For the first time since the Revolution of 1979 the Iranian government has agreed to loan some of the stellar exhibits from Tehran’s National Museum. These include 180 objects, among them clay figures dating to almost 7000 years BC to ceramic vessels from the 10th-century AD. Pride of place must however go to the magnificent gold and silver drinking vessels of the Archamenian Kings (588-330BC), rulers of the first Empire in history and responsible for founding the magnificent cities of Susa and Persepolis.
Archive for February, 2010
Light! Art, Technology and Society in the Industrial Age, 1750-1900
Fire has always been a bit of an obsession with humankind. When the principles of light began to be understood over two centuries ago, it had a profound effect on work, life and the arts. The van Gogh Museum tries to highlight this time of profound change, using 300 objects. Pieces on display include the Statue of Liberty from the Jardin du Luxembourg in Paris, the first projection lantern, Monet’s ‘Rouen Cathedral: The Portal (in the morning)’ and the first sharp photos of the moon. Van Gogh’s ‘Potato Eaters’ occupies centre stage.
Annie
Broadway’s biggest hit in the last few decades returns to the Sydney stage with a glossy new megabuck production to attract those who missed out last time. It’s blessed with the presence of major musical star Anthony Warlow who takes on the role of Daddy Warbucks, with Amanda Muggleton as Miss Hannigan. The title role is split between two young stars, Rachel Marley and ten-year-old Jodie McGaw, the survivors of an auditioning saga that involved 2,000 children.
Dar Maghreb
Great for parties, this Middle Eastern restaurant is a feast for the eyes and the belly. Belly dancers and exotic waiters in traditional Moroccan clothes will transport you to ‘One Thousand and One Arabian Nights’ as you eat sweet lamb in honey sauce or chicken and almond filled filo pastries off ornate ivory and wood tables. Sitting on puffy pillows, eating with your fingers and surrounded by (replica) 15th-century Moorish architecture, it’s hard to believe that when you leave you’ll be pounding the pavement of Sunset Boulevard and not entering into the heavily spiced Casablanca air.
Giulio Cesare
Set in Egypt in 48BC, Handel’s ‘Giulio Cesare’ tells the tale of the period in Julius Caesar’s reign where he meets the seductive Cleopatra and her psychopathic brother Tolomeo. Handel is best known for his concertos and oratorios but operas were his passion. Here his gorgeous arias are performed by renowned counter-tenors David Daniels (Cesare) and Bejun Mehta (Tolomeo), with soprano and Operalia winner Elizabeth Futral as Cleopatra. The staging is directed by Francisco Negrin, with Harry Bicket making his company début conducting this production. In Italian with English supertitles.
New Year’s Day
Barcelona’s most refreshing alternative cinema venture offers this indie British flick to wind up its 2000 season. ‘New Year’s Day’ from director Suri Krishnamma is the story of two 17-year-olds who, after narrowly surviving a mountain tragedy, decide they want to really live – but only for another year. Like other films presented by Cine Ambigú, it is one that local distributors have no plans to release. The one-off showings have a decidedly civilised ambience, complete with candlelit tables and bar service.
