Art Smitten: Interviews - 2016

Part 2 of the interview where Christian and Andrew chat to Melbourne filmmakers Charles Terrier and Mike Loder about their debut indie feature A Little Resistance, the "Moulin Rouge of war films" that's also “Cinderella meets Platoon.”

Christian and Andrew chat to Melbourne filmmakers Charles Terrier and Mike Loder about their debut indie feature A Little Resistance, the "Moulin Rouge of war films" that's also “Cinderella meets Platoon.” Click here for Part 2

Erin is joined in the studio with Melbourne comedian Sammy J, one half of the comedy duo, Sammy J and Randy. Sammy J has been busy working on a new stage show since his hit tv election series, Playground Politics, and co-writing and acting in Sammy J and Randy in Ricketts Lane, which was nominated for the 2015 ACCTA award for Best Television Comedy Show. The duo are now reopening Sammy J & Randy Land, which promises haunted ghost trains, velociraptor petting zoos, and the infamous "Sphincter Popping" water slide.  Sammy J and Randy Land will be touring Melbourne on Thursday, 15th December until Saturday, 17th December at the Athenaeum Theatre on Collins St. Tickets available here or check out his FB page for more details!

Hosts Ben and Andrew are joined in the studio by playwright and actor, Nakkiah Lui, the playwright behind Malthouse Theatre's production of Blaque Showgirls. Loosely based off the movie, Showgirls (1995), the story is set in Brisvegas, where a young Ginny Jones seeks to join the Blaque Showgirls.  Christian Tsoutsouvas' review can be found here!

Beth and Rach are joined by Stephaie Lake, performer in The Dark Chorus, a production in the Melbourne Festival. 

Alice Nash, Executive Produer of Lady Eats Apple, joins Beth and Rach in the studio to speak about the production in the Melbourne Festival. 

Ben and Thierry are joined in the studio by Jonathan Holloway, the artistic director of the Melbourne Festival, recapping highlights and challenges of the 2016 season.

Thierry and Ben are joined by Sean Patten, one of the performers and creators behind Gob Squad's production of War and Peace at the Malthouse Theatre.

Christian and Adalya are joined in the studio with Linda Shevlin, curator of Radical Action exhibition, by artist Seamus Nolan. This year is the 100 year anniversary of the 1916 Easter Rising in Ireland, and Radical Action focuses on "how events in recent and distant history, attitudes to rebellion, revolution and agitation have formed societies and national identities, question[s] the role of the artist in imagining future states and explore[s] the impact this revolutionary period has had on Irish citizens."

Thierry, Andrew and Ayden interview Clare Watson about Malthouse Theatre's 2016 production, Gonzo.

Christian interviews curator of the NGV's Vincent Van Gogh exhibition, Ted Gott. It will be opening in 2017, on April 28th, and running until July 9th. 

Thierry, Ayden and Andrew are joined in the studio by writer and performer, Ryan Good, about his production Cosmonaut in the Melbourne Fringe. 

Hosts Beth and Thierry interview Patrick Durnan Silva on his production, Cull in the 2016 Melbourne Fringe Festival. 

Ebony interviews Georgia Symons, creator of Fringe 2016 show You Must Come Alone to Read the Last Book on Earth. 

Hosts Beth and Thierry interview Assistant Director of the UHT production of Macbeth + Macdeath: a coda, Rachel Shrives. 

Hosts Christian and Adalya interview Matthew Lutton about the Malthouse Theatre's 2017 Program.

Christian speaks to writer/broadcaster Made Stuchbery, chatting about her ten part radio series Born to Die.  It's available on soundcloud.

Hosts Christian and Jim sit down with artists Alexia Brehas and Chanelle Nillson to discuss their upcoming joint exhibition 'Rave in Paradise', Off the Kerb Gallery and Studio. Showing from September 9 at 6pm.

Hosts Christian and Jim are joined by Chris Hosking, The Ribcage Collective's Co-Artistic Director for their upcoming immersive theatre production. It will be running at La Mama Theatre until September 11th. Tickets and more information available: http://lamama.com.au/2016-winter-program/the-ribcage-collective

Hosts, Jim and Christian, interview actor Francis Greenslade, best known for his televisions roles opposite Shaun Micallef in Mad as Hell and Denise Scott in Winners and Losers. Greenslade is also a seasoned stage actor and speaks about his upcoming role in Red Stitch Theatre's production of You Got Older. 

Hosts, Thierry and Adalya, are joined by Alex De La Rambelje, one of the magicians in Gentlemen of Deceit. They talk about his performance on Australia's Got Talent and their upcoming shows at the Sydney Opera House on October 15th and 16th. Tickets available here.

Hosts, Adalya and Thierry, interview actor Belinda Campbell about her role as Macbeth in Wit Incorporated's production of Shakespeare's Macbeth.

Hosts, Thierry and Adalya, speak to actor Peter Houghton about Eddie Perfect's new play, The Beast. It's running until September 10th at the Comedy Theatre, 240 Exhibition St, Melbourne. Tickets are available here.

Hosts Christian and Rachel interview Fairy Turner, the artist behind Disco Bin in the Glow Winter Arts Festival. 

Hosts, Christian and Rachel, are joined in the studio by Brian Lipson, actor in Two Jews Walk into a Theatre, alongside Gideon Obarzanek.  Directed by Lucy Guerin, this improvised art installation of the two men impersonating their fathers will be running until the 28th August at the North Melbourne Town Hall, 521 Queensberry Street. Tickets available here. 

Hosts, Christian and Rachel, are joined in the studio by Brian Lipson, actor in Two Jews Walk into a Theatre, alongside Gideon Obarzanek.  Directed by Lucy Guerin, this improvised art installation of the two men impersonating their fathers will be running until the 28th August at the North Melbourne Town Hall, 521 Queensberry Street. Tickets available here. 

Hosts, Christian and Rachel, are joined by director of Theatre Works' production of The Resistible Rise of Arturo Ui, Phil Rouse.  Tickets are available at the Theatre Works website. 

Hosts, Christian and Rachel, interview Tim Chiang, one of twelve finalists for the 2016 Australian National Piano Award. Running from the 5th-10th September, the recitals will be held at the Eastbank Centre in Shepparton. Tickets are available and you can find out more at the website. 

Hosts Beth and Adalya are joined in the studio by Rory Kelly, actor in Red Stitch Theatre's production of Trevor. 

Jim Thomas speaks to artist, Sebastian Kainey, about his works showing in the Future Works exhibition at the Brunswick Street Gallery. 

Christian and Beth are joined by Jeff Wortman, lead singer of Robot Child (Waleed Aly’s band) and the Musical Director of the production Changes: Theatrical Tribute to the Music of David Bowie.  Changes will be performed until the 6th August at the Gasworks Theatre, 21 Graham St, Albert Park. 

Christian was joined by Görkem Acaroglu, director of live art installation piece, Milk Bars. It will be performed at the Mechanics Institute Brunswick, 270 Sydney Road Brunswick, from the 27th July to the 6th August. 

Hosts Jim and Christian were joined in the studio by artist Samuel Tupou, who is opening his new art exhibition, Duplikator.  Duplikator will be displayed at the Linden Art Gallery, 26 Acland Street St Kilda, from the 20th July to the 9th October. 

Hosts Christian and Jim are joined in the studio with playwright, Anthony Weigh, who spoke about his upcoming play Edward II, produced by Malthouse Theatre. It will be performed at the Merlyn Theatre, The Coopers Malthouse, 113 Sturt Street Southbank from the 29th July to the 21st August. 

Hosts Lauren and Erin were joined in the studio with former SYNner DECLAN GREENE – the director and dramaturg of the world premiere show CONVICTION, “a caustically funny examination of contemporary feminism and self-authorship”. Declan is also the 2016 Resident Artist at the Malthouse Theatre. CONVICTION is being performed at the Northcote Town Hall, Main Hall 189 High Street Northcote starting the 21st July to 6th August.

Hosts Will & Ben (not the flowerpot men) chat to the comedic duo behind YETI’S: Demon Dive Bar - Jennifer Byrne and Vicky Falconer-Pritchard. YETI’S: Demon Dive Bar is being performed at The Roxanne until April 17th as part of the Melbourne International Comedy Festival. 

Hosts Will and Ben were joined in the studio with Melbourne International Comedy Festival Moosehead Award recipient, Kate Denhert. Her new show SHABAMALAM is on until April 17th at the ACMI Games Room. 

Hosts Rebecca and Jonathan are joined in the studio with award-winning Gaulier –trained sketch, clown, and dance comedian, Tessa Waters. Tessa returns to the Melbourne International Comedy Festival with her new show Over Promises.

Dramaturg Tom Middletitch chatted to hosts Katie and Rebecca about Genius, an immersive encounter with 8 unique thinkers and their perspective on the topic of their expertise. Tom explains what ideas lie behind the concept of neurodiversity, and how important it is for people to see life through an alternative lens.  Genius is part of the Festival of Live Arts, and is being performed on Saturday 12th and Sunday 13th March at the St Kilda Town Hall. 

Ebony MonCrief, the producer and host of VOICES IN THE ATTIC spoke to host Emma about how she discovered spoken word performance, and how it let to hear setting up an open genre mic night in the heart of Melbourne's CBD. Ebony even performed one of her original poems! VOICES IN THE ATTIC - is held at Ferdydurke every 2nd and 4th Tuesday of the month at 7pm NEW EVENT LAUNCH - VOICES FROM THE BASEMENT is being held at Nieuw Amsterdam on Thursday 17th March.

Melbourne/UK artist, illustrator and zine maker Gemma Flack joins hosts Christian and Michaela to discuss her solo exhbition Angry Girls Club, which is currently exhibiting at Off the Kerb Gallery in Collingwood. (5-19th February) Gemma unpacks her ideas of the importance of santuary, freedom of expresion, and how she tries to approach life with "the zine spirit". 

Hosts Beth and Will were joined in the studio with SIMON ABRAHAMS, CEO of Melbourne Fringe. Simon spoke about a new initiative to reach out to culturally diverse artists ahead of the opening for registrations for this year’s Fringe.  Melbourne Fringe applications are open from Monday 4 April – Monday 23 May. The Fringe will take place in Melbourne from 15 September – 2 October. Photo sourced from Melbourne Fringe website.

Hosts Christian and Andrew were joined in the studio with cast members Paul Knox, Hannah Vanderheide and producer Jorge Tsipos from Unnatural Selection Entertainment’s latest production –PURGATORIO.  PURGATORIO is playing at the Brunswick Mechanics Institute, 13th-16th & 20th – 23rd April at 7.30pm. 

Curator of the Next Gen program, THOMAS CALDWELL joined hosts Beth and Talisse on the line to talk about the Next Gen program and where it fits within the Melbourne International Film Festival.  Next Gen and the Melbourne International Film Festival runs 28th July – 14th August. Photo: Still from Next Gen feature film - The Magic Brush

Hosts Beth and Talisse were joined in the studio with SCOTT HOLLINGSWORTH & JOSHUA FIELDING from Performance Management - In Cabaret. Scott shares how Performance Management - In Cabaret captures the truth that the everyday office is madder than the circus!  Performance Management - In Cabaret is being performed at the Wonderland Spiegeltent, 101 Waterfront Way, Docklands, Melbourne for 1 NIGHT ONLY – 9th July, 8-9.30pm.

Hosts Beth and Talisse were joined on the phone with GABI BARTON from Retro Futurismus - a colossal future-focussed vaudeville featuring zero gravity circus acts, siren songs, boutique burlesque, and breathtaking performance art.  Retro Futurismus is being performed at fortyfivedownstairs, 45 Flinders Lane Melbourne from the 6th to 31st July.

Dancenorth Artistic Director, KYLE PAGE, joined hosts Michaela and Erin on the line to talk about the Melbourne premiere of IF_WAS – a double bill choreographed by Stephanie Lake & Ross McCormack.  IF_WAS will be performed at The Substation, 1 Market Street Newport, Melbourne, from the 29th June to 2nd July.

Hosts Erin and Michaela had the chance to chat to designer and visual artist, CALLUM MORTON from Ranters Theatre Company to discuss Come Away with Me to the End of the World. Come Away with Me to the End of the World is being performed at Malthouse Theatre – the Beckett Theatre from the 5th – 24th July.

Hosts Christian and Emma were joined on the line with RUSS PIRIE from St Martins Youth Arts Centre to discuss the Autism in the Arts forum as part of the Roadmap to Diversity series. The series for 2016 will focus on: Autism in the Arts: Friday 17 June, 6–7.30pm Engaging Deaf and HOH in Arts: Friday 2 September, 6–7.30pm Youth, Gender Diversity and sexuality in the Arts: Friday 23 September, 6–7.30pm

*Note to listeners: content and trigger warning - the following interview discusses themes that may be distressing for listerners. These themes include, but are not limited to, suicide, self-harm and mental illness.* Hosts Christian and Emma were joined in the studio wtih director KENDALL JANE RUNDLE from Bare Naked Theatre to discuss Sarah Kane's 4:48 Psychosis. 4:48 Psychosis will be performed at the Metanoia Theatre 29 June - 2 July.

Hosts Christian and Emma chatted to SHANE GRANT (Milk Bars), MATT ADEY (Spectre of Death) & LAUREN SIMMONDS (Unseen) about the upcoming season of live art at Metanoia Live Works.  Metanoia Live Works Season: 25 June – 6 August, Mechanics Institute Brunswick, 270 Sydney Road, Melbourne Image: Unseen by Lauren Simmonds