Wonderland Festival

Brisbane Powerhouse

THU 03–SUN 20 DECEMBER, 2015

Wonderland brings you a cavalcade of burlesque, circus, cabaret, music, comedy, poetry, theatre and variety shows filled with international and Australian artists.

I Want To Know What Love Is

18 December 2015

Powerhouse Theatre Love Box

Friday Night with Michelle Boyd and a joyous time out at the Powerhouse, foyer, front yard and Love Box. A return season of Daniel Evans' creation “I want To Know What Love Is’ drawn from the 812 submissions of the lovelorn, the passionate, the broken hearted and the dreamers of this city and beyond. Even I claim 6 words. Produced by The Good Room there is a change of venue from the original show at the Queensland Theatre Company, one change of actor from Carol Burns to Margi Brown Ash and some small changes from it’s last season just 15 months ago. Before the show I had the usual glass or two of red wine and some really lovely catching up with some brilliant artists who were there as well to see this or other shows at the Wonderland Festival. Lucinda Shaw , Fionn Ellwood, Gabriel Comerford, Ellen Elizabeth Bailey, Kristian Šantić and I met up for the first actual time with Lewis Jones who has directed shows at the Con I have seen this year and is also doing the show I see tonight. 

After the show I got to hug the artists Daniel Evans, Tom Cossettini and Amy Ingram . And then ran into the boys from another show I go to see tonight.

The show is a blend of wildly frenetic outbursts, memories, hopes, bitterness, involved stories and single words that form part of an exploration of just what love is. Tom’s hair is a feature that you can see in the photos, he is sexy and charming and a charismatic scene stealer, Amy’s blunt and unabashed lines and delivery is a wild show of power and lust, anger and commitment, a comedian and a presence to be dealt with and Margi has the versatility of an amazing professional that had the audience reacting to every nuanced step she took. She had them, not to mention Tom, eating out of her hands. Caroline Dunphy brought connection to the goings on in this amazing split personalities ensemble. 

The audience laughed and clapped, showed surprise and succumbed to recognition and familiarity. Love is many things to many people and many things to each single person. You could hear agreement whispered from the audience, the laughter of the absurdity of this madness and all pay tribute to how Daniel Evans has woven a performance with such spot on observation filtered and distilled from the hundreds of people who offered up their stories for display, dissection and sharing with their family of fellow theatre lovers.

 350 light bulbs hanging from the enormous ceiling, tens or hundreds of thousands of petals showering down from all points on actors and audience alike, spot lights and a soundscape both new and familiar by Lawrence English. Yes Jason Glenwright was involved in bringing magical light and dark to the episodes. I would love to say you just have to go, but the last show is tonight and I do not know if there are ant tickets left, but as everyone has been raving about it I assume you have all heard so much about this already and have no doubt been.

The Games We Play

Turbine Platform

19th December 2015 

More great fun at the Powerhouse Wonderland Festival last night with Michelle Boyd, Phil and David Bentley. The Five Fold Collective, namely Brisbanites David Trappes, Adam Strom and Ashleigh Pearce as well as Quebec-based Nate Armour and American Owen Winship. got all hot and bothered for an extraordinary performance of circus gymnastics, juggling and all things difficult. The audience did not stop cheering, clapping, wowing! and the night ended with a standing ovation. Humorous, sexy, campy at times with that great balance of springing on you an original slant to leaping through body rings while playing up how difficult it is and at the same time how easy it is for them. Tension in the great tradition of this sort of amaze me performance and with a charm so invigorating endearing, cute and i just have to say again - original. Did I mention they are all extremely gorgeous and spent most of the evening in their white undies with the occasional getting dressed without hands, upside down etc. You really should have heard the enthusiasm coming from the audience it was a hoot. Lewis Jones the wonderful director around town looked very pleased with himself last night and we have him to thank for yet another wonderful show.

It was back in June 2013 that I first met David Trappes in a spectacular show 'Salon' and now he is international. I was so pleased to run into them on both Friday Night and Saturday night.

Vanguard Burlesque

Turbine Platform

10 December 2015

 Produced by my friend Joel Devereux in the centre.

Lots of fans, nudity and some original fun and comedy.

Glory Box La Revolucion

Powerhouse Theatre Love Box

5 December 2015

 A lot of female nudity and gymnastics. Just returning from South America and Cuba.Some great avant guard performance art pieces and loads of flesh that was popular with the audience however I was there to see Mama Alto

Above is Mama Alto or Benny Dimas who is a counter tenor of extraordinary talent. She specialises in the blues but can belt out amazing songs in a spine tingling voice of beauty and power. After the show while they were taking their bows she came off stage to give me a hug and a kiss. We have been fb friends for a few years and I was so looking forward to seeing her live one day. Just remarkable and a gorgeous person.

Wonderland under the stars

In addition to taking over the inside of Brisbane Powerhouse, the festival also spills into the outdoors with nightly Wonderland Food Markets by Jan Power and Bamboozled performance tents filled with a wide-ranging menu of bite-sized entertainment. 

 I ran into the fabulous Shivannah, Fez Faanana, who was doing shows with cocktails at The Little Palais amongst the tents and fabulous venues outside the Powerhouse on the lawns. Fez is the MC and one of the stars of the amazing show 'Briefs.' which you can see on a large poster on the Powerhouse wall from Last Year's festival

Friends doing it solo. Josh, Dash and Matthew

Josh RH Daveta

17th April

Powerhouse Visy Theatre

I have seen Josh in Boy & Girl twice, met him in foyers at his shows and others and he is a force of nature. Charismatic, talented and a star.

 Put a boy in a fluffy pink onesie, add oodles of stage presence, charm, a touch of naughty and a truly remarkable voice and you have the uber talented Josh R H Daveta. Last night his show Teenage Dreams was a celebration of the pop diva as channeled by Josh and his brilliant accompanist, friend and backup singer Luke Volker who can really play with that piano. There is more to do in that bed and doona than just dream. 

Great to see some surprise appearances which I will keep secret because I don't want to spoil the fun for those going to the final show tonight. Do rush along. Once again a fabulous show brought to us by Troy Armstrong. I seem to be going to them all.
 

I Might Take My Shirt Off

Dash Kruck

14 February 2015

Powerhouse Theatre

Melt Festival

 Dash has been extraordinary in so many productions I have seen and in this he let loose  his one man show.

From the promos: -

It’s Lionel’s first time. You won’t be too rough, will you?

From the mischievous mind of one of Queensland’s favourite actors, Dash Kruck (A Tribute of Sorts), this is the story of Lionel and the reluctant world-premiere of his debut cabaret show; a musical evening of sex, booze, boys and mythical beasts.

Matthew Mitcham

Twist and Turns

6th February 2015

Powerhouse Theatre 

Melt Festival

From  http://www.twistsandturns.com.au/

Matthew Mitcham's

Twists & Turns

On the 23 August 2008, a young Australian athlete made Olympic history. Coming from 30 points behind, and on his final dive, he scored 112.10 to shock himself and the diving world and rob the Chinese of a full sweep of Olympic diving gold medals. 

On that day Matthew Mitcham OAM became Australia's first male diving Olympic gold medallist since 1924, and the only diver ever in Olympic history, to produce a perfect 10 point score from all judges – winning the 2008 Beijing Olympics 10m platform title.

Grinning with pride from front pages around the world, there was no hint of the personal demons that had led this supremely talented young dynamo to quit diving less than two years before his famous win at Beijing.

Joyously out and proud as an openly gay man, Matthew was a role model for his courage both in and out of the pool. Yet the crippling self-doubt and shadow of depression that had plagued him all his life forced him into premature retirement, at one point reduced to circus diving to earn money. 

Even after Beijing and being ranked No 1 in the world, those closest to Matthew could not guess that beneath that cheeky, fun-loving, exterior he was painfully aware of how easily it could unravel.

Matthew has recently released his autobiography Twists and Turns, which reveals a life behind the international spotlight that has been plagued by low self-esteem, anxiety and depression, panic attacks and repeated self-harm as a teenager, leading on to drug abuse. He has also struggled with issues relating to his sexuality, being one of few Olympians to compete at the event as openly gay.

Based on his book of the same name, and told with the honesty and courage he is admired for, this live production of Twists and Turns is an inspiring story of a true champion – in and out of the pool.

Away from the diving pool Matthew is a talented singer and musician, who invites you to share the highs and lows of his incredible life through theatre and song, along with a few surprises, a bit of foot tapping and loads of inspiration, in his first solo show.

Commissioned and produced by the Melbourne Cabaret Festival and directed and co-created by Nigel Turner-Carroll, this extraordinary cabaret show has been scripted by multi-award winning London cabaret star Spanky under the musical direction of Jeremy Brennan (Jersey Boys).

After meeting Matt for the first time.

Project Rameau

Friday 12th July at The Playhouse QPAC

There are two internationally stunning companies in Australia who are regarded by many as the best in their field. The Australian Chamber Orchestra (founded in 1975) under the direction of the inspiring Richard Tognetti AO since 1989 is often touted as the greatest chamber orchestra in the world. I have been going to their concerts periodically for over two decades. The other great group is the Sydney Dance Company and they have been entertaining me also for several decades. They were formed in 1969 and renamed in 1979 and for so long under the direction of the great dancer and supreme choreographer Graeme Murphy with his outstanding co dancer Janet Vernon both of whom I saw many times. Early stars were people like Paul Mercurio whom I once chatted with at length in the Green Room at the Sydney Opera House when he was just new to the company and also stunning aboriginal star Kim Walker. Stephen Page who went on to found the Bangarra Dance Theatre of indigenous dance I once saw dancing Tadzio with Graeme as Aschenbach in After Venice.
To see both great companies performing together for the first time was a gift seldom seen and truly rewarding.

Today the company is run by the Spanish born Rafael Bonachela and Project Rameau is the first of his works I have seen on stage. The evening was so special and at one time I found the combination of music and dance soi beautiful I cried. 

Of particular import to me were two dancers whom I found captivating. Thomas Bradley who was used for the publicity and whose confidence, style and beauty compelled you to not take your eyes off him when on stage. He possesses true star quality that emanates from his subtle smile, original haircut and amazing elegance and ability. 

The other outstanding dancer of the evening was the very tall and perfect Andrew Crawford who was mesmerising and the flow of rhythm as it ripped along his extended legs and arms to his fingertips was just awesome to behold. Power and sweeping grace that has to be seen to be believed.

Salon

Salon Saturday June 22nd.

The Judith Wright Centre of Contemporary Arts

Created and Choreographed by Timothy Brown (Queensland Ballet and Expressions Dance Company)
http://www.timothybrown.com.au/

Cast 

Michelle Xen and the Neon Wild   http://music.michellexen.tv/

Nerida Matthaei

Anthony Trojman

Elizabeth Whelan

Iona Marques

Travis Scott

Alex Weckes-Huck

David Trappes

Salõn | promotional reel from optikal bloc on Vimeo.
It is now a while since I went to opening night of Salon. I have digested the evening and followed the cast ever since. I am not reviewing the show but recording that I went. An experience that has excited and pleased me. The development of this here on such an astoundingly successful and artistic level is worth celebrating, repeating and growing. Salon is a piece devised by the exceptionally talented and beautiful choreographer and dancer Timothy Brown. Gathering independent artists from Brisbane he has created a piece that won the hearts and inspiration of everyone who went to this spellbinding show. Ballet dancers, Pole performers, Contortionists, and Circus trained artists and all backed by the exceptional music and voice of Michelle Xen and The Neon Wild.
Sitting at tables with drinks in great cabaret style the 16 of our group were dazzled and then partied for some time after the show with the cast. All were without exception so friendly and lovely. As you can see I managed to get a hug or two with the boys.

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Anthony Trojman
This is an image I saw from a few hundred metres away and is what drew me to Salon. Anthony Trojman looks so spectacularly glamorous and elegant that this photograph, I believe, is what led so many to this completely sold out season of amazing talent. Anthony hails from both Expressions Dance Company and The Queensland Ballet.

I wonder if Anthony was bemused by this. I have been assured by my kind friends that I look better in the flesh. Hard to see when you are posed beside such gorgeous cast members.

Travis Scott That Pole Guy

 Travis on a swinging pole and the most athletic of boys hugging me after the show. He was still in costume because the zip of his brilliant costume was stuck. It was agreed that he had the most stunning physique.
Alex Weckes-Huck and David Trappes

These boys David and Alex were so delightful and talented. Circus trained and also multi talented.

Artist Ria Willering, Alex Weckes-Huck and me.

Michelle Xen

We chatted to this beautiful woman as well.
http://music.michellexen.tv/
This clip is Not from Salon but another show at The Judy
Not to be confused with my old

Photographs by exceptional local artists

Please check their work for the arts.

Ali Choudry on Facebook

Ali Choudry Photography on Facebook

http://www.alichoudhry.com/

FenLan's Photography on Facebook

http://www.fenlan.com.au/

http://www.kensparrowphotography.com.au/