Day: January 15, 2014

Source: strictlyballroomthemusical.com

PHOEBE PANARETOS – FRAN

Phoebe grew up in Sydney and went to Newtown School of Performing Arts and graduated topping the State in drama. She moved to Melbourne and was an inaugural 2011 Musical Theatre graduate of the Victorian College of the Arts where she awarded the Encouragement Award from the Friends of the VCA. In her final year she played the role of Anita in West Side Story Directed by Martin Croft.

Phoebe originally made her professional debut in Cameron Mackintosh’s production of Oliver when she was 11 years old playing the role of Rose. Other credits include touring Sydney, Melbourne and Adelaide with the Simpsons Tour and singing at the Premier’s Concert in Sydney at the Entertainment Centre.

Since graduating Phoebe was cast in a role in the Television series Mr and Mrs Murder. In 2012 she toured to both Singapore and Hong Kong with Smile Live Entertainment production of Thomas And The Hidden Treasure. Earlier this year Phoebe was very excited to be part of The Production Company’s 2013 season of Singing in the Rain.

Phoebe would like to thank her family, teachers and Ian White Management for their support and guidance in getting her to this wonderful opportunity to play Fran – one of the most iconic film roles in Australian Films. Phoebe is extremely excited and honoured to be playing Fran and working with the amazing Baz Luhrmann.

With the full cast of the highly anticipated Global Creatures next major production Strictly Ballroom the musical finally announced, Aussie Theatre’s David Allen recently caught up with the shows two young stars Thomas Lacey and Phoebe Panaretos to talk about playing two iconic characters, growing up with the movie and being directed by Baz Luhrmann.

Thomas Lacey and Phoebe Panaretos

Thomas Lacey and Phoebe Panaretos may have just been cast in one of the biggest music theatre ventures in Australian history, but there’s no evidence of star ego here. Their enthusiasm and excitement is palpable as we talk. They’re both absolutely psyched to be standing where they are – the stars of a new Baz Luhrmann stage musical – and yet even after the intensive rehearsals and auditions, there’s still a sense of wonderment. I did it? I got the part? Whoa!

“I’m still processing it,” says Thomas Lacey as we talk in Sydney one balmy afternoon. “It’s so weird to think about it after everything that has happened. We’re lucky though to be working with Baz – he’s just very personable and disarming. It’s really helped all through auditions. You just knew he wanted to know you more and to work with you and bring out your best.”

Phoebe Panaretos is the actress to play the coveted role of Fran in the new Strictly Ballroom stage adaptation, and though she is clearly a dancer’s dancer, there is something friendly and effortless about her that makes her seem like a natural fit for the role. Unlike Luhrmann’s last leading lady, Daisy Buchanan in his epic screen adaptation of The Great Gatsby, there is no frivolity of pretension about Phoebe or Fran – this is a young actress ready to get to work. Thomas Lacey, her co-star and leading man in the role of Scott Hastings, has a very similar vibe. Talking to them is like chatting with a pair of mates, they’re so comfortable together.

“We met one day early on during auditions,” said Phoebe as we go on.

“We both managed to arrive an hour early one day and so we sat down next to each other and got chatting. Then around April in 2013 we did a read through together and at the time we laughed and said ‘wouldn’t it be great if we ended up the leads together’. And now here we are!”

They both laugh and we move on to the million dollar question. Though there are many famous and successful Australian directors working in the mainstream entertainment industry, love him or hate him, no one has inspired the same level of interest and discussion as Baz Luhrmann. Though most notable for his film work, it’s not that long ago that his production of La Boheme wowed audiences on Broadway. What is it like then working with one of Australia’s most sought after creative minds?

“I was nervous meeting him the first time,” Phoebe confesses.

“There’s something to be said for casting unestablished talent, for taking that risk, and we can only thank Baz for making it possible”

“I was so excited just even being there, and then he walked in and I think it took him about ten minutes to make everyone there completely comfortable. He just knows how to get you to relax and draw your best work out of you.”

“The best part of it,” adds Thomas, “is that you’re in the room with Baz. You’re not working with ‘Baz Luhrmann’. He’s easy and fun to work with. Just a lot of fun, there’s lots of jokes – he really does just get how to put you at your ease while you work with him.”

Strictly Ballroom is, of course, one of the most iconic Australian movies ever made. A resounding smash hit when it was first released in 1992 starring Paul Mercurio and Tara Morice, it has since gone on to be a cult favourite amongst Australian audiences and around the world. The announcement of the stage adaptation presented by Global Creatures and directed again by Baz Luhrmann has gone on to generate a great deal of excitement.

“I first saw the movie when I was fifteen,” Thomas laughs, “I wasn’t born even I think when the movie was released. I watched it a lot though this year. It’s a movie that it’s really easy to obsess over actually.”

“I watched it taped on a VHS off the TV with my grandma,” adds Phoebe, “it was a while ago now.”

Thomas laughs as he admits, “I actually thought when my agent first sent me the casting brief last year that I was auditioning for a movie! I read through it quickly and thought: ‘Baz Luhrmann’ – ok it must be a movie. I was talking to my sister about it later on and she absolutely tore into me about it and told me how important this was and she told me all about the story and the character and she’s really been my go-to person about it since.”

About the iconic role of Fran, Phoebe Panaretos is bright and optimistic.

“I knew when I first read the casting brief that this is a part I could play. I’m very new to music theatre and I entered into the audition process with no expectations. I think that actually helped because it meant from the beginning I could see myself as a ‘Fran’ in many ways. I was off exploring a new part of myself just like she does in the show.”

“It really is great that such young performers have been cast,” adds Thomas.

“Casting directors so often go for the same people – the people they know and have worked with before. We’re both complete unknowns and at the end of this big international search for our characters… the fact that Baz and Global Creatures have taken such a bold decision to cast us, it’s just so humbling.”

“We can only hope,” says Phoebe, “that this can pave the way for other producers casting the big shows to do the same. There’s something to be said for casting unestablished talent, for taking that risk, and we can only thank Baz for making it possible.”

I ask what the two young leads are both looking forward to the most about the show. Their answer tumbles out almost simultaneously as they both laugh and shout out: “Staring rehearsals!”

“I have to admit though,” says Thomas, “that I’m looking forward to doing the big slide in the final dance number. I can’t wait to do that on stage – it’s just going to be epic and I can’t wait to see what we do with that.”

“Phoebe and I got to workshop the Milk Bar scene from the show” – aficionados of the movie: start your engines! Others: start your DVD players! Seriously, you need to see this movie – “and we worked together for about twenty minutes each time. It was such a full on acting journey. Each time we ran it, it ended up being completely different, and Baz just knows exactly what to say and just what questions to ask to open your mind to the scene and the characters. I think Phoebe and I are going to be a more intimate Scott and Fran on stage. I’m really looking forward to discovering these characters and growing in rehearsals, and what a show to be able to do that in!”

Strictly Ballroom the musical will commence previews at Sydney’s Lyric Theatre on Tuesday, March 25.

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Source: HeraldSun

Thanasi Kokkinakis serves in his first round match against Igor Sijsling of the Netherlands during day two of the 2014 Australian Open. Picture: Michael Dodge. Source: Getty Images

AS the elder statesman bid farewell, the future of Australian tennis was arriving in the form of Thanasi Kokkinakis just a couple of courts away.

While Lleyton Hewitt’s Australian Open ended on Rod Laver Arena, across the way on show court 3 the 17-year-old South Australian was producing a Hewitt-like performance to register a remarkable career breakthrough.

Battling cramp for most of the final set, Kokkinakis fought through the pain to defeat Dutchman Igor Sijsling 7-6 (4) 0-6 7-6 (3) 6-2.

His victory completed a landmark day for the new generation with his good friend Nick Kyrgios also progressing after a hard-fought victory over Germany’s Benjamin Becker.

Kokkinakis, a wildcard entrant and the youngest player in the men’s field, was only playing the second top level match of his career.

His first was in Brisbane a fortnight ago where he won a spot in the main draw through qualifying and was then defeated in the opening round by Hewitt.

Sijsling started an overwhelming favourite in the match given he is ranked No. 73 in the world but he couldn’t capitalise even when his younger opponent was hurting.

Kokkinakis started to experience problems with his calf early in the fourth set and he could barely move at times yet somehow raced to a 3-0 lead.

The cramp started to move further up his leg later in the set but Kokkinankis held his nerve and easily broke Sijsling’s serve to take out the victory in just over three hours.

The South Australian teen said he enjoyed the support from friends and Aussie tennis fans.

“I’m very excited. I had a fair few of my close mates all around,” he said.

“I was trying to pick them out. When I kind of high fived my mates everyone else had their hand out, so I went around with it. It was good fun.”

He admitted that he just managed to “hang in there” when the cramp set in.

“I don’t actually know (how I got through) because, I mean, I started to feel it really early, maybe 5 6 in the third set,” he said.

“I was like, ‘Oh, this ain’t going to end too well’. I just tried to make returns.

“I think he got a little tighter thinking what’s down the other end.

“I was trying to hang in there and try to find the cheap points.

“I was shortening the points as much as I could, because when it was going for a while I wasn’t having much success.

“I broke him early in the fourth, which he should have won that game. Somehow I came up with it. Kind of just tried to keep my serve.”

He said he was sorry that some Aussies bowed out on day two but was optimistic about the state of the game.

“It’s good for Australian tennis to have me and Nick (Kyrgios) through. Unfortunately Lleyton and Bernie obviously didn’t get up.

“But, I mean, Matty (Ebden) is still in. James (Duckworth) I felt put in a good effort against Federer.

“So I think Australian tennis is on the up. Yeah, I know, it’s exciting stuff.”

Source: SMH

Australian Open 2013 Boys Final Kyrgios vs Kokkinakis

A four-set win to Nick Kyrgios (AUS) against Benjamin Becker (GER) 6-3 6-7 6-2 7-6.

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Aus Open Day 3: Players set for a scorcher

Tennis writers Peter Hanlon and Linda Pearce preview Day 3 of the Australian Open with the mercury set to rise to 40 degrees. How will the players cope?

While Lleyton Hewitt laboured in vain on centre court, the Aussie teenagers slated to replace him withstood the microwave conditions, some injury concerns and their tender years to win their first matches at the Australian Open.

Nick Kyrgios and his friend Thanasi Kokkinakis emphatically redeemed the Australian effort on a Tuesday when others were either being swatted like flies – as in James Duckworth v Roger Federer – were shaded in the heat like Hewitt and Storm Sanders (beaten in a tight three-setter by Italian Camila Giorgi), or melting down like Marinko Matosevic.

Kyrgios rallied following a medical timeout for his shoulder and outlasted plucky German veteran Benjamin Becker 6-3, 6-7 (5-7), 6-2, 7-6 (7-2), while Kokkinakis likewise recovered from the twin setbacks of losing the second set 6-0 and leg problems that he later said were cramps to overcome Dutchman Igor Sijsling in four sets 7-6 (7-4), 0-6, 7-6 (7-3), 6-2.

Nick Kyrgios keeps his eyes on the ball during his match against Benjamin Becker on Tuesday. Photo: Pat Scala

The teenage pair – described by Davis Cup coach Josh Eagle as the most capable twosome this country has produced in a decade – beat players ranked 81 (Becker) and 73 (Sijsling) in results that suggest that the long dormant men’s division of Australian tennis could be on the turn, and that Bernard Tomic – fortunately – is far from the only hope of the side.

That the emerging teenage pair managed to overcome ailments and that Tomic forfeited his mismatch, invites further harsh comparisons. Kokkinakis will play Tomic’s opponent, world No. 1 Rafael Nadal, on Thursday.

Kyrgios, a Canberra product who won the Australian Open juniors this time last year, showed both his formidable arsenal – particularly a frightening serve – and a willingness to scrap. At various stages, the 18-year-old seemed close to crumbling, under the burdens of the heat and a shoulder that saw him call for the trainer when down a break early in the fourth set. He had missed the lead-in events in Brisbane and Sydney due to shoulder soreness.

Australian Open Tennis Day 2

Andreas Seppi celebrates his win over Lleyton Hewitt during Day 2 of the Australian Open. Photo: Pat Scala

Kokkinakis, just 17 and from Adelaide, recovered brilliantly from the second-set rout and, like Kyrgios, showed a fair measure of mettle and self-confidence in the key moments – such as the decisive third-set tie-breaker. Both kids enjoyed their victories on the same showcourt three, with Kokkinakis, who played the late match, completing a lap of the court in which he high-fived the whole front row.

Whereas Kyrgios played before a crowd of 300-400 that had been muted by the intensity of the sun, the numbers swelled somewhat for Kokkinakis – a belated bandwagon materialising as the ferocious sun set.

Kokkinakis’ victory was a case of winning the points that mattered; he won two tie-breakers, broke serve three times from a mere five opportunities, while saving five of the nine break points he faced. If he did not win as many ”free” points on serve as his doubles partner Kyrgios, he fared better in the rallies.

Kyrgios sent down 34 aces and won more than 90 per cent of the points when he landed the first serve – peak velocity of 215km/h. He converted six of his eight break points.

Kyrgios appeared to be both in some pain and at pains to avoid a fifth set, which might have favoured the seasoned Becker – a 178-centimetre veteran clearly not related to booming Boris. The Aussie teenager’s serve had been slowing, along with his legs, but late in the fourth set he resolved to attack and attempt a quick kill. ”I thought it would be smart to get it worked on,” said Kyrgios of his shoulder.

He viewed this victory as more satisfying than his first-round win at the French Open against Radek Stepanek.

The shoulder, he added, should be fine for his second-round encounter with 27th seed Benoit Paire, of France.

Kyrgios was impressive when breaking back at 5-6 in that fourth set and then by routing Becker in the tie-breaker.

Standing 193 centimetres, Kyrgios’ arsenal includes a forehand that can be pretty potent and a two-handed backhand.

It’s unclear how quickly he covers the court, since no one was moving too quickly in mid to late afternoon, but he has the loose limbs of a basketballer. His volley was seldom seen.

The Kyrgios/Kokkinakis combination of Greek heritage, large or very large serves and height has drawn comparisons with Mark Philippoussis, long seen as a great under-achiever, but in view of our struggles to penetrate the top 30, would be celebrated as a success today.

Whether they come up short or surpass Philippoussis, the teenager pair have undoubtedly given Australian tennis a timely fillip.

Source: heraldsun.com.au

The Member for Bulleen, Nicholas Kotsiras has announced he will not contest his seat at the next election. Source: HeraldSun

VICTORIAN Energy Minister Nicholas Kotsiras’s retirement at this year’s state election will allow aspiring state Liberal leader Matthew Guy to contest the safe Lower House seat of Bulleen.

But a stoush over the seat of Kew is brewing, with supporters of former Stonnington mayor Tim Smith questioning why Bulleen wasn’t made available to Community Services Minister Mary Wooldridge.

Ms Wooldridge, whose seat of Doncaster lies next to Bulleen but will be abolished at the next election, has opted to push for preselection in Kew instead, with the support of Premier Denis Napthine.

Mr Smith’s supporters say he intends to nominate for preselection against Ms Wooldridge, because of strong local support and anger about what they say looks like political manoeuvring “out of a Labor Party playbook”.

Mr Guy’s move from the Legislative Council to the Legislative Assembly will increase his chances of becoming a Liberal leader in the future.

He said Bulleen was a good fit for his family and he had strong connections with the nearby area.

“I grew up just across the Yarra River from Bulleen in Montmorency and currently represent the Northern Metropolitan Region. I have spent my life in Melbourne’s north and northeast,” Mr Guy said.

“This is where my wife and I chose to raise our three sons, so it is a great privilege to put my name forward as a candidate for Liberal Party preselection for the electorate of Bulleen.”

Mr Kotsiras, who has held the seat for 14 years, said recent health issues and a desire to recover lost time absent from family were the main reasons behind his retirement in November.

He made the announcement at the site where his parents first arrived in Melbourne from Greece half a century ago.

Matthew Guy will nominate for preselection in Bulleen.

“Fifty years ago, my parents landed at Station Pier, so it’s symbolic I announce my retirement today,” an emotional Mr Kotsiras, 54, said.

“Family is very important and I have missed my children growing up.”

Dr Napthine paid tribute to Mr Kotsiras’s role as a champion of multiculturalism and his work in the energy portfolio.

“Nick is the epitome of achievement for somebody who arrived here a young person, who worked hard, and has really reached the pinnacle in our democratic institution,” Dr Napthine said.

Dr Napthine said he and Deputy Premier Peter Ryan would determine the shape of the ministry when preselections were done.

Other Coalition MPs were expected to announce retirements in the coming days.

Mr Kotsiras endorsed Mr Guy to run for the Bulleen seat, a position the Premier supported.

“I have known Matthew Guy for a number of years and I again think he is an outstanding young talent in the Liberal Party,” Dr Napthine said.

“But if Matthew chooses to stand for Bulleen I think that will be again a great positive decision for the Liberal Party.”

Mr Kotsiras’s wife, Angela, will also retire from work.

The couple plans to spend time with their four grandchildren to help their children pursue their careers.

Mr Kotsiras said his greatest achievement was helping Victoria become “the most harmonious state in Australia”.

Mr Kotsiras, a servant of the Bulleen electorate for 14 years, said recent health issues and a desire to recover lost time absent from family as the reasons behind his retirement.

He made the announcement at the site where his parents first arrived in Melbourne from Greece half a century ago.

“50 years ago my parents landed at Station Pier, so it’s symbolic I announce my retirement today,” an emotion Mr Kotsiras said.

“Family is very important and I have missed my children growing up.”

THE Victorian government is expected to undergo a cabinet reshuffle ahead of the November state election, after two senior MPs announced they will not contest the poll.