Concert

Spectre In Concert

WASO's Spectre in Concert

WASO’s Spectre in Concert Rating

★★★★★

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Classical music can be a polarising genre; but for those who say they don’t like classical, what about the scores that bring your favourite movies to life? The music that makes you tear up, or keeps you on the edge of your seat during the unfolding action on the silver screen? That tune you were humming the whole way out of the cinema…that’s classical!

On arrival at the Perth Convention and Exhibition Centre’s Riverside Theatre, two Aston Martins in the foyer bring a feeling of glamour and excitement as we await the start of the West Australian Symphony Orchestra’s (WASO) Spectre in Concert. It was nice to see lots of people in their best Bond attire, men in tuxedos and ladies in beautiful gowns.

Rather than the usual printed programs, WASO staff hand out pocket size flyers with a QR code for you to view a digital program with a full list of instruments and the musicians you’re about to see on stage, as well as some info about the composer.

From the moment the Orchestra begins to play that classic James Bond theme, you know you’re in for a treat. Conductor Jessica Gethin brings just the right amount of energy to her pivotal role. It could be easy to get distracted by the musicians below the screen and miss that signature 007 action.

Daniel Craig returns in Spectre as a cryptic message from James Bond’s past sends him on a trail to uncover the existence of a sinister organisation named Spectre. With a new threat dawning, Bond learns the terrible truth about the author of all his pain in his most recent missions. Even having seen the film before, I was looking forward to experiencing it in a more immersive way.

WASO's Spectre in Concert
WASO's Spectre in Concert

At times I found myself so caught up in the film I would forget the Orchestra was there, but I also loved being able to connect the instruments with certain sounds in the film and watch the short, sharp movements of the string section that have such an impact on certain scenes.

An intermission halfway through the film gave us time to grab a quick drink and another chance to get a photo with one of the Aston Martins, now feeling well and truly immersed in the world of Bond. A girl can dream right?

There’s nothing quite like hearing movie music brought to life by a live Orchestra. Whether you’re a movie buff looking for a fun night out with friends, or hoping to impress someone on a date night, you can’t go wrong with a WASO at the Movies event. As conductor Jessica Gethin says before the concert; it’s a shame we can’t all have WASO in our living rooms when we’re watching a movie, this is truly an experience.

In March, WASO will present Jurassic Park in concert, and I’ll definitely be back.

While you won’t leave feeling shaken, you’ll definitely be stirred by the full force of the West Australian Symphony Orchestra.

Tickets are on sale for Spectre In Concert’s final performance in Perth @ https://www.waso.com.au/concerts-tickets/whats-on/concert/spectre-in-concert

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Show Review: Melbourne International Elvis Festival 2024

ELVIS PRESLEY The Legend Lives On: 55 to 77

ELVIS PRESLEY The Legend Lives On: 55 to 77 Rating

★★★★★

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The 2024 Melbourne International Elvis Festival staged at the National Theatre in St Kilda offers a 3-hour-long time capsule, transporting Elvis fans back to the pinnacle era of star-studded rock n’ roll. The show is performed by five Elvis tribute artists descending on Melbourne from around the globe, each offering a unique portrayal of the dazzling American icon.

Moses Snow opened the production with vibrant charisma and a youthful glow symbolic of the early success of Elvis. Snow staged choreography unparalleled to any other performer of the night and invigorated the theater with his electric spirit. Snow aptly included “Blue Suede Shoes” in his set, which ultimately became one of the most memorable numbers of the night, and prepared the audience for further exhilaration.

Ted Torres closed the first act with a medley of songs derived from the 1968 ‘Comeback Special’. Torres performed a vocally powerful act, though the high number of hits performed was somewhat disproportionate to his crowd interaction resulting in a slight lack of connection. The artist radiated Elvis best in his ballad covers of ‘Memories’ and ‘If I Can Dream’.

Opening the second act was star-studded, all-round performer Jay Dupuis. Dupuis is the winner of several Elvis tribute accolades and is recognized as Graceland’s Ultimate Elvis Tribute Artist World Champion. Such distinguished achievements were on full display throughout his set, with highlights including “I Want You, I Need You, I Love You” and “In The Ghetto”.

Dupuis is adorned with a natural ability to charm and tease the audience, with impeccable improvisational ability to allure crowd members and create a genuinely magnetic experience. Dupuis was the first act of the night to hand out scarves as Elvis did throughout the 1970s, making him an instant fan favorite.

Bruno Nesci performed an enjoyable set with clear confidence and conviction as Canada’s first performer to make it to the Top 5 in the Ultimate Elvis Contest. Nesci conveyed genuine interest in his Melbourne audience and mastered the art of creating interpersonal connections through dialogue. “You Gave Me A Mountain” was particularly memorable for his strong vocal abilities and commitment to the iconic aura of Elvis.

ELVIS PRESLEY The Legend Lives On: 55 to 77
ELVIS PRESLEY The Legend Lives On: 55 to 77

David Lee closed the production with everlasting energy, impressing audiences with his ability to sustain momentum toward the end of the third hour. Lee candidly introduced his wife to the audience before memorably performing “Can’t Help Falling In Love”.

Overall, the show had moments of awe, excitement, and charm, but ultimately ran past its prime, and could have benefited from each artist performing a slightly shorter set. A curtain call of all performers would have worked well to increase the feel of a well-rounded Elvis tribute rather than encourage a comparative analysis of each performer. The show was also let down in part by inconsistencies in sound and lighting. A strange faltering light frequently distracted the show and microphone audio issues caused hassle for the performers, provoking ongoing rambling from the audience.

Besides some shortcomings, what was most special about the show was witnessing such commitment to the aura of Elvis, which embodied connection, charm, and seduction of the female gaze. The show overall had moments of genuine joy and lust which so wonderfully opened the world of Elvis to younger audiences, and celebrated the remembrance of fond memories for long-time fans.

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Meet the Actor – A Night With The Villains

A Night With the Villains

This Halloween, Mira Ball Productions, in association with Our Yakka and the Salad Bowl Collective, brings you a sinister night of villainous melodies through their concert A Night With The Villains.

But only for two unforgettable nights – Tuesday 31st Oct and Wednesday 1st Nov. Here we meet one of the concert’s principal performers – Georgia Leigh – whom we chatted to for the insider’s view of A Night With The Villains.

About Georgia Leigh

A Night With the Villains

What do you enjoy most about acting?

I love the way being an actor can transport you to so many different places and be a completely different person to yourself. It’s so fun being able to play different characters. I personally love going out after the show and meeting the audience, hearing what they think and interacting with them as myself.

What productions have you acted in before?

I have worked mainly in Musical Theatre, with most of my professional experience in Children’s Theatre, starring in roles such as Sophie in Mamma Mia and Nancy in Oliver! And Rosalie Mullins in the QLD Amateur Premier of School of Rock. I have performed at the Adelaide Fringe Festival with JALLY Entertainment, performing as Snowy in Snowy and the 7 Cool Dudes by A.J. Bailey and have performed this show in 6 states and territories.

What has been your favourite role so far in your career?

I met my husband playing Sophie in Mamma Mia, so I am probably slightly biased in thinking that’s my favourite role. In terms of the most challenging, I think that would have been Rosalie Mullins from School of Rock, she is very different to who I am, so it was hard being a tight arse, but that’s what made it so enjoyable.

What do you think makes a performance most believable?

I think that a believable performance has heart. I find performances most believable when I can sense the deep connection to the character, and can feel and see myself in those moments.

Are there any particular genres or types of roles that you prefer or feel most comfortable in?

I love working in the Children’s Theatre. Although physically demanding, it brings me joy knowing that I could potentially influence future young actors. I remember watching shows at my school and thinking how amazing it was, and I hope I am bringing that same feeling to others.

About A Night With The Villains

A Night With the Villains

What is this Production about?

A Night With The Villians is the amazing brainchild of Elodie Boal and Trent Sellars, with help from Jennifer B Ashley and Jackie Fredericksen along the way. Imagine having all the best villains in the world returning for just one night (in our case, 2!) and tormenting you with fabulous song and dance. Truly, it is a match made in Halloween heaven, but you can’t just take my word for it!

What character are you playing, and what can you share with us about them?

I am playing the Wicked Witch character. As soon as I was posited with going green for this show, I was all in! Some of the best roles are painted green, so I am actually honoured to be doing it for this one! Everyone in this show has a unique character, and it is so wicked and fun to see them transform at rehearsals.

Why did you want to be involved in this production?

I spent a year in America in 2019, and the difference between American Halloween and ours cannot be understated! When Elodie approached me about being a part of a Halloween show, you bet I was ready brooms-a-blazing. Being a part of a supportive cast and crew was also a major draw card. These guys have been the BEST to work with.

What sort of person is going to love this show?

Everyone who loves a bit of a spook and something quirky will love this show—bringing a little bit of Musical Theatre, Film and Television together in one jam-packed 2-hour thrill. Everyone has their moment to shine and tell their own unique story with iconic songs and amazing dancing.

What’s going to surprise people about this show?

How amazing the talent is in Brisbane (though we already knew it!), the cast is so solid in their performances and deliveries I think that people will be amazed.

Georgia can be seen in A Night With The Villains from 31st Oct to 1st November in the Ron Hurley Theatre in the spooky Seven Hills Hub.

Other interviews can be viewed in Our Meet The Actor Series, or check here for the latest Dark Stories Theatre Reviews.

Ricordi Di Sanremo – Memories of Sanremo

Ricordi Di Sanremo

Last night the Astor Theatre hosted a collage of Italian stars in Ricordi Di Sanremo, a concert covering three generations of memories from Italy’s most popular music festival, for one night only.

The annual Sanremo Music Festival, which has been running in the coastal city of Sanremo since 1951, was originally established as a pathway to revitalizing its economy and survives to this day. Accordingly, The Sanremo Music Festival also holds the distinction of being the longest-running annual TV music competition in the world and served as the inspiration for the creation of the Eurovision Song Contest. What sets the Sanremo Music Festival apart is its unique focus on new songs only.

Ricordi di Sanremo showcases songs representing the most cherished memories from three generations of the music festival and a few fan favourites recognised across the globe. All these are performed by an ensemble of international and Italian-Australian artists such as Pupo, The Esteriore Brothers, Silvia Colloca, Luca Sala, Corinta, and many others.

Ricordi Di Sanremo

Our host for the evening, the Italian star Pupo, released his first album in 1976 and was a former winner of the 1980 Sanremo Music Festival with the gold record-winning song “Su di noi (Above us).” To date, Pupo has earned 11 gold records.

Much of the evening’s content was delivered in Italian. Given that most of the audience consisted of expat Italians, I felt like I might have been the only person needing to fully grasp the content of the presentations. Yet, despite language barriers, the ensemble’s energy shone through all night.

Touches of nostalgia were evident, with a cinema screen backdrop often displaying videos of the performers from generations ago as they sang live on stage. Pupo proved an adept host, expertly MC’ing the event to the audience’s evident delight. Family connections also graced the stage as stars from Italian music’s past performed duets with their vocally gifted daughters. Among the standout moments of the evening was the opening act, performed by Pupo, which warmed up the audience with its vibrant energy and exceptional guitar play.

Another standout was Pupo’s performance of his pop hit “Gelato al cioccolato,” accompanied by the showing of his 1980 music video against the cinema screen backdrop. A song mentioning gelato is bound to be sweet, and it delighted the crowd. Pupo doesn’t appear to have slowed down over the past 40+ years and remains an excellent performer.

The Esteriore Brothers, resembling a quintessential boy band, were crowd-pleasers, especially among the ladies. Their mere presence seemed enough to warrant applause! True to Italian flair, the entire ensemble appeared impeccably dressed and presented themselves in style.

Ricordi Di Sanremo

Other fan favourites incorporated into the night’s entertainment and familiar to international audiences included That’s Amore, Quando Quando Quando, Mamma Maria, and Volare, among others.

The night was a delightful mix of great music, vintage tunes, family connections, nostalgia, and a vibrant ensemble that joyfully engaged with a receptive audience, making it a night to remember.

After first touring Australia in 2022, this festival is set to become an annual event. Ricordi Di Sanremo’s 2023 Australian tour will move on next to Adelaide, Sydney, and Melbourne, but all for one-night-only performances. So be sure to be prompt about securing your spot this year, but also keep your eyes out for them next year. Ciao!

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