Performing Arts

Ms BEDFORD (Florey) (15:24): It is my pleasure to report to the house on two examples of how the performing arts contribute to the community. In the most recent case, it was a privilege to attend the penultimate performance of the most recent production of the Marie Clark Musical Theatre Company, last Saturday's matinee of Calamity Jane at the Arts Theatre in Angas Street, by arrangement with Josef Weinberger Ltd.

I am honoured to be co-patron, along with Peter Goers OAM, of this wonderful group now in its 40^th year. Marie Clark was a highly-regarded teacher of singing and piano in the Tea Tree Gully area who established a concert party of her pupils and singers to entertain charity groups such as Legacy, the Red Cross and schools. The group presented its first major stage show in 1974 called Trial by Jury and have subsequently continued to perform shows each year.

My congratulations go to all involved this year: director Ben Stefanoff was ably complemented by musical director, his wife, Kristin Stefanoff and her 13 piece orchestra in their first husband and wife collaboration. Choreographer Rachel Dow rounds out the three principals in the creative team, assisted by superb individuals in each of their areas (too many to name here) in the wider creative team and, of course, a great technical crew.

The cast were, as Ben said in his director's notes, perfect in their roles. Leads Tegan Gully as Calamity and Andrew Crispe as Wild Bill were more than able to present the full depth of their characters with fine singing and acting and were ably supported by Leah Potter as Katie and Damien Quick as Danny, with an excellent support cast, including Mason Willis, Georgia Bolton, Doug Phillips, Sophia Dimopoulos, Tanya Grabis, Sean Hilton, Jamie Wright, Ashleigh McFadden, Buddy Dawson, and more than a dozen players in the ensemble.

Whether because of the fine performances by the Marie Clark Musical Theatre or the universal appeal of the Sammy Frain/Paul Francis Webster music and lyrics, this version of the perennial musical western adapted by Ronald Hamner and Phil Park from the stage play by Charles K. Freeman (after the Warner Bros film written by James O'Hanlon) was a fantastic performance enjoyed by all in attendance.

There were many highlights in the show and it was a tremendous credit to all involved. I hope the season was well supported by the many devoted fans of this wonderful company, enjoying a resurgence of vitality both on stage and behind the scenes. Many hands made light work of this polished performance and season. I draw everyone's attention to the next production of this fine theatre company: Young Frankenstein at the Goodwood Institute, with performances from 31 October to 8 November. Please refer to their website www.marieclark.asn.au for full details. I look forward to seeing everyone who enjoys musical theatre of a high standard at that time.

The other example is a cultural event that occupies a significant spot on the annual calendar of many young jazz devotees and instrumentalists from schools all over Australia who take part in Generations in Jazz, which takes over Mount Gambier each year in May.

Congratulations again go to Karen Roberts and the board of Generations in Jazz and everyone who makes this such a special event; the dozens of volunteers and service club personnel, themselves volunteers, who make sure that the hundreds of visitors are well cared for at this three-day extravaganza. James Morrison is again to be congratulated for all he does, bringing along Gordon Goodwin and the Big Phat Band from the US, special guests Rai Thistlethwayte and Marian Petrescu, Idea of North and Ross Irwin. They all ensured that the standard was high again this year.

Thanks go to the sponsors: The Pat Corrigan Musicians and Arts Fund, along with a very big list, including the City of Mount Gambier, the District Council of Grant, the Scott Group of Companies, Stuckeys, OGR, the Australian Piano Warehouse, Winston Music, the Barn, ABC Jazz, James Morrison Enterprises, Schaegerl Instruments and MGA Insurance Brokers. I note that the government of the United States of America was involved this year. There were many other dozens of local businesses involved in making it a great weekend.

There are now five divisions in the contests. Division 1 had 10 bands, and that was won by Blackburn High School from Victoria; Marryatville High came second, our own South Australian school; and Northcote High in Victoria came third. Division 2 had 27 bands: first place went to Caulfield Grammar in Victoria; second again to Marryatville High School from South Australia; and South Australia's Prince Alfred College came third. Division 3 has two sections. Section 1 had 21 bands, which was won by Prince Alfred College in South Australia, Marryatville High in South Australia came second and Eltham High in Victoria came third.

Division 3.2 had 23 bands, and that was won by Yarra Valley Grammar, Concordia in South Australia came second and Wilderness School came third. Division 4 had 25 bands: Prince Alfred College in South Australia won that, second place went to Eltham High in Victoria and third place went to Bendigo South East Secondary College.

My own interest on this weekend was Modbury High School, which was conducted by its musical director, Ms Rosie Carr, and they placed very well in division 3.1. I was accompanied down to Mount Gambier by their principal Martin Rumsby, several teaching staff and specialist music teachers. Our thanks must go to all the music teachers in the department, particularly the specialist teachers, for their dedication to our students.