The Sydney Morning Herald from Sydney, New South Wales, Australia • Page 29

AR EXTRA Thursday, April 8, 1993 28 Ihe Sjjbnry Horning Ijcralb 0'7' WiXiVi TV IN EVER-ENDING Jl A ilxUl aJl FILM LYNDEN BARBER no masterpiece, but it offers its target audience brisk entertainment and shows that American movie-makers often know something about pace that their would-be local equivalents forget at their peril. The Ninja Turtles series has benefited from progressively increasing budgets so that the animals now move convincingly, the fight sequences are superbly choreographed and the turtles' repartee has undeniable comic gusto. This time around the four shellbacks go back to feudal Japan via a time-travelling device and become embroiled in a warlord's factional conflicts. Those who have not seen any of Kurosawa's samurai sagas will find the film suitable preparation. Andie MacDowell and Bill Murray in Groundhog Day likable performances in a film that never runs out of puff.

places, with a pretty, new Shakespeare-spouting partner called, ahem, Robin Banks (Melora Hardin). The plan? To make a fortune in order to save the island. The reality? He signs up with an exploitation producer (John Pinette) making straight-to-video duds. Kevin Hayward's wide-screen cinematography is Reckless 's best calling card, though the number of tourist-brochure location cliches and Oz-rock versions of rock classics on the soundtrack give it a prefabricated, market-researched feel. The lack of charm isn't helped by stodgy comic timing, with much of the dialogue sounding like line readings at a dress rehearsal.

The cast which includes Alexei Sayle and Anthony Ackroyd can't really be blamed (though the direction can). They're not helped by an excess of gags so full of corn they could be turned into a popular breakfast cereal. Young Einstein worked at the box office partly because of its creator's understanding of the values of the middle-Australian family audience, its Aussie hero a hick from the sticks who was smarter than he looked. Reckless Kelly shows a similar grasp of core Australian myths, values and icons, weaving together not only elements of (he Ned Kelly myth and Crocodile Dundee, but also larrikin-ism, egahtarianism. mateship, benign race relations and even a pub that's a kind of Ettamogah carved from rock.

However, its attempts at plugging into an updated national identity (viz a hostile attitude to the British, a new flag) might have been more effective without dollops of Australiana more suited to the work of Rolf Harris circa 1964. DOUBTLESS there will be those who will sneer at my nomination of Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtle III as the most enjoyable children's film of the week. "More violent, production-line American crap!" some will howl. The film is RECKLESS KELLY Written and directed by Yahoo Serious Village and suburbs. Rated PG TEENAGE MUTANT NINJA TURTLES III Written and directed by Stuart Gillard Hoyts and suburbs.

Rated PG YAHOO Serious's long-awaited follow-up to Young Einstein is a contrived reworking of various elements of Crocodile Dundee that mistakes Paul Hogan's laconic delivery for sluggishness, lacking the pacing required to get away with its largely puerile gags. If Young Einstein was less accomplished than its box office and critical reception suggested, its star nonetheless had a nutty freshness that made his popularity easy to comprehend, an ingenuous charm scarcely in evidence this time around. In outline, the film is undeniably familiar: a larrikin hero hangs out in a remote rural pub with his mates; teams up with an attractive young woman (naturally played by an unknown American actress); and relocates to a large American city here the locals are shown to be crass, uptight and overly violent To this proven formula, the writer-director-star adds his own personal twists: the hero, Ned Kelly, is recast as a modern-day Robin Hood, a larrikin on a motorcycle who robs cash-point machines and deposits the takings in the accounts of the poor. The plot has Kelly (played by-Serious) seen frequently sporting a dustbin for head protection in conflict with an English corporate banker. Played as a grimacing caricature by a too-young Hugo Weaving, the banker plans to tug Kelly's island home to the coast of Japan.

This spurs Kelly to head to LA, of all A dog of a delight GROUNDHOG DAY Directed by Harold Ramis Written by Ramis and Danny Rubin Hoyts and suburbs. Rated PG A COMEDY about a man condemned to relive the same day over and over again would not, on the face of it, appear promising, sounding like one of those paper-tbin, one-idea novelty movies that probably sounded a smart idea when it was first pitched at the poolside. That it works so entertainingly is a tribute to an ingenious script which gradually turns the film into an unconventional romantic comedy and, almost miraculously, never runs out of steam and to a pair of very likable performances from Bill Murray and Andie MacDowell. Murray's very cynical TV weatherman and his relentlessly upbeat producer (MacDowell) and cameraman (Chris Elliott) descend on the small town of Punxsutawney, Pennsylvania, to report on Groundhog Day, a peculiarly American ritual which aims to predict the end of winter via the public examination of a prairie dog, and no, I am not pulling your leg. The weather is bleak, the accommodation provincial and for a confirmed misanthrope like Murray, the natives are depressingly friendly.

A blizzard on the freeway forces the team to stay the night. The next day, when Murray's alarm clock goes off, the same rotten radio breakfast show is playing and the day proceeds to repeat itself. As does the day after and the day after, ad infinitum. Since Murray is the only person aware of being caught in a time warp (which the film somehow manages to get away with not explaining), he soon learns how to manipulate his surroundings to suit himself. He has time to perfect his wooing techniques a slow process and soften his hatred for humanity.

The film's moral about learning to become a better person and life being what you make of it might have been sick-making, and usually is in the current redemption-of-a-yuppie film cycle to which this is distantly related, but both Murray and the script remain on their guard against incursions of schmalz. Helping further are some amusingly acerbic lines, an ability to always keep the audience guessing, and a relaxed and utterly charming performance from MacDowell which makes you wonder why Julia Roberts is considered the ultimate female star. Cliches with a sharp edge NATIONAL LAMPOON'S LOADED WEAPON I Written and directed by Gene Quintano Village and suburbs. Rated PG COP AND A HALF Directed by Henry Winkler Written by Arne Olsen Village and suburbs. Rated PG THIS week the same outland-ishly puny gag crops up in two new releases a reference to "laundering followed by a shot of bank notes going around in a washing machine.

Pause for a loud collective groan. While I became extremely worried for Reckless Kelly when it served this one up as if struck by the lightning rod of comic genius, the makers of Loaded Weapon I not only know it's dumb, they know that you know it too, and that you know that they know that etc. This is, in fact, the secret to the entire so-stupid-it's-hilarious school, of which the Elying High and Naked Gun films were graduates. Loaded Weapon 1 (note that is to the Lethal Weapon series what Hot Shots was to Top Gun, that is, a strictly-no-limits spoof, spraying out the gags at such a scattergun rate that you occasionally have to duck to avoid them. (As if to underline the similarity between them, each stars one of the EstevezSheen brothers, Emilio and Charlie, respectively, a point the script doesn't let go to waste.) Displaying an unexpected talent for witheringly funny deadpan glances, Estevez takes the Mel Gibson role of Jack Coit (yep, like all crazy cops he's pining over a the loss of a loved one Continued next page It lsU Turtles III comic gusto.

St. MATTHEW PASSION (Schutz) unnac. chorus and soloist: David Hamilton (Tenor), Keith Hampton (Bass), Cond. Michael Dyer. GOOD FRIDAY April 9 3.30 pm.

SYDNEY THEATRE COMPANY DRAMA THEATRE Sydney Opera House INTO THE WOODS ONCE A CATHOLIC By Mary O'Malley Directed by Jocelyn Speight. Plays FriSat. 8 pm Sun. 5 pm. The Rep Theatre 1 Brown Lane Newtown.

Tickets Bkgs. 565 1482. THE RIMERS OF ELDRITCH by Lanford Wilson Theatre Nepean. Second Ave. Kingswood.

(047) 36 0409. arch 30-April 1 0. Tkt. 1 THE BELL SHAKESPEARE COMPANY 1993 SEASON. "A Shakespearean Company of Distinction." The Age.

NOW PLAYING ROMEO JULIET April 6. 13. 14 (Mat. 8i Eve 16. 17 (Mat.

Si Eve 23, 24. RICHARD III April 8. 10 (Mat. 8. Eve 15.

HAMLET April 2, 3 (Mat. Eve 19. THEATRE ROYAL Limited Season Only. BOOK 231 6111. Harold Park Hotel Wigram Rd.

Glebe 692 0564. COMICS IN THE PARK Mon. 12 Apr. Peter Berner, Trevor Cook Rash. IMAGES FROM THE UNDERWORLD 8 pm Wed.

Thur. WARNING. completely LOSt in Sp2C8 The improvised version. 8 30 pm. FriSat $10.

Michael Gregory is Dr. Smith. Oh the pain, the pain. TheAII Aussie Are Bccfta show. Fri and Sat 10.30 pm.

LAST SHOW TILL JUNE. EE LEND ME A TENOR of pure starring STUART WAGSTAFF MAGGIE KIRKPATRICK ROWENA WALLACE KIM ANTONIOS TONY HARVEY, JACQUI RAE PETER ROWLEY and PAUL SCOTT WILLIAMS. This smash hit comedy is fast, very funny! Apr. 15 2 Weeks! Previews APRIL 13 14 $23. Special Dinner Show Tickets.

Glen Street Theatre BOOKINGS 9751455 A GARY PENNY PRODUCTION NEW THEATRE 542 King Street, Newtown CLOUD 9 By Caryl Churchill Directed by John Rado Frank McNamara FhSat. 8 15 pm Sun 5 30 pm. Bkgs: 519 3403. Tkts: S16S11 KOMNINOSreads the venus of marnckville at 8.30 pm on the 14th, 15th. 16th and 17th april.

at the Stables Theatre. Bookings 361 3817. LAST WEEKS GLENN ELSTON'S ACCLAIMED OUTDOOR PRODUCTION OF A MIDSUMMER NIGHTS DREAM. Under The Stars. ROYAL BOTANIC GARDENS Enter Henry Lawson Gates, Mrs Macquane's Road.

MON TO SAT 8 00 M. Easter Special Fri Mon $25 90. BOOKINGS: TICKETEK 266 4800. MARIAN STREET CHILDREN'S THEATRE 2 Marian Street, Killara Music Make Believe Suitable for ages 3 to 9 Saturdays at 1 00 pm. 17.24 April; 1 May BOOK NOW 498 3166.

'One of the most popular of the childhood festival The Courier Mail Sydney Opera House Bennelong Program REM Theatre present ABOUT BEING BRAVE for 3-9 yrsf amides by Roger Rynd and Peter Winkler Apr. 13-17. 1 1.00 am 8i 1 pm. signed perf 1 1 16 I PERFORMANCE ONLY Sight impaired workshop 12pm. 1 7 Apr.

perf. 1 pm only. Tix. $7.50 Adts $5 childCone. PERF BKGS.

250 7777 WORKSHOP BKGS. 250 7432 Reception Hall Sydney Opera House PETER CCMSE The Spook Tour brand new concert for the holidays featuring songs from his new album "Spook" and old favourites. Seymour Centre April 14.15 I I am and 1 pm book on 364 9400 or Ticketek Hills Centre April 16. 1 1 am. book on 899 3433.

BONDI PAVILION THEATRE. Christopher Cummings Pres. IN DUTY BOUND By Ron Elisha. With Georgina Banks. Zika Nester.

John Noble. Percy Sieff 3 APRIL 1 MAY. Tues to Sat 8 pm. Sun 5 pm. Wed Sat Mats.

2 pm. BOOKINGS 368 1119orTtek. CRY JULIUS CAESAR COMING THIS XMAS DARN ED SOCK THEATRE'S MACBETH by William Shakespeare. Tue Thu 8 pm; Wed Mat 12 pm. No shows during Easter Apr 9-13.

FIG TREE THEATRE Gate 4. High St. Kensington. BOOKINGS: 976 2023. ENSEMBLE THEATRE 78 McDougall St.

Milsons Point Principal sponsor TRANSFIELD LAST 3 PERFS. Sorry no pert Good Friday Robert Hewett's THE ADMAN with Simone Buchanan, Ken James, Malcolm Kennard, Kate Raison. Danielle Spencer, John Walton. Sam Wilcox. $21 PREVIEWS 16-24 April.

A Gurney's THE OLD BOY directed by DENNY LAWRENCE with RONALD FALK. NICHOLAS HAMMOND. CARLTON LAMB. ANDREA MOOR. DINAH SHEARING.

JAMES SINCLAIR. "A polished gem of humour and pathos" (Hollywood Reporter) from the author of LOVE LETTERS Ensemble Waterside Restaurant. Open for dining Tue-Sat. Cookings: 929 0644. 1 993 Subscription FROM ONLY $100 SYDNEY DANCE COMPANY in Graeme Murphy's BEAUTY AND THE BEAST Performances 8 30 PM.

All seats are Cut Price on Monday and Tuesday at 8.30 pm. and at Saturday Matinee at 4 pm. Plus Special Kids Offer on Matinees $18 under 18. METRO THEATRE at 624 George Street Opposite Greater Union Dinner (optional) from 7 pm. $20 two courses.

BOOK NOW 264 2666 or Ticketek 266 4800 Further Info Call 0055 63166 Info Call is 70c per min. HURRY! SEASON ENDS EASTER SAT. KAQS! Comical waiters, fantastic live comedy show, scrumptious meal. Sat. Fri Wed Thur.

KAQS Comedy Restaurant Call 583 1177 anytime to book or for free info. Ramsgate Beach THE AUSTRALIAN BALLET Opera Theatre Sydney Opera House NEXT PROGRAMME OPENS 13. APRILtol May Nureyev's dance spectacular DON QUIXOTE Seats available for all 7.30 p.m performances 5 to 24 May TRIPLE BILL SYMPHONY INC SONGS OF A WAYFARER NIGHT SHADOW All performances with The Australian Opera and Ballet Orchestra. BOOK NOW Sydney Opera House Phone and Charge (02)250 7777 All major credit cards accepted. HOW TO SUCCEED IN BUSINESS WITHOUT REALLY TRYING TOM BURLINSON.

NOEL FERRIER. GEORGIE PARKER. June Bronhill, John Wood, Bruce Spence. Garth Welch, John Gregg, Robyn Arthur and JACKIE LOVE. "A sure fire sensational hit" Kevin Sadlier NOW PLAYING Tues-Sun 8pm, Mats Wed 1 pm.

Sat 2pm. Sun 5pm BOOK NOW. LAST WEEKS. ALL TICKETS SUN THUR $29.90. Special Sunday Matinees 5 p.m.

TICKETEK 266 4800 FOOTBRIDGE THEATRE KISSING FROGS starring GLYNN NICHOLAS with Kim Deacon Ross Nobel PARRAMATTA SEASON OPENS NEXT WEEKI 7 SHOWS ONLYI "Laugh till you croak" S.M Tues Thurs: 8 pm. Fri: 7.30 pm 10.30 pm. Sat: 5 pm 8.30 pm. PREVIEW TUES 13TH: ALL TIX $21.90. Parramatta Riverside Theatres Ph.

683 61 66 or Ticketek. THE LOOKOUT THEATRE presents DAVID MAMETs THE SHAWL Tue-Sat. 8.30 pm. Sun. 5.30 pm.

Bookings Ph. 362 4349. 1 16A Queen St. Woollahra THE NEW ROCXY HORROR SHOW HER MAJESTY'S THEATRE Starring Craig McLachlan. Gina Riley an all star cast.

Extra Shows over Easter: Tue Wed 8 30pm. Easter Thu 6 9pm, Good Fri No Performance, Easter Sat Sj Mon 6 It 9pm. Book at the Theatre Ticketek Phonecharge 266 4820 Groups 264 7186 MON THU, ALL TIX $38.60 A SONG DANCE HIT Peter Ellen Williams and the H.T. present THE LIFE THE LOVES THE WORDS THE MUSIC "A SWELL PARTY" Directed by Peter Williams Stamng Wayne Cornell. Jenifer Green.

Jackie Rees. Derek Metzger and Garry Scale as Cole Porter 50 Great Cole Porter Hits -Opens April 28 on-Sat. at 8 pm Mats. Wed. 1 pm Sat 2 pm.

Book 250 7777 ticketek 266 4800 ACM 357 4433 THE PLAYHOUSE Sydney Opera House A SONG DANCE HIT Peter Ellen Williams and the SO.H.T. present THE LIFE THE LOVES THE WORDS THE MUSIC "A SWELL PARTY" Directed by Peter Williams Starring Wayne Cornell. Jenifer Green. Jackie Rees, Derek Metzger and Garry Scale as Cole Porter "A SWELL PARTY" 50 6REAT COLE PORTER HITS OPENS APRIL 28 Moo Sat at 8 pm Mats. Wed.

1 pm Sat 2 pm. Book 250 7777 ticketek 266 4800 ACM 357 4433. THE PLAYHOUSE Sydney Opera House HAROLD PARK HOTEL. Wigram Rd Glebe 692 0564. Writers in the Park Tue.

13th 8 pm. CHARLES BIRCH discusses regaining Compassion. John Bennett and Rob Gackaman. A Big Hit 600th Perl. She's Funny.

She's "The best Shirley ever" AMANDA SHIRLEY VALENTINE "Has the audience rocking with laughter SHIRLEY VALENTINE Season Ext April 24 Nightly 8 p.m. MATS. WED 1 pm. SATS 2 pm. Book now 250 7777.

357 4433. Ticketek 266 4800. The Playhouse Sydney Opera House A bright witty ISNT IT ROMANTIC by Wendy Wasserstein. Previews April 15 16 OPENS SATURDAY APR. 17.

BOOKINGS 529 91 90. KENT ST THEATRE 420 Kent Sydney. "A Comic Legend Aust. STEVE SPEARS' -YOUNG MO" "DANNY ADCOCK is brilliant as the Shakespearean Hack is wonderfully played by ROBERT DAVIS" Syd Rev. THURS 8pm ALL TICKETS $10.

Easter Sat 8 pmSun 5 pm. CROSSROADS Theatre BOOKINGS 332 3649 BELVOIR ST. THEATRE 25 Betvoir Surry Hills Bookings 699 3444 HOT DANG! TEXANS ON TOUR CabaretTheatreCircus! 7 Apr 2 May. S13S15S18 THEATRESPORTS MAD SCRAMBLE The only True Comedy Show in Town. See Australia's top improvtsor's Scramble for their audience member mascot who gets the chance to win a Fabulous Theatres ports Carl Sundays 8.30 pm.

BELVOIR'S 1993 SUBSCRIPTION BROCHURE NOW AVAILABLE. GIVE US A CALL! 699 3444. NIDA THEATRE CO presents the classic French Farce A FLEA IN HER EAR by GEORGES FEYDEAU directed by ADAM COOK designed by SUE FIELD with PAUL BLACKWELL. RALPH COTTERILL. DAVID DOWNER.

NEIL FITZPATRICK. REBECCA FRITH, JANE HARDERS. KIM LEWIS. RHYS McCONNOCHIE. KERRY McGUIRE.

HAZEL PHILLIPS. KEITH ROBINSON. IRIS SHAND. RITCHIE SINGER. ROB STEELE.

NIDA Theatre 215 Anzac Pde. Kensington HURRY LASTWEEK CLOSES THURSDAY!) Nightly 8 pm. Sat. Mats 2pm. Adults $22.

Cone. $15. BOOKINGS NIDA 697 7613 TICKETEK 266 4800 Hearing Facilities Available. Music and Lyrics by Stephen Sondheim. Book by James Lapine.

Starring Geraldine Turner. Phillip Quast, Judi Connelli, Tony Sheldon Simon Chifvers. Directed by Wayne Harrison. Musical Director Brian Stacey. Associate Director Tony Bartuccio.

Plays Mar 12 May 15. Mon Sat 8 pm. Sat 2 pm, selected Weds 1 pm. Bookings 250 7777250 1777. Ticketek 266 4800 8.

008 467 993. WHARF THEATRE TOP GIRLS By Caryl Churchill. Directed by Melissa Bruce. Associate Director Wayne Harrison. Designer Robert Kemp.

Lighting Designer Nick Schlieper. Rays April 7 May 29. Mon Sat 8 pm. Sat 2 pm. selected Weds 1 pm.

Bookings 250 1777 8i -Ticketek 266 4800 8i 008 467 993. DRAMA THEATRE Sydney Opera House Return Season of DEATH AND THE MAIDEN By Ariel Oorfman. ON SALE NOW Plays June 25 Jury 1 0. Bookings 250 1777. 250 7777 008467 993.

MARIAN STREET Eft THEATRE498 3166 rZmM 2 Marian Street, Killara THE PERFECTIONIST by David Williamson Directed by George Whaley with Anne Tenney, Lewis Frtz-Gerald, Murray Bartlett, Elaine Lee and Peter Whitford. Special Fundraising Event 3 Men A Baby Grand One Show Only Wed. 14 April ALL THEATRE 8. RESTAURANT BOOKINGS 498 3166. 1 KAQS See under COMEDY Section.

SYDNEY CHAMBER CHOIR Director: Nicholas outlay JOSQUIN: Missa Pange Lingua BACH: Komm, Jesu, Komm. and Motets by Bruckner, Verdi and Part. Great Hall. Sydney Uni. 8 pm Fri.

9th April 1993. cone. Bookings and enq (02)797 6470 or (02)419 3426. Sydney's most PROVOCATIVE music series austraLYSIS presents it's 1 993 SEASON Some Other Discourses Cage Uncaged Redesigning the System Sats. April 24.

Jury 31 Nov 27. Sydney Conservatorium of Music. Series Tickets: $45 (cone. $30). Enquiries: 523 2732.

COMEDY STORE NEW ADDRESS 75 Bay St. Glebe. WED TALENT NIGHT FRI CLOSED. SAT 50F THE BEST. LATE SHOW SAT 11PM.

$10 FeatMOUSe BOOK NOW 319 5731. DELILAH in Cabaret Friday 9th Saturday 1 0th April $25.00 dinner show 1 5.00 show only 8 pm. Blackmarket 1 1 1 Regent St. Central 698 8544 TILBURY HOTEL Cnr. Forbes Nicholson, W'loo A ROOM WITH A REVUE: GODS COWBOYS Tue-Sat to April 24.

KERRIE BIDDELLnd JULIAN LEE Sun. Mat. $10. ADELE JOHNSTON Sunday Eve April 1 1 Bookings essential. 358 1295.

PREVIEWS APRIL 16 17. ALL SEATS $21.50. AN EVENING WITH MERV "UNCENSORED COMEDV STARRING TV FAVOURITES: GEORGE KAPINIARIS NICK CARRAFA -ACROPOLIS NOW-JANE CLIFTON GRANT DODWELL HELEN O'CONNOR METRO THEATRE OPENS APRIL 19. BOOK ON 264 2666. GROUPS SAVE BIG $.

CALL JOAN 264 7186. THE PHANTOM OF THE OPERA Sydney Premiere Jury 24, 1993. Advance Bookings from August 1 993 to Jury 1 994. Tickets $75 $35. Book by phone Mon Sat 9 am.

9 pm. At the Theatre. Mon 9 am. 6 pm. Tues-Sat.

9 am. 8 pm. THEATRE ROYAL Ph. 202 2200. To find out how to promote your next show effectively and easily please call 282 4128 or 282 4144 HEARING HELP AVAILABLE.

THE 6 RAPES CF WRATH PHOENIX THEATRE PROD INC. Sydney premiere. 27 Mar-10 Apr. Wed Sat 8 pm. Sun.

28. 5 pm. Zenith Theatre. Chatswood. $14510 552 0040.411 7088.

PLAYING EASTER! THEATRESPORTS The FUNNIEST show in town! See ad. under Live Section BELVOIR ST. for details..