JULY, 1985 Vol 9 No 6 ISSN 0314 - 0598 A publication of the Australian Elizabethan Theatre Trust
CROWN MATRIMONIAL - A Royal Drama
The original cast of CRO WN MA TRIMONIAL Matthew O'Sullivan as the Duke of York, June Salter as Queen Mary and John Hamblin as Edward VIII (seated left to right) Beris Marsh as the Duchess of York, Gai Smith as the Duchess of Gloucester, Brian Hinselwood as the Page, Faye Donaldson as Mabell, the Countess of Airlie, Kay Eklund as The Hon. Margaret Wyndham and Fay Kelton as the Princess Royal (standing left to right)
CROWN MATRIMONIAL by penetrating study of the Royal Family Queen Mary and Edward VIII. Frank Royce Ryton during the love affair between HRH King Harris in the Daily Mirror described June Directed by Peter Williams Edward VIII and Mrs. Wallis Simpson. Salter's earlier portrayal of Queen Mary Designed by Derrick Cox . There are no surprises in the plot. The as a "dignified and petrifying picture of a Costume Design by Judith Dorsman story of the abdication of Edward VIII is rigid tradition-bound head of a family". Cast: June Saiter, John Hamblin, Faye part of history, but the play has attracted Members are invited to see CROWN Donaldson, Kay Eklund, Claire enormous attention since it was first stag MATRIMONIAL at five special perfor Crowther, Jane Seaborn, Antony Wad ed for the Queen's Jubilee. Its fascination mances when a $6.00 discount per ticket dington, Virginia Rooksby is in the treatment of the story by the applies. You may purchase as many Playhouse, Sydney Opera House playwright. He looks behind the tickets as you wish at these special perfor headlines to show the private agony of mances. See Member Activities page 9 for hillip Street Theatre director Peter the Royal Family. The follies of royalty pre-theatre dinner on October 8. Williams will remount CROWN are the follies of any family in a crisis the P BOOKING INFORMATION MATRIMONIAL for a season at the play argues. It is a touching expression of Tue Oct 1 to Sat Oct 26 Sydney Opera House in October. A human passion and anger. 'The love, the Tue to Sat at 8 p.m. director of wide-ranging talents in many tenderness, the respect, the tension, the Wed and Thu at 11 a.m. facets of theatre, Peter Williams' produc heartbreak, bring in turn gentle amuse Sat at 2 p.m. tions of CROWN MATRIMONIAL have ment or a catch in the throat," said AETT $19.90 Oct 8, 9, 10 (8 p.m.), been one of his major successes and have Norman Kessell reviewing the 1978 pro 5 (2 p.m.) and 10 (11 a.m.) toured nationally. duction in the Sunday Telegraph. $24.90 (other performances) CROWN MATRIMONIAL is set in The 1985 production will retain G.P. $25.90 Pens/Stud $14.90 the grandeur and privacy of Queen several cast members from the original I·' Mary's London sitting room, production including June Salter and Two AETT tickets per member (except Oct 5, 8, 9 and 10) Marlborough House, in 1936 and is a John Hamblin in the principal roles of 2
ductIon in The Australian, Helen Thom son said, "This is a fine production Lamond and Sheldon intriguing, visually fascinating, making a together on stage classic play accessible and enjoyable." THE MISANTHROPE's themes of MADONNA AND CHILD, written and pretentiousness, corruption and self directed by Tony Sheldon interest may be set in the 17th century bu Musical director: Ron Creager are still relevant today. Cast: Toni Lamond, Tony Sheldon, Ron Creager BOOKING INFORMATION Off Broadway T,heatre Wed Aug 28 to Sat Oct 12 " Mon to Sat at 8 p.m., Wed at 1 p.m., fter 10 years living and working in Sat at 2 p.m. A Los Angeles, Toni Lamond has AETT $13.50 (Aug 23 and Aug 27) returned to the Australian stage to play $17.00 herself in the Off Broadway Theatre pro G.P. $19.00 duction, MADONNA AND CHILD, Pens/Stud $13.00 opening on July 19. Two AETT tickets per member It's very much a family affair. The play with music was written by and co Robert Meldrum, David and Julie Forsyth stars her son, Tony Sheldon, and is the in Anthill's THE MISANTHROPE Photo by Jeff Bushby Alvin Ailey Tour true story of their real-life relationship. They last appeared on stage together in !though preferential bookings have 1966 in OLIVER - with Tony aged 9 Moliere's Misanthrope A now closed for the Sydney season of joining the chorus during school this remarkable American dance com holidays. THE MISANTHROPE by Moliere pany, members can still order tickets. The show includes monologues, solilo Directed by Jean-Pierre Mignon for the They will be given the best available seats quies and songs. "They (the audience) Australian Nouveau Theatre at the time of booking. If no A Reserve think they're coming to see a cabaret," Designed by Wendy Black seats remain then you will be contacted. says Tony. "In reality we pull the rug out Lighting design by Mark White Enclosed with this edition of Trust News from under them and give them what Cast: Robert Meldrum, Chris Ferguson, is a brochure on the company. Please they don't expect . . . " Bruce Keller, Julie Forsyth, Verity Hig ,disregard booking instructions. Members gins, Robert Lyon, Faruk A vdi, David should order their tickets in the usual way BOOKING INFORMATION Jobling, David Goldstraw and Gillian on the enclosed grey form. Seamer Friday July 19 to Sat Aug 10 Wharf Theatre Tue to Sat at 8:30 p.m. Sat mat at BOOKING INFORMATION 4 p.m. Performances: Evenings at 7.30 p.m. AETT discount $1 .00 fter .15 years of to~ring the Fre~ch Matinees at 2 p.m. Bookings on 692 0964 A prOVInces as a comIC actor runmng Programme A: Aug 20,29, 31 his own troupe, Moliere finally received Programme C: Aug 21, 24, 30, 31 (mat) the royal patronage of Louis XIV. A Programme B: Aug 22, 23 and 27 happy ending? Not quite. Moliere stirred Programme M: Aug 24 (mat), 28 .. up several hornets' nests in the court. Of Special Youth (under 26) performance the three plays he wrote and presented of Programme M: Mon Aug 26 at New Actress joins between 1664 and 1666, the first TAR 6.30 p.m. TUFFE was banned because it upset the AETT $32.00 the Theatre of Deaf clergy; the second DON JUAN was too G.P. $38.00 Pens/Stud $27.00 close to home for some court members in Youth (Aug 26) $20.00 arole Noonan has joined the its tale of an insatiable womaniser and Two AETT tickets per member C Theatre of the Deaf to perform was banned after fifteen performances. in ODD BODS, a new play for infant Only THE MISANTHROPE ran a full schoolchildren written by Richard season. Tulloch. Carole takes the place of To be presented by the Sydney Theatre Barry Humphries Show Colin Allen who has left Australia to Company, THE MISANTHROPE has attend the National Theatre of the been mounted by Jean-Pierre Mignon for arry Humphries returns to Sydney in Deaf's Summer School in Connec Melbourne's Australian Nouveau B September to present a new show, ticut, USA. Colin also hopes to work Theatre (commonly known as Anthill). TEARS BEFORE BEDTIME, at Her with deaf theatre companies in the Anthill has frequently been acclaimed for Majesty's Theatre. At the time of going USA. its innovative and startling approach to to press we had no further information. For information on and bookings the classics, including Moliere's DON Members wishing to book should for the Theatre of the Deaf's schools' JUAN for the 1984 Adelaide Festival. therefore contact the Membership office programmes, contact Richard Reviewing the original Melbourne pro- on 357 1200 for details. Payten on 357 1200. -iii -- TRUST MEMBER BOOKING COUPON I My cheque for $ is attached made payable to AETT I MR/MRS/ MISS/ MS I or charge my 0 Bankcard 0 Mastercard 0 Visa Expiry date PLEASE PRINT FULL NAME I I I I I II I I I II I I I .11 I I I I [-I ADDRESS POSTCODE I I Name Signature TELEPHONE (day) (evening) AETT MEMBERSHIP No. ______(IN CASE WE NEED TO CALL YOU ABOUT YOUR ORDER) ! I enclose a stamped addressed envelope for return of tickets ~
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Nuclear Comedy New Play at Bondi The Lower Depths WHEN THE WIND BLOWS FRAMEWORK by Sandra Shotlander by Raymond Briggs Produced and directed by Glenda Milne THE LOWER DEPTHS by Maxim Directed by Richard Cottrell Cast: Sandi Garrett, Caroline Lewis Gorky Designed by Richard Roberts Bondi Pavilion Theatre . Directed and designed by Derek Glenn Belvoir St. Theatre Rocks Players Theatre his is the first professional production pening on July 18 is the award T by Sydney Acting School graduate HE LOWER DEPTHS is the best O winning black comedy by British Glenda Milne, and the first play by T known play by Maxim Gorky who cartoonist and writer Raymond Briggs. Sandra Shotlander. The play investigates was principally a short-story writer. WHEN THE WIND BLOWS, which is the relationship between two lesbian Gorky was encouraged to write it by adapted from the cartoon book, is about women and attempts to show the Chekhov and in 1902 it was premiered at Jim and Hilda Bloggs, retired and living thoughtful and sometimes funny course the Moscow Arts Theatre starring in London, who size-up the international of their intimacy without being either Stanislavski and Chekhov's wife, Olga situation and decide to build a nuclear clinical or polemic. FRAMEWORK has Knipper. The play observes the dwellers shelter. Using the local council pamphlet had a successful season at the Universal in a Moscow doss house over a short "A Householders Guide to Survival", Theatre in Melbourne and been presented period of time. Jim sets to work when the bomb drops. at the Meridian Gay Theatre in New York and the Adelaide Fringe Festival.
BOOKING INFORMATION BOOKING INFORMATION Thu Jul 18 to SUD Aug 25 BOOKING INFORMATION Fri Jul 12 to Sun Aug 11 Tue to Sat at 8 p.m. Wed Jul 3 to Sat Jul 27 Thu, Fri, Sat at 8 p.m. Wed, Sat and Sun at 5 p.m. Wed to Sat at 8 p.m. Sun at 5.30 p.m. AETT discount $1.00 AETT discount 52.00 AETT discount $1.00 Bookings on 699 3273 Bookings on 30 7211 Bookings on 5690223
NOCENTS (April 85) and PERMUTA devices such as sculpture, poetry and Epic trilogy TIONS INTO DARKNESS (October 83). music to take his audience on a never-to concludes No other director in recent times has at be-forgotten trip which exposes the tempted to successfully portray the inner suburban banality which surrounds ASLEEP AT THE WHEEL, by All Out confusion of the human psyche. them. "ASLEEP AT THE WHEEL Ensemble In ASLEEP AT THE WHEEL seeks to intensify our experiences. We are Directed and designed by Nicholas Tsoutas uses powerful images, media and not living in tender times and it is very Tsoutas difficult to make anything happy convin The Performance Space cing. But I want to show that human be ings, the essence of reason, are really ne of Sydney's most innovative OK, " says Tsoutas. O theatre companies is in rehearsal for The Australian Content Department of the final part of a triology which has the Australian Elizabethan Theatre already attracted great interest from en Trust, which encourages new forms of thusiasts of new theatrical form. The All theatre throughout the country, is lend Out Ensemble, directed b)" Nicholas ing its support to Tsoutas' unique con Tsoutas, will present ASLEEP AT THE cepts and will be presenting the Sydney WHEEL at the Performance Space from season. July 17 to August 4. Tsoutas, who is also Artistic Director of the Performance Space, is regarded as BOOKING INFORMATION one of the country's most promising Wed Jul 17 to Sun Aug 4 directors. ASLEEP AT THE WHEEL is Wed to Sun at 8:30 p.m. The All Out Ensemble's production of THE AGE the third play in a trilogy which included AETT concession $1.00 OF THE INNOCENTS presented at the Bookings on 698 7235 the acclaimed works, AGE OF THE IN- Performance Space in April 1985 4 elfll)sdfI ~O~_'f~____ ~~ ____~
The Trust has seats set aside for Women, Behind Bars members in Stalls - Rows L, M, N and SDC Season o - for specific performances. he Sydney Dance Company will com OMEN BEHIND BARS, which T mence a season in the Drama was developed by playwright Tom Theatre, Sydney Opera House this month W BOOKING INFORMATION Eyen in collaboration with director Ron following highly successful seasons in Link in 1974, is both a spoof of the Thu Nov 7, Tue Nov 12, Wed Nov 20, Mon Nov 25 and Sat Mat Dec 14 New York and in the Peoples Republic of 'fifties women's prison pictures and a sad AETI $33.50 G.P, $35.00 China. comment on the failure of the prison No Pens/Stud discount SOME ROOMS is the company's most system. Two AETT tickets per member successful work to date. Premiered in The action takes place in The Women's AETI discount unavailable at Theatre November 1983 it traces the voyage of a House of Detention in New York where Royal young man, in symbolic terms, from in we see the female inmates during a series nocence to awakening. Clive Barnes, of New Year's Eve confrontations from reviewing the work in the New York Post 1952 to 1959. said H. • • this Dantesque dreamworld, WOMEN BEHIND His not for im Arturo Vi with its mists and visions is fascinating to pressionable 'children or ultra-sensitive watch. ~' adults who cannot leave their social con ohn,Bell received considerable acclaim AFTER VENICE is the fifth full sciences at the front door", said Los J for . his performance in the first length work choreographed and produc Angeles Daily News theatre critic Rick Sydney production of Brecht's ARTURO ed by Graeme Murphy. Inspired by Mur Talcove. What it "ultimately represents VI in Sydney in 1971 and also in China phy's fascination with characters from is a rare treat to laugh both with and where he presented excerpts. Those who Benjamin Britten's opera DEATH IN apart from ourselves and our missed it the first time will now have the VENICE, the work starts where the sensibilities ". chance to see it when it reopens at opera finishes with the death of Aschen Nimrod on July 31, once again directed bach on the beach at Lido. BOOKING INFORMATION by Richard Wherrett. Fri Jul 12 to Sat Aug 3 Brecht's aim in writing ARTURO UI BOOKING INFORMATION Mon to Thu at 8.30 p.m. was to destroy the image of murderers, SOME ROOMS Wed Jul24 to Sat Fri at 7 and 11 p.m. crooks and dictators as national heroes. Aug 3 AETI discount $1.00 (Mon to Thu), His Hitler in the play is a Brooklyn crook AFTER VENICE Wed Aug 7 to Sat $3.00 (JuI12, 13, 15, 16, 17 and 18 only) running a protection racket; and his off Aug 31 Bookings on 692-9955 siders follow closely the characters of AETI discount $3.00 Footbridge Theatre Hitler's cohorts, Goebbels, Goering and Bookings on 20588 Roehm. Drama Theatre, S.O.H.
BOOKING INFORMATION Wed Jul 31 to Sat Aug 17 The Shifting Heart Cats Mon to Sat at 8 p.m. Sat at 2 p.m. pening on July 10 is Richard he long-awaited Australian premiere AETI $15.90 (Mon-Thu and Sat mat) O Beynon's classic Australian play T of the musical CATS takes place in G.P. $17.90 THE SHIFTING HEART. Winner of Sydney on July 27. It follows one of the Pens/Stud $12.00 (Mon-Thur and Sat the playwrighting competition run by The most innovative and successful advertis mat) Journalists Club of Sydney, the play was ing campaigns yet seen in Sydney. The Two AETI tickets per member first presented at the Elizabethan first four months of the season are vir York Theatre, Seymour Centre Theatre, Newtown, in 1957 by the tually sold out to the general public, Australian Elizabethan Theatre Trust. although the Trust is still holding prime THE SHIFTING HEART is set in the seats for Trust Members (see below). It is Redfern backyard of an Italian family a remarkable achievement for London who have recently settled in Australia and producer Cameron Mackintosh, but then portrays the culture shock they ex the costs of putting on the show - over perience as well as the antagonism of $3 million - are equally remarkable. many Australians. It is a warm, funny, . CATS is based on T. S. Eliot's "Old and intensely moving play which, sadly, Possum's Book of Practical Cats" which is as relevant today as it was in 1957. was published in 1939 - a collection of poems about his favourite cats from BOOKING INFORMATION Grizabella, the Glamour Cat, Griddle Wed JulIO to Sat Jul 27 bone, Mr. Mistoffolees, and Old Mon to Fri at 11 a.m. Deuteronomy to Tum ,Tum Tugger. Wed Fri and Sat at 8 p.m. CATS nas been mounted in Australia by AETI discount $3.00 (JulIO, 12, 13) $1.00 (other performances) the same creative team which first pro John Bell as Arturo Ui and Reg Gillam as Clarke in Bookings on 232 8570 duced CATS in London, including inter the ABC TV version oj the Old Tote production oj Phillip St. Theatre national director Trevor Nunn. ARTURO UJ r------~--~------~--~------~------~~~ ______. ~
here is never enough space in a Symphony in an enthusiastically received T column this size to give more than an concert at Manchester's Free Trade Hall. idea of the many productions available to Despite the lack of spring, the summer London audiences at .SillY one time. Hap festival season is practically upon us and pily some events stand out for comment many festival brochures throughout the - such as the new play by Howard Bren country offer an exciting range of events ton and David Hare which opened in and personalities. Glyndeborune Opera's May at the National Theatre with An season between May and July (always thony Hopkins in the leading role. The sold out months ahead) this year includes play is a large-scale "comedy about the Peter Hall's production of CARMEN, newspaper world" called PRAVDA - a with his wife Maria Ewing in the title role title which for many people conjures up and Warren Elsworth and Marie the theme of distorted or manipulated McLaughlin also in the cast. Rossini's truth through which Brenton and Hare, LA CENERENTOLA will share the at times scathingly and with great wit, Judi Dench who appeared with Michael Williams in limelight, conducted by James Judd. "expose" the pursuit of power that lies the ABC TV Series A FINE ROMANCE Chichester Festival Theatre recently an behind the apparently free press of Fleet nounced its season with a company of Street. While I am sure it could be Theatre (with Tutin's rivetting portrayal artists, many of whom will be known to "adapted" to the Australian situation, it of a woman waking as from sleeping Australian theatregoers - Lewis is a very topical, British play with An sickness drawing high praise); and OLD Fiander, Joanna McCallum, Denis thony Hopkins giving a superb perfor TIMES, with Liv Ullmann, Michael Quilley, Diana Rigg, Donald Sinden, mance (to many the best of his career) as Gambon and Nicola Pagett in David Edward Fox and many others. Between Lambert Ie Roux, the South African who Jones' production at the Haymarket May 15 and September 28 the company ruthlessly acquires and increasingly Theatre Royal. Meanwhile, Tom Stop will present Coward's CAVALCADE, dominates (with manic determination) pard's entertaining JUMPERS is enjoy Shakespeare's ANTONY & the staff, style and attitudes of a number ing a successful revival at the Aldwych CLEOPATRA, THE PHILAN of newspapers. Directed by David Hare, Theatre with Paul Eddington, Felicity THROPIST by Christopher Hampton PRAVDA is in the National's repertoire Kendal (in the original Diana Rigg role) and THE SCARLET PIMPERNEL by throughout the summer months - with and Simon Cadell, directed by Peter Baroness Orczy. loud indications from the company that Wood. The Lyric Theatre, Ham As usual, there's still more to talk this will be the last large-scale, large-cast mersmith, after a recent sea~on of Ibsen's about - such as the current RSC revival production they will be able to afford in LITTLE EYOLF with Diana Rigg in a of Trevor Griffiths' THE PARTY; a the foreseeable future. moving and perceptive production, is gripping new play about athletes, As part of a perceptible trend, the also providing the opportunity for GOLDEN GIRLS at the Barbican Pit; a Royal Shakespeare Company has recent audiences to see stars at work. This time new musical called MUTINY starring ly transferred two of its productions from they are from the film world - John Frank Finlay and David Essex which the small Barbican Pit Theatre into larger Hurt (1984 etc.), Samantha Eggar and opens in July . . . maybe next time . . . ! theatres -- a revival of Harley Granville Natasha Richardson are in the cast of Barker's drama of political sexual scan Chekhov's THE SEAGULL, a produc dal, WASTE, directed by John Barton tion which originated at the Oxford with Judi Dench and Daniel Massey Playhouse. superb in their roles of "fallen women" On the musical side: GUYS & DOLLS, and politician, has transferred to the the National Theatre's awardwinning Lyric Theatre and plays to the end of musical, returns to London on June 19 July. Stephen Poliakoff's new play, (after touring to the larger regional BREAKING THE SILENCE has opened theatres) and is booking through to I at the Mermaid Theatre with Alan January 1986! BARNUM, with the ever Howard, Gemma Jones and Jenny popular Michael Crawford, has also been Agutter leading a vivid and exciting por revived for the summer season at the Vic trayal of a Russian family after the toria Palace. On the opera scene, revolution. It is set in an imperial railway Australian soprano Marilyn Richardson carriage - the mobile home of a Russian made her British debut in the title role of aristocrat whose job as .. telephone AIDA for the English National Opera at surveyor for the Northern Railway is the Coliseum in May in John Copley's merely a front for his life's work ... the production which continues throughout invention of the talkies! June. Another name familiar to Harold Pinter currently has two Australian music lovers is that of Edward Marilyn Richardson made her British debut as Aida revivals of his plays, with starry casts, Downes (formerly conductor for the for the English National Opera running in the West End - OTHER Trust Orchestra) currently popular chief Margaret Leask is a former editor of PLACES (a triology of one act plays) conductor of the BBC Philharmonic Trust News now living in London with Dorothy Tutin and Colin Blakely, Orchestra, who recently gave the world where she is an artist's agent. directed by Kenneth Ives at the Duchess premiere of Peter Maxwell Davies' Third 6
Some impressions of Chinese Theatre today By Glenda Linscott
In March 1983 the Australian Centre for the International Theatre Institute in Sydney conducted a very successful con ference entitled "Chinese Theatre in the Twentieth Century". As a result three Australian representatives of the ITI were invited to visit China this year in return for hosting three Chinese scholars. Marlis Thiersch, Director of the Australian Centre, Glenda Linscott, IT! Secretary and actress, and John Gaden, Chairman of the Board and well-known Sydney actor, spent four weeks as guests of the Chinese ITI Centre in Beijing visiting theatres and drama academies, meeting theatre personalities, enjoying the hospitality of the Chinese people and presenting some short excerpts of Australian drama.
e came away from a fairly intense month with more unanswered Director of Gui Ju traditional opera company in Guilin farewell's John Gaden after an afternoon's perfor W mance specially provided for us questions than answered. We felt that we were seeing China at a very interesting very difficult to follow but having had opera, and find it unappealing. This is time when all things were changing. We four weeks watching different perfor just one of the disturbing problems fac saw not only the society opening up to the mances with the benefit of an interpreter ing Beijing Opera today. West but also the Government relaxing giving us blow by blow descriptions, we Primarily we were an official delega on issues of incentives and rewards, and experienced, with dawning insight, one of tion from the IT! executing a diplomatic also attempts to give wider freedom. We the oldest living art forms in the world. It "cultural exchange". But as well as just saw China experimenting with solutions, is enormously demanding on the talking, since both John Gaden and I but as the Chinese are so intensely audience in that it requires a compre were actors, we thought we would try to pragmatic, unsuccessful "solutions" can hensive knowledge of the symbols and give a potted showcase of Australian be discarded overnight. images, stories and stylised representa drama, aware that we would have an au Most of the theatre we saw was tradi tions of movements, costumes, colours, dience of non-English speakers and that tional Beijing (formerly Peking) Opera or props and make-up masks. the visual component would be almost provincial versions of it. At first it was non-existent. The more we saw of Beijing Opera the With this in mind we selected scenes more we thought how extraordinary it and songs from six Australian plays was that such a heightened, technically which we performed in the training accomplished physical and external Academies and at the Forums organised discipline could produce such a dramatic for us by our various hosts to meet local and emotional effect. Time and time theatre directors, actors and playwrights. again we were moved and startled by the And it is through these forums that we internal intensity achieved by the actors gradually began to find out about using external techniques. We were aware Chinese theatre and made contact with more than ever how little we as people working outside of Beijing Opera naturalistic actors use our bodies to - in Spoken Drama. express ourselves. There are a couple of basic things to In the same way as the tradition of understand. For example, all theatre presenting Beijing Opera is passed down workers, actors, directors, playwrights from generation to generation, so too is are guaranteed work for their whole the audience appreciation. During the career. When they leave their training Cultural Revolution, however, it was for academy they get "distributed" to a bidden to perform Beijing Opera (except theatre company where they stay for life. Sun Yujiao in THE JADE BRACELET presented the eight revolutionary operas), so there (There are only two training academies by the Jiangsu Peking Opera Theatre in Australia in is now an entire generation of theatre for Spoken Drama in the whole of the 1983 goers who do not understand traditional country - a startling statistic when you 7
realise that Australia has the same was talking this problem over a friend political propaganda. In the thirties when number, plus all the universities and col said that much was being done to allay playwrights attempted to write an in leges, to cater for a population of 15 the writers' fear of retribution. dividual story it was subjugated for million, while China's population is one We only saw three Spoken Dramas. A political usage. fifth of the world.) fair indication that the theatre as we We take for granted the personal Leaving the obvious inherent problems know it is fairly elusive. The first was freedom to explore the subjects we like to aside, can you imagine our groans of LANE XIAO JING by Li Long Yun. It argue about - questions of choice, con envy when we contemplated the prospect was quite a strong piece marking the lives science, individual freedom, private angst of consistent work? However, to our of the families living in this particular - but these are issues the Chinese cannot astonishment, when we told the Chinese lane before, during and after the Cultural argue about and have no time to com of our freelance, open-market theatre in Revolution. The second we saw was a run prehend. Within a week of being in dustry, it was met with similar exclama of Acts 1 and 2 of DESTINY, provided China we realised that priorities must be tions. "If only we had that, " they said, for us after repeated asking after Spoken reorganised in the face of a Third World "it would lead to actors working hard for Drama, and a few days later we were Country - in the face of over a contract of work. Harder work would taken to see a dreadful didactic piece of population, poverty, food production lead to better acting"! theatre which was pure party propaganda and a one-party government. We got the impression that there were and excruciatingly boring. But we met fabulously interesting theatre companies working in every pro On the whole the acting was sincere people who are desperate for knowledge vince - certainly in those that we visited. and heartfelt, but there was nothing and change and are hungry for new ideas And they were very big. Some companies really exceptional or outstanding. and concerned with their problems. They had up to 370 actors! This is the first big Perhaps I needed to know the language. gobbled up the scripts we offered them, problem. If every actor is guaranteed a But the acting was so sentimental and, and stood back amazed and confronted position with a theatre the companies will particularly from the young actors, at the concept of choice. They envied our eventually become enormous. So what do melodramatic, overacted and pushed. system feeling that to fight for a contract they do? Well most companies were sub The basic difference between their of work would make the actors work divided. Company B would understudy theatre and ours is that theirs is political harder and consequently better. Ironic, ComJjany A. Company C would work in and issues drama, and our drama is, for isn't it? They were very interested to see the eommunity giving classes to its thousand year tradition from the our work. Amazed at its "naturalness, amateurs, and Company A would be on Greeks, based on the individual personal relaxation and truth". All the Stanislav- tour. But there is still a large amount of dilemma. So no wonder th'ere IS a "gap.; rski= tliings wl'liCh -.inhe moment sit very dead wood. As you would expect the Their Spoken Drama is barely eighty bulkily on their shoulders make their most talented actors are the ones used years old and has been adapted for acting generally stiff, indicative, sign and reading between the lines there must postie; all tbose-dreadful things that we be fierce competition within the company fight against as actors in the West. for the roles going. However, these are all criticisms that Quite apart from that, the Big Pot would apply to actors who are not very at Policy introduced after Liberation means home with themselves. And I think we that everyone's entitled to a basic wage. are getting to the nub of the problem, Anything that the company makes over that actors cannot afford to discover and above this basic income is a bonus themselves too much or they might be which is shared equally among all the having dangerous independent thoughts company. This of course is very - the same problem facing the writers. frustrating for the talented actors who And never before has it come home to are working very hard, and if the show is me that the kind of theatre we have very a success, provide the bonus which is much reflects the kind of government we everyone's. have - a pragmatic, capitalistic, Also there is the problem of censor democratic society. It is the same for ship. This of course was never discussed China. And after the initial shock we as a "problem". But clearly all the realise it is no wonder the state of Spoken Spoken Drama must conform to Party Drama is as it is . One gets the feeling, policy. There is no freedom of choice, or however, that there are the beginnings of if there is it is strictly limited to what is experimental drama, finding expression suitable. Western drama is hardly, if in chamber performances before select ever, performed. There is a theatre cliques. predominance of drama written in the They want us to return with an thirties - it is fervent, nationalistic, and Australian company so they can ex melodramatic. For those writers working perience a full production, and so that today there is strong internal censorship. Final (4th Year) student production of Ibsen 's THE greater and more extensive exchanges can They are nudged in the right directions by SEAGULL at the Shanghai Drama Academy. More take place. We can certainly benefit from Western drama is performed in the two drama their vast wealth of traditional theatre, their overseers, cadres, theatre academies in China than you would normally find in researchers and critics. It is very hard for the theatre. They are used, of course, as in-training and they can be let in on the virtues of the ambitious and full, although when I experience private angst! Switch this to "A woman with two men THE SHOOTING PARTY directed by ... " : ~nd you have the theme of FULL Alan Bridges MOON IN PARIS. Louise, played by Screenplay by Julian Bond from the Pascale Ogier, juggles two men and two novel by Isabel Colegate homes until a third man, played by Chris Produced by Geoffrey Reeve tian Vadim, son of Roger Vadim and Starring James Mason, Dorothy Tutin, Catherine Deneuve, upsets the delicate Edward Fox, Cheryl Campbell, Rupert balance. Fraser, Judi Bowker, Robert Hardy, The behind-the-scenes story about this John Gielgud and Gordon Jackson ~c ~ film is a mixture of talent and tragedy. Opening July 5, Academy Twin Cinema, ~ Pascale Ogier also designed the sets and Padding ton ~ the pied-a-terre which Louise, an interior ~ decorator, refurnishes in the film were n the lush and nostalgic setting of a ~ the work of the star herself. I grand English country house in In September 1984, Pascale won the Edwardian times, THE SHOOTING GULAG directed by Roger Young Best Actress award at the Venice Film PARTY is an elegy for a way of life soon Screenplay by Dan Gordon from a story Festival; in November 1984 she died of to dissolve in the trenches of France. by Dan Gordon, Raphael Shauli and heart failure at the age of 24. A of assured, elegant and rich Yehousha Ben-Porat gro~p Produced by James Retter and Dan men and women gather for a weekend shooting party. They dine, gossip, and Gordon HEIMAT (HOMELAND) written and Starring David Keith, Malcolm flirt according to the etiquette of those directed by Edgar Reitz (Sub-titles) times when anything was allowable as McDowell, Warren Clarke, David Starring Marita Breuer, Gebriele Blum, Suchet, John McEnery and Nancy Paul long as it was discreet. Gudrun Landgrebe But all is not as predictable as it seems. Opening July J J at Hoyts Entertainment Sat Jul27 to Sun Aug 4 at Academy Twin Centre Someone is accidentally shot and the Cinema, Paddington shoot ends in tragedy. The members of the shooting party are shocked out of on't be misled by the title of this or a few days in late July/early their complacency. Is it a premonition D film. It is not from Solzhenitsyn's F August you may wonder why some of that their way of life is doomed; that the master novel, "The Gulag Archipelago" , your friends don't answer the phone. values which have ordered their glittering but the setting is the same. They will be at the marathon viewing of world will no longer have any meaning in It's the story of an ex-U.S. Olympic the longest film ever made, HEIMAT, the new age about to dawn? gold medallist turned sports commen which has a running time of 15 Y2 hours tator who, while covering the Spartaka and spans 60 years of life in a German Games in Moscow, is set up and im village (from 1919 to 1982). It is in four prisoned by the KGB in the dreaded parts and the whole film can be seen on Gulag. He is the prototype American Saturday and Sunday afternoon and with a background of success, a happy evening on two weekends, or in four marriage, and the bravado and idealism evening sessions from Monday to Thurs of another John Wayne. His never-say day, with a 25 per cent discount if you die attitude contrasts throughout the film book for all four parts. with the fatalistic acceptance of his fellow Enormous in both scope and cost, it prisoners and he finally succeeds in won the International Critics' Prize at the organising a daring break-out from the 1984 Venice Film Festival. The London desolate camp. Times called it "History in the palm of Malcolm McDowell (A Clockwork your hand". The London Observer said Orange, 0 Lucky Man) co-stars with it was "An event that will be talked about David Keith as a cynical English spy, a for years to come", and The London canny arch-survivalist, who tutors the Standard commented that "All human American in the realities of staying alive. life seems to be inside it . . . don't miss Sir Rando/ph Netl/eby (James Mason) and his it". clapper in THE SHOOTING PARTY FULL MOON IN PARIS directed and written by Eric Rohmer Produced by Margaret Memegoz BOOKING INFORMATION Starring Pascale Ogier, Fabrice Luchini, Concessional vouchers can be purchased from the AEIT and exchanged at Hoyts, Greater Union and Tcheky Karyo, Christian Vadim, Virginia Village cinemas for tickets. The vouchers are open dated but some Saturday/ Public Holiday restrictions Thevenet, Anne-Severine Liotard apply to their use. See vouchers for details. . Opening mid-July Dendy Cinema G.U. $5.50 ($1 saving), Hoyts $5.00 ($1.50 saving), Village $5.00 ($1.50 saving). Please note, no handl ing fee applies to film vouchers and members may purchase as many as they wish. Discounts are also offered at the Dendy Cinema, Martin Place ($1.00), and the Academy Twin, Pad n old Champagne proverb reads "A dington ($2.50), at all performances except after midday Saturday. Members should present their A man with two women loses his soul, membership card at the box office. a man with two homes loses his mind". 9
ITTLE KILLINGS WITH A DREAMERS by Graeme Watson and .a One of Noel Coward's most popular L PRIVATE VIEW is the latest season revision 'l of STROLLERS by Don Asker. plays, PRIV A TE LIVES, will be of Canberra Dance Ensemble to be St,ROLLE;RS', I"refle~ts dn sOfY,le of the presented by the Hunter Valley Theatre presented at the Canberra Playhouse drea'fls and realities . of youth today. I Company at the Playhouse from July 23 from July 3 to 6. The season features new hope, " says Don Asker, "that the dance to 27. The play centres around Amanda choreography from international will also appeal to the older, generation,' and Elyot, who are divorced and re Australian choreographer Graeme Wat as it's often they who create an envirom married to different partners. Though son and from Stephanie Burridge, the ment and conditions in which youth must they are loath to admit it, they are still Artistic Director of Canberra Dance participate. " . very much in love and the sparks are Ensemble. Also included in the pro Following its Sydney, season, Jack Hib rekindled when they meet while honey gramme is a revival of Andris Toppe's berd's STRETCH OF THE IMAGINA mooning in adjoining suites in a hotel in hilarious dinner party spoof, "DINNER TION will play at the Canberra France. The production will be directed AT 8Yz". Playhouse from July 10 to 20. First by Brent McGregor. Human Veins Dance Theatre will pre presented at Melbourn~'s Pram Faqory sent their second 1985 season at the Arts in 1972 it has become a c lassic of Centre, ANU, from July 11 to 20. In Australiaq theatre. Bruce Spence plays AETI discount all performances $1.00 cluded in the programme is the world the role of Monk O'Neill in this one-man See local press for booking information premiere of TRUE BLUE AND THE retrospective of life. M~_~_~______~~_ . _
SCONE DISTRICT WEEKEND situated in 100 acres which include a ten BOLSHOI BALLET DINNER August 24125 nisicourt ' and pavilion, three-storey sports Saturday August 10 at 6 p.m. complex, a zoo, rainforest and Shinto Members Committee President Shirley Temple. Adjoining the house is an Sadly there are no A reserve seats left for Hay will be taking Members and friends equestrian complex where we will be the Bolshoi Ballet. But those holding for one of her famous weekends to the entertained by , Andalusian horses. The theatre tickets for August 10 are warmly Scone district. The visit will give you the main entertaining and living areas of the invited to complete what will undoubted opportunity to visit some of the splendid house are liberally furnished with ly be a very special night by joining us for grazing properties in the area which are priceless antiques and treasures. Lunch dinner in the Cosmopolitan Restaurant at not available to the general public - pro will be provided in the Cabana adjoining the Entertainment Centre. Tickets which perties such as Glenalvon, Murrurundi, the Rainforest and is included in the cost include two courses and wine are $16 Turanville, Middlebrook Park Farm, of the visit. Our coach departs Kings each. Elmswood and, of course, the famous Cross at 9 a.m. following North Shore , Belltrees Station. Since our last visit to pick-ups and will then pick up on the CROWN MATRIMONIAL DINNER Belltrees Judy White has been made a route out west. Tickets are $25 each or Tuesday October 8 at 6p.m. Governor of the Trust so she will be par $20 if you use your own transport. ticularly looking forward to our visit. Friends are very welcome but sorry no If you're planning to ·see CROWN The cost for the weekend, which includes children under 12. Please ring Wendy MATRIMONIAL, why not choose bus transport, all meals, share motel ac Tapper on 289 9293 or Beverley Guest on October 8 so you can join us for dinner commodation and all entries, is $150. As 482 334 to make your bookings. beforehand in the Banks Restaurant at space is strictly limited please book early the Wentworth Hotel. We'll arrange (enclosing a $30 deposit per person). transport down to the Opera House DINNER AND OPERA afterwards for those who want it. Dinner Thursday September 19 tickets are $17 for a two-course meal with NOTRE DAME INSPECTION wine. Theatre tickets should be ordered Sunday July 14 at 11 a.m. We have had a number of requests from separately. Members to arrange another evening at The Sydney Committee has arranged a the Opera. We have chosen the delightful BOOKING INFORMATION day at Notre Dame, the magnificent comic opera DON PASQUALE by Unless otherwise stated bookings for home of Emmanuel and Cecile Margolin Donizetti with the ever-popular Ronald Member Activities should be sent ih on at Mulgoa (near Penrith). This Maconaghie in the title role. The price for the same grey booking coupon as your remarkable home is not open to the two-course dinner with wine in The theatre bookings. The handling fee does general public, so our private visit has Bennelong Restaurant plus A Reserve not apply to Member Activities. special significance. Notre Dame is opera tickets is $48.00 per person. I .10 witS _ftlt1'1_.1'1._-, ___" __ ~
ENTS, at the Wharf Studio until July ontinuing this month at the Genesian R 13, is by British writer Michael C Theatre is the Neil Simon play Wilcox and is directed by Egil Kipste. Set PLAZA SUITE. It is a three-act play set in Edinburgh in the mid-seventies, in a single suite at the Plaza Hotel where RENTS focuses on the antics of drama three quite different scenarios are acted student Phil and jeans salesman Robert out. There's the 23rd wedding anniver who are also "rent boys" or male sary celebration that goes wrong; the suc prostitutes. The play provides an in cessful producer trying to use his casting triguing and often comic insight into the couch; and the wedding party with the lifestyles of the rent boys. The London reluctant bride. The acts are all complete Sunday Telegraph called it "Brilliantly in themselves and, in usual Neil Simon funny and desolatingly sad" and com style, are very funny. mented that it had "a lot to say not AETT discount $1.00 merely about homosexuality but about Bookings on 267 7774 humanity in general". AETT discount $1.00 Bookings on 250 1777 ittIe known in Sydney until recently, Lisa Peers and Lawrence Woodward in rehearsal L one ' of Melbourne's most eminent jar FOOL FOR LOVE at the Sailors Home Theatre theatre companies, the Australian avid Williamson's play WHAT IF Nouveau Theatre, generally known as D YOU DIED TOMORROW? has am Shepherd, who is considered to be AnthiII, continues its production of just opened at the MariaA
TUESDAY, AUGUST 27 The Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater is undoubtedly the world's leading contemporary dance company. Audiences from New York to Moscow, from London to Tokyo and from Paris to Rio de Janeiro have greeted its I performances with standing ovations and demands for encore after encore. Coinciding with the company's Sydney season, Alvin Ailey or one of his close associates will talk on the work of the company which has revolutionised the world of modern dance.
MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 23 David Williamson is undoubtedly Australia's best known contemporary playwright. As a playwright dealing with vital issues affecting SOCiety, he has become a very influential social commentator. His latest play SONS OF CAIN is a skilful treatment of the highly controversial and topical subject of corruption. Brian Klernan, Senior Lecturer in English at Sydney University has written a critical biography on David Williamson and will deliver a talk on the social themes and implications of David Williamson's works. David Williamson will be present to answer questions following the talk.
WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 23 Noel Ferrier is one of the great theatrical personalities ofAustralia . An actor and author, he is also executive producer of the Musical Theatre Division ofthe Australian Elizabethan Theatre Trust. In that capacity, he co-produced THE SOUND OF MUSIC withJulieAnthony and the box office smash hit THE PIRATES OF PENZANCE. Ferrier will talk on the resurgence of interest in musical theatre both in Australia and on the stages of New York and London.
MONDAY, NOVEMBER 25 The make-up process which is so much a part of the magiC of theatre is a craft of great skill and there is no greater expert in this field than Peggy Carter. Ms. Carter who has worked on many major stage and film productions will give 4 a talk and practical demonstration on make-up techniques including the ageing process. An actor will be used as a model.
BOOKING INFORMATION LECTURE PRICE SCHEDULE 5.30pm-6pm For light refreshment Trust Members - Series of 4 lectures $28.00 6pm- 7 pm Lecture General Public - Series of 4 lectures $40.00 Qantas Theatre Trust Members: Please use the grey booking coupon in Qantas International Centre Trust News to order your tickets. Due to the expected ( off York and Grosvenor Streets, Sydney) heavy demand, Trust Members are limited to 2 tickets at T.M. price.
Presented by the Australian Elizabethan Theatre Trust and assisted by Qantas as a public service ~QANTAS 12
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is a publication of the Australian Elizabethan POSTAGE Theatre Trust and is mailed to its 5000 members in New South Wales eleven times per year. PAID 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 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 N. R. Seddon AO CBE 1. G. Teale 1. D. S. Waddy T. Yates Chief Executive: Kathleen Norris Company Secretary: Don Grace 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 Ii Building, Props and Electric Supervisor: Roger Taylor .,t 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: 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.
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
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