King Kong The Musical Opening Night!

Saturday the 15th of June 2013 was the WORLD PREMIERE of King Kong The Musical! I was extremely fortunate to be able to go to the red carpet opening night at The Regent Theatre due to obtaining last minute guest tickets. The red carpet was studded with more celebs than the typical Melbourne musical red carpet, from newsreaders to masterchefs to comedians to entertainment personalities- they were all there! The regular musical carpet goers-Meldrum, Hinch and Burchmore also were there to join the huge array of celeb talent to create an in house atmosphere where wherever you looked there was a tv personality in clear range! It was great for publicity because in all honesty this was the best musical I had seen on a visual scale. Absolutely a visual SPECTACULAR! As soon as King Kong hits the stage, moments of wows and 'oh my god that's amazing' are shared across every member of the audience. Definitely a big budget production, exemplifying highly skilled talent. The dancers and the 'men in black' stage gymnasts as they swung, leaped, hooked and flew in synch across the stage. Multimedia projection and sound of course was the icing on this cake as it set the atmosphere brilliantly.

I have never seen the stage physically manipulated in so many ways in a single performance. The stage was raised, lowered and shaped to create a ship, an island and a box office front to absolute perfection. The leading lady also had a remarkable voice and exceptional dramatic skills as the actress slash damsel in distress slash love interest another obvious highlight of the show. Set design was great! Puppetry was excellent and the monkey was adorable!!! 

I would pay to see this show again! Ticket prices are reasonable so make sure you are one of the first to witness this production before it goes overseas!!! 

4.5/5 

Just HAD to get a photo with Jane Turner of Fast Forward, Bligh, Big Girls Blouse and of course Kath & Kim fame!!! 

This time we were both 'out of costume'! 

She said we look like The Veronica's...compliment or insult Ahahah? 

For tickets and more info go to Official King Kong Live on Stage Website!

Kath and Kimderella Movie Premiere

The Red Carpet

Sunday August 26th 2012

No place better to premiere Kath and Kimderella than at Fountain Gate Shopping Centre. Teaming with the theme, the launch of RileyTurner Productions' Kath and Kim filum was a fairytale slash tizzy slash hornbag affair. Lucky fans who managed to score tickets to the momentous occasion dressed in Fountain Lakes style, ugg boots and muffin tops included as they waited patiently for the stars of the screen to walk the red carpet and hope for a photo or/and autograph! In comparison to many other red carpet events, the celebrities were minimal at the Melbourne Premiere but then again the Sydney Premiere that following few days added to the celeb B and C lists. Shane Warne, Frank Woodley and Ruby Rose were some of the celebs who made an appearance and I believe I saw Rob Stitch in the cinema too. The early birds, such as us, waited for about 3 hours but it was worth the wait as we managed to hold a front row position, which was necessary for ANY sort of autograph opportunity or photos. We got interviewed for Channel Nine News and fortunately did make the air that night, as well as for Berrick Newspaper and I think it was channel 7 or 10 too.

Then came the stars!!! Sharon, Kath, Kim, Kel and Brett walked the carpet and to my appreciation, Kath and Kim did stop to duck face pose to photos and sign autographs. In true Kath and Kim fandom spirit me and my sister did dress as Kath and Kim respectively and I managed to walk the red carpet and get a professional photo done with Kath and Kim and some other dressed up fans! The events staff were very helpful that night and ensured the fans were prepared and those who dress even got a Kath and Kim snuggie or apron. Loving the fact that this screening had no allocated seating my sister and myself sat in one of the first rows to get the full cinema experience. The cast quickly came out before the movie and did a bit of a movie intro and a thanks and the movie began!

The Review

If your a fan of the series you will love Kath and Kimderella! It is made as a stand alone too with the character backstories told so if you aren't too familiar with the series, it is super easy to catch on. Kath and Kimderella is a true, over the top fairytale that only Kath and Kim would inflict upon themselves. There was a rhyming theme going on throughout the film, which added to the 'umour and not just from Prue and Trude! (Trude: 'How's the rowing, going, Zoey?') With a few brief cameos, by Frank Woodley and Dame Edna it was great to see all of the main cast back in action after a few years off our screens.  

Kath wins a trip to Papilloma and takes Kim whilst Sharon tags along, when they get their their accommodation has not been running for years and so their foxiness get's them accommodation (and a bit of a lifestyle change) with the King. Their is lust, passion, coming out of closets and swordfights all encapsulated in a typical fairytale mashup structure.

Just like most tv shows that release a movie, the movie is obviously a bit extreme in comparison to a typical episode taking the characters out on a new location, Papilloma, Italy (yes it's made up) and it was great to see the characters out of Fountain Lakes for a while! There were some beautiful shots of the Italian landscape and dodgy green screen, but it's a comedy and it can get away with that quite easily.

Full of Rupunzel and Princess and the Pea moments, Kath and Kimderella had me in stitches of laughter. Go see it!!! It's a very fun film!!! 

Big Mamma's Boy Red Carpet Premiere Experience

The 12th of July 2011- Big Mamma's Boy Red Carpet 


I have been involved with a Melbourne-made feature film for just over one year now, and it was finally time for the world premiere to take place this month ahead of it's hopefully successful season in cinemas around Australia. No, not an arty farty film with limited releases in arthouse cinemas, but a feature film Set to be released in about 32 well known cinemas around Australia!


The premiere was held at Village Cinemas, Crown where the red carpet was rolled out for the stars as the press snapped away and interviewed the actors of the film as well as distinguished guests. Of those that walked the red carpet was Big Mamma's Boy star/writer/producer- Frank Lotito known in the comedy circuit for his 'ethnic style' of stand up. Along with the actress/musical artist, Holly Valance for her role as Flick in Neighbours. Adding to the Neighbours cast to walk the red carpet as an invited guest included Scott Major (Lucas in Neigbours) and Jordan Smith (Andrew in Neighbours). Also walking the carpet are featured actors in this feature film including Simon Palomares, Natalie Gauci, George Kapiniaris, Tony Lewis and Costas Kilias. (Tony the Yugoslav in Wog Boy).

My highlight of the night was seeing two of my friends absolutely over the moon with excitement. One of them, Juliana, was wrapped to get to speak to Costas Kilias who plays Mr. Colletta in the film but famously known as Tony the Yougoslav from The Wog Boy movie. Her face instantly lit up as she had the opportunity to converse with Costas as he whispered in her ear something I don't think she will ever forget.. 'Thanks Farken". I think the photos will explain her excitement! Costas was lovely it was great to see him take the time to converse as well as crack some jokes and insist that 6 copies of the photo we took with him, were to be on his desk the following morning, Haha!


Then there was Isabella, jumping around the room as she went through, excitement, nerves, shyness all at once as she saw some 'hot' minor celebs especially the guy who plays Andrew in Neighbours. She didn't give in to our subtle pushes so she could 'walk into' him though as she was walking behind him as we exited the cinema. Too cute!

I also had the chance to briefly catch up with George Kapiniaris well known as Memo from Acropolis Now and most recently touring with Joe Avati, Simon Palomares and Jason Chong as part of Il Dago! I recommend you go and check out this show if you're a wog or know a wog :) This is my second plug for the day Il Dago.


Back to the movie!!
As we entered the cinemas we were handed a bag of Baci chocolates each and  I was then taught the correct pronunciation of these chocolates being, 'BA-CHI'. As we walked to our seats a friend I made on set,also named Jade, called out to me and it was nice to see her. We were extras for a small scene in the film and both made the final cut so were excited to see each other on the big screen. PRior to the commencement of the film, Frank Lotito and some of the major production figures made a speech and introduced their work and the cast to an eager audience. 


The film was brilliant! Hilarious, typical relations between the onscreen actors and the audience with the film values mirroring the values of the audience such as, the Mama finding it difficult to let her son live by himself as well as the Mamma always making large proportions of food for Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner. I will not go into the film too much as I want you to go and see it! You will love it and definitely if you are of any sort of wog background! This niche of the audience will particularly LOVE this movie. It's up there with the famous, 'The Wog Boy' and 'My Big Fat Greek Wedding' with an oregano flavouring added on top! It's a fun family friendly film with lots of surprises, that you can even watch with your Nonna and Nonno without making excuses to leave the room! Who knows, maybe they will learn from the movie and will let you move out of home when you reach 30? 


For all film screening details and an overview please check out the website www.bigmammasboymovie.com  

Doctor Zhivago the Musical Opening Night!

What's better than free tickets to a Musical?

Free tickets and sitting 2 seats away from Australian character legend, Chris Lilley!

Thanks to a lovely Great Aunty for getting us tickets to the opening night of one of the latest musical productions of Melbourne, Doctor Zhivago I was fortunate enough to relive the opening night experiences of Chicago, Fame and Mary Poppins once again. Held on Thursday the 14th of April, 2011 at Her Majesties Theatre, the red carpet was rolled out as local stars walked into the bar and theatre in fur to team with the theme of the Russian story which was about to unfold before their eyes. The carpet was home to the likes of Darynn Hinch, Alan Fletcher, Ronda Burchmore, well known presenters of the news past and present and even talented star of We Can be Heroes and Summer Heights High, Chris Lilley walked in with their 'plus ones' to witness the Musical of the film, Doctor Zhivago. It was lovely to see most people in fur hats and scarves on this Autumn evening however animal rights activists may not take the same perspective if it were real. What else could top off the night by personally given a front row seat to the show amongst celebrities! As we entered the auditorium I was fortunate enough to be able to speak to Chris Lilley as we briefly spoke about his latest series, Angry Boys. (on screens early May!) He was nice and modest and coincidently had seats 2 seats down our row!

This would have been the second production at Her Maj to be seated front row and I must say, rumours of the front row being a neck-breaker is absolutely false. These seats ultimately allow you to be further immersed into the production as you see not only the performance, the wig alignment to the actor's heads but the sweat and spit flying across the stage. (not at the audience.. that would be awkward, no need for another shower thanks!) To be honest I did not think that this musical would be my sort of style however I am extremely glad that I did take a day off work for this as it was SOOO worth it and changed my perspective. The voices were amazing, the set was spectacular, the acting was true, (even the crying!)  and the plot was a beautiful love story which had tears in the eyes of some of the audience. I heard sniffles a lady.. (quite possibly a well known figure... just not to me...) told me how touching and watery her eyes were. The sound effects were also brilliant and despite us knowing when a gun was to fire... I could still be surprised when it does and jump in my seat. Funnily enough, so did well known dancer Rhonda Burchmore as we jumped in unison and connected gaze as we quietly mimed a laugh as we were the only ones that jumped in out seats. Well at least I can say I had a moment with Rhonda right? haha. After the show there were camera and an interviewer going around and interviewed most of my relatives on their take on the show, including me and my sister. So if you see us in footage floating around, Let me know! 

Comedy Gala 2011

Since December my comedy gala ticket had been sitting in my 'ticket' draw on my desk (Yes, I dedicated a little draw to my tickets to future stand up and theatre shows) and today was the day they saw the blissful light of day.

The long awaited day began with a call as to a 'change of plans' to get to our destination thanks to the fantastically unreliable train system we have in Melbourne. However, it acted in our favour today as my best friend decided that she would drive us to the venue in St. Kilda. She hadn't driven solo around St Kiilda or the city so this was an adventure from the very start! In the spa of 10 mins, prior to her arrival to pick me up, I google mapped directions and grabbed dad's GPS... and the adventure began. To our surprise we managed to successfully get to the venue without getting lost (considered we are from the other side of town) and the real struggle was working out the ticket machine. Eventually working out the technicality of the machine, we ventured out to find a place to dine. After walking around for at least half an hour with our inner with Italy on our mind we had Italian and it was a great chance to catch up .

The evening proceeded as we entered The Palais Theatre full of eager punters set for a night of laughter! And so the night was just that... if not more, from side splitting laughter to a subtle exchange of a glance saying 'this hat guy is not funny.' It was great to see the gala live and unedited as I had always wanted to go since year seven. There were some fantastic acts from Zoe Lyons, Stephen K Amos, Steve Hughes, Laurence Mooney, Bob Franklin, Denise Scott, Cal Wilson, Reginald D Hunter.. the list went on and on! The show ended with the audience getting flooded with streamers and it was a great atmosphere! We took some photos whilst everyone forwarded out of the venue but I couldn't help but play in the streamers. Let's just say.. glitter and streamer were kept as a keepsake.

We then drove back to MacDonald's in a suburb closer to home and pig out as soon as we worked out how to get home and make sense of the crazy St. Kilda road markings!!! It was fabulash! Got home at midnight for an early morning of university the next day. We had such a memorable night. This is my favourite photo of the night, despite the bad colour and plastic arms in the shot, standing in streamers with the Gala sign truly captures the night that I hope will be annual from this year on!