Sydney production to try to interpret writers not - as it were liberating. "Oh no, no," he said, "It's - to make up my own words, " he said. "Oh goodness, I learned a lot from going to be liberating when I feel I've What he brings to an interview is a that play," he said. "I learned that really mastered it. " leonine presence, a mind, face and voice humiliation carries with it dignity. It's the But what was there left to master? He of quicksilver and a very rare attention to sort of discovery you can make as a replied: "I haven't yet mastered . .. the words. For example, when he said almost writer - and in my case as an actor. That whole sweep of the play from the begin in passing that that his new part made ... suddenly lights it al/ up. " ning to the end. I haven't got - yet - him feel "free rather than tied down to a The main event of that Phoenix the unbroken line that goes right through literal interpretation ", the point proved Theatre season for the young man with from the beginning to the end, the line worth exploring. It was worth asking him the beautiful pierrot's face and the voice that I just follow and. go straight through. whether in his recent television part as the "like sunlight on a broken column", as I'm still a bit . .. what's the word broken doctor/ husband in Pinter's A KIND OF the critic J. C. Trewin wrote, was sup up - fractured. There are still some ALASKA had made him feel tied down, posed to be his Hamlet. bones that have got to be joined up. " Australian premiere of SONG OF THE Blithe Spirit Poppy Returns EARTH by Kenneth MacMillan and Act he Sydney Dance Company will pre II of LA BA YADERE, staged by oel Coward's enduring, lovable and T sent two programmes in its first Magdalena Popa after the original by N very funny comedy BLITHE SPIRIT Sydney Opera House season for 1987. Marius Petipa. Bookings are always opens at the Sydney Opera House on Programme 1 contains POPPY, the first heavy and as single-performance ticket April 2. Peter Williams has assembled an full-length work created by Graeme sales opened at the end of February, you excellent cast for this production: Reg Murphy and based on the life of Jean should check ticket availability with the Gillam, Faye Donaldson, John Hamblin Cocteau. It features Murphy in the main membership office before ordering your and Carmen and Paula Duncan. The role and music by Australian Carl Vine. tickets. treasure of the piece, Madame Arcati, is Programme 2 includes SHE played by June Salter (the original HERAZADE, RUMOURS (Acts I and BOOKING INFORMATION Sydney Opera House creator of this part was the late Margaret II), AFTERWORLDS (a new title for the Rutherford). Mon to Sat at 7.30 p.m. second act of Murphy's DEADLY SINS) Sat mat at 1.30 p.m. As a result of Charles Condomine's and LATE AFTERNOON OF A FAUN, discussions on psychic phenomena, the SWAN LAKE set to Debussy's music. All are Tue Mar 10 to Sat Mar 28 spirit of his late wife materialises. The choreographed by Graeme Murphy. The TRIPLE BILL results are disastrous for him and his final work will not only star Graeme Fri Apr 3 to Fri Apr 24 second wife, but hilarious for the Murphy but also guest artist Garth DOUBLE BILL audience. Welch. Tue Apr 28 to Sat May 16 GISELLE BOOKING INFORMATION Thu Dec 3 to Tue Dec 22 Playhouse, S.O.H. AETT $36.50 (A res), $31.00 (B res) Thu Apr 2 to Sat Apr 25 G.P. $39.50 (A res), $34.00 (B res) Mon to Sat at 8 p.m. Pens/Child $34.00 (A res) Wed at II a.m. Sat at 2 p.m. $25.00 (B res) AETT $19.90 (Apr 2) Two AETT tickets per member $27.90 (except Fri and Sat evg) G.P. $28 .90 Pens/ Stud $19.90 The Gingerbread Lady Two AETT tickets per member (except Apr 2) ne of the most successful plays of the O American playwright, Neil Simon, has been THE GINGERBREAD LADY. Long Day's Journey It opens the Ensemble's 1987 season on Into Night March 7 as their "most asked-for play", and its blend of poignancy and humour his is the moving autobiography of should augur well for a successful run. T Eugene O'Neill's family and was THE GINGERBREAD LADY is the written, as he said, "in tears and blood". BOOKING INFORMATION story of a middle-aged entertainer (could It traces just one day in the family life of Drama Theatre, S.O.H. this be Judy Garland?) who, with a the Tyrones - James (the actor father), Programme I: Fri Mar 6 to Sat Mar 28 broken marriage behind her, turns to Mary (the mother), James (the drunken Programme 2: Tue Mar 31 to Sat Apr 18 alcohol. It deals with the relationship elder son), and Edmund (the consump Mon to Sat at 8 p.m. with her daughter and her friends who, Sat mats on Mar 14, 21 and 28 at tive younger son - O'Neill himself). The despite their best intentions, actually 4.30 p.m. seem to prevent her efforts to "get on the father is charming but self-centred, the AETT $22.00 mother has removed herself from the wagon". Lorraine Bayly plays the role of G.P. $25.50 THE GINGERBREAD LADY and family bickering through addiction to Pens/Stud $21.00 drugs, James has also retreated from Two AETT tickets per member Hayes Gordon directs. them with the aid of the bottle, and that BOOKING INFORMATION leaves the ailing younger son. Ensemble Theatre Australian Ballet Sat Mar 7 to Sat Apr 12 BOOKING INFORMATION he 1987 Sydney season includes Tue to Sat at 8 p.m. Marian Street Theatre two full-length ballets - Anne Thu at II a.m., Sat and Sun at 5 p.m. Sun Mar 22 to Sun Apr 5 T AETT $13 .00 (Mar 10 and II) Woolliam's haunting production of Tue to Sat at 8 p.m. $15.00 (Tue to Thu), $17.00 (Fri) Wed at II a.m., Sat at 4.30 p.m. SWAN LAKE and a new production of $12.00 (Sat/ Sun mat), $10.00 (Thu mat) Sun at 5 p.m. GISELLE, choreographed by Maina G.P. $17.00 (Tue to Thu) AETT $15.00 (Tue to Fri and mats except Gielgud. A triple-bill programme $19.00 (Fri and Sat), $15.00 (Sat and Sun Mar 25126) includes PAS DE QUATRE by Anton mat), $13.00 (Thu mat) G.P. $18 .00 (Tue to Thu) Dolin, Jerome Robbins' THE CON Pens/ Stud $12.00 (Tue to Fri) $19.00 (Fri to Sun) CERT and a newly commissioned work $11.00 (Sat/ Sun mat), $10.00 (Thu mat) Pens/ Stud $9.00 (except Fri and Sat evg) by Glen Tetley, set to Stravinsky's music, Two AETT tickets per member except Two AETT tickets per member Orpheus. The double-bill is the Mar 10/ 11 9 ~_~_~_'~------ LITTLE SHOP OF HORRORS directed historians approving the designs. Village TOUGH GUYS directed by Jeff Kanew by Frank Oz blacksmiths forged three-tiered Screenplay by James Orr and Jim Screenplay by Howard Ashman fmm his candelabras weighing a ton each; Cruickshank original stage play illustrators spent six months reproducing Produced by Joe Wizan Produced by David Geffen illustrated mediaeval manuscripts in Starring Kirk Douglas, Burt Lancaster, Starring Rick Moran is, Ellen Greene, Latin, Greek and Arabic. For the body of Charles Durning, Alexis Smith, Dana Vincent Gardenia and Steve Martin monks, actors were chosen for their Carvey, Darlanne Fluegel and Eli Opening March 5 at George Street Gothic looks, like characters from paint Wallach Cinema Complex ings and drawings by Breugel, Bosch and Opening March 3 at George Street Dore. Cinemas (GU) he plot of LITTLE SHOP OF HOR All this for a murder mystery! But a T RORS first surfaced in 1960 as a murder mystery with a difference. It is set ho would have thought 40 years ago very low-grade horror movie which in a remote, snow-covered hilltop W when Douglas and Lancaster first became a cult classic. It featured a brief monastery in Italy in the 14th century. appeared together on film (I WALK appearance by Jack Nicholson, of all ALONE) that they would still be sharing people, then a newcomer to the silver the billing in 1987 but now as comedians screen, as the sadistic dentist. rather than swashbucklers, belligerent Soon after Cinderella-fashion, it Romans, Vikings or Wild West gun arrived on Broadway as a musical slingers. Archie Long (Kirk Douglas) and comedy set on Skid Rowand starring a Harry Doyle (Burt Lancaster) have been plant. But no ordinary plant. Mushnik's in gaol for 30 years for a train robbery. Flower Shop is renowned for its sleazy Release is a shock; the world has changed greenery, wilting corsages and the bums a lot in that time. They decide to ignore lying in the doorway. Things are bad and the parole regulations and round up their Mushnik (Vincent Gardenia) is about to old gang for one last big heist - from the sack the staff, dizzy blonde Audrey same train they robbed 30 years before. (Ellen Greene) and Seymour (Rick James Orr and Jim Cruickshank saw Moranis),' when Seymour buys a strange Douglas and Lancaster on the 1985 plant from an ancient Mandarin during a Academy Awards and wrote the script total eclipse of the sun. Customers flock with them in mind. They were surprised to the shop to see Audrey II as it is and delighted when their models accepted christened. Mulched, fertilised and the parts. watered, Audrey II's real tastes only sur face when Seymour accidentally cuts his finger, and keeping up with Audrey II's bizarre appetite is quite a problem, especially as she can not only eat but also Sean Connery and F. Murray Abraham in talk, sing and boogie, and is 12' high. NAME OF THE ROSE -Connery plays Brother William of THE NAME OF THE ROSE directed by Baskerville, an English monk of great J ean-J acques Annaud intellect, learning and wit, who is accom Screenplay by Andrew Birkin, Gerard panied by his young novice, Adso of Brach, Howard Franklin and Alain Melk (Christian Slater). The director's Godard from the novel by Umberto Eco immediate choice for the Inquisitor was Produced by Bernd Eichinger F. Murray Abraham, the sinister Salieri Starring Sean Connery, F. Murray of AMADEUS. Abraham, Christian Slater Another star of the film will Opening March 19 at Hoyts and undoubtedly be the monastery library, March 20 at Academy Twin one of the finest in Europe in those dark ages and designed as a labyrinth - a vital here are all the ingredients of a part of the story. Kirk Doug/as in TOUGH GUYS T blockbuster in THE NAME OF THE ROSE. When Umberto Eco:s novel was BOOKING INFORMATION published in 1980, it sold four million Concessional vouchers can be purchased from the members may purchase as many as they wish. copies, was translated into 24 languages, AETT for $5 .50 (Village and Hoyts) and $7.00 Please specify which cinema chain you require. and won numerous literary awards. (Greater Union) and exchanged at cinemas for Discounts are also offered at the Dendy Cinema, Director of the film, Jean-Jacques tickets. The vouchers are open dated but some Martin Place ($2.50), and the Academy Twin, Annaud, spent three years visiting 300 Saturday/ Public Holiday restrictions apply to Paddington ($2 .50), at 'all performances except abbeys in Europe to find the perfect set their use. See vouchers for details. after midday Saturday. Members should present their membership card at the box office. Discount ting; every prop, piece of furniture and No handling fee applies to film vouchers and available on one ticket per member. book was handmade in Italy with I' I 10 I ~~-~-~------~I THE MAGIC OF THEATRE restaurant. Tickets are $3 1.00 which included· in the ticket price of $30. Our Monday, March 2, from 5.30 p.m. includes an elegant smorgasbord with special guest of honour will be Rocks Theatre wine and coffee and theatre tickets (see announced in April Trust News. Kim Carpenter is our final speaker in this Opening Soon p. 8 for information about year's series of lectures behind the scenes the play). New ESO Director of theatre. One of Australia's most BILOXI BLUES DINNER rominent Australian violinist, con respected designer-directors, he will give Sheraton Wentworth Hotel P certmaster and conductor, Ronald an audio-visual talk on visual aspects of Tuesday, May 5 at 6 p.m. Thomas, was recently appointed to the theatre production from the point of view position of artistic director of the of the director/designer. Tea/coffee and The Sheraton Wentworth is always a Elizabethan Sydney Orchestra. popular venue for our pre-theatre dinners sandwiches are provided before the 6 The Trust views Mr. Thomas' appoint and we'll be returning there prior to the p.m. lecture with a glass of wine after ment as an opportunity for the performance of Neil Simon's BILOXI wards. Tickets are $8.00 for members Elizabethan Sydney Orchestra, a group BLUES (see article p. 3). Tickets are $52, or students and $10.00 for general public. recognised by conductors and audiences which includes both dinner and the alike, as a highly skilled and specialised theatre. Members will be seated in the THE GINGERBREAD LADY DINNER body of musicians, to move in new theatre as a group, so individual book Ensemble Theatre Restaurant artistic directions which will not only ings as well as groups will be very Wednesday, March I I at 6 p.m. broaden their musical profile but offer to welcome. There are still places available to join us the user companies an even higher stand for dinner before the Trust Member night AUTUMN RACE DAY ard of orchestral service. of THE GINGERBREAD LADY at the Randwick Racecourse Mr. Thomas returned to Australia in Ensemble's delightful harbourside Wednesday, April 22 1986 after sixteen years spent as a prom Our race days at Randwick are always inent violinist and director in the British BOOKING INFORMATION popular events so book early to avoid world of music. Prior to his appointment Bookings for all Member Activities can disappointment. Lunch and afternoon to the ESO, Mr. Thomas was musical be made by phone or by completing the tea will be provided in the Doncaster director and concertmaster of the Trust Member Booking Coupon. The Room in the Members' Stand and com Bournemouth Sinfonietta Chamber handling fee does not apply. plimentary admission to the stand is Orchestra in England. avid Williamson's new play, turn of the century. By Australian will play at the Canberra Theatre Centre D EMERALD CITY, which has had playwright Mel Morrow, it will be at the from March 12 to 14. They will be such a great success in Sydney recently, Bridge Theatre from March 19 to followed from March 18 to 28 by the Ray will be mounted by Murray Foy for the April I I. Cooney farce RUN FOR YOUR WIFE New England Theatre Company in The Hunter Valley Theatre Company which had such a successful season when Armidale from March I I to 14. It will and Newcastle's theatre-in-education it was presented by the AETT in Sydney then do an extensive tour of northern company, Freewheels, have joined forces two years ago. David McCallum (MAN New South Wales before playing at the to produce DAGS by Debra Oswald from FROM UNCLE) stars as the taxi driver Orange Civic Theatre from March 3 I to February 25 to March 21. Presented in running between two wives and Jack April I. Sydney last year, it is about an adolescent Smethurst (LOVE THY NEIGHBOUR) Immediately before this the Orange girl who sees herself during her high co-stars. Festival of Arts will present a lO-day pro school years as a "dag" but events The first production for the year by gramme of events at the Civic Theatre. gradually change her point of view . Human Veins Dance Theatre will be the Events include John Bell and Michael South African writer, Athol Fugard's full length work THE LAND OF EH! A Atherton in a selection of Shakespearean brilliant play about the racial problems of political comedy in cabaret style with nar sonnets titled MY LOVE IS AS A his country, BOESMAN AND LENA, ration, it is written by Tony Strachan FEVER, a recital by Rita Hunter, Griffin will be presented by the Riverina Theatre with choreography by Don Asker. Tony Theatre Company's production of Company at the Riverina Playhouse Strachan and Don Asker are co-directors. Michael Gow's play EUROPE and from March 6 to 21. It will be the first The work, which has an original score by I Theatresports which has been such a suc production by the company's new artistic Blair Greenberg, will be presented at the cess at Belvoir Street Theatre. director, Scott Alderdice. ANU Arts Centre from March 14 to 28. SONG TO SINGER, Theatre South's An unusual musical group, The Brass first production for 1987, is about a Band from the U.S., who combine AETT discount all performances. I Gilbert and Sullivan singer around the theatre, comedy and brass band music, I See local press for booking information. I 11 IG DADDY is a unique eight-piece a new play by Michael Gow called ing to patch up their tangled affairs, Lord Bband which specialises in transform EUROPE. EUROPE throws into conflict Grenham is also trying to fend off the ing contemporary hits into classic rock the Old World and the New, the charming Lady Frinton, a widow who is and roll. They were formed in the States historical past and the personal present. determindly pursuing him. It's good in 1982 and their first album was a collec It is the old story of a European actress light-hearted fun. At Her Majesty's until tion of 1980 hits done in the 1950's style who, after a short visit to Australia, is March 14. called - you've guessed it - BIG confronted by a young Australian with AETT discount $2.00 DADDY! The formula proved very suc whom she has had a passionate en Bookings on 212 3411 cessful and other albums followed. Their counter. He refuses to recede into the dynamic live show incorporates 'fifties past and the play explores whether hap ood for a laugh, and wonderfully dress to capture the essence of the piness depends on clinging to our illu G relaxing, is NUNSENSE, the defin pioneering days of rock. The band was sions or discarding them. EUROPE has itely un-convent-ional musical. A quintet of singing-dancing-romping nuns, led by the creation of the lead singer, Bob been very favourably received by the Wayne, and Richard Foos from Rhino critics. At the Stables Theatre until Joan Sydney, stage an unholier-than Records which specialises in out-of-the March 8. thou musical to raise the funds to bury ordinary recordings. At Kinselas until AETT discount $2.00 their departed si~ters (who died after March 21. Bookings on 33 3817 eating Sister Julia's vichyssoise). AETT discounts $2.00 (except FriiSat Miraculously the remaining five escaped show only) irector Peter Williams has cast Bar the same fate as they were away playing Bookings on 331 3100 D tholomew John, Anna Lee, Amanda bingo! NUNSENSE has won four Muggleton and Dennis Olsen in what prestigious New York awards. Directed arliament Hill is the famous high must be Coward's most popular play. by Barry Creyton it is at the Footbridge P point leading to Hampstead Heath PRIVATE LIVES is set in the romantic Theatre until March 15. where Dick Whittington stopped to listen Art Deco '30s in southern France and in AETT discount $4.00 (except Fri 9 p.m. to the bells of London. Beneath it lies Paris. Elyot and Amanda, once married, and Sat 8 p.m.) buried Boadicea, the warrior queen. In but now honeymooning with new Bookings on 692 9955 ON P ARLIAl\1ENT HILL, the ancient spouses, meet at the same hotel by s IS deals with a subject the whole site, the city and its nine million people chance, and the old spark is reignited - A world is talking about, namely that are under threat, and two men go up into impulsively they elope. Soon, however, of AIDS. While the squeamish won't like the hill to remember their past and to par their fiery romance begins to cool, and the subject, those who go to see it may ticipate in their future. This is the they find themselves alternating between well see the disease and its victims in a Australian premiere of a play . that was love and anger. At the Playhouse, new light. As one reviewer wrote, "AS IS written for Britain's Gay Sweatshop in S.O.H., until March 28. ... is a play that dares to challenge the 1983 and has since toured the U.K. and AETT discount $1.00 " audience apathy" ... It is the story of a West Germany. Written by Noel Greig, Bookings on 2 0525 homosexual "marriage" that is breaking and directed by Robyn Archer, it plays at up, when one member admits he has the Belvoir Street Theatre upstairs until AIDS. His partner decides to stay with March 15. him until the inevitable end. Despite its AETT discount $2.00 subject, there is a great deal of first rate Bookings on 699 3273 comedy in this play which in essence deals he recently announced 1987 Sydney with love and friendship. At the T Theatre Company season opened at Downstairs Theatre, Seymour Centre, the Wharf Studio last month with three until April 14. AETT discount $3.00 (Mon to Thu only) one-act plays collectively titled NO(h) Bookings on 692 0555 EXIT. NO EXIT, by Jean-Paul Sartre, portrays the eternal triangle, three ontinuing at the Marian Street people, a homosexual, a transvestite, and C Theatre until March 14 is a tour-de a lesbian, trapped forever in a room in force by actress Beverley Dunn as Mary Sartre's version of Hell. Continuing the Gilmore in TO BOTANY BAY ON A sexual theme, director Richard Wherrett BONDI TRAM. Mary Gilmore was a has teamed NO EXIT with two modern daughter of Sydney with an unquen Noh plays by Yukio Mishima, THE chable zest and love of life. In her 97 LADY AOI and HANJO. These are two years, she received acclaim as a poet, and classic Japanese Noh plays re-interpreted Wo legendary stars of stage and a journalist, but also she was a most for the 20th century. Tickets are available T screen, Rex Harrison and Claudette clear-sighted feminist, teacher, social from Tuesday April 21 until Saturday Colbert, star together in AREN'T WE reformer and champion of peace. Where May 2 only. ALL, Frederick Lonsdale's drawing did she find the time! The play was first AETT discount $2.00 room comedy set against the backdrop of presented by the Melbourne Theatre Bookings on 250 1777 London's high society. The plot centres Company last year, 'toured Victoria, and around Lord Grenham, a worldly, witty had a season in Boston. he Griffin Theatre Company has aristocrat, and his son and daughter-in AETT discount $1.00 (except Sat evg) T started its 1987 season with law who face a marital crisis. While try- Bookings on 4983166 12 is a publication of the Australian Elizabethan POSTACE Theatre Trust which is produced exclusively for PA ID its 9,500 members throughout Australia. AUSTRALIA THE AUSTRALIAN ELIZABETHAN THEATRE TRUST (incorporated in the A.C.T.) Patron Her Majesty The Queen President Sir Ian Potter " Chairman Andrew Briger, AM Chief Executive Kathleen Norris Directors Rt. Hon. The Lord Mayor of Brisbane, Alderman S. Atkinson Sir David Griffin CBE, F. M. Hooke, The Hon. Mr. Justice C. J. Legoe, K. E. Cowley, Dr. T. Manford, D. A. Mortimer L. G. Teale, L. D. S. Waddy, T. C. Yates Director of Finance: Mark Benvau Entrepreneurial Administrators: Dennis Linehan John Woodland Australian Content Director: Wendy Blacklock Executive Producer for Musical Theatre: Noel Ferrier Marketing Manager: David Martin Administrator of Orchestras: Warwick Ross Theatre of the Deaf Artistic Director: Patrick Mitchell Theatre of the Deaf Administrator: Priscilla Shorne Ticket Services Manager: Jo Litson Building, Props and Electric Supervisor: Roger Taylor Costume Hires Manager: Michael James Membership Manager: Carole Long Membership Secretary: Carol Martin Melbourne office: Carol Ormerod Brisbane office: Denise Wadley Adelaide office: Veronica Bohm Janet Durack Perth office: ! The Australian Elizabethan Theatre Trust receives financial assistance for its activities from: The Music, Theatre, Literature 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 I of the Minister for the Arts. I The Queensland Government Directorate of Cultural I Activities. The Victorian Ministry for the Arts. The Government of Western Australia through the W.A. Arts Council. B.P. Australia. The Ian Potter Foundation. The Australian Elizabethan Theatre Trust is a founder member of CAPPA. 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