Art Smitten - The Podcast

There’s a strange phenomena that occurs when you go to review something as intriguing and over-hyped as Loving Vincent. First, you are excited, so you mark your expectations up. Then, aware of your excitement, you mark them down again. Then, not wanting to seem like a hapless sheep bleating about how magnificent something is based on a glitzy first impression, you start scrutinising the piece religiously, not wanting to fall into the trap of being seen to like it. And then, finally, you grow conscious that you’re doing this and go back to being excited. I’m not sure exactly what stage of that tortured analysis I was in when I eventually sat down and watched Loving Vincent, but what I can say is that it is a captivating piece of art that genuinely engages people of all tastes. The premise of Loving Vincent centres around Vincent Van Gogh’s final weeks in 1896, and the strange, unexplored factors surrounding his alleged suicide - although, the film’s main drawcard is not its story,

On September 17th, 2017, Harry Dean Stanton passed away at the age of 91 years old. He lived the life of an actor, but known more specifically as a character actor. Character actors are known as people who play bizarre, memorable characters in films, who usually appear as a side role. It’s no surprise then that Stanton was a favourite in David Lynch’s films, appearing countless times throughout his long line of surreal creations. Stanton has had few lead acting roles, including that of Repo Man, Paris, Texas and, as one of this final films, Lucky. Lucky is directed by John Carroll Lynch, who, similarly to Stanton, is widely known for his supporting roles in films as an actor, including Zodiac, The Founder, and American Horror Story. This is his first time stepping into the role as a director, and it goes without saying that he’s a natural at it, in his own way. Stanton is joined in the cast by Ron Livingston, famous for Office Space, and David Lynch, the man himself. As a side note, I find i

Christian chats to the writer and co-producer of Alexithymia, playing at the Meat Market in North Melbourne until Sunday November 19.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Ellie and Jayden chat to Blended Generations (Ola Milena and Roger Price) about their first studio EP, 'Hope Sweet'.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Lay Down Sally is Australia’s answer to Book of Mormon. Laugh out loud, side splittingly, leave your face sore funny. Playing at Chapel off Chapel, the show opened last Tuesday Night to a sold out theatre. The audience and was not to be disappointed.  Written by Spencer Hadlow, Andrew White and Taylen Furness, The show starts directly after Sally Robbins (played by Nicola Guzzardi) 2004 Olympic lay down incident. It follows on to explore Sally’s determined comeback into Australia’s heart as she battles to win Gold at the 2008 Beijing Olympics in cycling! With the help of Steven Bradbury and Nick Giannopolis the Australian trio sing their way into our hearts, if not to glory.  The musical opens on a mostly bare stage with the cast already positioned in Olympic stances. On the screen were quotes about the incident from Australian public figures. From there it was catchy musical hit after hit beginning with the namesake "Lay Down Sally".  The set remained basic with no scene chan

Christian chats to Adena Jacobs, the director and co-creator of Book of Exodus Part II, featuring a cast of sixteen 8-12-year-old actors and playing at Theatre Works (14 Acland Street, St Kilda) until Sunday October 29.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

During Art Smitten’s Father’s Day special, Hamish, Maria and Christian chat to Michel Bula, Julien Cayeux and Richard Ryan from the cast and crew of Melbourne French Theatre’s production of Georges Feydeau's Every Trick in The Book (Le Systeme Ribadier).See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Silvi and Smithers chat to and hear some live singing by Elandrah Eramiha-Feo and James Elmer from the cast of Memphis the Musical, playing at Chapel off Chapel (12 Little Chapel St, Prahran) from October 7-29.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Samara Barr reviews Black Rider: The Casting of the Magic Bullets, a co-production between Victorian Opera and Malthouse Theatre written by Tom Waits and William S. Burroughs that's playing until October 8.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Christian interviews the playwright of American Song, playing at Red Stitch Actors Theatre in St Kilda East until November 5.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Christian interviews the writer/director of the new environmental documentary Blue, in cinemas October 12.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Tarnay covers The Cocoon,  playing at The Portable (3 Dawson St Brunswick) until Friday September 30 as part of the Melbourne Fringe Festival.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Jack interviews the Melbourne Youth Orchestras’ principal clarinet during their 50th Anniversary performances and ahead of their Moments of Beauty concert series running from September 27 – October 29.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Everyone loves a good ghost story whether to try and debunk the paranormal, persuade a non-believer, or encourage discussion on the afterlife. For me ghost stories take me back to Cub Scout campfires and sleepovers with torches. Phil Spencer's Hooting and Howling captures this essence of story telling in a delightful and highly entertaining manner as he recounts his own experience of hunting down a ghost, complete with spooky torch light. Performing at The Butterfly Club on a bare stage, Phil conjures up an atmospheric world of senses through words alone, taking us to another time. The story is complemented by the enchanting Julia Johnson, whose soulful voice added an ethereal layer and depth to the performance. Her skill with the banjo enhances the humour and tone of the different plot points. Breaking up the story with song gives the audience time to absorb the content and consider their own opinions. Combining storytelling and stand up comedy conventions, Phil leads us on a journey to cockatoo island in Sy

Smithers chats to Jasper Foley from the cast of Completely Improvised Potter, playing at The Lithuanian Club until September 30 as part of the Melbourne Fringe Festival.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Hamish drops by to tell Christina and Reem all about this year's Melbourne Jewish Music Festival, Shir MadnessSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Christina and Reem chat to Patrick McCarthy, writer/director of The Sky Is Well Designed, which is playing at Northcote Town Hall from September 15-28.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Christian chats to Sean Bedlam about his Melbourne Fringe Festival show, Death to America, playing from September 23-30 at The Courthouse Hotel (96-90 Errol St, North Melbourne).See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Christina and Reem chat with Sally Maclean and Christopher Kirby from the cast and crew of Season Two of the web series Shakespeare Republic, whcih can now be viewed on shakespearerepublic.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Julia from The Naughty Rude Show and Christian (from Art Smitten) chat to comedy musician and school teacher Grant Busé about his Melbourne Fringe Festival show The Birds and the Beats, on at the Wonderland Spiegeltent (699 La Trobe Street, Docklands) from September 19-24.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.