Biggest Production to Date Heads Down Under as Sydney Festival Countdown Begins.

With just a month to opening night preparations are well underway for Sasha Waltz’s iconic production of Dido and Aeneas, the centerpiece of January’s Sydney Festival. The much applauded, 

spectacular rendering of the oldest love story in English opera famously commences with a prologue that is danced underwater in a giant fish tank to be mounted on the stage of Sydney’s Lyric Theatre (the only stage strong enough to support the show).

The set travels in four 40-foot shipping containers and will arrive on December 29. Once installed at The Star, the 9 metre long aquarium will be filled with a staggering 7,500 litres of (mercifully heated) water. To accommodate the tricky set changes, pumps are used to empty the water quickly from the aquarium after the dancers have finished performing in it.  The tank is then split in two and moved into the wings.

The German director and dancer’s choreographed version of Purcell’s baroque masterpiece is due to be accompanied by one of the world’s leading baroque ensembles, the Academy of Ancient Music Berlin. 

The cast list is headed by mezzo soprano Aurore Ugolin as Queen Dido and British baritone Reuben Willcox as her vacillating lover Aeneas. The cast also includes experienced singers of the likes of British soprano Deborah York as Dido’s confidant Belinda and tenor Fabrice Mantegna in the travesty role of the sorceress.

With flying dancers and a special role for the choreographer’s eight-year-old daughter, this is one of the biggest productions ever to come to an Australian festival and is similar in size to Théâtre du Soleil’s Flood Drummers, which was presented at Sydney Festival 2002.

Minister for Tourism, Major Events and the Arts, George Souris is leading the cheers for Waltz’s latest Australian outing and was keen to stress a possible special resonance for Sydneysiders. “Dido & Aeneas by Sasha Waltz will provide the kind of unique and cutting edge cultural experience for which Sydney Festival is renowned,” he said. 

“The aquatic theme, retelling the ancient and tragic tale of unrequited love involving Dido the Queen of Carthage and the Trojan hero Aeneas, is sure to resonate with Sydney audiences given our own love of the water.”

Dido and Aeneas plays The Lyric Theatre at the Star from January 16-21.

Lion King crowns Sydney capital of theater

SYDNEY, Dec. 14 (Xinhua)-- Opening this weekend to packed houses and civic excitement, the Lion King stage production has seemingly completed Sydney's ascension as the Asia-Pacific's capital of the stage musical.

Sydney's usually dour Taxis are painted as giant Simba Lions; children are dragging about lion soft-toys and even the local government has been keen to bathe in the warm glow of popularity that the latest in a string of international productions has created in Sydney.

The locally created production of one of the world's most popular stage musicals, The Lion King, opened its Australian exclusive run this week at Sydney's Capitol Theater, seemingly crowning Sydney as a major live performance capital of the world.

A thrilled State Minister for Tourism, Events and the Arts, George Souris, told Xinhua that the show would out perform even the most successful shows to have toured through Sydney in the last years -- and that includes world-beaters like Wicked and Phantom of the Opera.

"Fans of this phenomenally successful musical, from Sydney and across Australia, have welcomed The Lion King with open arms, resulting in record breaking ticket sales," he said.

The Minister's office anticipates that the Australian production entirely exclusive to Sydney - will generate about half a million ticket sales, with around 50,000 interstate and international patrons traveling to Sydney to see the show.

The State's tourism and events unit, Destination NSW, told Xinhua that the number of visitors alone means an injection of 28 million Australian dollars into the state economy.

The Disney organization anticipates that the cumulative economic impact to NSW will be about 100 million Australian dollars confirmation that the stage musical sector is booming and only likely to grow in the coming months.

That bodes well for the launch of the musical adaptation of one of Australia's most loved and iconic films Baz Luhrmann's Strictly Ballroom, which will hit the stage here next year.

The build-up to Strictly Ballroom's long-awaited arrival has reached fever pitch after delays have pushed back the opening night because of Luhrmann's constant tweaking of his Hollywood blockbuster The Great Gatsby; and an already packed stage calendar with the two Kings -- the King Kong musical in Melbourne, and Sydney's Lion King taking precedence.

When Strictly Ballroom was released, it gained 13 Australian Film Institute (AFI) nominations, winning eight categories.

The Lion King by comparison is an international blockbuster and the highest-grossing stage show in the world, with more than 70 million people having enjoyed the musical since its Broadway premiere in 1997.

The highly-regarded live show is the winner of more than 70 major international awards including, six Tony Awards in 1998 and a Grammy for Best Musical Show Album.

Sydney's Lion King is the 22nd production worldwide and the 10th production running concurrently, the highest number in the show's history.

Certainly, this is one of the biggest productions ever to open in Sydney and the capacity of these events to drive tourism, create jobs and grow the local economy is never missed by decision makers.

Now in its 16th year, The Lion King continues to reign as a cultural phenomenon and one of the most popular stage musicals in the world.

Since its Broadway premiere on Nov. 13, 1997, 21 global productions have been watched by more than 68 million people and, cumulatively, run a mind-boggling 96 years.

Source: http://news.xinhuanet.com/english/entertainment/2013-12/14/c_132967855.htm

Perth's Chinatown Gets $2m Revamp

The West Australian government will spend $2 million to revitalise Perth's Chinatown precinct with lanterns and road stencilling.

As part of the revitalisation, Chinese New Year celebrations will be expanded into Chinatown laneways in 2014 with a $50,000 state government grant to the Chung Wah Association.

Premier Colin Barnett said on Sunday the aim was to create a more vibrant precinct for families, locals and tourists.

"Chinatown is a popular location for people of all ages and an important business precinct in Northbridge that has been rundown for some time," he said.

"This investment will transform the area to its former glory of the 1980s and ensure it remains an exciting and culturally important destination for years to come."

The Chinatown precinct is bound by Nicks Lane and Roe and James Streets in Northbridge, and includes 13 restaurants and businesses.

The wider Perth City Link project will create five new connections between the city and Northbridge, which will encourage more people to pass through the Roe Street area every day, the premier said.

The project is expected to be complete by the end of 2015.

Santa Delivers Festive Spirit to Ipswich

Santa has a chat on Saturday with excited youngsters Blaise and Corey Wyatt.

SANTA Claus made a spectacular arrival in Ipswich aboard his sleigh, pulled by real-life reindeer Vixen and Cupid. 

Hundreds of shoppers turned out to welcome Santa and Mrs Claus as they weaved their way through the Riverlink shopping centre on Saturday. 

Their arrival was celebrated with a magical parade featuring fairies, angels on roller-skates, a gingerbread man, elves and carollers. 

Families lined the aisles as the procession made its way around the centre before concluding at the Gasometer area outside Cold Rock, where children were able to pet Vixen and Cupid and the other baby reindeer. 

The parade was complemented by a Christmas elves song and dance stage show, face painting, craft demonstrations and Christmas carols. 

HO, HO, HO: Santa with his helpers and reindeer tour Riverlink Shopping Centre on Saturday

Riverlink marketing manager Robyn Bannister-Tyrrell said Santa's arrival was well received by customers.

"We wanted to get shoppers into the Christmas spirit and enjoying themselves while doing their Christmas shopping," Mrs Bannister-Tyrrell said 

She said Santa's arrival would be followed by a series of family fun and entertainment events, including carollers and visits from the man in red in the lead-up to Christmas. 


Children will be able to have their photo taken with Santa daily in the East Mall, near Medicare, until December 24.

New A380 flights from Perth

New A380 flights from Perth

Emirates the world’s largest international airline, is set to launch A380 super jumbo services to Perth from March 1.

According to Canberra sources the airline has slots approved for the 496-seat A380 to replace one of its tripe daily Boeing 777 services.

The A380 flight is scheduled to arrive at 5.25pm and depart at 10.30pm.

To see a virtual reality view of the A380 click here.

Emirates had planned to operate the A380 from Perth from mid year but delays in the installation and integration of the new aerobridge has put that back to March next year.

However, that A380 was allocated to Brisbane.

While the new service is slated from March 1 it may slip depending on A380 deliveries.

Emirates operates the world’s largest fleet of A380s with 39 in service and the airline had 51 on order.

But this week it ordered another 50 taking the total backlog for the airline to 101.

The Emirates A380 has 14 first class suites, 76 business class beds and a lounge bar on the upper deck and 406 economy class seats on the main deck.

At this week’s order announcement Emirates President Tim Clark said that the A380 “remains highly popular with our passengers.”

“It is still one of the most efficient aircraft to operate today in terms of fuel burn and emissions per passenger, and it gives us the flexibility in some cases to meet passenger demand in slot-constrained markets.”

One of the most popular features of the A380 is the quiet cabin and the plane is more stable than most in turbulence.

The Emirates A380s are mobile phone and email capable and have over 1500 entertainment options.

Emirates has been associated with Europe’s largest passenger aircraft since April 2000 when it was the first airline to announce plans to purchase the super jumbo.

The A380 is a major part of the airline’s ambitious expansion plans outlined by Mr Clark earlier this month.

“By 2020, we will have more than 250 aircraft serving some 70 million passengers across six continents. It will make us the largest airline on the planet by international passenger traffic,” Mr Clark said.

“However, being the biggest airline in the world is not really the end goal. Our aim has always been to connect travellers from around the world to Dubai, and other destinations with just a single stop via our hub.

“The strategic location of Dubai makes it possible for us to serve almost 90 per cent of the world’s population with non-stop flights.”

Over a third of the world’s population lives within a 4-hour flight from Dubai, and two-thirds are within an 8-hour flight.

Today, Emirates operates nearly 3,200 flights globally per week to 135 destinations in 76 countries.

The airline has 50,000 staff made up of 160 nationalities

Adrenaline Packed Holiday on Offer for SUNfest Participants

Cameron Smith, 13, Corey Stenzel, 12, Nathan Davis, 15 and Tallis Threadingham, 12.

AN ADRENALINE packed holiday adventure awaits those participating in SUNfest 2014.

The popular holiday program for youth aged 10 to 17, which is sponsored by Gladstone Regional Council,will be back with a bang in January, offering more than 50 activities to choose from.

There is plenty of action on offer with pistol shooting at Calliope and go-karting in Rockhampton, as well as the opportunity to play laser skirmish or paintball (15-17 years only).

Council's community services portfolio spokesperson councillor Maxine Brushe said the action wasn't only land based with the local waters of Agnes Water and Seventeen Seventy offering plenty of fun.

"Youth can learn the basics of surfing with local surfing legend Grom, find out what all the fuss is about when it comes to stand-up paddle surfing, or enjoy a spot of kayaking," Cr Brushe said.

"Or for the ultimate adventure, there's the Overnight Escape to Awoonga Dam and Harmony Farm.

"Participants will pitch a tent and camp under the stars at Ubobo as part of this two-day adventure from January 9-10 which also includes canoeing and exploring plus horse riding, games and fun on the flying fox."

SUNfest 2014 runs from January 6-17 and once again includes activities for children aged 10-11 years in a program called Lil' Kids.

Tickets will be available for purchase from the the ticketing website www.gladecc.com.au, by phoning the Gladstone Entertainment Convention Centre on 4972 2822 or in person at the Gladstone Entertainment Convention Centre Box Office, the Boyne Tannum Community Centre, Miriam Vale Council Office, Calliope Council Office and Mt Larcom and Agnes Water Rural Transaction Centres.

Proof of a participant's age and completion of an indemnity form are part of SUNfest entry requirements.

Ashes 2013-14: Brisbane Ground Guide, History and Statistics

"The Harmison ball". Three words that still strike fear into any England supporter

Its official name is the Brisbane Cricket Ground, but the famous stadium on Vulture Street in the suburb of Woolloongabba is universally known as the Gabba. 

Handed Test status in 1931, the modern Gabba is not quite the "bear pit" of old, and is now capable of holding 42,000 fans in the vast stands encircling the arena in a manner not dissimilar to Melbourne's MCG.

Despite its redevelopment, the "Gabbatoir" remains an intimidating venue, where the Barmy Army trumpeter was ejected in 2006, and four years later even fans carrying bags with multiple zips  fell foul of the entry regulations.

England's poor record in the Queensland heat - only two wins in their last 17 Test visits, in 1978 and 1986 - has cemented Brisbane's place as the traditional first Test venue for each Ashes series.

Ashes Tests: 19 (Australia won 10, England won four, with five draws)

First Ashes Test: 10-16 February 1933 - a timeless Test, the fourth of the notorious "Bodyline" series. England's hero Eddie Paynter was suffering with tonsillitis when he rose from his hospital bed to make 83 in the first innings, before hitting a six to win the match and regain the Ashes in the second innings.

Highest Ashes total: 645 all out by Australia in November 1946, in the first Ashes Test after World War II. Don Bradman made 187, adding 276 with Lindsay Hassett (128).

Lowest Ashes total: 58 all out by Australia in December 1936. Needing 381 to win, they were skittled in 12.3 overs by England captain Gubby Allen (5-36) and Bill Voce (4-16).

Highest individual Ashes score: 235 not out by England's Alastair Cook on their last visit in November 2010. His match-saving innings lasted 625 minutes and 428 balls.

Most Ashes runs: 464 by ex-Australia skipper Ricky Ponting, who made two centuries and two fifties on four visits between 1998 and 2010, averaging 92.80.

Best Ashes bowling (innings): 8-71 by legendary Australia leg-spinner Shane Warne in November 1994, when he spun them to a 184-run victory and returned match figures of 11-110.

Most Ashes wickets: 22 by Aussie seamer Glenn McGrath, who collected six-wicket hauls in 1998 and 2006.

Ashes runs scored: 10,500, for the loss of 271 wickets at an average of 38.75 runs per wicket.

Ashes boundaries: 1,073 (1,041 fours, 32 sixes)

Venue: The Gabba, Brisbane

Date: 21-25 November

   

Start time: 00:00 GMT

Coverage: Ball-by-ball Test Match Special commentary on BBC Radio 5 live sports extra, BBC Radio 4 Long Wave and via the BBC iPlayer Radio app, BBC Sport website & BBC Sport app; updates on BBC Radio 5 live; live text commentary on BBC Sport website, app & mobile devices