Arts Thursday with Maisy Stapleton on 9 August 2018.

WHAT’S ON TODAY’S PROGRAM:

Join Maisy Stapleton for a program that takes you from the paintings of John Russell, Australia’s French Impressionist to an ingenious new interpretation of Keating! the Musical.

John Russell, left Sydney in the 1880s to become an artist and only permanently returned in the 1920s.

In the interim, he developed as a painter in France, befriended many well-known artists, married an artist’s model, lived for many years on Belle Isle, off the coast of Brittany and painted numerous works exploring impressionism and colour through landscapes, portraits, still life and dramatic depictions of the sea.

The exhibition at the Art Gallery of NSW, John Russell, Australia’s French Impressionist curated by Wayne Tunnicliffe, presents an extensive survey of Russell’s work and a deep and moving depiction of his life, love and friendships.

Join me to talk with Wayne Tunnicliffe, Head Curator of Australian Art at the Art Gallery of NSW to discuss the exhibition and the life of the artist.

Then, a completely different subject!

If you first saw Keating! the Musical over a decade ago, you’ll remember that it not only tells the story of former Prime Minister Paul Keating’s rise and fall in the Australian political sphere, but the story is played out with some very catchy music.

This Keating! will be a little different however. The pro Keating story is told again but this time the cast is all female!

Kore productions, which has presented the musical twice before, is turning the cast upside down and giving women the stage.

Join me in speaking with Kyle Stephens the company manager and impresario extraordinaire of Kore Productions to discover the background to this version of the show.

FIND OUT MORE:

John Russell, Australia’s French Impressionist: https://www.artgallery.nsw.gov.au/exhibitions/john-russell/.

An ‘extended’ and gorgeously illustrated catalogue of the exhibition is also available, with a number of essays exploring Russell’s life and work.

The exhibition is on view until 11 November 2018

Kore Productions and Keating! the Musical:https://www.koreproductions.com.au/home.html

Performances will be from August 15^th – 25^th  at the Factory Theatre https://www.factorytheatre.com.au/events/factory

LISTEN AGAIN:

The whole program can be heard through the Arts Thursday page /arts/artsthursday/ by clicking on the date 9 August 2018.

And watch out for individual podcasts at a later date.

Join Maisy Stapleton fortnightly from 10:30 to noon on Arts Thursday for conversations, behind-the-scenes views and coverage of Sydney’s arts events and issues.