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.

Speed-The-Plow

Sydney Theatre Company

In a curious coincidence the Sydney Theatre Company and the Darlinghurst Theatre Company are staging David Mamet plays simultaneously and in a even greater coincidence my theatre subscriptions purchased fully twelve months ahead had me seeing the two plays on consecutive evenings.

The STC is staging 'Speed-The-Plow'. Whereas last night's play centred on the theatre, tonight's play centres on movie production. Another odd coincidence.

Two producers propose a genre action film guaranteed box office success by the participation of a major star but when they involve an apparently uninformed temp secretary into the discussions minds appear to change. Is it a case of the get rich quick American dream versus the power of good?

I'm in two minds about underlying gender issues in this play but the performances by Rose Byrne, Damon Herriman and Lachy Hulme carry the night.

★★★

A Life in the Theatre

The latest production at the Darlinghurst Theatre Company is David Mamet's two hander comedy 'A Life in the Theatre'.

Two actors appearing together in a series of plays are seen back stage, their insecurities exposed through close proximity and increasing familiarity. They play features multiple high speed costume changes as excerpts from a broad variety of fictional works are portrayed.

Lovely performances from John Gaden and Akos Armont are a highlight.

Some dead spots don't detract too much from an entertaining production.

★★★1/2

Elle

A French thriller. 'Elle' opens with the sounds of sex and as an image finally appears on the screen the audience sees that a woman is being raped. We learn that she is a well to do businesswoman with some manner of scandalous past dating from her childhood. She doesn't want the police in her life and so does not report the assault but she sets out in her own quiet way to identify the assailant.

This is a longish drama of relationships, most of them tortured connections between various people in  the main character's life.

Characteristically French, interesting but less than satisfying by the end.

★★★