Rodgers and Hammerstein's much loved musical, South Pacific, has sailed into Brisbane for four days. This musical masterpiece has been awarded 7 Tony Awards and has sold out its seasons on Broadway and the West End. Theatre lovers have been eagerly waiting for the spectacular musical to come to Brisbane and now, the wait is over. South Pacific stars the talented Lisa McCune as Nellie Forbush and Teddy Tahu Rhodes as Emile De Becque. An exquisite live orchestra will accompany the cast and play magnificent pieces such as 'Some Enchanted Evening', 'Bali Ha'i' and 'There is Nothin' Like a Dame'. South Pacific has received rave reviews and been described as, 'A show you will remember forever' (Star-Ledger) and 'Simply wonderful!' (New York Post). Make sure you catch this magical musical and be swept away in its timeless story.
If there was ever a time to see Hot Chip in action, this would be it. The UK quintet are back for a premier East Coast tour, and are sure to still be reeling from their appearances at the Falls and Southbound festivals. Since 2004, Hot Chip have released a string of ambitious and creatively bold albums of soulful, lyrical and melodic electronic pop. Their stellar catalogue now boasts five albums and several standout singles, not to mention nominations at the Mercury Prize and Grammy Awards. To keep fans at bay, Hot Chip have recently released an expanded edition of “In Our Heads” and comes with an extra disc/digital bundle featuring remixes from Major Lazer, Optimo, Daphni and Moretime, rare tracks and previously unheard demos. In other words, the optimum way to get ready for the floor when you catch them in person.
James Hopes’ Brisbane Heat meet Tim Paine’s Hobart Hurricanes in their first home game of this year’s KFC T20 Big Bash League at The Gabba. Sore from a poor start and failure to reach the semi-finals last year, Brisbane hope to burn bright this year against last season semi-finalists, The Hobart Hurricanes. Last time the two teams met Brisbane trumped Hobart by three runs at two-hundred-and-one for four against their one-hundred-and-ninety-eight for four in a real nail biter to the very last ball. Brisbane’s poor track record last year puts Hobart in a favourable position for the match, but a talented team of hard hitters and an excellent squad of bowlers mean they might just scrape a win against the Hurricanes, a team known to create a win out of seemingly impossible odds. But, of course, in Twenty-Twenty anything can happen, and there’s everything to play for. Tickets for this game will be available soon, keep an eye on Ticketmaster for details. Game on.
Brisbane quartet Mitzi are continually making strides with their musical endeavours, dabbling in niche sounds and creating an overall unique deliverance. After blowing away audiences with their debut EP All I Heard, Mitzi is back with the first single from their forthcoming album Truly Alive, set to be released next year. Showcasing their own take on garage disco, NY indie and Aussie pop, the group’s new track “Who Will Love You Now” will be celebrated by way of a performance at Black Bear Lodge. With their building success, Mitzi are playing bigger arenas and festivals, and so this intimate performance should be caught before it’s too late.
It's that time of year again. Summer is just around the corner and the books have been put away as students celebrate the end of the academic year. This years work from the talented Queensland College of Art students will be on display in the exhibition, Here Now, to give the public a taste of the wonderful talent that the Griffith University students possess. Students who have completed a Bachelor of Fine Art, Bachelor of Contemporary Australian Indigenous Art and Masters in Visual Arts will be showcasing their pieces. The exhibition will feature a diverse range of artworks and is designed to acknowledge the hard work of the students. Make sure you catch the next generation of Australian artists as they exhibit their stunning pieces in their own exhibition. The showcase is running for three days, with the opening night on Wednesday at 6pm.
Saturday November 24th two of Brisbane’s first grassroots rock bands, Nikko and Quiet Steps, come to The Zoo to celebrate the launch of their respective albums. Formed in 2005, Quiet Steps saw the majority of the band relocate south recently, but to celebrate their latest record, Dying Livers, they’ll be returning for one night only, performing a selection of dark, unrelenting melodic indie rock and material from early 2012’s Secular. A band unlike no other in Brisbane that sit in a box of their own, Nikko (pictured) hover between melancholic balladry and thunderous post-rock, a force to be reckoned with that lays on atmospherics thick, fast and unrelenting. Nikko will come upon The Zoo following a national tour and the release of their latest album, Gold & Red, one that’s been praised by critics as yet another iconic gem for the band.
Judd Apatow’s latest comedy laugh-a-thon expands upon the story of the stubbornly married Pete and Debbie from the smash-hit blockbuster, Knocked Up, as we watch them deal with the trials and tribulations of life at forty. Set a few years on from the events of Knocked Up, the film begins with Debbie (Leslie Mann), celebrating the arrival of her fortieth birthday by having awkward, Viagra-aided sex with her long suffering husband, Pete (Paul Rudd). Debbie begins to realize that life does in fact, not begin at forty. Debbie now owns a boutique with employees Desi (Mega Fox) and Jodi (Charlyne Yi). Pete runs a record label with friends Ronnie (Chris O’Dowd) and Cat (Lena Dunham), representing prospect-free artists like Graham Parker. Both are struggling. With friends like Jason (Jason Segel) and Barb (Annie Mumolo) aiding them, or at least trying to, the couple decide to make a last attempt to keep their family together, with the usual disasters and general mayhem plaguing them along the way.
Come to the Powerhouse for three of Queensland’s hottest hip-hop acts. Headed by front man Rival MC, Impossible Odds kick the night off with their intelligent, soulful lyrics and fresh, organic beats. Politically charged they’ve collaborated with Xavier Rudd and Archie Roach. Classik Nawu burst out of the Brisbane suburbs with their vibrant fusion of R&B, jazz, hip-hop and reggae. The two brothers merge natural harmonies with unforgettable flow and presence, all brought together with the help of old-school funky bass and a s unique and startling sound. Kuku Nyungkul clan descendants Cold Walter Band came together playing drums on buckets and tin cans with sticks and guitars with busted, missing strings.
Abaji is a Lebanese-born, multi-instrumentalist, singer and composer, whose signature strand of world music is one unlike any other. His musical roots stem from his home in Beirut, where his love of music, particularly Creedence Clearwater Revival, Cat Stevens and Bob Dylan, was interspersed with Oum Kaltoum and Turkish music. The mid 1970's saw Abaji flee to Paris, and the beginning of his committed musical education. In the search to replicate and transform the sounds of his youth, Abaji has learned to play over 250 instruments and has crafted a uniquely vibrant and personal sound. You can see Abaji perform in the Judith Wright Centre’s performance space in theatre or cabaret-style seating, and discounts are available for bookings of 6 or more people. This one-time-only performance is one you’ll be glad you saw. watch?v=8eIrXdwlO5U&feature=related
Rose Revolution is a celebration of textural rose wine and will engage a number of events in capital cities and regional areas around Australia. The launch of Rose Revolution is going to involve tastings and gatherings to bring rose lovers together throughout the summer months. On 14 November, Kettle and Tin will host a free tasting followed by a Rose Soiree hosted by Michael Ellis of The Wine Punter. You'll mingle with local winemakers and gear up for the hotter months ahead with your deepened knowledge of rose. Bookings: 07 3369 3778
The tale of Medea, as based on Greek mythology and first turned into a play by Euripides back in 431 BC, tells of betrayal and retribution. A woman sacrifices everything for the man she loves, only to become a spurned wife seeking revenge against her cheating husband. Given all the emotions and anger flying around, a happy ending is out of the question. Medea has been performed many, many times over the years, but you can still teach an old production new tricks, it seems. That's what acclaimed Australian playwright Suzie Miller has done, giving the story a bold and different interpretation. Miller's vision tears down gender stereotypes and sees things through the eyes of the titular character. Together with director Todd MacDonald — who happens to be La Boite's artistic director, too — her take on Medea is dark, dramatic, tense and thrilling, contemplating a strong, strategic leader struggling to retain her position of power. You wouldn't have seen that 2500 years ago.
Privacy mixes with voyeurism and a gallery turns derelict (but not Zoolander's Derelicte) in an exhibition that peers deeper into our always online, instantly shared way of living. Intrigued? You should be. There's a lot going on in Metro Arts' latest show that you'll want to see. Brisbane-based visual artist Jarrod Van Der Ryken uses his latest work, Empty Places/With Suspicion, to ponder a #firstworldproblem if ever there was one: the diminishing space we each have to call our own. Keeping something to ourselves is rare in this day and age of smartphones permanently clutched in hands — but should it be any different? Or does our reliance on personal mystery need a challenge? Patrons can not only ponder all this and more but also wander through their thoughts and feelings, as the exhibition comes to life within a decaying home. Yes, you'll literally stroll through a crumbling structure as you contemplate the decline of some of modern society's foundations: secrecy, intimate thoughts and private activity.
They don't call Bruce Springsteen 'The Boss' for nothing, even if several stories supposedly explain his nickname. He has been rumoured to hand out pay cheques to his band mates, and to play a mean hand of Monopoly; however, whatever the real reason, it's a label that fits. Across four decades, the singer-songwriter has strutted his rock 'n' roll stuff, his working-class anthems helping him become one of the bestselling artists of all time. As his album titles tell us, he was born in the USA and born to run. As his song titles tell us, he went dancing in the dark and had a hungry heart. For one night only, The Triffid pays tribute to a superstar like no other, assembling a bunch of Brisbane's finest bands for what promises to be a rousing celebration. Moses Gun Collective, Good Oak, Love Hate Rebellion, Halfway and Sahara Beck will each add their spin to the Boss's classic tracks, hopefully while wearing plenty of denim. Someone might even channel their inner Courtney Cox and jump up on stage.
Earth Hour is a symbolic action. Although there is carbon saved by turning things off, the point is the unmissable demonstration that a huge chunk of the world's population caring about the same thing at the same time. If we can manage this for Earth Hour, why not for grander environmental things? The Hour started in Sydney in 2007, and has become an international event in the years since. There are Earth Hour events in Kenya, India and Ireland these days, but you don't need to travel so far afield to find a way to join in this time around. At its simplest, all you need to do is stay home and turn off the lights. But if you'd like to have a more social darkened moment, you can head to a candlelit restaurant or one of a raft of other lights-off events.
There’s never a bad time to wander through the work of David Lynch at GOMA’s Between Two Worlds exhibition — but there’s something extra special about doing so by night. If anyone’s moody movies and out-there artwork lend themselves to the mystery of the evening hours, it’s his. Under the cloak of darkness, that’s when all things strange and surreal can shine. Thankfully, the simply titled Lynch By Night has this covered, courtesy of three Fridays of after-hours fun. As the program comes to a close, the gallery is leaving its doors open late for talks, tours, dining, bars and an ambient backdrop of sounds. A packed musical line-up of McKisko & Caitlin Franzmann, Sky Needle, Nonsemble, Rainbow Chan, Lucy Cliché & Sarah Spencer (Blank Realm), and Teeth & Tongue has the atmosphere covered, with the exhibition itself doing the rest. You can even end your evening with a film, with tickets to The Straight Story, Mulholland Drive and Inland Empire sold separately.
Fancy yourself as a Scrabble whiz? Annoyed all your friends by taking Words with Friends a little too seriously? There may not be a solution for your shameless word nerdery, nor should there be, but there is a place where you can laugh at it. Welcome to The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee, the word wrangling championship of a lifetime. Six teens face off against six adults, all outsiders in their own way, and all determined to emerge victorious. Oh, and they sometimes break into song — when they're not jangling with nerves, that is. If you've been keen to see singing and spelling together somewhere other than Sesame Street, then this is the play for you. The show's Broadway run was nominated for six Tony Awards, and now it's Brisbane's turn to pay tribute to wielding letters as a competitive sport. Beware: you might not just watch others demonstrate their dictionary skills. Yes, this is a play with audience participation.
If you’ve ever daydreamed about the days when gents wore three-piece suits and ladies dolled up in flapper finery, the upcoming Gangster’s Ball may be for you. Hosted by the Tivoli, the ball offers a chance to get gussied up in your vintage best for what sounds like a memorable night out. Embracing the entertainment of the 1920s-'50s, the evening includes live magic, vaudeville, cabaret and a turn from NSW’s reigning burlesque queen, Kelly Ann Doll. Should you need a break from being a spectator, you can get all gangster and try your luck in the gambling den (pinstripes and spats compulsory) or pamper your inner-moll at the vintage styling parlour. Cocktails and a spot of drunken swing dancing are optional.
Black Bear is helping Red Deer stampede into 2013. The folks at Black Bear Lodge are showing support for their other woodland creature-themed event by hosting the launch party of the annual Red Deer Festival. Red Deer is a festival of music and arts, of camping and friends, and is eagerly awaited by punters year-round. Not only does its 2013 launch call for mass celebration, but it is only the beginning of musical treats and friendly vibes. Joining the festivities will be Fire and Whistle Theory, The Dashounds and Jean Jameson for your listening pleasure. This year’s Red Deer Festival is boasting the talents of The Grates, Kingswood, Chance Waters and Triple J’s Sarah Howells, plus many more, and is being heralded its most successful year running.
As one of the most moving, finely curated and culturally rich events to be hosted by The Powerhouse, The Festival of Tibet is a must-attend experience regardless of your knowledge on the country. From divine art to even more celestial experiences, this four-day celebration offers in its entirety the beauty that defines Tibet. Throughout the Festival, the Tashi Lhunpo Monks of Tibet will be constructing, with anything but ease, a stunning sand mandala. You can even create your own mandala under their guidance from 3pm to 5pm each day, and learn what patience really encompasses. The Powerhouse’s Turbine Platform will be transformed into a sacred Tibetan space of stunning Buddhas, bodhisattvas and deities, with all painting created by Tibetan artists in exile. Make sure you check out the huge range of exhibitions, discussions, and workshops on offer for all ages. There will even been a handful of nighttime events, so whether the sun is up or down, make sure you invest at least a little into this experience of a festival.
Think back to the best gig you've ever been to. Although your memory may be a little hazy, you will probably agree that a great set takes more than a lead singer with an impressive set of lungs or a talented bassist rocking out. An enjoyable live performance requires a buzzing atmosphere, charismatic performers and a genuine connection between the audience and the band. Held at the SLQ Gallery, 4Senses appreciates the multi-faceted nature of a good performance. This unique event aims to make live music an experience that everyone can enjoy, including those who are deaf or hard of hearing. Attendees have the chance to experience music in a different way, for example, music will be presented through visual art and multimedia showcases, subwoofer seats will be available for participants to sit on the box and feel the bass vibrations and by holding balloons. Interpreters and lyrics will also add to the experience. What's more, All funds from the event will be donated to Deaf Australia.
If you haven’t discovered the cosy, little art gallery tucked behind George St, between The Villager and Irish Murphys, then you best be clearing your Thursday night schedule. Bird Gallery’s End of Year Party is no better introduction to this ever changing, ever startling art space, and it’s latest event is going to have groovers grooving, and art critics doing just the same. This party will include performances, art and the exciting presence of some of Bird’s previous party pals. Bombshell Burlesque and Beauty Academy will be sassing up the stage, preceding some surprise acts who can’t not be top knotch. Venture down Bean lane, make a sharp left and pop down the steps to discover a party that will have you dancing, dreaming and delighted all at once.
Everything is better on a boat. Whether it’s mocking Mumford and Sons, escaping the Feds, or simply downing a champers in the company of bikini-clad ladies, nothing beats going naval. So when we tell you there’s a boat party happening right here in Brisbane, with a line up of a-grade DJ's, and some sunset vibes to match, we expect you to tune in. The party people at The Kush Club are hosting this limited ticket cruise on the waves. They’re no strangers to the sea, and have party curations skills rivaled only by Martha Stewart. Paleman and Chaos in the CBD will be rocking away and causing some sways on the Brisbane River. The boat will set sail from South Bank Ferry Terminal 1 at 2pm and will return at 7pm. There’s only 125 tickets going, so get in quick, and secure your spot pronto!
MELT may be overflowing with fantastic shows, but the festival isn't just about the performance side of things. Simply take a look at the walls of the Brisbane Powerhouse, and you'll see what we mean. For the month of February, their foyers will play host to not one, not two, but three MELT art exhibitions. In Lz Dunn's Reintroducing Joanna Jones, the life of the famous Melbourne drag queen becomes a fascinating film project. Ray Cook's If You Can’t Say Something Nice About Anyone, Come Sit Next to Me looks at the ever-changing face of queer culture. And then there's Tyza Stewart's Field of Untitle, which explores identity and gender through a series of self-portraits. Yes, this creative showcase lives up to its aims, highlighting not only artistry, but diversity too.
No summer festival is complete without a day spent in the glorious outdoors. And no Brisbane shindig is complete without the corralling of the city's favourite providers of meals on wheels. MELT Picnic offers both. It also offers a fun and free part of the broader MELT 2016 program, complete with a pop-up bar, all your favourite food trucks and antics galore. Sure, plenty of events boast about the latter, but this one looks certain to deliver. A dog and owner costume parade, Dykes on Bikes row and Hot Boi contest are all part of the afternoon's activities, after all.
In 2015, Brisbane Powerhouse ushered a new festival onto Brisbane's events calendar. MELT showered the city with the best in queer arts and culture, and became Queensland's rival to the Sydney's Mardi Gras and Melbourne's Midsumma in the process. Of course it received a rather warm welcome, so it's not surprising that it's back this year with another bustling lineup of shows and performances to flock to. Brimming with variety, the 2016 program includes a missing appendage, a southern songstress, a queen of the Cross and a portrait prize, plus much, much more. For more MELT, check out our top ten events at this year's festival. Image: Gerwyn Davies.
Ah, television — everyone's other, ever-present parent. If you grew up in the '80s and '90s, TV taught you about talking puppets, animated environmentalists, and all the troubles that could ever befall a Canadian teen. We're betting it also made you want to delve into strange happenings while living in a lighthouse. Not 4 Kidz draws upon all of the small screen delights that littered your childhood — but ImproMafia's versions aren't quite the same as the shows you remember. As the title suggests, their incarnations of these classic creations aren't for younger audiences. They're also 100 percent improvised and guided by your suggestions, which means that you'll finally get to play a part in your favourite programs. Not 4 Kidz is one of our top ten picks to see at the Brisbane Comedy Festival.
Everyone has heard of the term 'strong female character' — or seen it, if Netflix suggests the same weird and wonderful categories for you as it does for us. It's a problematic description because, while the film and television industry should be championing more depictions of empowered women, the version that many movies and shows offer up is far from realistic. In most cases, one ideal vision of femininity it simply swapped for another, which is something Rowena Hutson wants to fight against. In her all-singing, all-dancing, Melbourne Fringe Festival-winning physical comedy about action heroes, she breaks down caricatures, shares tales about the origins of her own feminist leanings, and — as unexpected as it might seem — even serves up Bruce Willis impressions. The show is part of the 2016 Brisbane Comedy Festival. Rowena Hutson is one of our top ten picks to see at the Brisbane Comedy Festival.
If you live in Brisbane, odds are that you've said goodbye to quite a few of your friends. No, we're not judging your social skills — we're simply recognising that Sydney and Melbourne are filled with ex-Queenslanders who have moved interstate to chase their dreams. Alex Ward is one of them. Tim Hewitt is too. They're just two of the city's funny folks who are now plying their trades down south. But they haven't forgotten where they're from. Along with Angus Gordon, Aaron Gocs and Gearard McGeown, they make up Brisbane Born and Bread: Brisbane Comedy Festival 2016's collection of Brisvegas-centric laughs. And yes, because they all once called themselves locals, we're certain they won't refer to their former hometown by that cringeworthy nickname. Brisbane Born and Bread is one of our top ten picks to see at the Brisbane Comedy Festival.
Kristian Fletcher has been demonstrating his love for and knowledge of cult cinema for years. You don't put together some of the city's most beloved film nights without showing your skills and smarts — but, in his latest event, he's testing your fandom, not his. Because there's a trivia night dedicated to every conceivable topic, Fletcher will be asking all of the important questions about those adored movies that fall outside of the mainstream. Of course, we all know the main query everyone will be trying to answer: who is Brisbane's biggest cult cinema buff? Yep, if you're a bit of a know-it-all when it comes to obscure film stats, figures and knowledge, then this is your arena. Plus, the new, bi-monthly night takes place at New Farm Cinemas, which means that you can take in a game of Addams Family pinball before the quiz heats up, enjoy a mid-match beverage from the bar, and catch a flick afterwards to celebrate your win.
How do you celebrate the birthday of your favourite filmmaker, particularly when the director in question is none other than John Waters? Sure, you could watch a stack of DVDs in the comfort of your own home. Or, you could head to Brisbane's one and only John Waters 70th Birthday Festival. Expect parties, screenings and a quiz, aka an event only cult cinema guru Kristian Fletcher could've thought of. And expect to spread the fun times around, too, with Saturday's program taking place at Fish Lane Studios at the Fox Hotel in South Brisbane, and Sunday's taking over New Farm Cinemas. It all starts with a double of shindig and film doubles: dance along to the hits of the '60s before watching Hairspray, then don your best Divine costume and get ready for Pink Flamingos. Follow it all up by getting your scratch 'n' sniff on thanks to Polyester in Odorama. And once you've made it through all that, you're going to want to show off your mad Waters skills at the trivia evening. You will have earned it.
Whether abstaining from red meat is part of your beliefs, or munching on the ocean's finest just sounds like your idea of a good time, the Regatta Hotel is the place to be this Good Friday. Seafood, seafood and then even more seafood will be on the menu at their four-course drink-matched luncheon. Start off with a chilled prawn cocktail and a glass of Moët, move on to seared scallops and a Peroni, get your fill of barramundi or salmon with a glass of red or white, and then top it all off with an Easter chocolate trio. This mouthwatering feast will set you back $150 per person, but, c'mon, it sure beats a backyard barbecue.
Back at WTF 2014, audiences were buzzing about one thing. In fact, they couldn't get enough of Underground, with the late-night hangout — think part performance, part speakeasy — the sell-out hit of the festival. It should come as no surprise, then, that Motherboard Productions is returning to Brisbane for WTF 2016, and that they're bringing their blend of drinking, singing and physical theatre with them. This time, they're tackling the tale of Shimchong, transporting the traditional Korean story to modern Australia, throwing in some revolutionary desire and getting political — all with a contemporary pop music soundtrack, of course.
Great art doesn't just happen in — or tell stories about — big cities. As its name makes plain, Bastard Territory takes place in the dry and dusty northern centre of Australia. Indeed, the new play by Darwin-raised, Brisbane-based writer Stephen Carleton transports audiences to the NT capital circa 2001, and into the lives of Russell and his partner Alistair. They run a place that's been dubbed a 'hip urban café and art gallery by day, queer cabaret dive by night'; however their bohemian establishment isn't the only thing keeping the duo on their toes. Born in Papua New Guinea, adopted by a white couple and desperate to find out his biological parentage, Russell just can't shake his past ghosts. Cue a confessional drama and a man's search for his identity, as directed by Ian Lawson, starring Benhur Helwend, Suellen Maunder and Peter Norton, and boasting a pumping '60s and '70s soundtrack. And, the production's setting isn't its only regional connection. In a reversal of the oft-seen process of creative endeavours debuting in the big smoke then touring elsewhere, Bastard Territory first graced the stage in Cairns before making its way down south.
Trust the Triffid's latest music celebration to offer up several layers of awesomeness. At London Calling: A Tribute to the Clash, a much-loved venue shows their affection for an iconic band — and they've corralled a host of local legends to help. That'd be Front End Loader, Flangipanis, Die Rude, The Strums and The Plastic Fangs, who'll each take to the stage to belt out their interpretations of the UK punk group's tunes and do their best Joe Strummer impersonations. Prepare to feel like the British capital really is calling, and to see this stellar lineup rock the Triffid. And no, you won't be wondering whether you should stay or go. Of course, with talent this terrific on display, pumping out classic covers isn't the only thing on the agenda. If you've been to the Triff's previous Bruce Springsteen, Fleetwood Mac, The Cure and Pink Floyd tributes, you'll know the format: each band will play four of The Clash's tracks, plus two of their own.
Brisbane boy/worldly songwriter Tom Cooney has travelled many places, sung many a song, and is now back on home turf with a new repertoire to treat your ears with. Gig-goers will be in good company; Tom brings with him not only some vastly talented supporting artists – Sawtooth and O’ Little Sister – but his own widely celebrated back catalogue. His debut record Presque Vu was nominated for the Australian Music Prize, as was his second album, Repetition. Tales of the human condition, of love and loss, distance and time, pave the way for his finely crafted tunes, and provide a stunning foundation on which his new material is sure to build. 2014 will be another big year for Tom, with collaborations and more touring to come. For present and longstanding fans of Toms, or those who are inclined towards a beautiful melody and a solo acoustic performer, you’d be well advised to catch him at Black Bear Lodge. Such a stellar performer, playing in an equally styled setting, is a chance hard come by.
If nothing says 'festive summer fun' for you like war, post-traumatic stress disorder, a crumbling marriage and protracted torture, then The Railway Man is shaping up to be the perfect Boxing Day release. It's also a fair indication you should seek some form of medical assistance. Based on true events, The Railway Man tells the story of Eric Lomax — a WWII British signalman forced to work upon the infamous Burma line after the Japanese overran his base. Singled out for his role in fashioning a secret transmitter inside the prison, Lomax (Colin Firth) was subjected to extraordinary brutality and torture by his captors, the effects of which continued to torment him decades after the war's end; one conflict over, another unceasing. That second war — the private, unspoken anguish of his memories — isolated Lomax from his friends and family, including his new wife, Patti (Nicole Kidman). Even his fellow veterans refused to discuss their past; a code of silence borne as much from shame as fear. Events finally came to a head in 1980 when Lomax discovered his chief tormenter was still alive and working as a tour guide in the very complex in which he had dispensed his horrors, inviting in Lomax the possibility of long-imagined vengeance. Torture, particularly waterboarding, has become a recurrent theme in movies of late — a disturbing, confronting and just occasionally uncomfortably gratifying depiction of a very intimate savagery. The Railway Man contains several examples of this, and none are easily endured. They are, however, necessary — speaking to the heart of Lomax's condition and contributing to the extraordinary emotional impact of the final scene. As far as performances go, this is Firth at his softly spoken best. That trademark mix of schoolboy awkwardness and schoolmaster wit contributes to a beautifully nuanced character whose anguish and rage boil beneath the surface and are masked by a tight, asymmetrical smile. Kidman, too, is excellent as the wife determined to see her husband released from his pain, whilst Stellan Skarsgård brings a quiet menace to his role as Lomax's wartime friend Finlay. With much of the film taking place as flashbacks, the younger Lomax is portrayed by Jeremy Irvine, whose impersonation of Firth is eerily on the mark. For a film that covers some terrifically dark elements in excruciating detail, The Railway Man remains an overwhelmingly tender offering that won't feel at all out of place for the post-Christmas period. https://youtube.com/watch?v=ksrkKXoEJbM
As I settled down in Event Cinemas to see Once Chance, I didn't realise I'd also be seeing my mother's cinematic debut. But more on that later. A British film directed by David Frankel (The Devil Wears Prada) and written by Justin Zackham (The Bucket List), One Chance is based on the true story of Paul Potts, a shop assistant and amateur opera singer who won Britain's Got Talent in 2007. It's a kind of hero's journey meets love story, with Potts' marriage to wife Julie-Ann (Alexandra Roach) at the core. Her patience and loyalty sustains him through a seemingly unending amount of bad luck. As does his love of opera. The film opens with Potts' troubled childhood and ends with his first audition for Britain's Got Talent, now a YouTube favourite, where he sang Nessun Dorma so beautifully he received a standing ovation, judges cried and even Simon Cowell beamed. Before we get to the happy ending, things get pretty dark. There's his bully-ridden childhood. Then there's his dysfunctional relationship with his father, his financial struggles, his chronic self-doubt (enforced by no less than Pavarotti in one of the film's most painful scenes) and his ill health, from bicycle accidents to appendicitis to cancer. Even the setting of Port Talbot is depressing. But without depicting the struggle, the film's final scenes wouldn't be quite as moving. We wouldn't appreciate how glorious a victory this was for Potts, the eternal underdog. I just wish we could have had a bit longer to bask in it before the credits started rolling. James Corden was an unusual casting choice. He's known for his cheeky, brash confidence, and at times you can almost feel him holding back. But for the most part he succeeded in giving a believable performance as the shy, self-effacing Potts. (And before you ask, no that's not him singing; he is lip-synching to Potts' voice.) Sometimes the plot and dialogue feel a tad schmaltzy, a bit 'Hollywood', potentially because it's a British story with British actors but in the hands of American filmmakers. The film could use a splash more irreverence, but there are real moments of humour, often thanks to the comedic timing of Corden, Julie Walters (as Potts' mum) and Mackenzie Crook (as his friend and inefficient manager at the Carphone Warehouse). One Chance is entertaining and tells a genuinely inspiring story. It's not the most well-written script, but if you like stories about self-belief and pursuing your dreams no matter how many obstacles life throws at you, then you should see it. Or if you want to see my mum's unwitting extra-work. She's the tourist in the white trousers in the final scene, standing in the middle of Piazza San Marco and staring straight at the camera. Hi mum. https://youtube.com/watch?v=1wtq5hN2eOE
Everyone has an art crush, and anyone who denies it is either lying or blind. Whether it’s Andy Warhol, Shepard Fairey, Mr Scribble or the barista that spent three years completing a creative industries degree to become the best damn milk frother this side of the river, an art crush is nothing to joke about. There’s only one way then to cure/celebrate an art crush, and that’s to draw pictures of them chronically, in your underwear while listening to So Fresh Autumn 2011 – a great year. We can only assume that’s how the art showcase Don’t Look So Offended – an exhibit of some of Brisbane’s leading artists working the styling's of their muses – came about. Hosted by Witchmeat, with names like Alrey Batol, Yannick Blattner, Amy Commins, Callum Galletly and more artistically baring all, this house party, art showcase fusion promises a creepy amount of talent. Pop on the 199, 196 or grab the closest bike, and make your way to 80 Hampstead Road, West End, to witness artists channelling their idols in a stranger’s house you’ve never been to before – sounds safe and fun!
Brisbane artist, Christopher Inwood, has created an exciting exhibition filled with intriguing pieces. Life is. 2013, showcases 30 portraits, each of which exudes a unique story and charm that is guaranteed to captivate the viewer. Inwood's preferred style is portraiture in the medium of oil painting and he has spent the past seven years perfecting his skills. The coupling of quality techniques and a fascination with the relationship between artist and sitter makes his pieces rich with meaning. Inwood's portraits are also conscious of the power of perception and interpretation, which adds to their mystery. Inwood hopes that Life is. 2013 will “pull people away from themselves to slow down for a moment, just to be or even think, letting the images engulf them”. The exhibition's launch party will be held on Saturday 30 November 7pm at Bird Gallery with live music from Augustine. To celebrate Life is. 2013, a closing party will occur on Saturday 7 December 7pm with more great music from local act, Mega Ogre and a special guest.
Dave's Pawn Shop, known for their high-voltage live sets and unrelenting grunge tunes, are stopping in at The Zoo while riding their continuing wave of success. They’ve got their EP ‘Enemy’ under their belt and a spot on the Big Day Out line up to their name, all that’s left is to bring the noise. Their set at The Zoo will be an extra special one: they’ll be joining local talents Minus Nine, Dameena, and Dead Zephyr to raise funds for Act For Kids, a charity that strives towards the safety of children against acts of abuse and neglect. Roll up early to grab your tickets on the door for a night of great music, and great deeds.
Brisbane artist Tim Woodward is exhibiting his latest collection, entitled Concertistic Life, at Boxcopy. The esteemed artist completed his Bachelor of Fine Art Visual Art in 2006 and since then his artwork has been exhibited in Melbourne, Hobart, Singapore, Berlin, Paris and Yogyakarta. His latest showcase features old and new pieces. It rolls and flows over different mediums, forms and ideas. Woodward's art as a whole is concerned with the processes of free association and creating as well as editing, reimagining and improving. These themes ooze into his work, which expresses itself in the form of sculpture, writing, installation and drawings. Concertistic Life focuses on the agency of voice in the absence of a physical form. Woodward uses letter writing, self-interview and monologue to explore this theme. Feast your eyes and ears on the fruit of this talented artist's labour at Petrie Terrace's Boxcopy.
Just as your side stitches have recovered, the Melbourne Comedy Festival Roadshow is back again for another hysterical year. The biggest names in big gags are hitting the road as far as Hobart and as wide as Hong Kong and, in keeping with comedy tradition, will be warming the stage nearest you—Brisbane’s Powerhouse. Last year they visited a staggering 109 shows in 60 towns nationwide; 2014 is the invitation for bigger and better performances, with the country’s finest comics, in more places than ever before. Leading this year's shenanigans will be MC, Brian Nankervis, Greg Behrendt, Hannah Gadsby, Elbowskin and Amos Gill. Let the fear of having your friends tell you what amazing feats of mental wizardry you missed compel you to book sooner rather than later. This means your seats will be close enough to the stage so that you get picked out of the audience and have the opportunity to rub shoulders with your heroes during the funniest skit of the night, thus giving you the upper hand with your friends with the ultimate bragging rights.
This week at Trainspotters, Ivy St are celebrating the release of their new album, Courting. Ivy St comprises of Patrick Hatch, Thomas Hyland and Christopher Campbell. The Tasmanian lads have a string of tracks behind them and released their debut EP, Flicker On, in 2008 and their first LP was let loose in 2009. The second album for the group has been in the works since 2011 and during this time the trio moved to Melbourne to advance their music career. Ivy St are no strangers to the stage and have played at the likes of Falls Festival and MONA FOMA. What's more, they stole Triple J's attention and were handpicked as a Next Crop Artist. The post-punk group will be supported by local bands, Thigh Master, Scrabbled and High Beams, this Saturday night. If you're new to Trainspotters, you're in for a treat. Its cheap drinks and weekly live music attracts a hub of like-minded Brisbane music fans who know how to party.
Reading the title of Rachael Haynes' latest performance installation is likely to get a certain Madonna song stuck in your head, and that might just be the point. The contemporary artist, curator and writer likes to explore the limits of language and subjectivity, and to re-examine art history and philosophy in relation to gender politics. Her choice of name can't be accidental. Indeed, on several levels, Like a Burden has a fitting moniker for a collection of works about feminist histories. Again, that's Haynes' wheelhouse. In both solo and group shows around the country, she has mixed language codes and pictorial systems in her pieces, using everything from abstract and conceptual art to pop music, as well as art criticism and philosophy. Here, she incorporates video, painting and drawing within the format of a lecture performance. It's an exhibition, show and talk all in one — and a look at gender, feminism and alternative art combined, too. A burden to view, consume and contemplate, it's not.
Trivia nights mean gathering your mates around, enjoying a few beverages and trying to convert your respective stores of knowledge into glory. At this particular trivia night, you'll do all that, but there'll be a particular emphasis on your pals. Given that the topic of the evening is a certain sitcom about a band of best buddies, celebrating your chums is the thing to do. Yes, Friends is in the spotlight at Beach Burrito Company's next battle of pop culture tidbits. If you think you know everything there is to know about the show that caused viewers to agonise over whether Ross and Rachel would get together, wish that Joey and Chandler lived next door and get their hair cut like Jennifer Aniston, here's your chance to prove it. Prizes are on offer for the winning team as well as the best dressed, so you'd best find some late '90s, early '00s getup for the occasion. Remember, though, it has been 11 years since Friends was on TV, making the contest not just a test of trivia, but a workout for everyone's memories. No one told you that watching endless television reruns could turn out this way.
Perhaps the rarest thing in Hollywood is the producer who says, “You know what? That was great, so let’s just leave it there”. As a result, we get sequels. Lots of sequels. Prequels, too, and spinoffs. One need only look at American food portions to recognise it’s not a nation possessed of the ability to know when enough is enough. The application of restraint (at least in the entertainment world) seems a decidedly British trait, sparing us from horrors like Love Actually 2: The Re-Loving or Slumdog Billionaire, and allowing gems like Faulty Towers to end after a mere 12 episodes, before there was any risk of overstaying its welcome. It’s not that sequels are bad, but there’s a grace to knowing when something should become a sequel (or even a franchise) and when something that’s both critically acclaimed and financially successful should nonetheless stand alone and untouched, forever. It’s not hard to see why 2012’s surprise hit Ted found itself a challenge to that notion of restraint. The film took in over half a billion dollars worldwide and, despite its often controversial content, proved one of the funner comedies of the year. It’s the kind of movie where you hear they’re making a sequel and you think, "yes, I laughed quite a lot in the first one, and I like laughing, so I’ll welcome more of that, thank you." Even the plot of the sequel offered a genuine extension of the original, with the living, breathing, foul-mouthed and pot-smoking teddy bear ‘Ted’ (voiced by writer/director Seth MacFarlane) told that his marriage to Tami-Lyn (Jessica Barth) has been nullified on account of him being deemed ‘property'. TED 2 hence finds itself a civil rights story that literally (and repeatedly) compares a teddy bear’s struggle to adopt a human baby with the plight of African slaves being considered human in the eyes of the law. Seth MacFarlane, ladies and gentlemen. Seth MacFarlane. Is it funny? Absolutely. MacFarlane is a clever and talented comedian who knows how to extract laughs from a variety of different setups, be they gross-out, shock value or pop-culture referential. But is it consistently funny? Not even close, and the quantity over quality approach means a lot of the film is rendered uncomfortably dull (or worse, offensive) as a result. The latter is particularly concerning, with racism, sexism and homophobia all rearing their heads over and over again in Ted 2, as though somehow MacFarlane has completely lost sight of the distinction between ‘confronting' and straight-up ‘wrong’. Drenching Mark Wahlberg’s character, John, in a shelf load of semen is a tough sell at the best of times, but suggesting his plight is made all the worse because it’s “black guy’s cum” demonstrates just how far off the mark Ted 2 consistently lands. When it gets things right, of course, the film shines. The opening titles are a delightfully choreographed musical number straight out of the golden age of cinema, and Liam Neeson’s brief cameo as a gravely serious man concerned about the purchase of cereal marketed strictly for children is terrifically funny. Amanda Seyfried, too, puts in a nice turn as both Ted’s lawyer and John’s love interest, even enduring constant barbs about her Gollum-esque eyes. But overall the film leaves a bad taste in your mouth and regret in your heart that the bottled lightning of the original couldn’t have just been left alone and untouched, forever.
Women flouting society's expectations, men unsure about how to react, and trouble springing in response: Thomas Hardy's Far From the Madding Crowd may have been published 141 years ago, but the text's gender politics certainly don't seem a century old. In adapting the Victorian novel for the modern movie-going masses, The Hunt director Thomas Vinterberg and One Day writer David Nicholls clearly agree. Their condensed take on the tale may find its basis in classic literature, but it feels undated. Given the headstrong heroine they're working with, it is far from surprising that the duo thinks that writings from times gone by will resound with audiences of today. Bathsheba Everdene (Carey Mulligan) is a woman who acknowledges her disdain for her name at the outset, as well as the slim likelihood of her doing the done thing. She'd be happy being a bride but not a wife, she says. She values independence over affection, as her choices continually demonstrate. First, when assisting on her aunt's farm, Bathsheba attracts the attentions of a kindly shepherd, Gabriel Oak (Matthias Schoenaerts), then rejects his marriage proposal. Next, after inheriting her own property, a reversal of fortune sees her acting as Gabriel's boss while coping with the competing advances of a wealthy landowner, William Boldwood (Michael Sheen), and a charming soldier, Sergeant Francis Troy (Tom Sturridge). A simple account of a woman trying to choose from a trio of men, this is not, though the film does focus on Bathesheba's flitting between the three. That her suitors don't quite know what to make of her gets to the heart of the story: she may be quick to tell others what she does and doesn't like, but she doesn't quite know what she really wants. Here, Far From the Madding Crowd doesn't just do what every movie today is expected to, i.e. subvert feminine stereotypes and champion a strong lady as its lead. In its portrait of a character who astonishes even herself, it does something better, showing a complex woman complete with flaws, and capable of both making mistakes and learning from them. It helps that Mulligan — adding to her recent spate of great work in Drive, Shame, The Great Gatsby and Inside Llewyn Davis — makes for an equally fragile and fearless protagonist. Whether her hands are trembling with uncertainty or her face can't quite conceal a wry smile, she's ever the enthralling picture of complication. The actress also sets a high bar for her co-stars, though the quietly commanding Schoenaerts and the stately yet adoring Sheen are each up to the task. That Sturridge doesn't fare as well is partly a reflection of his role, playing the least sympathetic of the bunch by far. Of course, the cast's to-ing and fro-ing is perfect fodder for Dogme co-founder Vinterberg. He might be helming his first period film, but he's already shown that he knows a thing or two about labyrinthine relationships and ambiguous motivations from his Danish movie output. His eye for the countryside and fondness for close-ups similarly get another outlet, with Far From the Madding Crowd as simultaneously pastoral and intimate as a feature can be. In fact, the blend of swelling sentiments and handsome scenery suits the director so completely, there's little wonder he has crafted an offering that's beautiful and timeless in both emotion and imagery.
You are invited to celebrate the opening of Space & Place, the Queensland Festival of Photography Prize Finalist Exhibition. Here you will indulge in photographs of the highest standard, artistic creations of precision and foresight, as you bare witness to the most talented in their field receive prizes and recognition for their work. The theme for this year’s competition is landscapes and spaces in their many forms. Entrants have been encouraged to be creative with their interpretations; the result is a diverse and eclectic display of high-quality production and creation, making this a difficult task for judges, while a thoroughly enjoyable display for all who attend. There were 193 entrants into this year’s competition—the judges picked 20 finalists, who will be displayed on their own plasma screen throughout the exhibition. Other entrants will be displayed by means of a slideshow that will run throughout the opening celebrations. To see the list of finalists and entrants, head to the event website.
Book-to-film adaptations can go either way. Francis Ford Coppola's The Godfather was so good that the novel's author, Mario Puzo, said he wished he'd written a better book. Conversely, The Cat in the Hat made you want to push sharp, salty popcorn into your eyeballs. It's usually when a film makes artistic changes from the source material that the ire of the book's fans is most extreme, and (arguably) nobody feels more passionately about the fundamentals of their favourite book than Christians. Now, I'll admit it's been a while since I read the Bible, but — try as I might — I simply cannot remember the bit about Transformers. Maybe it was in the Book of Michael? Or was it Bay? Suffice it to say, it was more than a touch surprising to see them turn up in the opening scene of Darren Aronofsky's highly anticipated film Noah. Rather than Autobots, however, these giant fallen angels (not to be confused with 'The Fallen' from, yes, Transformers) are called 'The Watchers'. Made ostensibly from stone and speaking with about as much clarity as an underwater Bane, they mark the first of several major departures from, or least reinterpretations of, one of the best-known stories of all time (the next being Noah's propensity to dispatch entire gangs of men with nothing but a tiny blade like he was some sort of biblical Jason Bourne). Thankfully, for Aronofsky, these embellishments and emendations contribute to, rather than detract from, what is literally the epic tale of good and evil. With a budget of US$125 million, Noah has the resources of a blockbuster and a narrative from scripture yet avoids many of the trappings of both. Cerebral and unsanctimonious, it is, in Aronofsky's words, "the least biblical film ever made". God is only ever referred to as 'the Creator', and themes of environmentalism and survivor's guilt outweigh those of sin and the downfall of man. As the film's eponymous lead, Russell Crowe is simply excellent. With his eyes alone he can sparkle with joy or threaten with burning menace, and in Noah that menace increasingly captures the character's singular, unwavering fidelity to his divine cause — culminating in a horrifying personal choice. Alongside him, Jennifer Connelly and Emma Watson play the loyal yet conflicted wife and adopted daughter, while Anthony Hopkins offers an amusing turn as Methuselah. Rounding out the ensemble is Ray Winstone as Tubal-cain, a descendant of Adam's son inserted into the plot to provide the film with a specific antagonist rather than relying simply on the generality of 'all sinful humanity'. Cinematically, Noah is every bit the sumptuous spectacle the story deserves, with the highlight being an enthralling time-lapse chronicle of the 'first seven days' from the Book of Genesis (albeit with an amusing cross-fade just as evolution progresses to the point of simians, whereupon — cue dissolve — man pops separately into existence). No matter your faith (or even the absence of), this is an accomplished piece of direction and a powerful story of belief, devotion and — perhaps — obsession. https://youtube.com/watch?v=UAfJulXFYlc
You wouldn't naturally think that the Bible or your herb garden would provide much inspiration regarding all things hot and heavy. The immensely talented artist, Michelle Henry has explored these two areas to create a unique exhibition entitled, Songs of Songs which comprises of 24 stunning paintings. Named after a book in the Old Testament, Songs of Songs is centred around the love story expressed through cheeky, and beautiful metaphors relating to flowers, plants, leaves and almost everything else related to the plant world. After this unassuming language is stripped away, parts of the story are enough to turn you beet red as their love becomes crystal clear. Henry is interested in both the tale and the language and has therefore created art to explore the parallels between the leafy language and the passionate story. Love, lust, passion and plants make for an interesting combo. Believe us, you've never been to an exhibition quite like this before.
