Sunday Arts Magazine

Stephen A. Russell returns again to Sunday Arts Magazine to chat with David about this year’s extensive range of queer film; screening during the Melbourne Queer Film Festival(MQFF) 2023.

Imported from Glasgow Scotland, to Melbourne, Stephen Russell is a freelance culture writer. He is an award-winning film critic, and arts journalist who is passionate about film, theatre and good design, with a particular focus on film and theatre.

Award winning Honorary Professor Dr Lisa Anderson returns to Sunday Arts Magazine to discuss, with David, Brendan and Neil, her current exhibition: “Beguiling.”

Lisa has done painting, drawing, making costumes and writing since the early age of six years. She further pursued her career teaching and lecturing at numerous institutions both in Australia and internationally. Her main interest revolves round landscapes; including the environment, topography and the myths and legends. Her current exhibition: “Beguiling” is now on display in the Pride Gallery at the Victorian Pride Centre.

“Beguiling” is on display until 5th January, 2024.

Joanna Gilmore, curator at the National Portrait Gallery in Canberra, joins to Sunday Arts Magazine.

Joanna pursued her desire for art, literature and history, being both the history of art and general history. She successfully studied for her Bachelor of Arts degree. After returning from a couple of years travelling around Europe, she worked at Museums of History in N.S.W doing front of house related duties and education programs. Her desire to become a curator led her back to studying where she completed a Masters degree; enabling her to pursue a career in exhibitions and curatorial work within museums. Joanna is now curator at the N.P.G in Canberra.

Joanna chats with Sunday Arts Magazine about the “Archie 100: a Century of the Archibald Prize” exhibition at the N.P.G. The Archibald Prize is a prestigious Australian portraiture art prize and this exhibition is a celebration of 100 years of the Archibald Prize.

David chats with return guest, Lisa Pavane, and first time guest, Kit Thompson, about their careers in dance and the play “Possum Magic.”

Lisa, Director of the Australian Ballet School, Newcastle born, came to Melbourne at an early age of fifteen to pursue a career in the field she had grown to love: dancing. After having attended the Australian School of Ballet, Lisa travelled overseas and joined the English National Ballet in 1994. On returning to Melbourne in 2001 she continued her career in dance, and in 2015 she became the director of the Australian Ballet School.

Kit, also from N.S.W, came to Melbourne from Coffs Harbour, like Lisa, at the young age of fifteen. Once a keen soccer player, Kit developed a keen interest in dance and so was accepted into the Australian Ballet School where she will pursue her career in dance.

Lisa and Kit are both in the cast for “Possum Magic,” a play based on the beloved children’s book written by Mem Fox.

“Possum Magic” is playing at the Playhouse Theatre in Melbourne in early December.

Author of “Fire in the Head” and AWGIE nominated playwright Rosemary Johns returns to the studio to chat with David, Brendan and Neil. Rosemary is an actor and playwright who began her career with the Murray River Performing Group in Albury. She worked with the V.C.E Drama and has had six plays published by Currency Press. She has written plays across many genres including comedy, drama and thrillers.

Today Rosemary discusses her most recent work, a play about which she is very passionate: “Prisoner at the World’s End” which deals with the work of Julian Assange and his imprisonment.

“Prisoner at the World’s End” is currently playing at La Mama in Carlton.

Five-time Helpmann Award winner Paul Capsis returns to Sunday Arts Magazine to chat with David, Brendan and Neil. Predominantly cabaret performer and singer, Paul will be starring in the hit Broadway Musical “La Cage Aux Folles” which is now playing at the Playhouse Theatre, Arts Centre, here in Melbourne.

Stuart Maunder, artistic director of Victorian Opera, joins David and Neil for a moving episode of Sunday Arts Magazine. Born in country N.S.W, Stuart developed a keen love and interest in opera since having watched the performance of “The Magical Flute” at the Mayfair Theatre. He withdrew from studying Law to pursue a career in performance and Opera. After forty-four years of on the job experience and many appointments along the way, Stuart now holds the esteemed position of artistic director for Victorian Opera.

David and Neil interview Antoinette Davis and Pip Mushin about the upcoming Musical DOGFIGHT which will be playing at Chapel off Chapel during the first two weeks of November 2023.

Starting as a dancer, Antoinette is now a talented actor, having graduated in Musical Theatre at Federation University. Pip graduated in Acting at the Perth Academy of Performing Arts, and is the director of the upcoming performance of Dogfight. DOGFIGHT is a musical set during the Vietnam War era, exploring themes of compassion, acceptance and the capacity for change.

This week David and Neil interviewed Ashlee Hints, Community Engagement Manager for Victoria’s Midsumma Festival. Ashlee is an experienced Producer, Tour and Event Manager, with an extensive history of over ten years working in the Performing Arts Industry.

This week on Sunday Arts Magazine, David and Neil spoke with composer and musician, Warren Wills, about his overseas trip and current projects.

Warren previously appeared on the show in 2021, listen to that episode here!