|
|
|||||||||
|
Right royal year for The Maj
There are
only two theatres left in the world that
bear the name His Majesty's Theatre in
honour of King Edward VII. One is in
Aberdeen, Scotland, and the other is here
in Perth. Next year,
our His Majesty's celebrates its 100th
birthday. According
to the general manager of His Majesty's,
Rodney Philips, there are only two
theatres in Australia that stand out as
icons in every arts professional's mind --
the Sydney Opera House and His Majesty's
Theatre in Perth. "Little
did I know I'd be managing both in my
career," said the former deputy manager of
the opera house. His
Majesty's Theatre stands out as a
beautiful and rare example of Edwardian
architecture in a city that delights in
ripping down the old. Next year
will see a year-long celebration of the
theatre, the artists and the people who
love and support the theatre. From
January 17, Barking Gecko will present a
new version of an old classic, His
Majesty's New Clothes, based on Hans
Christian Anderson's The Emperor's New
Clothes. "We think
it is entirely appropriate that children
be among the first to enjoy our birthday
celebrations and have first bite of the
cake," Rodney said. It will
Barking Gecko's first time performing in
the theatre and the first time the theatre
will charge a single ticket price,
$12. Other
highlights include a first-time
collaboration between the symphony
orchestra, ballet and opera companies in a
fully-staged production of Carmina
Burana. Included
in that presentation will be a tribute to
two of the 20th century's great ballet
creators, Sir Fredrick Ashton and George
Balanchine. It will be
choreographed by Simon Dow and, in a fond
tribute to their nicknames, will be titled
Mr B and Sir Fred. Composer Richard Mills
has been commissioned to compose a
commemorative five-minute orchestral
overture. Family
events, including a "super" sleepover for
the kids, an open day and a family concert
by WASO, are all part of the
celebrations. Risks
without glitz Ignore the emails, click off the
computer, turn off the television and take
the family down the Big Top for some good,
old-fashioned entertainment. Pantaloon-dropping, hair-raising,
laugh-out-loud funny, the Moscow Circus is
an evening of simple, entertaining fun
that has parents laughing louder than
their kids. The circus is a family affair in every
sense. Inside the small ring children, pet
dogs, a couple of horses and
highly-skilled performers who double and
triple as clowns, stall-holders, stage
hands, ring masters or ring sweepers, work
together as a multi-skilled family. There's none of the over-blown glitz
and glamour of other international touring
circuses to hide behind - these talented
performers from Russia and Europe (with
two Aussie clowns) do what they do in
front of your face, and if they miss or
drop it, they do it again, which only
heightens the thrill of success. A less than impressive sound system is
masked by 1100 people squealing with
excitement, gasping in amazement, laughing
and clapping. The 18 acts are short and sharp, the
changes - erecting or dismantling nets,
trapeze, poles and safety lines -- are
done quickly and efficiently, so the whole
evening moves at a great pace. It may still be a long evening for
younger kids, but it is an experience
they'll never forget. Back
to top Copyright © 1999 - 2006 Post Newspapers Pty Ltd. All rights reserved. |
In Post Impressions this week:
Theatre:
Exhibitions:
Cinema:
Music:
|
|||||||
