Sunday 24 June 2007

HMT will shortly launch a 'Sydney Scene' section to this webpage which will highlight former Canberrans performing on and off the stage in the Big Smoke. So please keep looking here for details. GH's article on Iain Sinclair for The Canberra Times, which details his recent work and future projects, can be read (unedited) in the 'GH Speaks' section of the webpage.

Saturday 2 December 2006

HMT encourages you all to visit Elle Clapham's website at: www.eleanorclapham.blogspot.com where you will discover the amazing work she has been doing exploring the vibrant Vietnamese theatre tradition. It is deserving of your attention and we encourage the multitude of corporate leaders who visit this site to help fund her further artistic endeavours.

HMT also welcomed back GH's mentor Walter Learning from Frederickton, New Brunswick who was in town directing the well-received "I'll be Back Before Midnight" at Canberra Rep. He spoke to one of GH's Year 10 Drama classes and the pair managed to catch up and even plan the start of a writing collaboration based on the life of a Canadian Blues legend.

Lastly, we encourage you all to book a table at Teatro Vivaldi's for New Year's Eve when HMT will reprise its Blues Brothers Soul Sister show. The recenty November charity show for Hartley Lifecare sizzled and the team promise that the night will carry you into 2007 with half a pack of (chocolate) cigarettes, nocturnal sunglasses and a full tank of gas. Make a booking on 6257 2718.

Wednesday 28 December 2005

GH has decided to extend HMT’s theatrical sabbatical into 2006. However, the company will continue with its popular charitable gigs at Radford College and are looking forward to March 5’s Oz Rock Extravaganza (see Homepage) and concocting an ABBA show for later in the year. So bang a boomer-boomerang.

Wednesday 21 December 2005

Friday 15 July 2005

As most have gathered, 2005 is a sabbatical year for HMT. Thanks to those who have expressed concern, interest and befuddlement. However, it is true that HMT will indeed continue to do their charity concerts and are in the throes of organising another wild and wacky night of song and dance for November 5... based on a Queen theme. (Come dressed as a Queen. Or Freddie. Or sport a Brian May wig.) If you've enjoyed the charity nights of times past, please book early as they sell out fairly quickly (only 300 seats available in the TB Millar Hall). Details are on the frontpage of this site - but essentially call 6282 0054 to book a table.
GH has kept busy with his new book "How to Succeed Without Really Winning" being launched on Tuesday 9 August at Radford College Performing Arts Centre at 6.30pm by ABC666's Ross Solly and John Leyshon. For those concerned, interested and befuddled enough to want to know more (or to order a copy), visit his new sports/arts webpage at:

http://users.bigpond.net.au/notjustfooty

Sunday 19 December 2004

Congratulations to Hamish Pritchard for his CAT gong for Best Actor for his unforgettable portrayal of Mugsy in "Dealer's Choice". Hamish and GH performed the first scene (with improvisation) at the Awards Ceremony, where GH also took out Best Supporting Actor in a Musical for his return performance as Pilate in Philo's "Jesus Christ Superstar".

We hope to see you all at Teatro Vivaldi's on New Year's Eve where the gang will be reprising "Return to Yellow Brick Road" for one last hurrah. Oh and keep March 5 free for a Beatlesque night of further fun-and-fund-raising at Radford's TB Millar Hall.

Sunday 21 November 2004

GH would like to thank Sarah, Nick and the entire Cast & Crew for the "Return to Yellow Brick Road" charity night for Canteen last night - as well as the "tiny" dancing crowd of super-supporters. The Radford TB Millar Hall will never be the same again. He will send a cheque to the charity for $4400 which we hope will make some difference.

Tuesday 16 November 2004

GH would like to let you all know that we will be entering a quiet period after this weekend's croc-rockin' "Return to Yellow Brick Road" fund-raising event for Canteen. Plans for "Cider House Rules" have been temporarily shelved as GH is focussing on completing his new book, a quasi-sequel to "Not Just Footy" called "How To Succeed Without Really Winning" while coaching 73 junior futsal sides and planning on losing himself in sport for a year or so. (He will briefly surface to direct "The Wizard of Oz" at Radford College with good friend Ian McLean as Musical Director.)Speaking of Radford, well done to David Clapham whose excellent, sensitive direction of "To Kill a Mockingbird" went largely unheralded - with beautiful performances extracted by Ben Hamey, Muz Clapham and Tallay Wickham; also hats off to Dylan Mordike whose Middle School Spectacular received rave reviews from the people that mattered, hobbits and their parents.Congratulations to our successful nominees for CAT Awards this year: Dealer's Choice: Best Play, Best Set Design (Quentin Mitchell), Best Actor (Hamish Pritchard), Best Supporting Actor (Robert De Fries); Not Just Footy: Best Original Work, Best Supporting Actor (Jake Fraser). Also GH is up for Best Supporting Actor in a Musical for Canberra Philo's "Jesus Christ Superstar". We think that's all. Good luck to all the other nominees in a happening year of theatre.

Friday 20 August 2004

From the August issue of 'artlook':George Huitker's stage adaptation of his book, Not Just Footy, apparently did very well with audience attendance and appreciation at Theatre 3. A warm, commemorative piece about his relationship with his father and ensuing life lessons, this production reminded us of the immense responsibility and value that lie in the shaping of young lives; something that Huitker and Huitker Movement Theatre seem to be doing quite well.artlook, Christ de Jager

Sunday 15 August 2004

GH is happy to announce that the next HMT show will most likely be a stage adaptation of John Irving’s epic “Cider House Rules”. The play is so huge that is will require not only a big cast, but two nights to perform the piece in two parts. We are all looking forward to the challenge of that one. The show will be on in March/April 2005 with a return to movement-oriented experimentation in the second half of the year.Also, in keeping with the company’s charitable bent, GH is equally happy to announce that on Saturday 20/11 you can get on your fancy glasses (and other accoutrements) for a Return to the Yellow Brick Road fund-raising performance for a (yet to be determined) childrens charity. With Kylie Higgins, Matt Frawley, Ian McLean and Phil Simmons already signed up, it looks like it’s going to be a pretty lavish night of croc-rockin’. E-mail GH now if you want to book yourself a table – this one will sell out.HMT are proud to announce that all of the final night's profits for "Not Just Footy", totalling $2700 have been sent to the Susie O'Dwyer fundraisers. Thanks to those who especially attended the show.

Sunday 13 June 2004

I am happy to announce that Opening Night (June 30) for "Not Just Footy" has sold out - a HMT first. Danny Moulis and Jann Lennard will officially launch the (world) premiere, which will be MC-ed by Peter Crimmins - please catch the pre-show celebrations, drinks and nibbles at 6.30pm on June 30, regardless of whether you have tickets or not. We are hoping to fill the following Thursday night show - a 'Radford night' on July 1 - where all tickets are $10 if a) you wear team colours and b) you arrive with someone from Radford (past or present)... If you can't manage that, don't despair, you can get a concession ticket on Footy Friday (July 2) - just come wearing any team colours. If you cannot make either of these nights, the show still happily runs - without nifty bargains - through to June 8.On a more serious note, our closing night will be a fund-raising performance for Susie O'Dwyer. All money raised at the door for this show will go to the O'Dwyer family to assist them as Susie fights her battle with ovarian cancer. There is an additional fund-raising night held at The Ainslie Football Club on Saturday 3rd July 2004, 7pm for 7.30pm, so if you can attend or provide any auction items we at HMT strongly advise you to get behind this cause. For more information have a look at the flyer. (pdf 160kb) Lastly, if you get a chance this week to get over to the ANU to see "Fool for Love" by one of our theatrical god-daddies - Sam Shepard - do so. (HMT has a close affinity with the wonderful, wacky works of Shepard.) Fiona Atkin's production, featuring Steph Brewster and Jerry Hearn, opens on Wednesday 16 June and will show through to Saturday at 8pm at the ANU Arts Centre. We encourage you all to see this fascinating play.Lastly, GH has just returned from Sydney where he saw a wonderful - and different - interpretation of "Dealer's Choice" at the Old Fitzroy Hotel, and was thrilled to get a chance to meet the cast afterwards and compare notes. If you want to catch a show, you better move it (and book quickly). It closes on June 24.

Sunday 2 May 2004

Just to let you all know about a talk Walter Learning is giving on why people who participate in a range of cocurricular activities seem to travel betterS? "ALWAYS THE JOURNEY" - an exploration of the value of cocurricular endeavour, good role models and experiencing life to the fullest in and out of the classroom - will occur at 7.30pm, Monday, 10 May@ Radford College Performing Arts Centre. Supper will be served. Entry by gold coin donation.Also, don't miss the last week of David Clapham's nifty direction of Brecht's "The Caucasian Chalk Circle" (Moonlight Productions) over at the ANU Drama Lab - and while you're at it, cheer for Steph Brewster and Stu Roberts and other notable faces in the cast. I guess that mean Stu might have to miss the short season of his musical "Funktron" at Radford this week under Ben Waters' natty direction. If you're not theatred-out by all that is on at present, Max Gambale makes a formidable appearance off the bench in Miller's "The Crucible" over at the Courtyard Studio with Free-Rain.

Wednesday 17 March 2004

GH joined Mal and Jenny Housten at Canberra Airport to welcome Walter Learning back to Canberra and Theatre 3 – where he first appeared close to 41 years ago. He will be at Rep’s Happy Hour this Friday and is looking forward to catching up with old and potentially new good friends. Please go up and introduce yourself to this approachable, energetic and magnetic human being.Rehearsals for Not Just Footy will begin in earnest next week, just as Dealer’s Choice kicks-off on Wednesday 24 at 8.00pm. While we would love you there at opening night, feel free to book on other nights – whenever suits. The cast recently ran some workshops/scenes at Radford Senior Drama’s Drama Camp and appreciated the feedback of Ben and Nick’s sharply perceptive students.

Monday 22 December 2003

Special and warm congratulations to HMT Cat Award winners: TECHNICAL ACHIEVEMENT - Jan Wawrzynczak, Dylan Mordike and Ben Hamey (Multimedia and effects), Welcome to the Machine; BEST ACTRESS IN A PLAY - Bronwyn Grannall as Annie Wilkes, Misery; to Duncan, Tallay, Jordie and friends for their gong for BEST SCHOOL PLAY - Radford College's "One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest" and Raphael Wong for ACHIEVEMENT for his mammoth and amazing transcription and additional arrangements for 15 piece orchestra and vocal score for "Big, the Musical".And also, well done to our other nominees both for HMT shows and beyond: BEST SET DESIGNER - Gerald Jones and Nick Akhurst, Welcome to the Machine/Quentin Mitchell, Misery; BEST LIGHTING DESIGNER - Marcus Brims, Misery; TECHNICAL ACHIEVEMENT - Matt Herscovitch (Sound) Misery; BEST ORIGINAL WORK - George Huitker, Welcome to the Machine; BEST PLAY - Misery; MOST PROMISING NEW TALENT- Duncan Driver (as Director), One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest for radford; ENSEMBLE - The Kids, Welcome to the Machine; ACTOR IN ANY ROLE IN A SCHOOL MUSICAL - Matt Teran as Old Josh, Big, the Musical for Radford; ACTRESS IN ANY ROLE IN A SCHOOL PLAY - Tallay Wickham as Nurse Ratched, One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest at Radford; BEST SUPPORTING ACTOR IN A PLAY - Duncan Driver as Atkins/Wright/Richards, Gross Indecency, Canberra Repertory Society, Canberra; BEST SUPPORTING ACTRESS IN A PLAY - Andrea Close as Holli, Welcome to the Machine; BEST ACTOR IN A PLAY - George Huitker as Paul Sheldon, Misery; BEST CHOREOGRAPER - Dean Cross, Eliza Percival and team, Big, the Musical for Radford; Dean Cross and George Huitker, Welcome to the Machine; BEST DIRECTOR OF A PLAY Liz Bradley, Misery and My Three Angels for Players Company.As you can tell from this list, the night was a long 'un. And people deserved an award for making it through to the final number. Duncan Driver gets Best Acceptance Speech for 2003. Hope to see yus at 'arry's.

Wednesday 12 November 2003

Those of you who saw or were in 'Welcome to the Machine' might be pleased to know that sculptors from the School of Art raided the junky residue of the set left outside of Theatre 3. There was little left to clear when we arrived with the Anglicare truck this afternoon. (Just that pink kiddies bike and Eliza's manhole.) It makes you feel wholesome that that trash has been re-recycled into something arty once more.

Fans of the paddy-wagon can view it at the Cross' Sutton Ranch for a small admission price. We suspect some bull-terriers are cooling off inside it.

Wednesday 27 August

GH would like to let all HMTers know that Jeane is pumping on four cylinders after a quadruple bypass yesterday. He spoke to her tonight - she's in Ward 6B - and the nurses said she has great teeth and fine lungs. She would like all her family and friends to get regular exercise and eat Heart Foundation approved products. And to break into spontaneous bursts of song at inappropriate moments.

Monday 11 August

After expenses, the Heart Foundation will receive a cheque for $2000 following the Big Heart Benefit Concert on Saturday 9. Audience members have e-mailed us to say it was "the best ten bucks they've spent in a long time" and Jeane Huitker (who also celebrated her 80th at the event) said "It was the nicest night of her life". GH would like to thank all the warm-hearted folk who attended the special evening and the fantastic performers, organisers, promoters and backstage angels. His gift is his song and it was for you. Special mention must go to Sarah Prosser, without whom...

Wednesday 9 July 2003

GH would like to give an early heads-up to people about the BIG HEART benefit concert to be held at Radford College on August 9, 7.30pm. Performers include Sara Carvalho, Kirrily Cornwall, Matt Frawley, Kylie Higgins, GH, Pat Oxley, Dean Salonga and Phil Simmons - to a band led by the maestro Ian McLean. Tickets are $10 a head (and we encourage you to book in tables of 10). Philip O'Brien, the voice of artSOUND will compere the evening. All proceeds go to the Heart Foundation. The night will coincide with Jeane Huitker's 80th birthday - just before she goes in for by-pass surgery herself which will see her through to her 100th...

Monday 7 July 2003

Friday 28 February 2003

Tuesday 28 January 2003

Tuesday 17 December 2002

Liz, Bronwyn and GH got together for the first of the Misery rehearsals and reports suggest GH was already spooked by Grannall. Rehearsals also began at Gorman House earlier in the day for Harry's Christmas; GH is happy to report that Iain Sinclair has not forgotten too much of his epic text and that there will be subtle improvements, alterations and developments in terms of the characterisation, mood and the symbolic use of props. So, yes, see it again and we guarantee you an enhanced Harry-experience.Interviews with George and Iain on Harry's Christmas (Version II) can be heard tomorrow morning (18/12) on 666 2CN in the David Kilby/Chris Uhlmann breaky show and also later in the week (in greater depth) on Artsound, Saturday morning (21/12), in an interview with the silky Phil O'Brien. The show, of course, opens on Sunday 22 and closes Monday 23. Catch it at 6.00 or 9.00pm.

Saturday 14 December 2002

The damage cast are to be congratulated on making a very favourable impression with their segment (despite the rude words) at the start of the second half of the Canberra Area Theatre Awards tonight. The segment proceeded after our receiving an award for Best Original Work for the show. Late late late that evening, GH received the Golden CAT for "Outstanding Work in Many Different Fields". Late late late late that evening, Jeane Huitker filled some merry post-Cat HMT revellers with quiche, cake and coffee. She is to be thanked and adored.

Saturday 7 December 2002

On Wednesday (27/11) the first production meeting was held for Misery and we have assembled a formidable production team for that show indeed. Marcus Brims is back to design lights, Quentin Mitchell to design the intricate set (and he has plans of biblical proportions) and rumour has it Matt Herscovitch will be back in the familiar sound booth (where he will cackle hysterically no doubt). George, Bronwyn, Liz, Sarah and Nick were also there contributing their bits' worth. Be very afraid.Coralie Wood sent word to us that we had a swag of CAT nominations which include: Best Actor in a Play: Duncan Driver (damage) and Iain Sinclair (FourPLAY), Best Director of a Play: George Huitker (damage), Ensemble: Cast (damage & The Learning Curve), Best Original Work: HMT (damage) & Encouragement: Jake River Fraser (damage). Also, HMT has been asked to perform the family sequence from "damage" for the Awards which are held at the Canberra Playhouse on December 14. So we'll be all practising our wooshes and learning our Rushdie in anticipation. Dan Jobson and Carly Jacobs are apparently also appearing doing nifty bits from "Brighton Beach Memoirs" and "West Side Story" respectively.

There is a lot of recent member involvement chronicled in the NOTICEBOARD section and a new end-of-year GH SPEAKS posted entitled "Experiencing Theatre, Experiencing Compassion" - as well as updates in most other sections including REVIEWS, GALLERY and LETTERS. Lastly, you may be interested to know that GH has scripted a one-act play for a Bohemian Productions double-bill to be staged in late January while he's away in the UK getting rained on at soccer fields. It's called "Spitting Image" and it's about lonely parents who need to dance in the rain...

Tuesday 12 November 2002

Congratulations to Iain Sinclair who received a Canberra Critics Circle Award at the A.N.U. Drill Hall Gallery tonight for "...his outstanding performance as the lonely Harry in George Huitker's production of Stephen (sic) Berkoff's play Harry's Christmas.