Rae Cocking Celebration Concert - reviewed in poetry

Remembering Rae by Linh

Few can have an emotional and lasting impact like Rae Cocking,
whom even in her passing, can send crowds flocking
to see a concert that celebrates a life of humour, passion and musical verse;
a tribute filled with talent and sophistication from voices so diverse.

The concert has a dual purpose; it's more than a celebration,
but also to fund a scholarship in appreciation
of Rae's tireless and dedicated work in music and teaching
to assist young and new performers with their careers in singing.

The concert began with Rae's beautiful voice at its best,
moving some to tears, and leaving others impressed.
Rae's former students, colleagues and friends performed like never before;
for a special lady they admired, respected and adored.

Every performance was a highlight and every singer was outstanding
in diverse numbers from opera to musical theatre and even some dancing.
Sally-Anne Russell was dramatic in voice with Cruda sorte by Rossini
even revealing her natural affinity for comedy.

A bevy of beautites thrilled the audience with an energetic and enthralling rendition of West Side Story's America,
featuring Carolyn Ferrie, Cherie Boogaart,Michelle Nightingale,Trish Spence and Michelle Grootenboer
in mellifluous harmonies and a rhythmic dance with swirls and whirls
as the lovely and impressionable Spanish girls.

The talented troupe returns with Lyn Harris in the dramatic character-driven Cellblock Tango,
a wonderful ensemble number from the musical 'Chicago'.
Keith Hempton sang Old Man River with warmth and rich resonance,
while Ben Rasheed captivated with Stars delivering vocal brilliance.

The finale featured the entire ensemble including the accompanists,
in an emotional and fitting song of French revolutionists.
Do You Hear The People Sing? reminds us of Rae's hopes in seeing and hearing more people take up music and singing,
for she was always supportive and encouraging through her teaching and mentoring.

As the concert began with Rae, it also ended with her vocal magnificance.
In the quiet hall, her glorious voice permeated the silence,
filling it with happy memories of a remarkable woman sorely missed,
whose generous soul and spirit will be forever in our midst.

Rae Cocking Celebration Concert - review

A Celebration Concert was held today in memory of a wonderful woman, Rae Cocking. Many have not experienced the pleasure and privilege of knowing her, yet felt as though they already knew Rae through the heart felt speeches and anecdotes of her life as a singer, teacher and mentor from friend Richard Trevaskis. As well as from the brilliant performers who were Rae's students, friends and colleagues, through song and dance. It was a year since Rae left us, and this concert was a celebration of her life, which I enjoyed immensely. The following is my review of a magnificent display of singing, dancing and acting that would make Rae very proud and pleased.

Remembering Rae by Linh

There is nothing like a dame, and Rae Cocking was a grand dame of opera and musicals like no other.Teaching at the Elder Conservatorium for 18 years, Rae encouraged, supported and inspired her students, and was more than a teacher. She was a friend, mentor and creative influence to everyone and touched the lives of many who were lucky to have met and worked with her.

The Celebration Concert was organised by friend and colleague Guila Tiver, who also performed.It will also help fund a scholarship in Rae's name to encourage young and new singers to realise a dream to entertain the world through song and music.

An array of talented performers graced the stage at Elder Hall to pay tribute to a wonderful individual through a smorgasbord of opera and muscial theatre. The list reads like a who's who of Adelaide's arts and entertaiment scene, with many well known faces returning for the special occasion.

Derek Taylor flew in from Melbourne, while Teresa La Rocca returned from Sydney where she performs for Opera Australia.

The concert featured opera duets, arias and trios, with musical numbers thrown into the mix. The diverse range of voices and versatile singers reflected the huge scope of talent Rae possessed.

All performances were outstanding, with every song a highlight and each performer shone in voice and stage presence.

Sally-Anne Russell gave a commanding performance with Cruda sorte (L'Italiana in Algeri, Rossini), in fine dramatic voice complimented with comic flair. Rosalind Martin brought quivers of delight with her rendition of Mi chiamano Mimi (La Boheme, Puccini).The very energetic, colourful and dance-infused America (West Side Story, Bernstein), had Cherie Boogaart, Carolyn Ferrie, Michelle Nightingale,Trish Spence and Michelle Grootenboer in exquisite vocal harmonies and alluring charm.

Other notable standouts included the dynamic, character-driven Cellblock Tango (Chicago, Kander) performed by the same team from America with the inclusion of Lyn Harris. Keith Hempton gave a brilliant and stirring performance of Old Man River (Showboat, Kern), and Ben Rasheed shone in a compelling interpretation of the character Javert with Stars (Les Miserables, Shoenberg).

A fitting finale featured the talented Andrew Turner, Derek Taylor and Mark Oates, and the ensemble, comprised of every performer in the concert including the pianists, with Do You Hear The People Sing? (Les Miserables, Shoenberg).

The accompanists, Nerissa van Nek, Margaret Ferrie and Anthony Hunt, provided sterling support and are equally deserving of the thunderous applause and cheers from the audience.

Remembering Rae

A concert organised to commemorate the late Adelaide soprano Rae Cocking will be staged at Elder Hall tomorrow.

It's a celebration of a wonderfully talented singer and mentor who taught many of today's successful singers.

The concert will also help raise funds to set up a scholarship for young and upcoming singers and performers.

I hope to attend the concert to experience the creme of Adelaide's musicians and performers including Sally-Anne Russell, Cherie Boogaart, Anthony Hunt, Deborah Caddy, Guila Tiver and many more.

Sunday Spectrum: Sky Ingram - reviewed in poetry

Sky Show Spectacular by Linh

Sunday afternoon can become dull and bring boredom
but you can make it exciting by attending Sunday Spectrum.
It's a series of concerts that always succeeds to bring us
a variety of talented and brilliant singers.

One performer that is among the best in her field
is soprano Sky Ingram whose successful future is sealed.
She'll surely make a prolific performer and Adelaide proud,
as well as a favourite among the local crowd.

In a concert themed 'Animation of Life' and colour,
Sky performed so expressively like no other.
Her Disney medley of comedy and animation
brought laughter, hope and inspiration.

Disney favourites including Hakuna Matata and Be Our Guest
had the audience awestruck and impressed.
Although this was the centrepiece of the show,
Sky had opera arias and musical theatre gems to bestow.

In Handel's beautiful aria from 'Giulio Cesare', Piangero la sorte mia,
Sky made the dignity and depth of feeling of Cleopatra clear.
Another Handel highlight was Care Selve, from 'Atlanta'
a special song dedicated to Rae Cocking,a friend and mentor.

Other notables icluded Mix Tape, a song of comedy, love and fun,
an entralling rendition of 'The Pirates of Penzance's Poor Wandering One,
also Show Me from 'My Fair Lady' brought smiles
as Sky sang and danced among the audience and along the aisles.

Praise must go to pianist extraordinaire Margaret Lambert
who accompanied Sky throughout with playing so superb.
Another successful performance from Sky is an indication
of a bright future for a soprano of class and sophistication.

Sunday Spectrum: Sky Ingram - review

It's a wonderful idea to have a series of concerts on a Sunday afternoon that highlights local talent, as well as showcasing some national and international musicians. The performances feature classical, jazz, cabaret or world music reflecting the themes of the art exhibition at the Festival Centre's Artspace.

I attended a concert by Adelaide soprano and winner of the national Young Performer of the Year award, Sky Ingram. Her concert was based around the theme 'Animation of Life', as part of Artspace's visual art exhibition. This is my review with a poetry review to follow.

Sky Show Spectacular by Linh

One of Adelaide's shining stars of the future, Sky Ingram has again proved she has what it takes to capture an audience and hold their interest until the last note.

This was her second performance following last year's successful offering for the Sunday Spectrum concert series. The performance featured songs of inspiration and hope through life experiences, and Sky expressed the different feelings and thoughts through music.

Not one to shy away from a challenge, Sky sang a Disney medley which not only showed off her versatile vocal abilities, but also her natural comic timing.

Selections including the upbeat Hakuna Matata from 'The Lion King', the moving Colours of the Wind from 'Pocahontas' and 'Beauty and the Beast's fast paced and animated Be Our Guest flowed mellifluously from one song to the next.

The Disney medley may have been the centrepiece of her concert, but Sky had plenty to arouse the senses with arias, musical theatre and cabaret gems in the second part of her performance.

The next selection of songs represent the 'state of being alive' and Handel's Care Selve (Come Beloved) from 'Atlanta' was dedicated in memory of the late Rae Cocking who was a strong and prominent supporter of the arts in Adelaide and had taught many of South Australia's successful singers. Sky revealed it was one of the last songs Rae had given her. Sky manoeuvered effortlessly throughout the aria and the beauty of the Baroque sounds were brought out with her expressive singing.

Another Handel highlight was Piangero la sorte mia (I will Accept My Fate) sung by Cleopatra in 'Giulio Cesare' in which Sky sung of the gradual development of Cleopatra from an ambitious tease to a woman capable of great dignity and depth of feeling.

Other songs of note included the high soaring vocal acrobatics in Poor Wandering One from 'The Pirates of Penzance' where Sky invited an audience member on stage to dance with her, Mix Tape from 'Avenue Q' featuring a comic element where song titles represented the emotions and love expressed, and Show Me from 'My Fair Lady' had Sky dancing among the audience.

One of Adelaide's best pianist, Margaret Lambert, provided superb support throughout. Lambert also assisted in musical arrangement for the Disney Medley.

The concert was an indication of a bright, successful future for a singer with a sunny, outgoing personality. Another brilliant performance for Sky to add to her already impressive list of achievements.

Menopause-mania

Hooray! 'Menopause the Musical' has been extended again. The show now runs until March 31 at Her Majesty's Theatre, which is perfect timing to attract people who are in Adelaide for the Fringe Festival and Womadelaide. I am yet to catch the 'Menopause-mania', but I will see it soon.

A Midsummer Night's Dream - reviewed in poetry

Yohangza Extravaganza by Linh

Upon a midsummer night's dreaming, I hear a
troop of performers from Korea's Yohangza Theatre,
will bring forth a production of laughs and magic,
combined with physical theatrics and tribal percussion music.

They'll stage a Shakesepeare play with a refreshing and delightful twist
of Korean names and character traits that are new and mixed.
'A Midsummer Night's Dream' is spellbinding and spontaneous fun
with roles reversed, star crossed lovers, and two Pucks in place of one.

Titania and Oberon are roles reversed, as a vengeful Queen
punishes her King Gabi, the philandering majestic love machine.
Sun-Hee Park is Dot the Queen who brilliantly portrays a schemer
also adding wit and flair to a character with an affable demeanour.

Jun-Ho Kim is Gabi, the most amorous and flirtatious of all Kings,
who, under a love potion, falls in love with a pig of all things!
Kim exudes charm and grace combining a comical edge to Gabi
and has highlights with the ravenous porcine Ajumi.

Ajumi replaces the character Bottom, however she comes out on top.
She's a dithering herb collector who becomes a pig that eats non-stop.
So-Young Park brings an earthy and wholesome quality to Ajumi
making her scenes with Gabi captivating and delightfully funny.

The character Puck has become Duduri the twins of mischief and fun.
The dynamic duo's acrobatics and rhythmic dancing enthralls everyone.
Jin Lee and Seong-Yong Han play Duduri and can raise the excitement,
while succeeding to bemuse and evoke bewilderment.

Young-A Kim is passionate and persistent as love lorn Ik
who is the woeful Helena character; pitifully love-sick.
Loo is the object of her affections and is the Demetrius role
played by Jeong-Sun Lee as a tolerant and forgiving soul.

Seoung-Hwan Lee is Hang, or Lysander in the original,
playing the role with bravado and tenderness as a signal
of love for his beloved girlfriend Byeok,the pretty one,
which Jee-Young Kim portrays with fiery and feisty fun.

A round of applause and standing ovation to the cast and crew
who work hard to bring a production of elements old and new.
A refreshing and innovative adaptation of a Shakespeare classic
has been magical, enchanting and utterly fantastic.

A Midsummer Night's Dream - review

It's always interesting to watch a new and innovative presentation of any Shakespearean play. I saw Korea's Yohangza Theatre Company stage a wonderfully playful and refreshing adaptation of William Shakespeare's 'A Midsummer Night's Dream'. This is my review, with a poetry review to follow.

Yohangza Extravaganza by Linh

Weird and wonderful things attract the most attention, and Korea's Yohangza Theatre Company has excelled in not only the attention, but also the plaudits for their production of 'A Midsummer Night's Dream'.

It's a visually splendid offering of cultural and physical theatre, with thunderous tribal percussion accompanying the comical magic that is woven throughout. The themes of star-crossed lovers, mischievous fairies and revenge remain while the characters' names are Korean and given a delightful twist.

The roles of Titania and Oberon are reversed, with Sun-Hee Park as Dot the Queen who exacts revenge on her philandering partner Gabi. Park is brilliant in her portrayal as the disapproving Queen, adding wit and flair to a scheming yet affable character.

Jun-Ho Kim is a comic King Gabi (Oberon) who loves to love and be loved, so his amorous advances towards Bottom while under the spell of a love potion, provide some of the show's comedy highlights. Kim brings charm and grace to a very proud and stubborn character.

The standout performance belongs to So-Young Park who plays Ajumi the dithering herb collector. Ajumi turns into a ravenous pig and attracts the affections of King Gabi. References of Vegemite and Tim Tams bring laughs and ignites an energetic spark between the pair as they share an amusing scene where Gabi finds a way to Ajumi's heart through her stomach.
Young's wholesome and earthy portrayal of Ajumi (Bottom) is captivating in every scene.

Puck's character has become twins named Duduri and their mesmeric demeanour and amusing antics convey an alternative mischievousness to the original. Jin Lee and Seong-Yong Han play Duduri, and aptly succeed in bemusing and bewildering the audience with dynamic acrobatics and rhythmic dance.

Young-A Kim brings passion and persistence to the love-lorn Ik (Helena) as she chases Loo (Demetrius) played wonderfully by Jeong-Sun Lee. Seoung-Hwan Lee plays Hang (Lysander)with bravado and some tenderness as he and Byeok (Hermia)attempt to elope. Ji-Young Kim is fiery and feisty as Byeok and her fight scene with Ik is a comic spectacle.

The number two may be a running theme as there are twins representing opposites, two pairs of human lovers, the pairing of King and pauper and the duality of a human and fairy world.

Although the production is in Korean with English surtitles, the talented performers' facial expressions and skilful physicality are sufficient for audiences to follow the action.

Praise must be directed to the Choreographer Jung Sun Kim, Music director Eun Jung Kim and especially Director Jung Ung Yang. A superb team effort from cast and crew who have produced a magically enchanting production of which Shakepeare would be proud.

Fringe Fever

I attended the launch of the 2007 Adelaide Fringe Programme Guide today, and was excited to be amidst the fun and frivolities.

Hills Hoisted Fringe Fun by Linh

Adelaide Fringe lovers and local arts luminaries converged on the lawns of Rymill Park(Mullawirraburka)for the lakeside launch of the 2007 Fringe Programme Guide hosted by comedian and TV presenter Adam Hills.

The atmosphere sizzled as fervently as the morning sun on a 36 degree day, with the stage near specially created Fringe props, including a Hills Hoist clothesline adorned with brightly coloured beach towels spelling out the word 'FRINGE', and the life-size creation of the Happy Hog (which appears on the Fringe posters).

The colour of the Fringe was represented by an array of quirky characters roaming the park, handing out flyers and exuding Fringe flair.

Among the bevy of weird and wonderful performers included space cadets in silvery and tight fitting suits and men in skirts and boots with ladies sashaying about in gorgeous flowing attire. Playful clowns provided the relaxed crowds with some interesting distraction as the stage was set for 'Comedy Quiz'.

Familiar Fringe faces, State Tourism Minister Jane Lomax-Smith, Fringe Director Christie Anthoney, Chair of Fringe Inc. Judy Potter, and BankSA's Rob Chapman, participated in Adam Hills' quiz on Adelaide and the Fringe Guide. Correct answers were few, but laughs were plenty as the audience cheered on the contestants.

Adam Hills will be returning to the Adelaide Fringe for his show 'Joymonger' to be part of the exciting and jam packed annual event.

It was the perfect start to one of the most anticipated festivals on South Australia's event calendar. The Adelaide Fringe Festival is definitely not to be missed!