Adelaide Fringe – The Portable Dorothy Parker

Adelaide Fringe - The Portable Dorothy Parker

The Adelaide Fringe is underway for 2024, and I was lucky enough to see The Portable Dorothy Parker, a production currently playing at the Arch in the Holden Street Theatres. Grove Goddess Productions, Fringe Management LLC, and Joanne Hartstone bring this production to you.

Upon entering the theatre, I was greeted by music of the 1940s era and a simple production set containing a drinks table, phone table, chair and a fashionable standard lamp. This setting was very well suited to the space on offer.

The role of Dorothy was ably played by Margot Avery, a third-generation actor from the United States. She commands the stage in the gentle telling of a moment in Dorothy’s life. Margot speaks to the audience as if we are the person working for Viking Press, the publisher for whom she is putting together the book “The Portable Dorothy Parker”, which is the title of Dorothy’s first collection of literary work.

Adelaide Fringe - The Portable Dorothy Parker

Dorothy Parker was a prolific writer, ensuring plenty of Dorothy’s authored material from which the play’s writer, Annie Lux, could draw upon. We get a sense of Dorothy’s character through her reminiscences as she sorts through samples of her writing and reads them to the invisible interviewer.

The direction by Lee Costello reinforces Dorothy’s character. Her movements around the sparse set to certain elements helped us gain insights into Dorothy’s character, such as the drinks cabinet, telephone and piles of paper and books. Through this, Dorothy talks about her life and namedrops her famous friends and acquaintances such as Ernest Hemingway, F Scott Fitzgerald and others.

A sizable audience enjoyed the show, with plenty of quiet chuckles from the attendees, who were clearly enjoying the wit of Dorothy’s writing. Only a couple of times did I miss a word or two. But that is only a minor complaint.

Overall, I enjoyed this brief look into the life of Dorothy Parker. The creative team of Margot Avery, Lee Costello and Annie Lux have put together a nice piece of work. From the simple set and sound effects to the acting, it is well worth catching it before the end of the Fringe.

Tickets are on sale now for The Portable Dorothy Parker, which is showing from the 13th of February to the 17th of March with a runtime of 60 minutes.

This review also appears on It’s On The House, and check out more reviews at Dark Stories Theatre to see what else is on in your town.

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Jack Warner – The Last Mogul

The Last Mogul

Depending on your location, the 2023 Jewish International Film Festival (JFF) is fast approaching, from 23rd October to 29th November. This year’s JFF will celebrate the 100th anniversary of Warner Bros by showcasing the documentary Jack L. Warner: The Last Mogul.

The Last Mogul tells the story of the reigning figure, Jack L. Warner. Emerging from modest beginnings, he and his brothers embarked on a journey that led to the creation of Warner Bros Studios. Remarkably, for over half a century, Jack Warner held the crown of this cinematic empire, leaving a mark on the history of motion pictures. This documentary provides a fascinating glimpse into the life and legacy of Jack Warner.

The Last Mogul

Directed by the grandson of Jack L. Warner, Gregory Orr, The Last Mogul is a documentary with a mix of archival interviews, footage, and photos. Throughout the documentary, we learn more about how the movie business and Warner Bros became what they are today. It was fascinating to see where film began, and it’s a journey through the generations as social attitudes changed and the technology advanced.

Although this documentary was like many that had come before it, it is still a fascinating look into the man who made the likes of Humphrey Bogart a star. Our interest throughout the film was maintained as we heard the life story of Jack L. Warner unfold. His life story came from those who knew him best. These interviewees made for a story that was impactful and credible.

Experience ‘Jack Warner: The Last Mogul’ for a glimpse into the legacy of film and the man who helped to shape its success and has become a historically significant figure. Watch the documentary at this year’s Jewish International Film Festival on the 19 June. That’s all folks!

Look for a film session in your town.

2023 JFF Festival Dates:

MELBOURNE
Classic Cinemas: 23 October – 29 November
Lido Cinemas: 24 October – 28 November

SYDNEY
Ritz Cinemas: 24 October – 28 November
Roseville Cinemas: 2 November – 19 November

HOBART
State Cinema: 2 November – 12 November

PERTH
Luna Palace Cinemas: 16 November – 6 December

BRISBANE
New Farm Cinemas: 16 November – 26 November

CANBERRA
Dendy Cinemas: 15 November – 22 November

GOLD COAST
Dendy Cinemas Southport: 16 November – 22 November

This review also appears on It’s On The House or return to the Dark Stories Theatre homepage for more reviews.

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I’ll Be Frank – Memories of Opa

I'll Be Frank

The JFF is upon us for 2023, and depending on where you are located in Australia, it will run sometime in the date range of 23 Oct to 29 Nov, so be sure to check dates for your local area. With many varieties of film genres available, let’s delve into Aaron Lucus’ short documentary film I’ll Be Frank which is a respectful nod to his grandfather, Frank.

The film opens with the information that former German citizens between 1933 and 1945 and their descendants who were deprived of their citizenship shall have their citizenship restored upon application. Thus begins an exploration into Aaron’s own family roots beginning in Berlin, Germany, where Frank was born.

Aaron brings out a large red book titled Some Memories of My Life by Frank Lucus, with the inscription, ‘lots of love from Opa and Oma’.

Frank wrote it with the meaning of leaving his family with some facts and memories of his life, and Aaron’s aim is to travel the path of his Opa. “I wanted to know how it felt to be in Berlin,” he says. Aaron opens his Opa’s book, and as he reads, the film seamlessly transitions into Frank’s voice, narrated by John Gadem.

The scenes in Berlin where his Opa lived were full of sunshine and portrayed how Aaron said he felt, a sense of beauty. In one shot, golden brown Autumn leaves fluttered to the ground. Stephen Korytko’s cinematography captured my attention throughout the short documentary film.

I’ll Be Frank is a unique documentary where the flashback memories of Frank and his family are represented by black and white animation, in stark contrast to the colour of the present.

This was an effective filmmaking strategy particularly in displaying some difficult and emotional scenes in the documentary. I’ll be Frank flits between Aaron telling the story and Frank in animation.

Aaron visits many places to learn more about his Opa’s life, such as the New Synagogue Berlin and the hospital where he once worked before the Nazis stripped him of the title of ‘doctor’ and called him a ‘Jewish handler of the sick’. He visited Soest in Germany and Sobibor in Lubelskie, Poland, a Nazi extermination camp where Aaron and the viewer learn about the atrocities committed there.

I’ll Be Frank is directed and edited by Aaron Lucus and won first prize at the Flickers Rhode Island International Film Festival for the Hearts, Minds, Souls. The original score is by Tarek Soltani, whose music created an emotive feel throughout the documentary.

I’ll Be Frank was successful in capturing my interest and would be suitable for teenage viewers and anyone wanting to hear a personal story of someone who has lived through and survived WW2. The story has heart, and Aaron has captured this in a respectful way.

Look for a film session in your town.

2023 JFF Festival Dates:

MELBOURNE
Classic Cinemas: 23 October – 29 November
Lido Cinemas: 24 October – 28 November

SYDNEY
Ritz Cinemas: 24 October – 28 November
Roseville Cinemas: 2 November – 19 November

HOBART
State Cinema: 2 November – 12 November

PERTH
Luna Palace Cinemas: 16 November – 6 December

BRISBANE
New Farm Cinemas: 16 November – 26 November

CANBERRA
Dendy Cinemas: 15 November – 22 November

GOLD COAST
Dendy Cinemas Southport: 16 November – 22 November

This review also appears on It’s On The House.

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Foodie Heaven – The Perth Good Food and Wine Show

The Perth Good Food & Wine Show, presented by Kleenheat, rolls(rolled) into town from 21-23rd July at the Perth Convention & Exhibition Centre this weekend.

This particular author celebrated on arrival with a delicious plate of melted French Raclette Cheese, and that was before even reaching the cheese corner.

The exhibition has a fun filled atmosphere and it is a delight to wander around to select the stallholders that stash your personal favourites. But do try to pace yourself as there is lots to discover.

The Good Food and Wine Show really is foodie heaven with all manner of events, activities, wines, gins, spiced rums amongst many other liquid refreshment opportunities.

Book signings and cooking demonstrations abound and there are extra special activities to enjoy such as a Discovery Tasting room ensuring a perfectly matched blend of wine to cuisine. Whether you are into Asian, Italian, Taps or Greek you’ll soon learn which wines to choose and when.

Not to be missed is the Cellar Tasting Room where you can enjoy the Cellar Collection’s Red Tasting session and test out your senses, and learn how to evaluate wine.

And naturally there are lots of samples of all kinds to enjoy, with a small tasting of honeycakes being amongst my personal favourites. But really there is everything here:- biltong, salami’s, cheeses, candys, herbs, spices, sauces – you name it- there was something there for every kind of foodie out there!

With only a few days to run, if you can’t make it this year, you should definitely add the Perth Good Food and Wine Show to your calendar for next year. After all, good food and good wine is good for the soul!

This review also appears in It’s On The House.

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