Emily Cat 176

  I love ballet. The photo above is of a few of the cast members after today's performance. It was The Little Mermaid. A good performance as always with ballet. Would definitely see this company perform again. Victorian State Ballet www.victorianstateballet.org.au Drum Theatre https://drum.greaterdandenong.vic.gov.au/

 <script async src="https://pagead2.googlesyndication.com/pagead/js/adsbygoogle.js?client=ca-pub-8593178050323909"      crossorigin="anonymous"></script> It has been a long 2 years but now Melbourne is roaring back to life. The Winter Masterpieces Exhibition has returned. We couldn't wait to see it. The Picasso Century is a very interesting exhibition of various Picasso pieces and those who were his contemporaries. Some l had heard of and some l hadn't. They even had one piece from my favourite, Salvador Dali. The exhibition is well worth a visit and running until early October.

 <meta name="google-adsense-account" content="ca-pub-8593178050323909"> There is a murmur all around me and the voices sound happy. The lights dim, the voices quieten and the music begins. Musical Theatre is back and oh how l have missed it.  The long wait was worth it. PLOS production of Chicago is brilliant. The two main leads, Rachel Rai (Roxie) and Nadia Gianinotti(Velma) were in fine voice. In fact, the singing collectively was of such a high standard.  The stage was pared back with the orchestra performing on scaffolding.  I think performances are better with live music and this orchestra did not disappoint. PLOS have always staged high standard shows and they delivered with a bang. Chicago is on at Frankston Arts Centre until 06 August. If you are in Melbourne definitely see this show.

  Today was cold, wet and windy. Today l went to the Kingston Arts Centre to see a play that is set on a day all Australia will know: Black Saturday. February 7 2009.  Hearth is a play by Fleur Murphy. It is the story of a family who come together for a birthday and fracture as the world around them burns. It's a powerful story that is told well by the ensemble cast which includes Geoff Payne, Sonya Suares, Martin Burn, Kurt Pimblett and Carole Patulo. Each actor played their role well. The stage is pared back with a table and chairs and a hearth. Around the stage are pieces of cloth that look like trees and as the family starts to crumble so do these trees. It is a powerful image. I imagined those trees burning as the secrets revealed tore down the family. A good play, played well in an intimate space. Congratulations to all involved. Kingston Arts Centre is based in suburban Moorabbin. I love the arts in the suburbs. Too often it's thought that the only good performances are...

  Today l received my 2020 birthday present. What a wonderful day. I love ballet.  Thanks to my BFF Suzie for a great day:)

   Firstly l didn't know that the film was a musical. I love a musical. Did l love this film; no but l did like it. The music and dancing were good and the costumes were stunning. Peter Dinklage and Haley Bennett are good as the leads as are the supporting cast. I didn't recognise Ben Mendelsohn. The storyline did drag in places and the battle scene didn't look realistic but it did show pathos with the men going off to die. So, overall, a good film.  3.5 stars

  It is a sunny Friday afternoon and l am sitting in the nave of a Uniting Church waiting. Luke Severn steps onto the stage and it begins. Soon l'm cocooned in the rich, deep, sensual sound of the Cello. The first piece is Bach Suite No 1 in G major. What beautiful music and played with such good musicianship.  Next the senses are awakened by the Kodaly Sonata for Cello. Such an interesting piece. It was learned, as we the audience were told, in lockdown. Live performances are back and l so happy. Nothing beats seeing performances live. If you get the chance to hear him perform take it. The music is brought to life by his wonderful musicianship. He can be contacted via his website lukesevernmusic.com