Pink Floyd's - THE WALL @ the ANU Arts Centre

Which I asked for, and appreciated you posting. Glad to hear the show is doing so well! It looks like I’m not going to be able to get to it, and I’m really disappointed about that.

In relation to advertising, my understanding is that this is essentially an amateur production, with actors and musicians giving their time for free and the admission prices basically covering the cost of theatre hire, sound and lighting, and props and costumes. And, I guess, the performance rights. I think Canberra is incredibly lucky to have the quality of amateur productions that it does and we should be grateful for the community spirit that gives us such a strong music and theatre scene in the ACT.

And to pre-empt any bitchery I should say that I don’t know Wonsworld and have never met him. I know one of the musicians in this production and that’s the extent of my connection. (And I know that musician gets paid to perform at other times, but is doing this for free, like everyone else involved).

I have been a reader and contributor to this website since 2005. The post was a responce to a request for reviews.

Indeed you are a numb nuts… Hows the free advertising ?

Will we see you ’round on RA after the shows are said and done ?

Just in case you missed it casue I am a numbnuts and posted it in the wrong thread…

CANBERRA TIMES REVIEW

Pink Floyd’s The WALL By Roger Waters
Supa Productions in association with Papermoon at the ANU Arts Centre Wednesday to Saturday until May 24, 8:00 PM
Bookings 1300 737 363 or dinner and show at Vivaldi’s 6257 2718.

The Wall full of life

What I like about this show is that now I understand what the Wall is all about. Director Ron Dowd’s new stage version fixes the two problems I had with the original Pink Floyd presentations. On stage in the 1980’s the band sang and played with exciting, often explosive, visuals.

In the film, realistic short scenes had the songs as a soundtrack, which kept emotions cooled.

But under Dowd at last the drama is integrated with the music. The songs are his characters dialogue, and we understand what they mean.

We see Pink struggling to maintain his sanity against his mothers need to protect him, his teachers need to make him conform, his record industry’s manager’s need to profit, his realisation that World War II was global madness and his sense of guilt for not being able to relate to his wife with sensitivity. No wonder he builds a wall to hide behind.

George Huitker does an excellent job representing his character, unable to resist the power of the MC, who revels in Pink’s destruction as the Wall collapses to the sounds of the atomic bomb explosions which brought World War II to its end.

Especially impressive is the musician ship form the band and singers. So for example, the audience can feel for the mother, the young Pink and adult Pink, as Kath Dunham, Will Huang and Huitker sing Mother. As Pink himself turns into the fascist he hates, we feel directly threatened.

Supa has made real music theatre in the Wall. And you don’t need to be a Pink Floyd fan to appreciate it. Dowd’s adaption brings Roger Waters’ creation to life. Don’t miss it.

I was never much into Pink Floyd but bought Animals, and later The Wall. Some really incredible guitar work on The Wall, that’s what I like best about it. The guitar in Comfortably Numb is stunning, Run Like Hell also. It’s on vinyl so haven’t heard it in yonks! Must-plug-in-record-player.

I drove up from Cooma with a mate last night to catch the show.
I will be going again next Friday bringing 4 others.
Loved it, great band and cast.

I mentioned it before but now it’s official…

Special Offer
Wednesday 14 May – all tickets are $25.00

ANU Arts Centre, Union Court ANU
Bookings 1300 737 363 or http://www.supaproductionsinc.com

For dinner and show packages, phone Teatro Vivaldi on 6257 2718

I went to the opening night with some friends. I’ve been into Floyd since well i cant remember. I really enjoyed the show. The concept to blend parts of the original 1979 album with the movie and the live version Is there anybody out there released in 2000, plus some visuals from that show, a bootleg of the show is floating around on DVD, it was a pro shoot, but floyd have never released the vision, only the audio, was really good.

A couple of technical glitches, the most annoying was the mic not working on the judge during the trial, which meant the track lost a little, well actually a lot.

Run Like Hell was cool, lasers and all as well as some Roger Waters arrogance from the live show.

The strange inclusion of a couple of tracks from the album Wish you were here was interesting and i think it worked.

Also included was the song when the tigers broke a free, only ever released on single and included in the movie, but not the album and show versions on CD.

The encores were really good.

No don’t take the kids unless you want to do some explaining!!!!

All in all, a great show, I may go out and catch it again towards the end of the run.

Michael

Aw, cut him some slcak – he’s a very busy man!

even though he had to be conducted for the finale? =Þ

Thanks, Won – I suspect that what really put the second night into overdrive was that you had your tuba and tambourine guy back!

From a production point of view it went so damned well it exceeded expectations. A few of the usual opening night nerves to start and a minor technical glitch but in all it was a great night that played to a very appreciative audience.

Last night we went into overdrive (interstellar?) and the cast and band received a well-deserved standing ovation. The show really rocked.

I don’t think reviews will be available until later on in the week, though I haven’t checked today’s paper yet. A couple of comments that I got from some of the audience was that although they loved it, they really didn’t know what to expect, so as a result, I will be posting some pics on the Supa website later tonight (http://www.supaproductionsinc.com)

And as a SPECIAL ADVANCED notice to RIOT ACT readers, Supa will be putting on Wednesday nights performance with all ticket sales at the very special price of $25 (you wont be able to book at that price till midday Monday but you guys are the first in Canberra to find out about it!!)

Phone 1300 737 363 for tickets

So did anyone get to the opening night? Any reviews?

I was thinking Vivaldi’s, I just didn’t realise they were still there.

I can heartily recommend the Teatro Vivaldi dinner and show thing. And while this is not my sort of music, it is definitely a first rate band, so I may go anyway. And a world premiere is a world premiere, after all.

no-one should ever have to think about michael jackson.

Oh sorry, I was thinking about Michael Jackson’s ‘The Wall’.

You can get a “dinner and show” deal through Teatro Vivaldi’s (which is located right next door to the theatre). Bookings on 6257 2718

As an aside, where’s a good place to dine before the gig? It’s been a while since I’ve been to ANU, so not sure what the dining options are nearby

thanks loq, was going to reiterate that. anu arts theatre is a great venue for the punter. this is going to be an awesome show. i rekkun you should all go twice with so much going on – a great cast and a great band.

and hell, bring the kids; so they get a little weirded out – where else will we get the next generation of pink from??!!

Crikey: have you heard the album? Seen the movie? If the production wasn’t dark, I’d be concerned. Definitely not a children’s show. I have my ticket 🙂

Oh, and because it bears repeating:

wonsworld said :

There is also the old rock and roll concert “festival seating” concept, where you buy a ticket but dont actually book a seat number. First in the queue at night take the best seats that you want as you go in. However given that it is a straight on to the stage raked seating arrangement, no seats are any better than the others no matter where you sit in the auditorium. Every seat has a great view.

Err, what is festival seating?

I’ve heard the production is very ‘dark’.

I was thinking about it, until I read aboutthe festival seating.

Ah well, I’m sure there’s plenty of other people willing to go.

Tickets prices are:

Adult $38.00
Concession $32.00 (inc groups of 10 or more)
Child $25.00

I have no idea why they have decided to sell childrens tickets as it is NOT show that would be of any interest to a child. In fact I recommended that they dont offer childrens tickets as it would probably scare the hell out of them. Go figure??

There is also the old rock and roll concert “festival seating” concept, where you buy a ticket but dont actually book a seat number. First in the queue at night take the best seats that you want as you go in. However given that it is a straight on to the stage raked seating arrangement, no seats are any better than the others no matter where you sit in the auditorium. Every seat has a great view.

Cost?

Sorry Danman.. photography has been delayed by costuming delays and other typical production kafuffles and it is yet to be done. I will email you as soon as I get a chance.

Guess you did not need my photographical services after all eh ?