Big Band brilliance meets Hollywood glamour! BBD Entertainment presents a lavish evening of classic standards, live orchestral sweep and the kind of vocal interplay that made Tony Bennett and Lady Gaga’s collaboration so beloved. Two Melbourne dates this spring offer audiences the chance to hear the Great American Songbook delivered with warmth, wit and a 20 piece band.
Tony & Gaga: An Opulent Big Band Experience pairs powerhouse vocalist Sarah C with style icon Dom Bagnato for a show built around the songs that defined an era of sophisticated pop. Sarah C, known to Australian audiences from Dancing With The Stars and X Factor, brings vocal depth and presence to every standard, while Bagnato adds charm and stage charisma to match. Together, they recreate the chemistry that made Bennett and Gaga’s duet albums so appealing.
Behind them stands the Mojo Orchestra, a 20 piece ensemble delivering the lush arrangements these songs demand. Strings, brass and rhythm section fill the room with the kind of live orchestral sound that streaming cannot replicate. The setlist draws from the Great American Songbook, the body of classic standards that both Bennett and Gaga championed throughout their celebrated partnership.
The production plays two Melbourne venues this spring. Frankston Arts Centre hosts the first show on Saturday 5 September at 7.30pm, offering a seated theatre setting for audiences in the southern suburbs. A month later, on Friday 9 October at 7.30pm, the show moves to Birds Basement, the intimate jazz room beneath the city where the orchestra and vocalists will be close enough to touch.
Each venue offers a different way into the material. Frankston’s theatre brings scale and sweep; Birds Basement brings proximity and atmosphere. Both promise an evening of polished vocals, a full live band and songs that have never really gone out of style.
Tickets for both performances are on sale now. For an evening of classic standards, vocal chemistry and a 20 piece orchestra in full flight, book your seats at Sarah C Shows.
It’s 10 years since the iconic poet-composer-musician Leonard Cohen left this world, but his work looms as large as ever. Marking the anniversary, Australia’s triple ARIA Award-winning Monsieur Camembert brings their spectacular and acclaimed production COHEN NOIR to Melbourne and Perth, honouring one of the world’s greatest songwriters through a richly textured evening of music, poetry and storytelling.
Joining an all-star cast of singers and musicians for both performances is multi award winning performer, IOTA. He is flanked by Diana Rouvas, Lyn Bowtell, Susie Bishop, Timothy James Bowen (Melbourne), Berlin-based Australian violin virtuoso Daniel Weltlinger and the remarkable Bukhu, whose haunting Mongolian throat singing and horse-hair fiddle add another unforgettable voice to this rich musical landscape.
Plus the formidable choral backing of a superb community choir in each city: Glee West in Melbourne and Swan Harmony Singers in Perth.
Some songs become part of who we are. They accompany us through life’s different seasons, revealing new meanings as we change. Leonard Cohen’s songs are among those rare companions, filled with beauty, longing, tenderness and extraordinary insight into what it means to be human. Created and performed by Australia’s triple ARIA Award-winning Monsieur Camembert, COHEN NOIR is a rare invitation into that remarkable world.
Over the past 20 years, COHEN NOIR has evolved into one of Australia’s most acclaimed live music experiences, earning standing ovations and sold-out performances at the Sydney Opera House, State Theatre, City Recital Hall and the Adelaide Cabaret Festival. Audiences return not simply to hear these timeless songs again, but to discover something new within them.
“Cohen Noir is brilliant… a confronting, mortifying, exultant celebration of the business of being human.” – John Shand, Sydney Morning Herald
An exceptional ensemble of musicians and guest artists explores Cohen’s songs, poetry and prose with imagination, sensitivity and masterful musicianship. Drawing on jazz, tango, Latin, folk, klezmer and cinematic orchestration, the music reveals new colours and perspectives while remaining faithful to the emotional heart of the songs.
Cohen’s own recorded voice, poetry and humour weave gently through the performance, drawing audiences into the world behind the songs and revealing the wisdom, humanity and quiet grace that resonate so deeply.
“Spirited, musically assured, eclectic and downright fun.” – Doug Spencer, ABC Radio National
More than a tribute concert, COHEN NOIR invites audiences to encounter Leonard Cohen’s work anew, discovering fresh colours, deeper meanings and the timeless humanity that continues to resonate a decade after his passing.
“Monsieur Camembert does justice to the emotional, lyrical and melodic intent of the songs while adding a new dimension.” – Tony Hillier, The Weekend Australian
84 Charing Cross Road embraces the audience like a warm cup of tea. Upon entering the theatre (and after enjoying a complimentary drink), I was greeted with my first look at the detailed cosy set that perfectly introduced me to the atmosphere of the play. At first glance an untidy New York brownstone might not have much in common with an antique London store, however the two locations perfectly compliment each other as they have one major set dressing in common: an abundance of books. This play is a bibliophile’s dream and the set’s numerous piles of haphazardly stacked books and well stocked shelves beautifully reflect the script’s repeated references to classic and obscure literary titles.
After a few minutes of taking in the detailed set before me, actors entered and I was able to sit back and enjoy a show that I, unusually, had absolutely no prior knowledge of.
Set across two cities and two decades, 84 Charing Cross Road tells the story of a New York playwright who, after struggling to find nice copies of rare books in America, reaches out to an antique book store in London. Told entirely through letters, the play explores what becomes a very close friendship between the bookseller and the playwright.
Due to the nature of the script, essentially a large collection of monologues, this is a play that could very easily fall into the trap of being visually boring. However the emotional dedication of lead actors Helen Ellis and Andy Rigby, coupled with the stellar efforts of ensemble members Sarah Sundstrom, Stuart Daddo-Langlois, Bethany Backo, Rosemary Buchanan, Madeleine Brown and Tim Byron. The cohesion of the cast was phenomenal, from the many, many period accurate costumes to the easy nature with which they moved about the stage and the familiarity with which they interacted with each other.
Special props must be given to actress Helen Ellis who portrays wanderlust playwright Helene Hanff. Separated from her castmates by an ocean (and a wall of books), Ellis represents the New York half of the show alone, holding down a unique accent and maintaining a captivating stage presence despite having no one to interact with for the entirety of the play. The role requires a marathon of acting and Ellis performs it with apparent ease, fluidly welcoming both the bookstore and the audience into her little brownstone.
I would strongly recommend this heart tuggingly emotional, cosy little play to fans of theatre and literature alike.
A totally delightful evening was what my friend and I had going to see THE SECRET GARDEN at the cute Beaumaris Theatre. As soon as you step inside this special community venue you know you’re in for a good night. This was where I did my very first review too!
A popular novel by Frances Hodgson Burnett, published as a book in 1911, the set in front of us includes a hidden garden, which will change from barren to beautiful, and be accompanied by very clever use of a spotlight as a tiny robin bird. Add the authentic period costuming for seven characters and an even more authentic early wheelchair for one of them, the use of everything is impressive overall from the solemn lighting dimmed in the introduction to a bright and happy end.
The friend I had with me tonight is very much a supporter of theatre and sees many professional and amateur productions, but she had not been to Beaumaris Theatre before; she was equally impressed and her quote for the evening was:
“Mary was an absolute standout, captivating stage presence”
I agree, young Winne Wilson-Phillips (who has just turned 11) playing ‘Mary’, was faultless in this lead role, with a massive amount of dialogue and in a mastered Yorkshire accent. Winnie’s character was all things; sullen, sad, mad, rude, friendly, mean, caring and entertaining! A great deal of emotions for a young actress who got involved in drama by chance only three years ago when her sister won a term class at BDC Drama that Winnie took over and has been hooked on ever since – easy to see why.
Playing ‘Colin’ is talented young actor Ben Solomon. A year 7 student, Ben also had many different emotions to display and he managed to convey both serious and comic lines within very short changing emotional intervals seamlessly. We all had a good laugh when he chastised Mrs Medlock, argued with Mary, ordered elderly gardener Ben around, and learned to move again with Dickon’s exercise help.
‘Dickon’ played by year 8 student Max Turner had an obvious strong confidence throughout. Complete with an animal (not real) on his arm or shoulder, his role was full of positivity for helping others. As I read in the program that Max has already worked professionally with Jessica Mauboy in the Australian film ‘Windcatcher’, and also enjoys screenwriting and making his own movies, I am sure there will be no limits for his bright future in the Arts.
Both Shelley Dunlop as ‘Martha’ (housemaid) and Caroline Kinnear as ‘Mrs Medlock’ (housekeeper) right from the very start were fun to watch. Splendid surprise, worry and shock were all part of their course in these characters looking after the children. I was pleased to see that Mrs Medlock was good-at-heart in the end, as Martha had told Mary in the beginning. Caroline did such a good job of keeping her stern until then and I had forgotten many details since I saw The Secret Garden as a child at the movies and read in the book when I was in school way back when…. let’s not go there, but I knew I loved the story.
I did remember in the end that there was a reunion for father and son. Simon Coles as ‘Mr Craven’ is so well suited to this role and I especially enjoyed the scene watching him return to discover the garden and Colin in good health. Every parent in the audience felt his words.
Dan Bellis as ‘Ben Weatherstaff’ was very funny, whether he was leaning over the garden wall or discussing matters of ‘rheumatics’ with the children, he got continuous laughter bursts from the audience even in unexpected moments purely from his crusty mannerism or awkward posture adjustment.
This show is all about the joy of a garden; the magic that life can bring – all happening in a magic little place in Beaumaris.
Go see and love it!
Congratulations to Director Kristina Doucouliagos, Assistant Director Alarna Summers, Stage Manager Sarah Gow, Set Designer Fred Pezzimenti, Scenic Artist Sally Fleming, Lighting Designer Joshua Gardner, Lighting Operator Sam Johnson, Spotlight Operator Hal Foxworthy, Composer Harrison Ewart-Dart and costumes by Jenni Osburn.
Thank you to Debbie Keyt, president of Beaumaris Theatre Committee, for your invitation.
More information: https://www.beaumaristheatre.com.au/
Tickets: https://www.trybooking.com/au/event/1564158 playing until 22nd August
Instagram: @beaumaristheatre
The theatre is easy to find at 82 Wells Rd Beaumaris. Parking in the street. Canteen serves free tea and coffee with biscuits at interval and you can buy the usual popular choc-tops and other yummy stuff.
Side note recommendation: we had dinner prior at nearby ‘Creative Thai & Bar’
