What's in a name? Richard speaks with Geelong Arts Centre (formerly called Geelong Performing Arts Centre) CEO Joel McGuinness about the Centre's re-badging, to coincide with a mammoth $38.5 million redevelopment. They chat about how the Centre will cater to Geelong's diverse and evolving arts ecosystem as the city continues to grow, and look ahead to some highlights from the Centre's eclectic program.
He's also joined by celebrated contemporary artist Louise Weaver to talk about her exhibition Between appearances: the art of Louise Weaver at Buxton Contemporary (Melbourne, Australia) - a unique collection of works spanning fantastical creatures, iridescent other worlds, minutely observed details from nature, uncanny objects and unsettling organic forms.
Richard also delves into the provocative 'non-traditional musical' Kiss of the Spider Woman, showing at the Melbourne Theatre Company. Joined by cast member Natalie Gamsu and Assistant Director/Assistant Choreographer Luca Dinardo, they discuss the process of adapting the piece for the Melbourne audience, how the cast and crew worked together to present the production in a new light and the challenges of engaging (or not) with reviews.
About this program
Visual art, theatre, film and literature. Segments include:
- 'Art Attack' - fortnightly visual arts reviews with Ace Wagstaff and Tai Snaith.
- 'Shoot the Messenger' - fortnightly theatre news & reviews with Fleur Kilpatrick.
- 'Drawn Out' - monthly chat about comic books and graphic novels with Bernard Caleo.
Please email talks@rrr.org.au for all interview requests.
ABOUT THE PRESENTER
Richard Watts has many years experience working in the arts industry, including five years as the Artistic Director of the youth arts organisation Express Media, seven years on the Board of Melbourne Fringe (including three years as Chair), and six years on the Committee of Management at La Mama Theatre, where he currently serves as Chair. Richard has helped program a range of festivals including Next Wave, the National Young Writers' Festival, the Melbourne Queer Film Festival and the Emerging Writers' Festival (which he founded) and he has written for various broadsheets, journals, zines and magazines. Currently he pays the rent by working as the Performing Arts Editor at www.artshub.com.au. In his spare time he watches old Doctor Who episodes.
The podcast intro and outro theme is Soft Illusion and was generously provided by Andras.
https://andras.bandcamp.com/track/soft-illusion
