Bridge

Tonight, 34.62%, 15/15

More streets of Valletta

More photos from the streets of Valletta, Malta.

Bridge

Tonight, 47.62%, 6/9

More from Comino, Malta

Comino; another of the Maltese islands. We spent several hours exploring the Blue Lagoon area of the island. Some photos follow.

Disembarking at the Blue Lagoon

On (very) dry land

Let's explore

Wandering and swimming

More wandering, more swimming and the island of Gozo in the background

Dusty

The Production Company

'Dusty' is the musical retelling of Dusty Springfield's life from aspiring schoolgirl performer to international artist and the sadnesses in her personal life.

I originally saw the musical in its premiere season in Sydney back in around 2004 and whilst enjoyed the performances and reliving her signature songs I found the play itself to be rather unbalanced. The first half ran like a continuous concert with only superficial reference to the details of Springfield's life whilst the second half was melodramatic and by comparison sparse of music. At least, that's my recollection.

The program notes for this limited staging in Melbourne indicate that the Director worked with the authors to rewrite the play; or more specifically the Director requested 'a nip and rewrite here and a rethink there'. I think the play is improved as a consequence. I still think it is somewhat unbalanced but perhaps less so than I found it earlier.

The performances in this production are very good with Amy Lehpamer (Dusty) and Baylie Carson (Mary, the childhood 'Dusty') outstanding. Their duet to conclude Act 1 was exceptional.

★★★1/2

Comino, Malta

Gozo, Malta

The Maltese island of Gozo. A ferry trip of about 90 minutes from the mainland.

Bridge

Tonight, 52.14%, 6/14

Tarxien Temples, Malta

The Tarxien Temples date back more than 3000 years BC. We visited them on a rather cool and rain swept day.

Bridge

Tonight, 46.33%, 9/11

Nijinsky

Australian Ballet

I can count on the fingers of one hand the number of times I have been to the ballet (and yes that does mean not counting my thumb).

Attending the Australian Ballet's production 'Nijinsky' is only my fourth ballet, ever. I am not an aficionado of the art form although I can respect the extraordinary skill and athleticism of the performers.

I was attracted to attend Nijinsky by newspaper reports and images (and in truth the expectation of viewing superb examples of the male athlete).

This ballet relates the last public performance of the famed early 20th century Russian ballet dancer. Diagnosed with schizophrenia the dancer hallucinates images from his past; previous performances, early life influences and events.

The production is very dramatic and notwithstanding my general ignorance of the form a memorable event.

✶✶✶✶

Hell or High Water

Two brothers are on a bank robbing spree across Texas.

'Hell or High Water' is the surprise movie of the year for mine. What could appear on the surface to be a mindless buddy movie is in fact a little gem touching on all manner of social issues. Brotherly love, family responsibilities, racism and banking practices are just some of the issues woven into the plot.

Go see it.

✶✶✶✶1/2

Sliema and Valletta

Panoramic view from Sliema across to Valletta

Valletta Harbour

A ferry trip around Valletta Harbour, Malta.

Bridge

Tonight, 52.40%, 5/15

Marsaxlokk, Malta

A day spent in this fishing village.