1. Jason Wing’s ”Deeply rooted” stencil painting on canvas. 100cm x 100cm. Check out Jason’s work HERE

2. Art Gallery of New South Wales 12 month membership. View website HERE

3. Art Almanac 12 month subscription. View website HERE

You can sign up online for very little and get that sweet soulful feeling that you have helped a great community radio station stay on the air.

Soul Mates GO HERE and WIN!

“Des Hommes et Des Dieux’ directed by Xavier Beauvois,(the entrance captured,right) which is a powerful prayful film about a monastery in Afghanistan and the monks who live in inspiring harmony with their Muslim neighbours. Stirring emotional strengths, and along with the central performances of Lambert Wilson and Michael Lonsdale, this had a weeping standing ovation.

“Copie Conforme” directed by Iranian master, Abbas Kiarostami, stars Juliette Binoche, and opera baritone, William Shimmel with fabulous cameo from the legendary Jean-Claude Carriere. I was so pleased to be a guest at this screening as I especially loved the cast and the script. I won’t elaborate too much on the story because there is a reveal which I don’t want to spoil, but its.. woman meets man…..

The first Ukrainian film to be selected into the official Competition was Sergei Loznitsa’s “Mon Bonheur- My Joy”. Wow, it is a very strong, serious study of the dark side of contemporary Europe. Coming out at half past midnight into the beat and craziness of the Croisette was quite a shock. Another contender …But the word is that the Palme will go to”Another Year”, another masterpiece by Mike Leigh (Who won for Vera Drake) or perhaps “Biutiful” by Alejandro Gonzales Inarritu. The Australian presence was impressive. Of course the closing night film “The Tree”, directed by Julie Bertucelli  was filmed in Australia  and the co-producer Sue Taylor and Rosemary Blight were preparing for the premiere. Te other Australian film screening outside the market or  the Cannes Cinephiles season, curated by the ever brilliant Bernard Bories, is Birthday the film. Directed  and written by J Harkness and produced and starring Natalie Eleftheriades, this had a big buzz from its selection in the Cannes Independent Film Festival.  And everyone at some stage is seen on the terrasse or the Grand Hotel. See below- Bernard Bories, J Harkness, Natalie Eleftehriades,  Ra Chapman,

Cannes Cinephiles....Grand terrasse

well, I am late to let you know the latest from the world away from the world of Eastside.

But as mentioned one of the three productions in Paris this year of Ibsens masterpeice “A Dolls House” stars Audrey Tautou.

First beloved as ‘Amelie” and more recently as Coco Chanel in “Coco Avant Chanel” Tautou would seem perfect casting as thebirdlike Nora who finds her wings- a dream role for any actress and coveted by most.

So I was so looking forward to seeing the production at the Theatre Madeleine. Alas, it was startling in very strange ways- almost pantomime in its style and therefore the substance and shock of the reality of the characters consequences went for very little.

White face and broad gestures began well but couldn’t break the audiences heart and soul as Ibsen intended. Audrey Tautou is a gorgeous actress but the director didn’t call upon her depths to truly honour the play. (my opinion, and a little hard I confess as Ive played Nora and her essence remains)

So after Paris, to Pamplona;  where the concerts in the Town Hall and the Iglesia are heralded around the Citadel square on little affiches reminiscent of the 19th century. The town  most famous for the ‘running of the bulls’ is graceful and cool with friday night jazz this fm station would be proud of.

Speaking of which- Dont forget the hottest gig this weekend is the JUNGLEHAMMER launch starring iOTA at the

Studio of the Sydney Opera House on Saturday May 15. If you have never been to a Junglehammer gig, let me tell you, it is hot and cool and all at once briliant.

A grande GRACIAS to all the eastsidefm listeners who are following the Camino walk  http://felipewithlove.blogspot.com/

I walked for three and half days and the camino stays with me in very step. Looking forward to hearing more from Josephine Grieve who was a guest in the studio in April, when she returns.

Happy travels, happy listening,

Susie

Greta Scacchi and daughter Leila.

WEST END……..TO EASTSIDE

A week of theatre,..a play reading, written by Anton Burge, called Whatever Happened ON Baby Jane.

Set in the dressing rooms of Joan Crawford and Bette Davis it dramatises the differencec between these cinema icons. Bette is the actress , Joan the ‘star’.and each shone their vision into the other.

Greta Scacchi shone in a brilliant portrayal of Bette-  smart, slick, powerful and poignant. And truly a great actress.

Later to the Garrick Club, the oldest theatre club in London, actually established when to be an actor was an offence and one could be arrested as a vagrant.

Well, there are no vagrants anywhere near this hallowed mansion. I’ve only ever been invited to the dining room before, and I have to pay tribute to Rex Harrison who hosted a fabulous supper after one of our shows. But this time I was escorted deep into the ever richer rooms for the second annual

SHERIDAN MORLEY THEATRE BOOK PRIZE….

Created and introduced by the vivacious Ruth Morley (left) in memorial to her late husband, the internationally acclaimed theatre critic and writer. The Morley’s links to Australia remain strong and many recall the unique brilliance of Sheridan’s father, Robert Morley. The three judges , Susannah Clap (critic for the Observer), Michael Holroyd (the biographer of several great icons) and Eileen Aitkins- beloved actress and a true Dame) spoke of the three shortlisted books-Richard Eyres interviews. The biography of Nijunsky and one about Grimaldi, the most famous clown of past centuries.  Michael Blakemore and Greta Scacchi were among those to toast the winning subject, the great Grimaldi, whose legend deepens when we recall the famous story- Grimaldi goes to the doctor-         “Doctor, I am so sad and ill and low”   “Why, I shall prescribe a visit to see the clown Grimaldi!”

Director Michael Blakemore with Greta Scacchi

“But, Doctor, I AM Grimaldi”

The same afternoon I caught the matinee of ENRON, the play  by Lucy Preebles which has transferred to the Noel Coward theatre from its sell-out season at the Royal Court. Directed by Rupert Gould, (whose Six Characters… came to the Sydney Festival this year) this is a big bold epic about the rise and fall of the CEO of energy giant, ENRON.  Daring in its narrative, and ambitious in its scale- a cast of perhaps 30 , this has songs and choreography. It reminded me of Caryll Churchill’s  Serious Money,(without her inspired rhyming) and takes on a very serious story. Sam West is Wonderful in the powerful, epic central role.

Next week in Paris, Audrey Tautou in La Maison de la Poupee..then  Spain to meet writer, Josephine Grieves (guest April 1^st) on her Camino de Santiago.

Please follow the blog and feel inspired to support MS.

http://felipewithlove.blogspot.com/

But if you’re an Eastside… don’t forget the launch of the new Junglehammer CD at the Studio at the Sydney Opera House, May 15, starring iOTA and James Guiney.

London is springing everywhere, music , dance and theatre blossoming.

The summer festivals are open for booking- and everyone knows that U2 will headline Glasto…but none of them have Junglehammer…whose new cd launch will be at THE STUDIO, SYDNEY OPERA HOUSE, May 14.

The sensation that is iOTA  stars, with Lily Dior and the genius of James Guiney and Lindsey, and Arts Thursday listeners know how much I love and play Strange Fascination-this is going to be a beautiful soundtrack 2010.

Australian theatre doesn’t often premiere the West End, ( David Williamson, Stephen Sewell, Michael Gow, Hannie Rayson Joanna Murray-Smith-, Andrew Bovell and Andrew Upton- quite a few writers when I think about it) but now  Tommy Murphy and director, David Berthold are here with HOLDING THE MAN -now in preview at the Trafalgar Studios at Trafalgar Square, and selling well. Jane Turner, is a big bright star here- already. Tim Congreve’s  story is a gift to audiences. Chookas!

And in a special soiree, the fabulous Simon Burke will be performing Tommy Murphy’s previous play STRANGERS IN BETWEEN in a play reading .

Speaking of Play readings……I saw a stunning performance by  GRETA SCAACHI  as Bette Davis in a new play by Anton Burge.

“Whatever Happened ON Baby Jane”- those who saw her as Elizabeth I in Mary Stuart at the Ensemble Theatre a year ago would be astounded at her transformation from the jealous Queen of England to the stirring star of Bette.

Bold beautiful and very Bette- Sharp incisive, smart, relaxed, real  and really uncanny. Greta shone.

A new production at the National Theatre, in the intimacy of the Cottesloe , acclaimed by press and public, is SPRING STORM, a very rare offering by Tennessee Williams. It was his first play, written in 1937 while the young ‘Tom’ was at the University of Iowa, and lay undiscovered until 1996. So many other his other characters and considerations are set up here..

“My greatest affliction ..is perhaps the major theme of my writing, the affliction of loneliness, that follows me like a shadow..”

More to tell soon but if I were in Sydney I would be seeing…..

“Italian American Reconciliation “- a little bit Romeo and Juliet, a  little bit Cyrano de Bergerac, and a lotta Tony Danza- at the NEWTOWN theatre

SOULFOOD ON SUNDAY show at 103…

It’s a FLAMENCO night…with a stunningly beautiful exploration of Indian Classical .

with RASA DUENDE feat Adrian Mcneil (Sarod) Bobby Singh (Tabla) & Damien Wright (Guitar), and…

BANDALUZIA feat Damien Wright (Guitar), Antonio Soria (Vocals), Tomas Arroquero (Dance) Jessica Statham (Dance)

And Book now for JUNGLEHAMMER launch… MAY 14 the Studio… is London, Paris or Cannes really worth missing that?

London streaming back at you……………..Susie

To Paddington from Paris….

There are hundreds of theatres in Paris and next week is the night of night- the Moliere Awards.

Listeners may remember hearing the work of Pierre Notte, whose soundtrack “Je Danse… ” is a favourite. He is the author of “Moi Aussi Je Suis Catherine Deneuve”, and is nominated for “Un Couteau dans Le Dos”. Some of the plays now on the stages of  the theatre privee are “Je L’Aimais” directed and adapted by film director Patrice Leconte, starring Irene Jacob. (The play is based on the book by Anna Gavalda which also inspired the recent French Film Festival film-also “Je L’Aimais” directed by Zabou Breitman.) “L’Illusion Conjugale”, a three-hander which is up for 5 awards, “L’Audition”, by the great Jean-Claude Carriere, and “La Maison de la Poupee” (A Dolls House) starring Audrey Tautou. But the biggest crowd-pleaser is the new film “L’Arnacoeur”, starring Romain Duris and Vanessa Paradis-a brilliant comedy and will surely be screening in Sydney this year.

From the West End to Eastside….

Sarah Blasko in London

London.  So many musicals in the West End, but last week for me, and Time Out, the pick of the week  was Sarah Blasko at the 02 Academy in Islington. She was divine. And the house was full, of brits and australians who Sarah recognised by their “whoo-hoo!s” “They don’t “whoo-hoo” in Paris she smiled.

The UK’s greatest living actor (so says the press and now so say I) is Mark Rylance whose tour-de-force, powerful, poignant and well, perfect performance is in its final week of “Jersusalem” by Jez Butterworh. It has won so many awards and I spent the best quid of my life by getting a seat in the front row of the ‘gods’. Yes, a pound! It can happen.  For three hours and fifteen minutes the cast and story had us laughing, fearing, thrilling at the bravado of these characters in the changing ‘Green and pleasant land” that is the English country-side today.

I wondered if this is how people felt when they saw Olivier on stage? Everyone who saw Rylance’s “Hamlet” in the late 90s, still claim it as the greatest ever. But unlike the grandeur and entourage of the Oliviers,  Mark Rylance is a man of intense and inspired spirit. On his night off , he brought together a stage full of actors to present a benefit for SURVIVAL. This evening presented the images, poetry and prose of the 350million tribes people of this planet who have no representaion in the UN and whose stories, and wisdom have much to teach us.

Edward Fox, Gillian Anderson, Emily Fox, Mackenzie Crook, James Wilby, John Sessions and more brought the voice, the thoughts, understanding and fears of the tribes into the full house of the Apollo Theatre and spilled over into Shaftesbury Avenue’s sunday evening  afterwards. As Mark challenged, check out what SURVIVAL does,  subscribe for a year and see what you can do. The tales of the Kalihari, the exiled Asian tribes , the Inuuits, as well as our own first Australians pierced the hearts of the audience and me.

More soon, and many thanks to Mark Hose for taking care of the Australian side of Arts Thursday.

Susie

Friday morning. The Sofitel Wentworth Hotel, Sydney.

Jan Kounen,  one of France’s most eclectic and visionary film directors is here for two days to introduce his latest film, “Coco Chanel et Igor Stravinsky” and gives me a charming interview for EASTSIDE fm.

I have seen some of his other films as well as the stunning Coco et Igor and I find each film to be as extraordinary and exceptionally diverse as they are captivating. He is both undeniably cool and creatively an evolutionary.

His early films such as GISELE KEROUZENE- see YouTube listings are electic- like Tati on speed, or Commedia del arte du cinema.

Then there is DOBERMANN, 99Francs…BLUEBERRY, LE DERNIER CHAPERON ROUGE, VITROBOY and D’AUTRE MONDES.

His documentary DARSHAN was screened in the Official Selection at Cannes and he soon to co-direct The LAST CALL, a docu-drama starring the Dalai Lama.

He is a renaissance man, a man of depth, grace and humour. He is a visionary director. To quote COCO CHANEL herself:

“Fashion goes out of fashion…but style never does”

COCO AND IGOR is currently in release.

SL The opening sequence the dazzling ballet and orchestral sequence shot in the Theatre Champs Elysees….over 2 days then to the studio for more stage and especially backstage..

JK “The theatre was wonderful but we had limited time to shoot there. And today it’s too modern so we recreated the interiors in the studio.As we shot, the editor worked on assembling sequences so at the end of my shooting day in the studio I would view  the edit and sometimes decided to create a new sequence to film the next day.When we were shooting in the house(located near Paris) the three actors were all there every day so we could make new scenes or moments.

SL- And you must have had a great First Assistant Director in Dominique Delany who told me she loved working with you.

JK- Yes! Dominique is wonderful and a great human, she has heart, you know. And she’s Australian!

SL-The design is exquisite. Is the Designer one you work with on all your films?

JK- No, but I knew Marie-Helene from school. And as she was also the set decorator and so every little detail was perfect.

SL_ It seems that you, more than any other French director today, have many selves and each film reveals this. But it is like there is a higher self of ‘Jan’ infusing his essence in all of them.

JK- “ You know, each film appeals to a different side of myself- so each film is a good opportunity, a great chance to take a different adventure. And different genres means different aspects. And I have the chance to really get into the psyche of many different characters.”

SL- The response of he audience to the premiere of Stravinsky’s Rite of Spring was originally  so extreme as you brilliantly captured in the film. It’s not like that any more.

JK-“Aha, but there is Cannes! So we thought why not screen the film at the Cannes Film Festival because that’s where it happens today( the audiences sometimes yell and so on) and  so we were the closing night film last year. And so we gave the audience their chance to be like the original audiences for Stravinsky. They could play a role as they did in Igor’s day.

SL- You’ve just arrived from a long flight from France-do you like o think about the world you are flying over or do you remain in your own space on the ‘plane?

JK- When I take a long flight I like a window and to look down at the cities, if you can  see them, and the country and yes, the clouds. I do dream yes but like to be focused- Maybe focused on sleeping or like on this flight I worked on my laptop because I have to finish a new script.

But it was amazing to look out over Australia, from Perth hours of desert and new landscape.

SL- How were you first introduced to this script?

JK- The script came to be from Claudie Ossard  the Producer who sent me a script- by Greenhalgh from his own novel. So then I read the book- I love to read, especially on the plane a journey on a journey..

But the script was for an English language film and that’s the first thing I wanted to change. And to add the long exchanges in Russian- very important.

SL- I wonder who is the most inspiring artist, writer, thinker or person to you?

JK- The traditional healers of the Amazon.. Art, healing and giving visions – the jungle is very important to me.

I have taken some directors there to feel for themselves this inspiration.

And artists where reality and art transform into each other.

Coco and Igor official website

The Camino Santiago de Compostela was a walk he planned to do, so with his inspiration we share this now with him.

SYDNEY MOTHER AND CHILDREN WALK ACROSS SPAIN FOR MS

On the 2^nd May 2010, Josephine Grieve and her daughters who are twelve and seven will their walk across Spain on the Camino de Santiago to raise money for MS Research Australia.

The Camino de Santiago is a network of pilgrimage paths that lead to Santiago from all over Europe and has existed for more than 1,000 years. It was on the ‘must-do-before-you-die’ travel list in the tenth century but fell out of fashion as a result of the plague and the reformation. Since the end of the 20^th century, the Camino has been in full renaissance and up to 200,000 people will walk it in 2010.

Josephine and her daughters will begin their journey on the French side of the Pyrenees crossing the legendary pass where Charlemagne and Napoleon took their armies and walk through Navarre, La Rioja, Castille and Galicia to Santiago de Compostela.

“Luna, Rosa and I will set off on our walk from in St Jean Pied de Port following the yellow scallop shells that mark the Camino de Santiago de Compostela or ‘The Way of St James of the Field of Stars’. We’ll walk on the path for three to four weeks through the Pyrenees and Galicia to Santiago,” said Josephine Grieve.

“Known as the ‘Camino Frances’, this is the most popular of all the roads that lead to Santiago. People from all over the world from all different backgrounds come to Spain to do the walk for many different reasons.”

“We are walking for Felipe Rodriguez Svensson, the girls’ father who has multiple sclerosis. Felipe’s father’s family come from the country near our destination, Santiago de Compostela and they will join us as we approach Santiago.”

“It’s a journey of adjustment and acceptance, the transition from one period in our life to another. I don’t imagine that it will be easy but I anticipate that it will give us time to think, to process, to locate the resilience in our souls and the compassion in our hearts.”

“A few weeks ago, the girls and I had the idea of transforming our walk into an opportunity to raise awareness about, and money for, research into Multiple Sclerosis so we set up a site with Everyday Hero,” said Josephine Grieve.

www.everydayhero.com.au/felipe_with_love

FOLLOW THE BLOG :  http://felipewithlove.blogspot.com

For further information please contact Josephine Grieve : josofiabronte@gmail.com

Sydney telephone : 02 9315 7981  or after 7 April : 02 9337 6990

Amsterdam mob : +31 (0) 6 81565176

Please see the everyday hero site below.

Happy travels and thankyou for any support from EASTSIDE listeners

They performed that night as part of  Indie 6 pack at The Basement. Other bands included Declan Kelly, Lucy Thorne & Tina Harrod.

Their new album The Bottom of the Lake is available through Vitamin Records.

Their mugshot – Tinpan Orange are Jesse, Emily & Alex