No. Little Egypt’s Speakeasy is not an Alexandrian night club.
It is the burlesque world of a legendary performer called Little Egypt.
Hence, stepping into The Deluxe in The Garden of Unearthly Delights will take audiences not far away but far ago - to the 1950s and into the working world of a wonderful “whiskey-soaked” exotic dancer.
As the show’s creator, Lucian McGuinness explains: “The real Little Egypt was a pre-war vaudeville fictional character inhabited by several performers. Our Little Egypt is based loosely on the subject of the Lieber & Stoller song written in the 1950s... to us she's a strong matriarch, a desired sex symbol and ultimately our hero.”
McGuinness has been working long and passionately on this show which began as Little Egypt’s Burlesque, a rhythm and blues revue which featured in the Spiegeltent in the Sydney Festival of 2012.
"We've built this show from the ground up,” says McGuinness.
“We began at the foundations with that incredible groove of rhythm & blues music which sits just outside the early rock & roll that oldies stations play and we'll all heard.
"Over the last few years with each run we've added characterisations, dances, narrative elements and ultimately purely theatrical characters. We update it and refine it every season. We also collect gorgeous new cast members!”
The cast of 14 is described as "Sydney’s hottest performers” and the soundtrack is said to be “scorching”.
Among the performers is Miss Burleque Sydney, a Voice finalist and a rhythm and blues band. They’re jetting in from all over the country for the big weekend.
It is not a passive sit-down-and-watch show. The Deluxe gets a makeover so that audiences will walk right into the 1950s and Little Egypt’s Speakeasy. Those in the know may frock up to the 50s to be more in the mood although it is not required dress.
But, the idea is that audience members kick up their heels, dance and have a Speakeasy experience. It is “immersive” theatre. The soundtrack includes Fats Domino, Big Mama Thornton, Ray Charles and, importantly, The Coasters whose song, Little Egypt, was one of the inspirations for the show.
There is a story line, however. It describes an R&B club under threat from external forces. It’s an old story that keeps on keeping on through the eras, albeit this one is emphatically 50s.
"We pack A LOT into seventy minutes,” declares McGuinness.
“Our audiences rave about the super fast and tight pace, the quality and danceability of the live music and the spectacle of Little Egypt's routines and the drama surrounding the club”.
“Slick, sexy and funny,” says one critic. “Dirty dancing, debauchery and some real good soul,” says another.
Samela Harris
Presented by Grande Moustache
Over the long weekend, from Tuesday March 5 at the stroke of midnight and then through to Sunday. The Deluxe. GUD.
When: 5 to 8 Mar
Bookings: adelaidefringe.com.au
Adapted from a Media Release.
Patch Theatre’s artistic director, David Brown has been awarded the ‘Mickey Miners Lifetime Achievement Award’. The award, which is presented by the International Performing Arts for Youth organisation (IPAY), recognises an individual’s outstanding contribution to the performing arts for young audiences.
IPAY is a leading international membership organisation that supports the professional community of performing arts for young audiences. The annual showcase event, which was held over 4 days from 21 - 24 January 2015, is a platform for companies to showcase their work on the international stage with the aim of securing international touring throughout North America.
The award, known as the ‘Mickey Miners Lifetime Achievement Award’ is named after the former curator of Performing Arts for Children at the Detroit Institute of Arts. Dave Brown joins an illustrious group of individuals to receive the award, all of whom have made outstanding contributions to the performing arts for young people; previous recipients include Mary Rose Lloyd, Saskia Janse, Onny Husinik and Jim Morrow.
“We are absolutely delighted that Dave Brown has received this year’s Mickey Miners Lifetime Achievement Award,” CEO of Australia Council, Mr Tony Grybowski, said.
“This is a very prestigious award, given to a person who has made a significant impact on the field of the performing arts for young audiences, and it is the first time an Australian has received this honour. “
Dave Brown has been at the helm of Patch Theatre for more than 20 years, and this recognition puts another feather in his cap. Brown is recognised nationally and internationally as a pioneer in creating new and highly innovative theatre work specifically for children, and is considered a leader in this highly specialised field.
IPAY Executive director Boomer Stacey has said “Dave's imprint and influence ripples throughout our professional members, to emerging artists and most importantly has positively impacted thousands … of young people around the world. Acknowledging Dave Brown and Patch Theatre also pays tribute to the amazing community of artists in Australia dedicated to creating and presenting outstanding performing arts for young audiences. They are an important voice at our ... Showcase”.
Aside from the awards, the showcase is an opportunity for companies to present works to a network of producers, presenters, agents, artists, educators and students involved in all forms of theatre, music, dance, circus and puppetry from around the world.
Patch Theatre was one of 17 companies selected from over 120 applicants to showcase their work ‘The Moon’s A Balloon’, a vibrant production that celebrates balloons, play, friendship, creativity and connection. It’s a delicious visual-theatre feast inspired by the EE Cummings poem of the same name that reveals how amazing possibilities arise from the simplest of things.
‘The Moon’s A Balloon’ will play at Adelaide’s Odeon Theatre in Norwood from 3 - 21 August, with sessions at 10:30 am & 1pm for schools. Following the Norwood season the show will tour to the Barossa, Noarlunga and Golden Grove before heading on a regional South Australian tour.
For more information or to book visit patchtheatre.org.au
Cellar Door Wine Festival. Adelaide Convention Centre.
In the lead up to the 2015 Cellar Door Wine Festival at the Adelaide Convention centre The Barefoot Review was invited to judge a cook-off in the style of the "Meet, Make & Eat" Masterclass. The class, which will take place at the festival on the Saturday and Sunday, is an exclusive ‘behind-the-scenes’ cooking experience where you get to do exactly what the title suggests; meet people; make food together; and eat your creations!
As part of this adventurous activity attendees meet in the Festival before heading into an exclusive-access kitchen to prepare dishes using local goodies, all under the careful eye of an Adelaide chef and Eat Local Representative! Once plated up to perfection attendees make their way back to the Festival’s Farmers Market to enjoy the feast!
We were invited to judge a 6 dish cook-off prepared by 2 teams of festival ambassadors. The menu, made from locally sourced ingredients, included; Kinawooka Mussels with Smoked Pork and Hills Cider; a Salad of Hot Smoked Harris Salmon with Pickled Fennel, Endive, Dill and Fetta; Seared Dry-Aged Beef Rump, Tuna Mayonnaise and Crostini; Dry Spiced Rubbed Chicken; Honey and Prosciutto Baked Figs with Goats Cheese and Rocket Salad; and Pea, Coriander and Sour Cream Fritters with a Smoked Salmon, Preserved Lemon and Snowpea Tendril Salad.
There are 2 classes on each day at 12.00pm or 1.30pm. Saturday 21st will see guests mentored by Paul Baker, head chef at The Botanic Gardens Restaurant, and Tze Khaw, executive chef for the Adelaide Convention Centre.
Sunday 22nd will see the return of Tze Khaw this time joined by eat local representative Kane Pollard from the Topiary Cafe.
As well as the Masterclasses the festival will be showcasing over 170+ food and wine producers, from internationally renowned brands to niche boutique stars. The Festival provides endless opportunities to learn about emerging trends and exotic new varietals brought to you by South Australia’s top wine and food makers.
Bookings for the Masterclasses are essential, so to avoid disappointment head over to cellardoorfestival.com to buy your tickets.
The festival runs from Friday the 20th to Sunday the 22nd of February at the Adelaide Convention Centre, North Terrace, Adelaide.
Paul Rodda
https://www.youtube.com/watch?x-yt-ts=1422579428&v=WDJJGuf9Ov0&x-yt-cl=85114404
Meet, Make and Eat video produced by The Barefoot Review and Chris Daniels Productions.
Host: Paul Rodda
Direction: Chris Daniels
Camera Operation: Chris Daniels and Paul Rodda
Editing and Post Production: Chris Daniels
For more information visit chrisdaniels.com.au or thebarefootreview.com.au
Adapted from a Media Release
The Adelaide Festival Centre has announced a new fellowship program for a young South Australian Aboriginal arts worker who aspires to a rewarding career in the arts.
An endowment from Richard Ryan AO made the new position possible. Commencing in March 2015 the 12 month Fellowship will go to an individual who is keen to develop a career in the arts. In 2015/16 the role will have a particular focus on programming and marketing of Indigenous work. The successful candidate will also be working on the GreenRoom Program (Adelaide Festival Centre’s youth arts membership program for 18 to 30 year olds), and attracting younger and multicultural audiences.
Richard Ryan AO says “This is an outstanding opportunity for a young South Australian to step into the fascinating world of the arts. This is hands-on experience in a world-class arts organisation and the aim of this fellowship is to set this young person on a course to future success as an arts leader.”
The original Steel Fellowship was created in 2000 in recognition of the Adelaide Festival Centre’s first CEO and distinguished Arts Administrator and Artistic Director, Anthony Steel. It provided 12 months of intensive professional experience in South Australia’s centre of creativity and heart of the arts.
Anthony Steel says “I am delighted that the Anthony Steel fellowship has expanded this year into the Steel Ryan fellowship, which has enabled the Festival Centre to employ its first Aboriginal arts worker to join the administrative team."
Adelaide Festival Centre CEO & Artistic Director Douglas Gautier says “For many years the Adelaide Festival Centre has nurtured the careers of young arts administrators under auspices of the Anthony Steel fellowship, named for the AFC’s first director Anthony Steel. This year, following a generous donation by former AFC Chairman and current Chairman of the Adelaide Festival Richard Ryan, we are able to offer the Steel Ryan Fellowship with a focus on the programming and audience development for indigenous work. We are grateful to both Anthony and Richard for their continued support and mentorship for the Adelaide Festival Centre.”
The Adelaide Festival Centre has today released its 2015 program of events.
All of the usual suspects are in there with programs from the Adelaide Festival, State Theatre Company of South Australia, Adelaide Symphony Orchestra, Windmill Theatre, The Australian Ballet, Australian Dance Theatre, Come Out Festival, Cabaret Festival, Oz Asia, Greenroom and more.
The full program will feature over 211 performances and 845 artists; 137 of which will be international guests from the United Kingdom, France, New Zealand, United States, Argentina, Germany, Russia and Scotland. Of particular note, more than 450 of the performers will be South Australian locals.
“We strive for excellence and the 2015 season is testament to that and puts a very large spotlight on the arts in Adelaide” says Festival Centre Artistic Director and CEO, Douglas Gautier.
“Here at the Festival Centre we continuously work with other arts organisations to bring you concerts, shows and exhibitions that would not otherwise be possible.”
In usual style the New Year will be kicked off with a big budget main stage show in ‘Thriller Live!’ The theatrical concert spectacular celebrates the songs and dance-moves of legendary entertainer Michael Jackson and the Jackson Five. The show, which has played on London’s West End since 2009, entered the record books this year as the 20th longest running musical in West End history.
Returning for their third instalment ‘The Illusionists 1903’ will grace Adelaide stages once again featuring a band of eight world-class illusionists from across the globe. After finishing their second world tour on Broadway in New York, the world premiere of this new production which showcases the ‘Golden Age of Magic’ will play in Australia in January 2015.
For music lovers there will be plenty of choice in addition to the Adelaide Symphony Orchestra’s programming with more ‘Morgans International Piano Series’ concerts, ‘Cocktail Concerts with Niki Vasilakis’, the ‘Count Basie Orchestra’, ‘Musica Viva’s’ 70th birthday recital tour, ‘Max Raabe and Palast Orchester’ and ‘An Aids Activist’s Memoir in Music’.
Lovers of Monty Python won’t be disappointed by a one night only performance from the man himself, Michael Palin, live on stage and in a South Australian first the ‘National Play Festival’ will be hosted here, celebrating the very best of new Australian theatre.
There will be dance-galore with performances from ‘The New Zealand Dance Company’, ‘Sydney Dance Company’, ‘The Australian Ballet’, and ‘Australian Dance Theatre’ each bringing their own unique programs and as part of the inSpace program two of Australia’s most exciting dance collaborators, Lisa Griffiths and Adam Synnott, will present the world premiere of ‘Chance’ a piece inspired by science fiction; a study on humanity’s beginnings, behaviours and cycles.
The centre’s popular festivals will remain key to the 2015 program with the ‘Come Out’ festival, the ‘Cabaret Festival’, the ‘Oz Asia’ festival and the ‘Guitar Festival’ each delivering their own unique blends of art and music. Also, the new bar ‘The River Deck’ will become a destination of choice as the weather warms up with live music every Friday and Saturday night in a new program called ‘Summer Sessions on the River Deck’.
Whatever your artistic persuasion, the Adelaide Festival Centre’s 2015 season has something for you – and we havent even scratched the surface! More information and the full program is available online at adelaidefestivalcentre.com.au.
Paul Rodda
When: 2015
Where: Adelaide Festival Centre
Bookings: bass.net.au and adelaidefestivalcentre.com.au