A fond farewell

(tt)  This little creature has been part of my life for a long time. Her name was Leonie. Many knew her. Some feared her. But she was quite armless. I remember leaving her on my Auntie Jo's porch, knocking on the door and running away. For a shocked moment she considered calling the RSPCC.

I found her in the late seventies in a junk shop in Brunswick and she was in very good nick then. She was made to model childrens' clothes and I have a book on mannequins which sees her made in Germany in the early part of the 20th century. But constant  moving and the odd mad night has seen her her take a lot of knocks and it was time for her to go to the Great Department Store in the sky. So we dragged her out of her ignominious hiding pace under the shed and gave her a very moving farewell. I will not elaborate more because Mr Scale is in post production of a short film which tracks her demise. This will be seen very soon on this blog.

She looks a bit like Twiggy in 'The Boy Friend'

A weekend in the country

(tt)  I have just returned from Kangaroo Valley having spent a few days with Robert Alexander, Barry Blight, Garry Scale and Damian Harris. We had an hilarious time.
The main building which houses a bedroom for guests and a stunning open plan living and cooking area.

Baz chargrilled these peppers for a grand feast later on.

Baz is a brilliant potter and teacher. He brings failed pieces to form a small dam wall

They lie scattered in the undergrowth waiting for a Time Team to find them

 Here is the stunning downstairs room

A window above the bathroom door.

Every surface is a visual delight

One of two lyrebird feathers next to a brilliant Barry Blight vase

Upstairs. That lamp is mine and will be going up to Katoomba. The screen is from a stage production of 'Travesties' in which Robert featured.

 This beautiful mirror reflects the wonderful beams.

Mr Blight is a knitting machine too. This is his homage to Kaffe Fassett

 The last attempt at a formal garden. The droughts are too severe to maintain traditional European flora.

Will Swenson loved "Art & Science"

Thank you, beautiful Will!!

Dumbo

Made my way over to Dumbo in Brooklyn to catch the magnificent Kneehigh Company's production of THE WILD BRIDE at St. Ann's Warehouse...extraordinary...and wandered about in the rain for an hour before the light disappeared.

"Fish Farm"

Water Tower

 

This'll do. Although the rents here are high.

You Gotta Have "Art"

By Wayman Wong

Tony Award nominees John Tartaglia (''Avenue Q'') and Tony Sheldon (''Priscilla, the Queen of the Desert'') might be best-known for their work in musicals, but they're also terrific in ''Art and Science,'' a sweet new play by James Wesley. Tartaglia plays Adam, who visits Robert (Sheldon), his former vocal teacher only to find him on the floor, having suffered a stroke. But Robert refuses to go to the hospital because he's a Christian Scientist. Turns out he has his secrets, and so does Adam. It's a comic and dramatic tug of war.

If you're a fan of Tartaglia or Sheldon, or both, it's a must-see. They've play off each other beautifully.

''Art and Science'' is one of the four shows that's playing in repertory at ''Midtown March Medley.'' I also caught Wesley's other play, ''Unbroken Circle,'' and that's a fascinating family drama that's got more twists than fusilli pasta. It's about a Texas patriarch who's died and left a dark legacy that threatens to touch everyone. Suzanna Hay is a standout as the mother, but it's a kick to see Eve Plumb (''Brady Bunch'') play such a tart-tongued aunt.

I haven't caught the other 2 shows (''The Daring Duo'' and ''Seth and Kristine Together Again''), but I'll be back. And at $18 a ticket, it's a bargain to see lively new plays with top-tier talent. Forward, ''March''!

And we're off!

 

 

ART & SCIENCE had its first performance tonight. Eighteen people in the audience, which was almost a PACKED HOUSE as the space only holds 23. It is strange being so close and I think the audience was a little intimidated but, hey, it's an Equity showcase and I think it went well.

Some of you may recognise the posters on the wall....

I absolutely adore John Tartaglia, as does everyone else who has ever met him. Once again, we are blessed.

Oh, the Indignity