The Sydney Morning Herald from Sydney, New South Wales, Australia • Page 13

I 13 The Sydney Morning Herald, Thurs, June 16, 1977 13 At. st ti -t 'It' ffi fjfo ffiy Showscene Nimrod designer hi IOTA U.JL lllXXg VVJ Now, you can do as the European men do, right here in Australia. Krupa have come under the European influence. Styled so you immtm; mm can have all the confidence and pride that the European women see in their men. une com snap, and the jig was up Something they have loved and admired for centuries.

The Krupa collection of suits, with ell wool's natural i i vv Air talent. One, the classical 3-piecesuit with I ii tailored body and. the other, a little more casual with Larry Eastwood wise I don't see much point in having a designer." Some ideas he labours over lor weeks, others come in a moment of inspiration. "But I find you can always improve. "If I had to keep doing the same play every year, I am sure I could come up with a dozen alternatives." Theatre in saddle stitching, patched if! IIII: i) pockets i 1 I I and i i i i Most theatre-goers probably gloss over the name of the designer when going through the credits for a play.

But while few stage designers become stars, their work is usually one, of the largest contributions to any play, be it an elaborate or sparse set. A set helps create that all-important mood for an audience. Since the Nimrod Theatre opened, Larry Eastwood has designed more than 50 of its productions. In fact, it was Eastwood who designed the layout of the first Nimrod Theatre in Kings Cross. Later, he contributed to the design of the present Nimrod Theatre and then suggested that its small rehearsal room be turned into a downstairs theatre.

But most of Eastwood's designs have been done on a part-time basis for the Nimrod, while he was the theatre's production manager. Only last November did he feel the time was right to start designing full-uwe. Since then, he has designed the Norman Conquest play for the Old Tote Theatre Company and more recently returned to the Nimrod for its latest production. Much Ado About Nothing, which opens on Saturday. But it is film that he hopes will provide his main future income and fast-wood has already worked on The Long Weekend, starring Joho Hargreaves and Briony Behets.

"I couldn't handle any more for the Nimrod." he said. "As much as I enjoyed it I felt stale. I was dying to get out to different budgets and directors." It was one of the theatre's regular directors, Richard Wherrett. who enticed the 29-year-old Englishman to Australia. Wherrett had been one of Eastwood's tutors at acting school in London.

On his return to Australia, Wherrett wrote to Eastwood inviting him to work at the Nimrod which was then beini formed. "The thought of Bondi Beach was attractive," said Eastwood, who had oricinally wanted to be a director. But thoughts of Bondi turned to the bush and Eastwood has spent most of this year building his country home near Newcastle. Of his craft, Eastwood said: "I think in this country we're not adventurous enough with our stage designs. "I try to create an image, a feeling, and I want to make decisions, other- natural shoulder trouble ine.

The traditional Irish group The Chieftains would like to return to Australia in the summer next time, but it seems unlikely their instruments will let them. The Chieftains' instruments are very temperamental, particularly the pipes and the harp. The group's leader, Paddy Moloney, was reduced to tears by the Uilleann pipes once. For 18 years he had used the same reed to get exactly the right sound from the pipes. "I used to pray to that reed," he joked.

"I don't make them myself and to find a replacement is a hell of a job." Then, in January last year, after a trip to the freezing temperatures of Canada, Moloney was readjusting the reed to suit the Ireland climate when it snapped. "Eighteen years down the drain," Moloney lamented. "I cried afterwards." He found a replacement reed but, Poddy Moloney after using it for 18 months, it is still not quite right. "It has to sing, vibrate under your hand," he said. Moloney and his five Irish colleagues in The Chieftains have returned to Australia for a second concert tour just a year after their first.

They had played together for 17 years before turning professional two years ago. Last time, their two hours of traditional Irish jigs and airs had Australian audiences literally dancing in the aisles. The group had no idea it would be so popular here. "They'd planned one concert in Melbourne and we ended up doing three," Moloney said. "I think the promoter was only prepared for about 700 people at the concerts, but we got thousands." The story has apparently been the same in every country The Chieftains have visited since that important decision to turn professional.

Tomorrow night the group will give a concert at the Regent Theatre. Krupa in pure new wed fa the if'- -hi I modern man, i coloured brown and beige because that's the way The immediate future of the Newcastle-based Hunter Valley Theatre Company will be determined at a meeting of its members on Sunday. Recent poor attendances and high expenses have forced the company to terminate its lease of the Hunter Theatre from the end of the current season of Hamlet. Although Hamlet is enjoying a good season, the recent production of What the Butler Saw, at the Hunter Theatre, and Sporting Double, which toured clubs, were not so fortunate. The current season" has two productions to go.

One of them. The Breakwater, is expected to be staged at a smaller theatre. The other play, Absurd Person Singular, may not be staged. One of the Hunter Valley' Company's most successful productions, John O'Donoghue's A Happy and A Holy Occasion, is to be produced by the South Australian Theatre Company this year. tney see this season's wardrobe.

1 I Ik 1 Jools to reopen after fire The show has had a successful run at Bonaparte's, but has to end because of leasing problems. Cruise of a Lifetime is now playing in Canberra and has been sold in Perth and New Zealand. Jools theatre-restaurant, which was severely damaged by fire in January, is due to reopen in September. It will open with the show Cruise of a Lifetime, which is closing at Bonaparte's on Saturday. NEW WOOL Natural Talraf ISV2701 Gregg Allman tour almost certain next month 'A suptb show." NEWCASTLE HERALD, MAY 27 WfM If NT II is BOOKTODAYFORTHE HOTTEST TICKET IN TOWN You can book In paraon 12 dyt In wKtno (naw data opan daily) at Har MajaaV Tnaatnj (9.30 to 7 pm) MWialla, Wyn-yard a Raoant Thutra.

DJ' GB'a. You can book by mail to Saturday, July 30. Sao coupon todays Sun. BOOKING INQUIRIES: 21211202121066. Spndheim to shine in September WEST Side Story, A Little Night Music, Follies, A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum all are Broadway shows born of the talents of lyricist and composer Stephen Sondhcim.

The music from these and other Sondhcim shows will come to Sydney this year in one of New York's biggest stage successes, Side By Side By Sond-heim. The former Australian director, Ray Cook who has worked in America on such shows as Hello Dolly, A Chorus Line, Sweet Charity and Showboat is auditioning for the Australian production, which will open at the Theatre Royal on September 26. If overseas reviews are any indication, Side By Side By Sondheim should give A Chorus Line some competition in Sydney. It will be presented by H. M.

Ten-nent and Cameron Macintosh of London. More foreign film prizes for Leisure The 1976 Academy Award-winning Australian film Leisure, animated by the cartoonist Bruce Petty, is still picking up prizes in America. It was recently awarded the Blue Ribbon for Humour and Satire at the American Film Festival in New York. Big savings on great teats. Phona: 212 2244212 2561.

PARTIES: l.jt,llvjill'S..V.ll U'lvts 1WJ.MI. Pi Gregg Allman SI" 'jmmnnm-'. I A long first look at A Chorus Line, why Frank I hring hates actors. Fred Sthcpisi talking bout lus new lilm, reviews of current theatre I 1 I around and a national guide to theatre, opera and ballet lor June. And much, much more.

Allman admitted during the trial that he had been a drug addict for two years. For his testimony he was granted immunity in the case, which alienated other group members and led to their break-up. Allman's two-year-old marriage to the singer Cher (formerly of the duo Sonny and Cher) has been a string of threatened divorce, separations and reconciliations. The promoters, Evans-Gu-dinski. expect the Gregg All-man Band to play in Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane, Adelaide and, possibly, Perth.

The date for the Sydney concert is Julv 10 at the Hordern Pavilion. The tight tour schedule would mean that probably only two Sydney shows could be played. Among the Allman Brothers' best-selling albums are Eat A Peach, At Fillmore East and Brothers and Sisters. The Gregg Allman Band's first Album, Playin' Up A Storm, is expected to be released in Australia to coincide with the band's possible tour. The American rock performer Gregg Allman is almost certain to make a lightning concert tour of Australia with his new band next month.

The former leader of the All-man Brothers Band, one of America's most successful rock groups of the 1970s, will be in Australia for 10 days if Immigration Department approval comes through. Negotiations with Allman have been completed and dates for the tour set. His visit would be similar to that of the rock group America this time last year. Like America, Allman will fit in the Australian tour after a visit to Japan. Allman is one of rock music's most controversial figures.

The Allman Brothers Band, which twice lost members in road accidents, split last year following a trial that put the group's former road manager in jail on five counts of conspiring to sell Allman cocaine and other drugs. Ship berths against NZ policy AUCKLAND, Wednesday. A nationalist Chinese fisheries research ship with 24 marine scientists from Taiwan on board embarrassed the New Zealand Government which recognises Peking, when it berthed in Auckland on Sunday. The scientists were to take part in an oceanographic conference, when organisers received a letter from the Government saying the ship would not be allowed to berth. Theatre Australia I rKM Available from newsagents or subscribe for twelve months by sending $19.80 to Theatre Australia, 1 14 Cremornc St.

Richmond Victoria 3121 The monthly magazine of the performing arts fXf- Appeal to aid school Evenr inch a woman- ready to fight at the AUSTRALIA'S ORIGINAL. THEATRE RESTAURANT drop of a in an era when guts was a $3 million, and the appeal is intended to help the school establish a in the new accommodation. The school began 92 years ago and now has about 500 pupils, including 40 Students from St Andrew's staged earlier a display of fencing and gymnastics in the square for lunch-hour crowds. The school section of the St. Andrew's House development cost about substitute for money! Front Section: I 1 If HELEN MORSE 'TAK1S EMMANUEL St Andrew's Cathedral School launched yesterday a $200,000 building-fund appeal for part of the cost of the new school in St Andrew's House, Sydney Square.

Mr Stan Owens, a former City Council alderman and chairman of the fund's business appeal committee, opened the appeal after a City Council reception. The reception, for about 140 prominent business people and community leaders, was to mark the school's incorporation in Sydney Square. ffism All private or home numbers. Back Section: All businesses, trades premises and other organisations. Doctors and other professions.

Enquiries: If you have any problem about your phone listing, call us on 9222088, 8.30 am to 4.30 pm. Monday to Friday. N.B. Your new Sydney Directory is now being delivered. SECRETARY tern Malcolm JlcDOVELL CHWSTOPHERPLUMMER WOMAN'S DAY is seeking a secretary for our News Editor.

The successful applicant for this interesting and varied position must be 21 to 25 years of age and have a good telephone manner and typing speed. Shorthand a definite advantage. For interview phona Mrs Tighe, 699 3622, ext. 291. Telecom Australia tea or Perils a Farramatta Written and directed by MICHAEL BODDY Starring: ALTON HARVEY JOHN ALLEN, ANNE SEMLER AND JOHN HAM BUN WINE AND DINE FROM A PM CURTAIN RISES-8 30 PM BOOKINGS: 9098222 1 56 Military Road, Neutral Bay Jctn.

Graft FMNty EirtMtainniint SECOND RECORD WEEK Mon. to Thurs. 7.30 p.m. Sat. 4 and 8 m.

Sun. 6 p.m. only. Wed. 1 1 a m.

Lunch Mrved. Man's body in car two days BRISBANE. The body of a man lay in the wreckage of his car for two days after the vehicle had plunged into a river, 96km west of Goondi-windi, Queensland, police said yesterday. A SPECIAL SATURDAY A MATINEE 1.15 P.M. Chitty Chitty Bang Bng (G) Colour.

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