Scoring Half Price Theatre Tickets In Melbourne - Seeing Once

Last month in a respite break, I spent a spontaneous afternoon at the theatre. Having enjoyed the benefits of the discounted ticket sales of Broadway in NYC and in the West End in London, I confess that I did not know that this option was also available right here in Melbourne.

I was keen to get along to see Once for some time, and when time and the matinee schedule lined up, I discovered that the Half Tix Melbourne were listing these shows. As the name suggests, this allowed me a ticket at half the price. The key to snagging these tickets is to monitor the 'Today's Listings' online, and then get down to the office at the Melbourne Town Hall when it opens in the morning. There was a line up at the door when I arrived, but there were a few shows on sale, which meant I had no issue with getting the ticket I wanted for that afternoon.

Upon making the purchase, I was told that I could collect my actual ticket at the Princess Theatre, and that for today's show there was a special pre-drinks call up on stage. When I got down and found my seat in the beautiful, old theatre, I watched as the stage was lit and reflected from all the mirrors all around the stage walls, and people gathered for drinks. The band then came out and mingled among the people, playing typical Irish pub music, setting the scene completely.

Thinking I had not seen the film which the production is based on, I was quickly reminded of the story as soon as the show started - Irish lad busking his sad songs of love, and an edgy Polish girl who comes along and challenges and inspires him. The music channels Damien Rice, and the story pulls at all heart strings.

The show was totally delightful, and moving, and very well done with set and the musical arrangements. A little transportation into Dublin and the music of Ireland.

The Return Of Shane Warne The Musical

Just as the buzz about the upcoming Ashes series is really starting to gather momentum, with under a month until the first ball, and after we have just wistfully marked the 20 year anniversary of The Ball Of The Century, Shane Warne The Musical returns to Melbourne this week. A new ending, new songs, and of course, covering the drama that is Warnie's world since his retirement from International cricket.

I went along to one of the first runs of Shane Warne The Musical back in 2008, and was pleasantly surprised at the wit, the humour, some of the heart-felt stories, the tongue-in-cheek, and frank look at one of our favourite sportsmen. The show told his story from his footy days at St Kilda, to his hard work to get into the national cricket team, all of the scandals, and the undeniable legend of the Great Man.

That stage show ended with Warnie calling an end of his cricket career. But boy, has he ever added to the story since 2008!

This time, thanks to the new and "improved" Warne, Eddie Perfect can remain his trim Mick-in-Offspring self. Lisa McCune plays Simone Warne, and Christie Whelan-Brown is taking on the part of Liz Hurley. She has a cracking number in the show, I have read - it will be so interesting to see Perfect's take on this twist on the story of our greatest spin bowler and his recent weird and highly stylised version of himself. And also on this very public relationship of theirs, played out on Twitter and on every newspaper in Australia and the UK. Warne's cricket mentor Terry Jenner will be played by Shane Jacobson.

There is a 24-piece orchestra on stage this time. Until reading about and talking to a couple of mates about this new upcoming version, I had forgotten about songs like What An SMS I'm In. There is bound to be many stand outs this time, with Perfect having developed into a musical presence on our TVs since then.

I wonder if the cricket fans in the crowd will cheer when Warne is presented with his Baggy Green again - hope so! Loved that moment last time.

It is only playing for two nights here in Melbourne, at Hamer Hall at the Arts Centre, after shows in Adelaide earlier this month. Grab your tickets here for June 20 and 21st.

*I have been provided tickets to go along to the show, in exchange for some social media promotion.

(Image credits - Shane Warne The Musical FB page and The Age)

Margaret Fulton: Queen of the Dessert

On another sweltering Melbourne day just over a week ago, Carly and I ventured over to St Kilda to see a musical about an Aussie icon - Margaret Fulton The Musical was billed as Queen Of The Dessert

Arriving into the tiny and unassuming Theatre Works in St Kilda on the hottest day in November in Melbourne for some 6-7 years, the whole crowd was treated with icy-poles as the cast started in with very Aussie chants and songs, to set the scene as 1988.  A lovely touch, and much needed to distract from the heat outside.

As we took our seats, I spotted Quyen from The Good China making up the mini-orchestra, adding violin and backing vocals.  Very cool spotting!

This setting of the scene was a little lost at the start of the show, as the story dropped back to wartime Australia and the introduction of Margaret and her farewelling her solider betrothed. At home is Australia, she stumbled into jobs and was soon approached to feature in wartime advertising teaching the women of Australia that it was perfectly safe to cook with gas.  And then perfectly safe to cook with a pressure cooker.

The songs, each performed with the full cast of five, were funny and clever, all portrayed around the kitchen-style set, and associated props. I learnt that through her love of cooking, and her influential and high profile jobs of cooking teacher and demonstrator she introduced elements such as exotic things like eggplant and olives to Australian cookery!  The sheltered and over-conservative environment of our culture back then took some time to warm to this icon, who changed the way we eat and cook indefinitely and for the better.

A life honoured by the Medal of the Order of Australia, and even declared an Australian Living Treasure by the National Trust, twas a sad story, really, of a woman moving from love and heartbreak to love, and then finding “The One” after an 8 year courtship…only to have him die.

The final song was the highlight for me, such an uplifting and inspiring performance drawn from the lessons of love, doing what you are passionate about and following your heart before it’s too late.

Unfinished Business: Women Of Letters

The amazing Women of Letters project going on in Melbourne sells out in lightening speed every month - further evidenced by next month's afternoon being all sold out by 10.45am this morning - and so upon seeing a handful of balcony seats up for grabs last week, I grabbed two quick smart!

Jessie and I drove across to Thornbury Theatre of the 'afternoon of literature and correspondence' with much anticipation. A concept to bring women and writing together, and the old fashioned idea of penning letters. I have heard such great things about these afternoons, and we were not disappointed!

5 amazing women on the panel read out their letters to their 'unfinished business'. Kate Mulvany was first, actress and playwrite, and a young lady who has had so many challenges thrown her way - her letter was so very personal and revealing and I doubt that there was anyone left in the room with a dry eye once she had finished.

Sally Heath, Associate Publisher with Melbourne University Press, was next and spoke to all the writers who had submitted works to her for review and comment. Then Ailsa Piper, actor, writer and director, took the podium and shared the story of her upbringing and exposure to Indigenous languages and culture. So beautiful, thought-provoking and amazing.

Feminist writer Helen Garner was next, and she too shared a deeply personal account of the decisions made at a point in her life when she wished she had have followed her own path, rather then listen to others. A powerful tale that made us all ponder the decisions we make, and why.

Finally Sarah Blasko, Aussie singer-songwriter, shared her letter to her childhood immersion in religion and how she views it now. Rather than stumble through some of the parts spoken, Sarah ended up singing the end, which seemed so much more natural for her. And her voice soared within this theatre space - and made the anticipation of the new album all the more great!

A break to allow us all to absorb the stories we had just heard, perhaps pen a letter ourselves, for the audience to submit questions to the panel, and to return to the bar for another wine. The ladies then returned to stage for a panel discussion, sharing more very personal stories, and answering the questions from the floor.

What an amazing, and inspiring afternoon, full of personal stories, lessons learnt, wisdom and some tears.

Seeing NYC Again For The First Time

New York City is one of my favourite cities in the world, and even since that wondrous first visit back in 1999, and my subsequent (five now!!! Ekk!) pop ins, I have always wanted to experience again that excitement of taking it all in for the first time. With Katie coming from Australia to visit me for my last 2 weeks of my trip, I got to do just that, whilst showing her all the things I love about the amazing city!

We stayed out in Brooklyn, in a room in an apartment found on AirBnB, and Kylie spent the first night and couple of days with us also.




Through Katie's eye, I got to walk through the bustle and the neon of Times Square, and take in the full view of the city from the oberservation deck of the Rockefeller Centre.

Pointing out the iconic buildings like the Empire State Building and the Chrysler, and discussing how different the skyline looked with the Twin Towers at the end of the island on my first trips to the city.

Whilst in Times Square we lined up at the TKTS booth for discounted show tickets, and finally decided on seeing Chicago that night. So many to choose from! Seeing a Broadway show was something Katie wanted to do, and it took me back to memories of my first trip, and seeing Beauty And The Beast with Talia.

I took the girls to Grand Central Station, and we eat breakfast and drank coffee sitting on the floor near the doors to the train platforms, taking in the light and the rush of people. One of my favourite places! Such a pretty interior!!

A walk down 5th Avenue, complete with a visit to FAO Schwarz toy world, before exploring Central Park. The girls jumped on bicycles so they could get around to all the places to see, such as the Bethesda Fountain, the Alice In Wonderland sculpture, Strawberry Fields, and the views of the lake and Sheeps Meadow with the city as the backdrop.

This was the first time I had been to NYC in the Summer months, with other visits being bang in the middle of an icey or snowy North American Winter, or around Halloween and the Fall colours. It was hot and humid, sunny and glorious!

There is just so much to see, and so much to do, in New York, and we did not stop for the whole five days we were there. I am certain that I managed to instill my love of NYC in my little sister, although, let's face it, that city will do that to anyone!

Winter Garden Theatre: Doors Open Toronto

The Winter Garden Theatre, part of the Elgin and Winter Garden Theatre combo, is so enchanting! My visit inside is the last of the places I visited around the city for Doors Open Toronto, and one I added to my list upon the recommendation of Tanya when we were checking out the faces on the awning the day before, and having also stumbled over this blog post the night before.

I joined the long line for one of the scheduled tours, and we were soon filed into the theater, and up the stairs. Up to the seventh floor, we walked through gorgeous hallways and stairways, so grand and ornate, before being shown to seats in the Winter Garden Theatre.

Taking in the amazing sights around us, being the picturesque setting on the fire curtain on the stage, the forest-like hangings of the roof of the circle section, and then ornate boxes. The trees all around, with crawling vines all over the walls and actual roof, with a lit moon above. A wonderland, indeed! It is so pretty!

Once seated, one of the volunteers of the theater told us of the history and function of the theater. One of only 3 double theater complexes in the world, this is the only one where both stages are functioning at this time. But that was not always the case, with this one closed for many, many years, and the painstaking restoration from it's reopen was recounted, which was as amazing as the features of the insides itself.

The forest on the roof is part real, and certainly started out as all actual foliage from nature. Many of the lanterns have needed to be replaced, as they seemed to have been taken as souvenirs or for patios parties over the years of long ago staff and owners!

The Elgin Theatre would have been part of the tour, however it was being readied for it's next show on this day. Is the venue where Cats showed for almost 2 years. The Theatre complex will be 90 years old next year, and is a treat to visit, and would be a delight to see a show in - although one wonders whether the enchanting interiors would distract from the show!

Eva – Tales From The Life Of Eva Cassidy

I had read that Clare Bowditch was doing a show about Eva Cassidy earlier this year, so when it hit the bigger stage of The Athenaeum, and Jessie mentioned a date, I was very keen to go. I love everything Clare does, and her involvement and enthusiasm had piqued my interest to know more about Eva.

After getting to see a Buddy and Cyril goal fest at the MCG, Jessie and I drove to pick up Marea, who had watched Heath play footy for the afternoon, before returning to the city. Rachael joined us at Stellini, a tucked away little treat in Little Collins Street, for dinner and wine. The meal was really lovely, and the Italian feel of this restaurant made for a great start to the night.

Taking our seats in the front row of the Circle, we were soon enthralled and enchanted by Clare telling us Tales From The life Of Eva Cassidy. A ‘song stylist’, as labelled by Eva’s mother, Cassidy was not a big selling star in her short 33 years, but found album success after her demise from Melanoma in 1996. Playing to mainly a local bookstore and a tiny crowd, Eva’s interpretation of a range of tracks have been more appreciated since her death.

Clare interspersed the songs of Eva’s with stories she had collected through talking with Chris Biondo, and other people close to Eva in life. With Ashley Naylor, and The Blues Alley Band supporting her on stage, Clare admitted that she usually doesn’t get to play the type of songs she would do this night, except for at a karaoke venue. Singing Time After Time and True Colours, Clare’s voice soared in this venue.

Naylor shared some of the storytelling, which so much of the time felt like we were in their lounge room and just chatting about this artist they had discovered. Clare told us many of her own stories, weaving them with the Eva story, with parallels about the struggles and challenges to conform to the music industry wishes. People Get Ready, Songbird, and Bridge Over Troubled Water were so lovely, and clearly had the Eva spin on the original.

Much of the press and early reviews of the show had featured Clare’s recount of her first discovery of Eva, which she retold, and then played the Sting cover Fields Of Gold. Not knowing Eva’s music, I overheard a woman near me comment that Clare was not trying to be Eva, but was singing the songs Eva brought to life.

The message in Clare’s show was the untapped talent that was Eva in life, and the potential in us all. She encouraged each person in the audience to appreciate one’s talents. Somewhere Over The Rainbow was the fitting end to the show, being Eva’s most celebrated and well known recording.

Having Clare share the life, story and songs she had discovered in her research of Eva from the stage in such an intimate feeling show was such a treat, and a tribute to Cassidy, but also a showcase that is the amazing talent of Bowditch.

Anna Karenina

After driving all day for work on Wednesday, I met Jessie and Jenny for dinner in Melbourne. Discovering that Soul Mama is no longer in business, we settled for Republica for red wine and pizza.

We then braved the cold again, and the traffic build-up due to tram track works, to find the Alliance Francaise de Melbourne, where The Stork Theatre can be found.

We had tickets to see Tolstoy's Anna Karenina, and were soon shown to our seats in one of the small, high-ceiling front rooms. The stage was a platform in front of the window, and was soon lit up from the projector behind us, for the beginning of the play.

The translated and adapted story of Anna, and her chance meeting at a Moscow train station with Count Vronsky...and the pain and isolation following such a love led to. Powerful, full-on performances in this little room, by this little cast. I think the simulated sex scene cleared the rest of our row after interval!

The first in a series of three plays this season, on women who 'ultimately paid the highest price to be the agent of her own destiny'.

Castaway with Clare Bowditch

On Tuesday I had tickets for an evening called Desert Island Flicks, at ACMI, with Clare Bowditch. Apparently something that ACMI have on a monthly basis, the idea of a glimpse into the favourite movies of one of my favourite women, favourite singer-songwriters, was too good to pass up.

I convinced Michelle to come along, after a last minute pike, and we drove down to Melbourne, and met Jenny for a drink at Beer DeLuxe first. Joining the queue outside of the little Studio 1, I wasn't quite sure of the sign at the front door, and walked around the side to check we weren't missing it - and crossed paths with Clare herself, and said hi! Ha!

The small crowd shuffled into the Studio, with Michelle Carey, the new Artistic Director of MIFF, and Clare Bowditch on stage. Chatting about life, film and how Clare chose her 5 flicks for the night's discussion, we then went through the list, which a chosen scene out of each which meant something to our Artist.

The first film was introduced by scene, being a shot of a very young Claudia Karvan floating in the sea, in High Tide. Michelle and Clare chat on stage about why this film has been a stand out for Clare, and the plotlines.

It's A Wonderful Life is next, and watching the clip, and Clare's face of delight in the glow of the studio screen through the heart-felt family scene, is such a special moment. And makes me add this on to my Quick Flix list!

The beauty and mystic of The Piano is Clare's next film, with the scene selected being when Holly and Anna knock on Harvey's door and beg him to take them down to the beach, and then the first piano playing and Anna dancing. Such a great movie! Clare talks about how seeing this drew her back to classical music, which has ultimately influenced her folk tunes.

Zorba The Greek is Clare's 4th selection, as a reminder of her late father and moments of her childhood. A privilege to be part of this conversation, and a key point in the cinema-studied Michelle's take on Clare's five selections.

The scenes of In The Mood For Love were the final film, and again, has me adding this one to my list of Quick Flix with some serious desire. The cinematography and character exchanges featured in this short clip, the synopsis, and Clare's description of the "sashaying dresses" makes this Hong Kong film look so enchanting.

Dinner out in Fed Square, in the mild Melbourne night, at Chocolate Buddha. God, how I miss Melbourne and nights like this! Such a treat.

Tim Minchin and the MSO

Last Friday night I drove down to Melbourne after work, and met Jessie, Health and Nicole at Republica, for a pre-show drink and dinner. We then walked along the beach road to the gorgeous Palais Theatre, to utilise tickets I had purchased way back in August.

Tim Minchin was playing a big production, with the Melbourne Symphony Orchestra, and after arriving on stage in a cage with a track poking fun at the big pop stars of today and their big stage productions, he announced in his opening monologue that he had always believed he should be playing with the backing of a full orchestra, responding to his every whim in a musical fashion. And they responded accordingly.

Combining being behind the piano, to standing solo for song, or trying his hand at the guitar, bare-footed Tim played a mix of old and new songs. Rock n Roll Nerd among the first, and set the scene. He shared some of his life, and story of love, and then played If I Didn't Have You and a new one likening a sneaky-up kind of love to a malignant melanoma. Ha!

Some more of his opinion pieces were then added to Act 1, like the amusing Prejudice, and then the fresh Cont/Context. Discussions about science and religion, and Sam's Mum's miracle and the notion of a higher power. New song, The Fence was very good. Dark Side was in the mix, and then the beautiful new song to a baby that just won't sleep.

So very funny all the way through, and also smart and ballsy with his points of contention and arguments. Such a great show, and showman - and now an Oscar winner with his contribution as narrator on the winner of Best Animated Short Film. What an impressive talent!

St Petes

We left Prague, and caught a Russian flight to St Petersburg. Instantly discovering the Russian script and signs, and lack of English a challenge, we figured out a bus to get from the airport to the city...but if it wasn't for a hot Dutch man on that bus who help us find the next steps, I suspect Jess, Belinda and I would still be lost somewhere on the transport system!

After wandering around lost for a bit more from the metro station, we eventually found our hostel, tucked away in courtyard with no markings. Here we discovered that our group as part of Vodka Train had left for a cruise on the river, since of flight was later than the official tour started. We followed the map left by Lera, our Honcho in St Petersburg, but just missed the cruise the rest of the group were on. To fill time until their return, we purchased some beers and nibbles, and park along the river. And this is how our tour group with whom we would be traveling for the next 3 weeks found us - beers in hand, sitting in the gutter, taking in this new city. We set the bar high to start with!

Once the 3 Irishmen and our Pompy ranga Pom were introduced, we then found a pub and had a night of getting to know the group, and asking Lera about her city. Each stop of Vodka Train has a Honcho who is a local who has signed up to oversee the groups time, making sure all the paperwork and tickets are sorted, and pointing us, or leading us, to where we want to go. It also meant that we were taken to local places to eat, which was more affordable, and meant we got to sample the local Russian foods that Lena usually has.

The next day we took a bus out of town, to Peterhof Palace, which is the summer palace. Taking in the gardens, the grand palace buildings, and then abundance of fountains, we also walked along the sea.

Back in the city, via the metro and marveling at the ornate and breathtakingly grand stations, we walked passed the The Church of Our Savior on Spilled Blood, and then went aloft the Colonnade of St Isaac's Cathedral to get a view of the city. Back at ground level, we got to stare up at the Bronze Horseman.

6 of the 7 of us then got all dressed up and went to the ballet - Swan Lake in a very old Russian theatre. Quite a special feat, going to see this in Russia!

The boys feeling like that had had enough culture that evening, convinced us to have beers at the Irish pub across from the ballet, where we each had our first shots of vodka for the trip.

Having enjoyed 2 days of sunshine, and being told that St Petersburg only actually gets 24 days of sun a year, our last day was raining and overcast. Which was the perfect day to spend inside the Hermitage, taking in a vast collection of art, spanning from Russian, to a full scope of European art, Egyptian artifacts, to sculpture. We each spent hours meandering through the 5 buildings of the Winter Palace, of world art. So impressive!

Exploring the river side of the city, we walked over to Peter and Paul's Fortress, before Jess, Belinda and I took the river cruise through the canal and river systems, out in the elements taking in the commentary, before we each graduated inside for the last portion. It was freezing!

The end of the day, Lena managed to get us all to the train station in time to board our first train of our long journey, an overnight to Moscow.

B.C.

I made it back down to Melbourne after a crazy day of crisis, spray tan and rain, and traffic madness to meet Jenny at the Arts Centre and the little side theatre, Black Box. We were booked to see B.C., which caught our eye due to the casting inclusions.

Walking into the tiny room, and grabbed an unallocated seat, the crowd filing in were bemused by the young man sitting on stage, on a bench, messily eating fired chicken. Calling out sporadically, making strange comments and inane observations, Dylan Young played intellectually disabled and bird obsessed Gabriel.

Nicole De Silva, much loved Stella in Rush, played Mary, in a modernised Aussie neighbourhood Immaculate Conception story. Our love of Rush and Stella and Michael meet here, with Ashley Zukerman playing a wog Joseph - complete with tracksuit and accent of the 'hood. And very well done at that.

This portrayal of the bible story has themes ranging from coming of age, carer roles, cancer and sickness anxiety, family dysfunction, hinted incest, disability discrimiation, and a developing love story between our two main actors.

Funny, cringe worthy and heart warming all at once, the play left a feeling of distaste at the modern suburban existence...and yet faith also.

Jersey Boys

Before Katie heads off to the other side of the world to have Xmas with Jessie, Melissa thought that we could all get together as a little family, as Mum's Xmas present, and see Jersey Boys. The actual event was to be a surprise for Mum, and amid her protests and proclimations of all the things she wouldn't like, Melissa struck a winner with this one.

Driving down in the belting and sudden rain, we met Melissa at my house, and had her lovingly prepared dinner. Bless her! Risotto and wine, and strawberries dipped in chocolate, this served as our family Xmas meal, bon bon popping included.

We found a dream park not far from the Princess' Theatre, and between rain showers, made our way inside and to our seats.

The story of Frankie Valli and The Four Seasons. Opening with a French version of Oh What A Night, and the announcement that this track was Number 1 (in France) in 2000, all these years after the boom of The Four Seasons, we are then taken back to the beginning and the discovery of Francis' voice, Bob Gaudio's songwriting, and the path to fame and chart topping hits. The stage show also takes you behind the scenes, and tells the stories behind the men, their mistakes and trouble they find themselves in, and the battles this leads within the group.

Breaking through to the charts, and before us on the stage, with Sherry, the show led us through the different starts and formations of the band, and then their big hits like Walk Like A Man, and Can't Take My Eyes Off You.

Pericles

Having grabbed tickets to Pericles some months ago, Mary, Jenny and I went into town yesterday, and had brunch at Time Out in Fed Square, ready for an afternoon with Marcus.

Pericles is a play that Shakespeare had a hand in, purportedly in adapting it from a poem, although supposedly leaving it incomplete, being one of his last.

The Bell Shakespeare production had promient drums on either side of the stage as a feature, and the larger than life Marcus Graham as Pericles.

The plot was actually quite complicated and fantastical, with twists and plots to kill, people coming back from the dead, and daughters led into a bordello only to be offered to the shipwreaked and broken Pericles. Such a strange aray of twists here, we were grateful for the synopsis handout!

Some good performances, great music throughout, and our fix of Marcus for the season!

Palm Cove and Kuranda

Over dinner at the Sheraton Mirage, we were offered the treat of coming over the next morning for the full buffet breakfast and a swim. Hard to say no to! This is how we spent our morning on Tuesday, before leaving Port Douglas. Sun blazing, and swimming in the lagoon of this resort. Not bad! Ha!

We eventually called an end to our bonus resort experience, and started our drive down south for our next accommodation destination. After talking through our plans, we decided to pop into the outskirts of Cairns this afternoon, to see the Royal Flying Doctors Service headquarters. Here we walked through the museum like history room, before going out the back to board one of their old planes for a peek inside.

Taking me back to my beloved memories of one of my favourite TV shows, the Visitors Centre then had one of the nurses talk about the service, and then show a video about the work they do. Amazing service, and we were amazed at the coverage and numbers of people who use this service in the remote areas of our country.

Driving into Palm Cove, we actually trawled the tiny town to see if we could book ourselves in for a spa treatment for the afternoon. Not having any luck, we found out hotel and checked into the Rockford Esplanade - only to find that they had a service that could come to our room. So we both had a massage, much needed!

Walking along the main beach road of resorts, we had dinner at El Greco, with a full array of Greek goodies...sitting alongside Kevin Sheedy! There is no escaping footy, is there! An early night, ready for our early start the next day.

This morning we were picked up from our hotel by the Down Under Tours bus, and driven to the Freshwater train station. Here we ate breakfast, and walked through the museum to read about the history of the railway and it's feat of engineering, being built by hand, before boarding the train.

The Kuranda Scenic Railway winds its way through the mountains and rainforest, past Barron Falls, up to the town of Kuranda. Being told about the area, the history, and all the sites to see out the window of the train by the Michael Catton voiceover, we reached Kuranda. Here we wandered through the markets, before having a light lunch of scones and jam and cream at the pub.

From here, we walked to the SkyRail, and boarded a gondola for the ride down the mountains. The little pods allowed you to jump off at two different spots to take in the ranges and rainforest around us, including the other side of Barron Falls.

Next to the end of the SkyRail, we entered the Tjapukai Aboriginal Cultural Park. We watched live actors and holograms enact the history of the Tjapukai people in the Creation theatre, after viewing art depicting these stories also. We then walked out to the grounds of the Park to watch a dance demonstration, with music, fire making...and even the chance to see American school kids called up to attempt to join in with the show.

From here we got to establish that Melissa could throw a boomerang and a spear...and that I throw like a girl! A lesson on bush medicines and an explanation of the challenges of Didgeridoo playing was next, before we were back to the main complex and the History Theatre, to hear the impact of white man's arrival to the area and to the Tjapukai people. They also told of the impact of having the above mentioned train track built through their sacred mountain ranges.

After such a full day, and again returning to our hotel as the weather started to cool, we talked ourselves into going for a dip in the hotel spa. We then moved to the hotel bar for Mojito and Pina Colada to mark the fact that I don't have DVT this year, one year on. Touch wood!! A massive curry for dinner, with wine, and we were exhausted and pissy enough to call it a night!

Ready For This?

Last night for the Melbourne International Comedy Festival, Nicole and I saw Tim Minchin at The Forum. Having booked these tickets back in December, I think Tim is the reason I haven't been keen for any other shows - what if they aren't as good as him!?

The new show, Ready For This? has the barefoot musical comedian with the crazy hair, starting the show proving he doesn't need a band.

In a response to the outroar over his song at his breakout Fringe show in Edinburgh, seen in his documentary, he does a song called Prejudice which merges into Only A Ginger can call a Ginger Ginger. Clever, hilarious. He also does an ode to one of the reviews he got around that time too. Ouch!

The clever word plays, groovy dance moves, songs about boobs, and maths in love. Tim's religion verses science debate flares in song, loaded with risky but witty, edgy controversy, and in a 9 minute beat poem. He's smart, black comedy, packs a punch to our educated, secular generation.

Bears Don’t Dig On Dancing is his new world changing platform song this tour, he tells us, after the success and change in government policy since Canvas Bags, and the encore for the night. A total entertainer, and full hour of laughter.

Poor Boy

Last night Jenny and I drove across town, to meet Nicole at the brand new MTC Theatre complex. Architecturally stunning, this complex holds the Sumner Theatre, where we saw Poor Boy.

Starring a grown up Guy Pearce (not the lad from Neighbours anymore, that's for sure!), he played Danny....a ghost. The plot follows two families, one consumed with grieving the death of Danny 7 years ago, and one with a 7 year old boy - who, on his birthday channels Danny, and loses who he is.

Our seats were second row from the front, on the end, so that the swing and tricycle used on set where an arms reach away. The set also featured a band, suspended at the back.

The play also featured the music of Tim Finn, which recognisable songs dropped into the play..sometimes seemingly randomly, based on the smallest reference. Guy held a tune, along with his co-stars, including Abi Tucker. Songs like Persuasion, and Poor Boy, stuck in my head.

The best scene for mine was when Danny's wife, Abi Tucker, believed that the boy was Danny, and danced with him, both boy and ghost. All very Ghost (the movie) like for a moment. The whole cast would often break into song, but without the audience applause at the end of each, which seemed weird. They were certainly crossing over to musical status there many times!

Shane Warne The Musical

When we saw Wicked, across the road were signs for 'The Other Wizard Of Oz', being Shane Warne The Musical. Each time I saw the ad for this, I cringed....but then Melissa got free tickets to the preview...and you can't say no to free tickets, can you!

I met Melissa out the front of the Athenaeum Theatre. As we took our seats quite close to the stage, the producer came on stage to introduce. He said that this was the first real run of the show, with some places not fully worked out yet, and that one of the actors had only been with the group a week.

The show started out by showing that our man Warne didn't start out playing cricket, and chronicled his attempts at being a football star with St Kilda. The disappointment of dreams dashed, and his mother's influence on his getting his act together and heading to the AIS for cricket.

Some digs about an inappropriate coach over there in Adelaide, making you cringe about the possibility of reality, leading up to some words of advice for the wayward Warne until he gets his act together and gains selection for Australia.

His crowning with a baggy green got a smattering of applause from the audience - Melissa was mortified at my participation in that! Some true cricket fans out there! And then the focus on That Ball.

As the gap at interval extended, and the crowd had returned, a chant of 'Warnie, Warnie, Warnie' went up. Hilarious. Had the band cracking up!

Every crack at Warne that could be made, was made. Comments about his fast rise to fame, and that he couldn't do anything without gaining media attention, his nickname as Hollywood. The bookmaker scandal, the diuretic given to him by his Mum, sledging on field. The singing and dancing were actually very funny - with a highlight being What An SMS I'm In.

The portrayal of Shane and Simone's relationship, from start to end, with the promiscuous Warne and the 'what happens on tour stays on tour', and the sad reality of Simone's perspective. Pretty raw and real. And then the reminder that whilst the media circus went on, he did, single handedly win Australia many matches.

Very funny show, a look at the hero and disaster that is Warne. Could not have imagined going to see it, but loved it!

Wicked

Last night after a work drink, Kate, Mary and I headed to Wagamama's for dinner, preparing for a night at the theatre. We were joined by Nancy (with new baby ultrasound pics - very exciting!), and her friend Nat, and Vashali, for Japanese curry and dumplings.

Through the cold, windy streets of Melbourne, we walked back down to the beautiful Regent Theatre. Entering the amazing foyer, we made our way upstairs and were shown to our cushy seats, ready for Wicked.

The set was amazing and, as we waited for the show to start, we took in the map of Emerald City, and the huge clock face that made up the stage.

The story begins with celebrations that the Wicked Witch of the West is dead, and then Glinda the Good Witch is asked about the rumour that they were actually friends....and so the story is told of the two witches of Emerald City, before Dorothy arrived in the Wizard Of Oz.

Lots of puns about Ozians, and woven, clever references to the movie, the two leads were very strong. Anthony Callea and Rob Mills, of Australian Idol fame, were part of this production, with Millsy's talent really questionable for mine! Plus a replacement for Rob Guest, who passed away suddenly during this season, as the Wizard of Oz.

With messages about bullying, acceptance, and standing up for what you believe in, the show was engaging, even for someone like me who is not enthralled by all the singing and dancing!

The revelations about the origins of the Tin Man and the Lion were great! And sitting next to Mary, which is always an experience, who was totally in awe, was also a treat! Bless her!

A great show! Makes me want to go and hire the movie again.

Appetite

Jenny called me during the week to check what I was up to today, and whether I would like to join her and Mary for a play, for Mary's birthday. Jen said that she would get me a ticket for my birthday, and then convinced me with the promise of full frontal nudity in the play - terrible!

So today she came and picked me up, and the three of us had nibbles while they toasted Mary and my birthday with champagne, before we found our seats in Fairfax Studio. The play, Appetite, was playing as part of the Melbourne International Arts Festival.

Starring Catherine McClements, who I am also watching on Rush at the moment, and featuring the music of New Buffalo, the play is about a successful woman reaching her 39th birthday, and reflecting on her life, it's meaning and quality. Quite timely, given my thoughts on my own pending anniversary!

Sadly, New Buffalo is unwell and thus, unable to perform live for the season, which she was supposed to do. Her presence would have added something to the play. Instead, the recordings of rehearsals were used, including I'm The Drunk And You're The Star. Her music throughout was great.

The plot was quite depressing, with reflections on relationships, and puns on gender roles, whilst the main character attempted to serve 39 dishes for her 39 years to her dinner guests. The highlights in the play for me were the surrealism pauses when all the other players froze whilst the main character moved through the scene reflecting on the people in her life, and the state of her world.

We finished the day with cake and coffee at Tin Pot Cafe. Thanks Jenny, and Happy Birthday mary for the week just gone.