Rachael Beck is Truly Scrumptious in Chitty Chitty Bang Bang

RACHAEL Beck describes her character in the upcoming musical production of Chitty Chitty Bang Bang as a strong, funny woman with an absolutely terrible name.

Beck will take on the role of Truly Scrumptious, an upper-class socialite who gets drawn into a world of outrageous adventure, evil child-catchers and magical flying cars.

A stalwart of both the stage and screen, Beck has previously played staring roles in Les Miserables, Cats, The Sound of Music and Singin’ in the Rain but despite her experience the 41 year old said this new role would not be without its challenges.

“In one of the opening scenes I hoon around the stage on a vintage motorbike with a sidecar,” Beck said.

“It’s a bit concerning because I nearly run over all the props and crash into different parts of the set.
“It’s great fun and there are so many interesting moments like that throughout the show.”

Opening at the Capitol Theatre on Friday, Chitty Chitty Bang Bang is an adaptation of the 1968 children’s film, based on a book by Ian Fleming.

Beck said the stage production followed the same storyline as the movie but parts of the script had been modernised to suit a current-day audience.

“I think it’s a lot funnier than the movie,” she said.

“People certainly won’t be let down by the production because it’s such a wonderful family show.

“I have this bad habit of falling in love with the characters I play and Truly Scrumptious is no different … hopefully the audience will do the same.”

SEE IT ON STAGE

Opens Friday, November 16
Capitol Theatre, Haymarket
Tickets from $69
Details: www.chittychitty.com.au

Sydney Christmas Carols

Santa's helper has given us the tips on Sydney's best Carols

Christmas Carols. They are the best of songs, they are the worst of songs. My apologies to Charles Dickens but I'm sure he wouldn't mind me paraphrasing his work. After all, he was somewhat of an expert on Christmas.

Christmas carols really are a pretty mixed bag. They range from the traditional to the modern and the sublime to the ridiculous. And every year from late November to Christmas Day the whole of Sydney rings with the sounds of "Joy to the World", "Jingle Bells", "O, Holy Night!" and, God forbid, "I Saw Mummy Kissing Santa Claus" and "Santa Baby".

In shopping centres and on street corners you'll be greeted by carol-singing elves and angels, choir boys, and girls clad in that faux fur-trimmed, red mini-skirted outfit favoured by Santa's helpers everywhere. You know, the one that results in a rather incongruous cross between Mrs Claus and a sexy snow bunny.

Christmas Carols events sprout up like mushrooms all over Sydney from late November. These range from the homey charm of the local school concert-cum-carols night to the celebrity-laden, big-budget events complete with orchestras and choirs.

Some of the contenders for Sydney's Best Christmas Carols event in 2012 are:

Sydney Christmas Family Village Concerts.
Carols, Santa and fireworks are a hallmark of these much-loved, free, local community events. This year's concert schedule is:
Rushcutters Bay: Saturday 1 December at Reg Bartley Oval, Waratah Street from 6.30 pm to 8.30 pm
Rosebery: Sunday 2 December at Turruwul Park, Rothschild Avenue from 6.30 pm to 8.30 pm.
Alexandria: Saturday 8 December at Alexandria Park Oval, Power Avenue from 6.30 pm to 8.30 pm.
Surry Hills: Sunday 9 December at Ward Park from 6.30 pm to 8.30 pm.

Coogee Carols
Spaces fill up pretty quickly at this free community carols event presented by Randwick City Council. There's usually a line-up of popular TV and singing personalities. Set aside Sunday 16 December from 6.30 pm for this one, which will be held at Goldstein Reserve, Coogee

Strathfield Christmas Carols Concert
Strathfield Council presents not just carols, but fireworks and a screening of A Christmas Carol on the big screen too. The event runs from 5pm to 10.30 pm on Saturday 8 December at Strathfield Park, Homebush Road, Strathfield.

Carols by the Sea
This one is at Bondi Beach, South Park on Wednesday 5 December. There is children's entertainment from 6pm and Chrsitmas carols from 7pm. It's free but please bring a non-perishable food donation.

Martin Place Children's Concert and Tree Lighting
Also part of Sydney Christmas, this one has the added bonus of the lighting of the giant Christmas tree. It's on from 6pm to 8.30pm on Thursday 29 November.

Christmas Choral Concert
Manly Council presents this free event on Thursday 6 December from 6.30pm to 8.30pm at the picturesque Manly Oval. They're even looking for singers to perform with the Northern Beaches Youth Orchestra so if you have what it takes contact (02) 9976 1752.

Carols in the Domain
Australia's largest free Christmas concert takes place this year on Saturday 22 December with pre-carols entertainment from 3pm and the main event from 8.30pm.

We'd also like to know what Christmas Carols events have you most enjoyed in the past and are most looking forward to for Christmas 2012? Help us to find Sydney's best Christmas Carols by leaving a comment below.

Cliff Richard - State Theatre Sydney 2013

DUE TO OVERWHELMING DEMAND, 4TH AND FINAL SHOW JUST ANNOUNCED! 

NEW SHOW:

Sunday 9 February 2013         State Theatre, Sydney

Dainty Pre-sale Details:

Starts Wed 14 Nov 9am -> Thur 15 Nov 5pm

Password = DAINTY

Click here to access the pre-sale.

Tickets to Sir Cliff Richard's Still Reelin' and A-Rockin' tour in Sydney are selling fast. Due to the demand, a 4th and final show has been added at The State Theatre in Sydney. Tickets to this show will go on sale to the general public this Friday 16 November at 9am.

                      

Sir Cliff Richard OBE, with global record sales beyond 250 million is set to tour Australia and New Zealand with a hit-packed national tour Still Reelin' and A-Rockin'. 

Celebrating his 54th anniversary in the music business this year, Cliff Richard is indisputably Britain's all-time greatest hit-maker - no other UK band or solo artist is even close to equalling his 123 single hits.

For full tour dates and details go to daintygroup.com.

Elton John Sydney Entertainment Centre Darling Harbour

Forty years ago, Elton John's single Rocket Man (I Think It's Going To Be A Long Long Time) was released around the world. To celebrate the landmark 40 year anniversary of its release, Sir Elton John has been taking the celebrations globally for a world tour and will be returning to our shores, taking his record number of shows at the iconic Sydney Entertainment Centre to a staggering 42.

Performing with a full band, Elton’s shows will commemorate the 40 years since the release of Rocket Man as well as being a celebration of Elton’s greatest hits. Fans can expect to see this timeless entertainer take them on a journey thru his multi-decade career, backed by his ever-dynamic touring band.

Elton John and his band is one of the most successful live acts currently touring. The concert which showcases and brings together so many of Elton’s classic and much loved tracks from the decades will have the audience tapping, clapping, dancing and singing along.

This is an artist who is one of biggest selling solo artists of all time, selling in the vicinity of more than 250 million records worldwide. He is also one of the most prolific touring artists in the world with Elton John performing his 3,000th live show last year and certainly shows no sign of slowing down. Be sure to join in the celebration of this landmark anniversary at the Sydney Entertainment Centre.

Date: Thursday 15 November 2012
Time: 07.00 PM - 11.30 PM
Location: The Sydney Entertainment Centre
Cost: $119.90 - $122.54
For more information: http://www.sydentcent.com.au or (02) 9320 4200

Radiohead Concert 12-13th November at the Sydney Entertainment centre

Admirers of seminal alternative rock and genre-bending music take notice. It has been nearly a decade since Radiohead, the Oxford bred five-piece, last graced Australian shores in 2004. It is safe to say that their welcome return is certain to be the live music milestone of the year.

Murmurs of a return to our corner of the globe have been rife for years now, even more so in this era of social media with nothing remaining secret for long. Radiohead however, manage to defy this with their celebrated return being one of the biggest and best kept secrets this year; something to be expected from a band shrouded in mystery, everything they do an enigma.

Radiohead will perform two shows at the Sydney Entertainment Centre on Monday 12th and Tuesday 13th November. For a band that is headlining major festivals across the globe, these Australian shows in relatively intimate settings are a clear indicator of a band that does things their own way.

With a long-standing reputation steeped in genre-redefining motions throughout their more than 20 year career, Radiohead have proved themselves to be one of the most influential bands of our generation, forever appealing to the public appetite with their ever evolving cut-and-paste sonic collages. From the band’s earlier style of melodic rock songs accompanied by dense riffs and ethereal atmospheres, through to their later experimentation with song structures, incorporating ambient, avant-garde and electronic influences.

Radiohead’s return to Australia will showcase the band’s multi-decade career in an aural and visual celebration. As a live band they transform their creations into an experience both towering and incandescent. Be sure to be part of the journey. No shows will be added to the tour – do not miss out.

SHOW DATES AND TIMES:

Mon 12 November 2012
Starts at 7:30 PM

Tue 13 November 2012
Starts at 7:30 PM

Come to the Palace Hotel Sydney Pre or Post Show and present your Radiohead ticket to recieve $4 Schooners of Tooheys New or House Wine

Chitty Chitty Bang Bang Package at Metro Hotel Sydney Central

Metro Hotel Sydney Central is offering this Chitty Chitty Bang Bang package for $205.00 including:

• One nights accommodation in a Deluxe 2x Double Bedded Room
• Daily Hot Buffet Breakfast for up to 2 adults and 2 children
• Chocolates on arrival

Book this Chitty Chitty Bang Bang Package at Metro Hotel Sydney Central 

View Metro Hotel Sydney Central
 
Terms and Conditions:

• Offer is strictly subject to availability and may not be available for special event dates.
• Children age is 00 – 12 years old.
• Valid until 20th December 2012.
• Rates are not valid with any other offer.
• All other terms & conditions will be provided when making your booking
  Bookings are non-refundable

Russian National Ballet Theatre at Sydney State Theatre

Beautiful full length performances of two of the most cherished classical ballets of all time

The Russian National Ballet Theatre commences a tour of full-length classical performances of Swan Lake and Sleeping Beauty in over 25 cities across Australia from September.

With more than 50 ballet dancers, the Russian National Ballet Theatre has toured the USA, China, Italy, France, Belgium, Spain, Portugal, Guatemala, Poland, South Korea and Japan transforming Russian Ballet.

Tchaikovsky's instantly recognisable music set against the wonderfully dark story of good against evil; Swan Lake is one of the most famous and loved of all ballets. This production by Evgeny Amosov, Artistic Director of The Russian National Ballet Theatre, is heralded around the world.

Swan Lake's glamorous set is evocative of the Russian Imperial world in which the ballet was created, while the haunting moonlit lakeside is perfect for the tragic conflict of the human and spirit worlds and allows the audience to be swept away in the vulnerability of Odette/ Odile.

One of the most lavish theatrical events of all time, the original St Petersburg staging of Sleeping Beauty in 1890 was a spectacular illustration of the Russian Imperial style at its zenith. Today it remains the cornerstone of the Russian National Ballet Theatre's repertory. The current staging is also directed by Evgeny Amosov accompanied by a huge cast in a fairytale setting and glorious Tchaikovsky score. This version has all the elements of an enduring fairy tale: romance, poetry, fate, goodness versus evil, and of course, love!

The Russian National Ballet Theatre was founded with support of the Ministry of Culture of the Russian Federation. The basis for the creation of the theatre was necessity of promising young theatre with high creative potential, both the classical and contemporary. The theatre's repertoire includes not only classical performances such as The Nutcracker, Sleeping Beauty, Scotland Suite, Don Quixote and Gala Concert, but also modern ballets set to the music of Mozart, Bach, Ravel and others.

In 1976 Artistic Director Evgeny Amosov, graduated from the Perm Academy of choreography and then joined the Ekaterinburg Academic Theatre of Opera and Ballet as a principal dancer. He is also a prize-winner of Russian and International choreography contests of ballet-masters and ballet dancers. In 1988 was Amosov was awarded the title Honored artist of Russia and in 1990 was the leading solo dancer of the state theatre Russian ballet. From 1993 till 1998 he studied at the Russian Academy of theatrical arts. In 2001 Amosov co-founded the company Russian National Ballet Theatre.

The Russian National Ballet Theatre is a cut above many of its rivals.
Washington Post

State Theatre Sydney
Dates: Sun 14 - Tue 16 Oct
Tickets: A Reserve $97.90 B Reserve $87.90
Bookings: www.statetheatre.com.au 1300 139 588