16 Friday, May 30, 2008 smh.com.au The Sydney Morning Herald Arts & Entertainment Gielgud back on her toes AballetbasedonaBeckettplaybringsoutthe Merry Widow.Hetransformed dance drama. Translated from his company in Brussels, abouthowtoimpartmoreofthe Winnie into an ageing ballerina French into English, The fascinated by his theatricality acting side of dance,’’ she says. ‘‘So actor in the dancer, writes Valerie Lawson. encased in a mound of pointe Exquisite Hour is coming to and by his productions in huge much dance seems meaningless shoes, representing both a prison SydneyinAugustwithGielgud sports complexes. to dancers and therefore to the and a protective barrier,but most partnered by the Australian ‘‘He believed very strongly in audience.Iwassurprisedhow nSamuelBeckett’splay picture of, in Beckett’s words, of all a reminder of time passing. dancer Paul DeMasson, now whathewasdoing.Hegothis much I loved acting.’’ Happy Days,Winnieis ‘‘profound frivolity’’. Winnierecallsherlifeasa ballet master at the Singapore audience, my goodness. The In some ways, she thinks, trapped in a mound of Sincetheplay’spremierein ballerina, sews ribbons on her Dance Theatre. DeMasson will wonderful thing about working acting is ‘‘easier than dancing’’. sand up to her waist. She 1961,theroleofWinniehasbeen shoes and, encouraged by Willie, play the role of Willie, originally with Bejart, he was very clear ‘‘My uncle [Sir John Gielgud] Happy day ... Maina Gielgud in The Exquisite Hour. Photo: Mario del Curto sinks slowly into oblivion played by a string of superb her husband, escapes the mound portrayed by Martyn Fleming. what he wanted.’’ never understood why as a child Ias the sand creeps up to her neck. actors, among them Billie and dances once more. Willie is Winnie’s ‘‘anchor’’, Gielgud went on to dance with Iinsistedon‘splittingmylegs’ have three hours a day was like excited. He was inspired and YetWinnieseemscontent, Whitelaw,Jessica Tandy,Irene No work could better says Gielgud, ‘‘although the the London Festival Ballet in the instead of becoming an actress.’’ everything I’d ever dreamed of.’’ inspiring. He was still young in protected by her parasol and a WorthandPeggyAshcroft. encapsulate the repetitive, relationship seems to be a bizarre 1970sandisbacklivingin When she told Bejart of her Bejart died last year, aged 79, the studio, he would leave the handbag full of necessities, The French dancer and dedicated life of a dancer like one. He has nothing to do with London for the first time since new love of acting he replied: sothistimeGielgudisbackatthe studio a different person.’’ among them a powder compact, choreographer Maurice Bejart Maina Gielgud. Pointe shoes her career. He’s one of those then, working as a guest teacher ‘‘I’ve got an idea for you but it barre coaching herself. From the warmth in her voice, atoothbrushand–justincase–a said he had learned to dance seem the natural extension of her husbands who admires for the company,now called the will mean you have to get back ‘‘Since the death of Jorge Donn it seems Bejart was as much her revolver. Comforted by her daily merely by watching the French legs. As artistic director of the enormously but doesn’t realise English National Ballet. on pointe.’’ [t h e d a n c e r a n d B e ja r t ’s l o v e r], father as he was her director. ‘‘He rituals, and optimistic in the face actor Madeleine Renaud play AustralianBalletinthe1980s what it’s all about.’’ After her years in Australia, Gielgud did not need much and a number of people close to used to say that,’’ she says. of boredom followed by certain Winnie, despite the fact that she and ’90s she padded around the ‘‘All’’, in this case, is the then Denmark, Boston and persuading. For the premiere of him fell ill, Maurice was Gielgud goes on alone, in the death, she is a metaphor for the hardly moved at all. studiosinthemandonlythrew dedication of Winnie to the Houston, Gielgud settled once L’heure exquise in Lausanne in depressed for a long time.’’ wayofWinnie,whosaysin human condition. In his middle age, Bejart made them away a decade ago. disciplined life of ballet, one that more in her London flat and 2002, she and Fleming worked But‘‘thelasttimeIsawhimin Happy Days:‘‘ThatiswhatIfind Her catchphrase is: ‘‘This will astringofdanceversions of Butnow,at63,Gielgudisback Gielgud began in England as a decided to study acting at the for three hours a day for three Lausanne was wonderful. He so wonderful. The way man have been another happy day.’’ As Happy Days,renamingitL’heure on her toes in preparation for the child. In her long career,Bejart Actors Centre. weeks. ‘‘I never really worked was creating his last piece to adapts himself. To changing she chatters away,Winnie is the exquise after the melody in The Australian debut of Bejart’s was her own anchor. She joined ‘‘I wanted more knowledge with Maurice tete-a-tete, so to music by Stravinsky. He was so conditions.’’ New James Bond shows his warmer side Passionate, Mark Lawson in London poetic and GGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGG SINCE the death of Ian Fleming in 1964 his estate has authorised powerful 32 novels about James Bond by other authors. Most of these, though, have made so little I THEATRE lasting impact that several leading media outlets have confidently declared Devil May Old and new ... Sebastian Faulks and model STONING MARY Partners ... Alexander Gavrylyuk and Zoki Markovic. Photo: Dean Sewell Care –thecontinuationby Tuuli Shipster at the launch of the Bond book in SBW Stables Theatre, May 28 Sebastian Faulks, published on London this week; and Ian Fleming, above. Until June 21 Wednesday–tobethefirst‘‘non- Reviewed by Mark Hopkins Fleming’’ Bond. Julius Gorner, a chemist. A tense GGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGG Virtuoso brings his bride Previous novelists on the tennis game against Gorner is a THIS Griffin Stablemates Bondwagon, though, have lacked deliberate twin to golf with Auric production of Stoning Mary is the distinction of a release on the Goldfinger; there is even a the first time the work of the and brilliance back ‘home’ day of the 007 creator’s centenary sinister Asian manservant, British playwright Debbie Tucker or – with the exception of Kingsley Chagrin, nodding across Green has been presented in Steve Meacham The couple now live in Berlin, Amis, who used the pseudonym time to Oddjob, who Australia. Tautly directed by GGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGG but Gavrylyuk is back in Sydney Robert Markham for his Colonel helps his boss to Lee Lewis and passionately WHEN Alexander Gavrylyuk first for a concert at the City Recital Sun – of being a bestselling author cheat. performed by 13 actors, this met fellow student Zoki Markovic Hall in Angel Place tonight, in their own right. In Fleming’s challenging text has been trans- in Sydney, the two didn’t exactly where he’ll perform a range of The plot of the new book books the formed into a compelling create sweet music. works, climaxing with Rachman- persistently picks up whispers non-male 65-minute experience. ‘‘I had to give Zoki piano inov’s Sonata No. 2. from Fleming’s books. characters are Interweaving the spoken and lessons,’’ Gavrylyuk, 23, recalls. Later this year he will be back Faulks proves characteristically erotic scenery, unspoken machinations of three ‘‘That didn’t last very long. So we at the invitation of the Sydney alert to the main elements of his so it was also couples in conflict, Tucker Green ended up dating instead.’’ Symphony’s next chief conductor model’s style: food, cruelty, interesting to see achieves a striking degree of Last month, one of the world’s and artistic director, Vladimir clothes, super-weapons and how Faulks would deal empathy for her subject matter: finest young pianists married his Ashkenazy, to perform the solo villains’ secret lairs. Some with this aspect of his human suffering in Africa and sweetheart on Hamilton Island. part in a series of so-far- phrases, such as the secret agent’s inheritance. Perhaps apparent First World indiffer- The best man was Gavrylyuk’s undisclosed recordings. liking for showers that prick his pointedly,he has Bond rejecting ence. Specifying that all friend, and fellow concert pianist, Gavrylyuk isn’t allowed to head like needles, alternately hot an early offer of sex. While the characters must be played by Alexey Yemstov. identify the works but says he and cold, read as if they were female leads feel very Fleming – white actors and that the play The men arrived in Australia feels honoured to be working directly borrowed from Fleming. beautiful twins, one with a must be set in the country in together as 14-year-olds, two of with Ashkenazy. ‘‘I have learnt a Most other elements reflect an birthmark in an intimate place – which it is performed, Tucker four gifted Ukrainian pianists lot from him in the past, from his effort not to write the Bond novel Bond’s gentlemanly tenderness Green represents the human who had received Federal recordings and his life. It is abso- that might be written now,but towards them is very Faulks. experience of Africa through the Government scholarships to lutely amazing to be working another that could have been The novel’s weakness is a lens of local domestic strife. study at the Australian Institute with him now.’’ written then. For example, even in surprising one. Although much of Husband and wife squabble of Music. He and Zoki wanted to marry these foul-mouthed times, Faulks the publicity has been encouraged over a limited supply of medi- Gavrylyuk – Sasha to his in their adopted homeland. notes only that, ‘‘Bond swore by the idea of a superior novelist cation, mother and father bicker friends – became an Australian ‘‘Australia is home,’’ he says. softly’’. And, literally continuing taking on a populist genre, in memory of a missing child, citizen in 2003, a year after his ‘‘Zoki and I met here in Australia, the series, Devil May Care finds Faulks’s prose is actually simpler and sisters blame each other for skull was crushed above his left and have spent most of our time Bond in 1967, following the events and notably warmer than that of circumstances beyond their eye in a car crash that nearly together here.’’ of The Man With The Golden Gun, Fleming, who favoured baroque control. It is with extraordinary killed him. But it took some planning. ‘‘We Fleming’s last novel. metaphors. power that this familiar world of ‘‘One of the good things I got had to revise my concert schedule Developments often follow the Devil May Care misses the domestic bewilderment, cruelty from the accident is that I realise to include the wedding,’’ he says. famous template. Faulks’s Bond chilling indifference of tone and recrimination speaks about how little time I have to achieve encounters an enemy who uses a which Bond’s creator brought to the international nightmare of things, to realise the respons- Alexander Gavrylyuk, City Recital Hall, scientific honorific and always both kissing and killing. the AIDS epidemic, child soldiers ibility I have with music,’’ he says. tonight 7.30pm. wears a glove: not Dr No, but Dr Guardian News & Media and state-sanctioned murder. Tucker Green achieves a poetic intensity of language. Familiar words and half- sentences reveal new meanings North Kellyville and audiences are trusted to construct an emotionally intelli- gent understanding of Africa and Draft Precinct our relationship with the people there, seeing them in us. Such a wordy text demands Plan much of actors. The ensemble The exhibition of the draft Precinct Planning sustains a remarkable degree of documents for North Kellyville in the North intensity without overstatement. West Growth Centre will commence on Intelligent direction creates tension by involving all the actors Friday 30th May 2008, closing on Friday 4th in every scene; the small Stables July 2008. stage is used well. Production The exhibition will introduce proposed planning elements are kept spare, with controls for the North Kellyville Precinct. The lighting, sound and setting locat- public are encouraged to view the information ing the action in the now but in and are invited to provide their input to help no particular place. The result is shape the future of this area. theatre in which great complexity of insight finds elegantly concen- The exhibition can be viewed at Baulkham Hills trated expression. Shire Council, 129 Showground Road, Castle Hill and the Growth Centres Commission at Level 5, 10 Valentine Avenue, Parramatta. SYDNEY FILM FESTIVAL The material is also on display at Castle Hill Library, Cnr Castle and Pennant Streets; the OPENING NIGHT Vinegar Hill Memorial Library, 29 Main Street, Rouse Hill; and the Department of Planning TICKETS, ACCOMMODATION AND ANNIE’S LANE WINES TO WIN The SMH, 23 ² 33 Bridge Street, Sydney. Thanks to Annie’s Lane Wines, The Sydney Morning Herald is offering readers the chance to The exhibition information can also be obtained by visiting www.gcc.nsw.gov.au or experience all the glitz and glamour of Sydney’s premier film event. The prize for one lucky by calling the Growth Centres Commission winner is a double pass to the red carpet Australian premiere of Happy-Go-Lucky on Wednesday, now also on 1300 730 550. June 4, at the State Theatre followed by the official after-party at The Hilton, Sydney, plus For further information call the Growth Centres one night’s accommodation at The Hilton and a case of Annie’s Lane premium wines. Commission on 1300 730 550 or visit www. To enter, email your name, address and contact details to on your gcc.nsw.gov.au. If you require a translator please ask for an interpreter in your language [email protected] before 2pm on Friday, May 30. TM when calling 1300 730 550. Annie’s Lane is a leading South Australian winemaker from the Clare Valley and official wine partner of the Sydney Film Festival. Submissions on the North Kellyville exhibition Next G material must be received no later than COB Friday 4th July 2008. Submissions can be sent to the Growth Centres Commission: mobile. PO Box 1457, Parramatta NSW 2124 Terms and Conditions: Entrants must be 18 or over. Entries open on Friday, May 30, at 00:01 and close on Friday, May 30 at 2pm. The winners will be randomly selected at The Sydney Morning Herald, 1 Darling Island Road, Pyrmont on Friday, May 30, at 3pm and will be notified by email the same day as the draw. Only one entry per person. The [email protected] or winner will receive a double ticket to SFF Opening Night and after party, accommodation and a case of wine, valued at $965. Total competition prize is $965. No individual Fax: (02) 9895 7670 prize will be valued over $1000 and the total prize pool for this promotion will not exceed $100,000. Employees of Fairfax Media Publications and its associated agencies, and their families, are ineligible to enter. Personal information is collected by the promoter, Fairfax Media Publications (ABN 33 003 357 720), of GPO Box 506, Sydney, NSW 2001, and will be used for the distribution of prize. Fairfax Media Publications accepts no responsibility for any loss, damages or injury incurred in connection with taking up the prize. This competition is open only to residents of NSW. Prizes are not transferable and cannot be exchanged for cash or kind. Winner will be published in the public notice section on June 3. Authorised under permit numbers: NSW: LTPM/07/20427. 776820v3v4

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