spring screenings
Marika Bryant checks on what’s happening in the arts world.
Spring is in the air and with the first nostril-full of sweet perfume comes that urge to go out and see what’s happening in arty/musical and theatrical land. Firstly, congratulations to local artist Katka Adams for taking out prizes at both Bentley and Ocean Shores Art competitions! Whilst on congratulations, local surf band Mal and the Longboarders have successfully launched their fifth CD The Other Side www.malandthelongboarders.com
- NORPA presents Codgers at the Star Court Theatre 2/3 September, 8pm, so get along and see this show – if it is anything like The Bloody Bride you are in for a treat.
Since 1993 NORPA has created innovative, bold, passionate theatre, to give a national voice to regional culture. After the performance I saw of The Bloody Bride it is apparent that this is an understatement. - Hilary Bell’s contemporary adaptation of Lorca’s Blood Wedding intuitively and passionately portrays a timeless tale which embraces modern-day love twists and fears, yet has that mythological, folk-lore tinge where ‘magic can happen’, mesmerising the audience from beginning to end. Hilary’s writer’s notes on this universal story read: “It’s a sharp, hot, passionate play, repressed desire tangling with unbridled emotion and operatic gesture. It feels to have been written in a white heat.” Hilary certainly captures the quintessential essence of the Rainbow Region and “laconic country Australia” – the interaction between the three protagonists is awesome, and the direction by Julian Louis is faultless.
Shane Nagle, Kyas Sherriff and Ed Wightman give performances so rich that you are absorbed into the story from the onset. Janis Balodis (dramaturg), Rita Carmody (designer), Verity Hampson (lighting designer), Marion Conrow (projection artist) and Toby Alexander (sound designer) work together seamlessly to produce a sharp, poignant, moody, dark, and compelling arena for the three actors to shine in. The minimal set design morphs into a myriad of sites and situations, attributed to the talent and artistic narrative and overall experience of this talented crew. This performance was served on a silver platter and the audience ate it up. For more info/tickets call 1300 066 772, www.norpa.org.au - Brett Whiteley fans can witness for the ‘first time’ a regional tour of Whiteley’s works tracing his life and career from his earliest self-portrait at 16 to a few months prior to his death in 1992. If he only knew then… At Lismore Regional Gallery.
Open Friday, 12 September to 15 November. - Ever felt like producing your art elsewhere? Residencies are always happening – how about an Asialink Residency where writers, performers, visual artists, etc, can apply for residency grants to $12,000 for a three to four month stay in Asia. Asialink residencies aim to broaden the experiences available to Australians in the Asian region. Applications close 5 September 2008. More info www.asialink.unimelb.edu.au
- If Western Australia is as far as you can cope with, why not go for Artsource – currently calling for applications for its Fremantle Residency Program for 2008/2009. Info: Lizzie Delfs (08) 9335 8366, lizzie@artsource.net.au, or www.artsource.net.au
- Can’t let the music side of things down, so here is a worthy grant to chase: Indent All-ages music program/Music NSW opens the 2009 Indent Partnership Grants. $110,000 available for all-ages music events in NSW, specifically developed for young people to stage all-ages, drug and alcohol-free music events. Grants of $2,500 are available to assist young event promoters and emerging artists. Indent delivers free workshops to those successful in their application for funding. Closes 31 October – more info: Richard Tamplenizza, (02) 9699-9706, richie@musicnsw.com, or www.indent.net.au