So, what about the good old reliable London black taxi?

New York is famous for those mustard yellow cabs that cater for all the busy city-goers and late-night stragglers roaming around the city. The London alternative are these no less iconic black, boxy time capsules fit for your turn of the century English gentleman.

With doors that open backwards, seats that face inwards and enough room in the back to stash a spare bale of hay, there’s no doubting these cabs, while modern, are an ultra cool blast from the past. But while great to get your Instagram on, they certainly don’t come cheap, so unless you’ve got a bit of cash to throw around or there’s a gang of you, they’re probably not your wisest way home when it comes to your purse.

Of course, if money is not the issue (no, we’re not at all jealous) then do at least mind the front door. Most black cabs don’t have a passenger seat, just a door, and drivers tend to get antsy if you try opening it even if all you’re meaning to do is ride shotgun. Just get in the back.

Or take a pedal powered rickshaw

At the other end of the price scale, but equally as photo friendly, are rickshaws. It’s just like taking a romantic horse and carriage ride through Hyde Park except that instead of a carriage you’ve got a two by four on some wheels, and instead of a set of thoroughbreds and a whipped up driver you’ve got a muscular man on a bike. Oh and did I mention you’ll be weaving your way through London’s never-ending traffic?

But rickshaws are load of fun especially if you happen to flag down a seriously pimped-out one – how do gold plates, zebra-print seats and blaring music sound for your ride home? Price is usually negotiable.

With Cameron Jenkins

IMAGE: Via Pixabay

The post In the era of Uber, you still cant beat London’s black cabs for cool appeared first on Australian Times News.

1) It’s easy being pale

One of my favourite things about living in London is that you don’t need to justify being pale. With the bleach-blond caramel-skinned stereotype that precedes Aussies abroad, it’s hard not to raise eyebrows if you’re naturally pale skinned and perhaps a little too melanoma conscious. Thankfully this city provides you with the ultimate cover, just drop a sneaky, “I live in London,” and all questions turn to sympathetic nods.

2) 50 shades of grey

Besides feeling free to sport a worrying lack of tan, London is also a great excuse for dressing along the grey scale. Some people just don’t suit the bright colours and floral patterns popular back in Australia. The problem is that when you live by the beach you can’t exactly step out in blacks, navys and charcoals without being accused of being a Goth or part of a funeral party. Happily this problem disappears against London’s grey skyline where we actually see the tables turn — after all a bright yellow sun dress and Havaianas can’t help but seem a little awkward in an 18 degree summer.

3) You don’t have to be normal

That said, I don’t want to discourage any die-hard “flip-flop” wearing fanatics; another problem solved by moving to London is that anything goes. From whole-face piercings to tattoos and thigh-high lace-up boots, green tinged hair and only half shaved heads; nothing is too crazy for this city. There are just so many people and so much diversity that there is no normal, so even if you were used to looking like the local circus sideshow back home, it’s hard to feel out of place here.

4) Makeup longevity

Another huge bonus that comes with London is one I’m sure all you ladies will enjoy: your makeup stays on longer! It’s far-fetched but I assure you I’m not off my rocker. Away from the blistering Australian sun, there’s no fear that makeup will sweat off throughout the day, meaning no more runny eyeliner or blotchy foundation — halleluiah! It’s also true that if you live by the coast or anywhere rural, you tend to attract unwelcome glances if you head out during the day with even a touch of smoky eye or dark lippie. Thanks to London’s gloomy backdrop and alternative scene, you can go as over the top as you like and if you’re lucky, even pass as “fashion forward”.

5) Sweet excuses

My last but probably most cherished London solution comes from the cold. It does cause a few problems in itself, but the cold weather makes the perfect cover for indulging in those guilty sweet treats, and I’ve been caught more than once scoffing down a sticky toffee pudding for lunch. Don’t judge, it was cold out!

TOP IMAGE: Library image via Pixabay

The post The five real reasons living in London is actually pretty great for Aussie expat women appeared first on Australian Times News.

A typically London problem are those troublesome, unwelcome housemates — of the furry variety. The city is teeming with mice (cue shudder).

Mice on the street or in the underground tunnels can even, with time, be borne. Having to share your flat with them, however, is a whole other beast. Of course it’s a problem that doesn’t faze many native Londoners; a nosy little fluff-ball scampers across their kitchen floor and they hardly bat an eyelid. Unfortunately, I could not build up such a tolerance.

Sightings, however rare, of these city dwellers always reduced me to a trembly, whimpering mess. That’s right, I’m that kind of person who jumps up onto the nearest chair and squeals and points and does nothing to resolve the situation.

The plus side to all this (yes, there is one) is that although some properties have mice, very few have bugs. The occasional blowfly in summer or moth in winter is all you usually have to endure which definitely makes a refreshing change to the live zoo of insects and creepy-crawlies we’re used to Down Under.

Living in my part of Sydney it was not uncommon to wake up and find a fist-size hairy huntsman had taken up post on my kitchen ceiling. I get the idea that mice are just as harmless (at the end of the day they’re not poisonous, dangerous or deadly in the way many native Australian creatures are), but they just give me the creeps. It probably has something to do with the fact that you can’t exactly squash them or reach for your trusty can of bug spray — it’s unfamiliar territory.

Rodents are non-negotiable

There are all sorts of techniques around to cleanse your house of rodents, my favourite solution has always been to move. Mice are definitely something to be wary of when looking for a rental property and were high on my list of non-negotiables.

When house hunting always kept an eye out for mice traps and avoided gardens at all costs.

“We’re dealing with the mouse problem” is not good enough, if you can’t stand anything hairy that moves, make sure they don’t have any before signing on the dotted line.

The post London is teeming with mice, you have been warned appeared first on Australian Times News.

By no means am I intending to reduce a rich and vibrant culture to simple stereotype, but the last thing I expected when travelling through Switzerland was to be greeted with a “Buongiorno Signorina.”

Lugano is Switzerland’s Italian capital, and while showcasing an unexpectedly Mediterranean flair and boasting some of the most spectacular views in Europe, it’s no wonder this delightful crossroads of cultures is the go-to destination when the Swiss themselves need a holiday.

Nestled between towering snow-capped mountains and the depths of a pristinely blue lake, Lugano is situated in the nation’s only Italian speaking canton. With the influence of the language and architecture of their neighbours to the south, Lugano has all the charm of a small Italian town, minus the pigeon filled piazzas, unsightly potholes and general crumbly decline.

But comparisons aside, what makes Lugano such an intriguing holiday destination are the inviting passageways that wind their way through its historical centre. As you make your way deeper into the heart of the city, it becomes apparent that behind the immaculate exterior of spotless streets and punishingly punctual public transport, lies a bustling melting pot of culture, elegance, good food and better chocolate.

Littered with colourful fresh fruit stalls and big brand fashion houses, Lugano’s city centre is an interesting mix of rustic meets luxury that would tickle the fancy of high end and humble shoppers alike. Blocked off to traffic, the streets are free to be wandered in absolute tranquillity, allowing you to better appreciate the sights, smells and unique sounds of the local vendors.

Away from the patisseries and fine chocolatiers, various water sports are on offer by the lake, while the surrounding mountainsides hold no shortage of amusements for the more outdoor-inclined traveller. One of Lugano’s tallest peaks, Monte Bre, holds the happy title of the sunniest mountain in Switzerland. One thousand metres above sea level at its summit, it offers spectacular views over Lake Lugano and the Alps, and lucky hikers may even catch a glimpse of the rare Christmas Rose that grows on its slopes.

Whether visited in the full bloom of spring or the depths of a snowy winter, the culture-rich centre and captivating natural beauty of this southern Swiss city make it an absolute must-see for travellers making their way through Europe.

TOP IMAGE: Church of San Lorenzo, Monte Bre, Lugano, Switzerland (Adege/Pixabay)

The post Lugano: the deliciously Italian flavoured slice of Switzerland appeared first on Australian Times News.

The million-dollar question though: Something second-hand or new?

Second-hand scores in London

Markets
Markets are second-hand goldmines full of unique goodies to give your home that old-world feel. The only downside is most of the ornate nineteenth century mirrors and intricately carved wooden tables tend to be priced outside of a bargain hunter’s budget. But just like Antiques Roadshow, there’s bound to be a few affordable treasures.

Gumtree
Gumtree and other such websites are also worth hitting up if you’ve got your heart set on something second hand, but do bear in mind that going down this path inevitably means you’ll have to pick up the already assembled furniture yourself. This isn’t always easy to manoeuvre on the London Tube.

Charity shops
Another cheap and possibly less traumatic solution would be to try your neighbourhood charity shop as they usually have a selection, however haphazard, of furniture. Do thoroughly clean anything you pick up. Bed bugs can be a problem so think twice before saving on a mattress!

Hand-me-downs
Although wax furniture polishing up a painstakingly found treasure can be  incredibly satisfying, nothing beats some good old fashioned hand-me-down furniture. It’s definitely worth asking around so if any friends of friends just happen to be leaving town, you can try to beg, plead or bribe your way into inheriting some second hand pieces.

Bargain buys

Of course if something old or something borrowed is not on the cards, London also has great options for a little something new that won’t necessarily break the bank.

Let me introduce you to Argos and Ikea, your new best friends! Ikea, as just about everybody already knows, is a haven of low-cost flat-packed goodies, but this is not a one horse town and if you haven’t already discovered it, Argos is Ikea’s less glamorous but more convenient, more local and more affordable sibling.

There are no excuses for cardboard furniture with Argos around. But don’t get too hasty, this is not Ikea in miniature. Argos is not like any other shopfloor where you walk around and look at the products before selecting them; it’s a tiny (or not, in some cases) store filled with catalogues and a counter. What you do is flick through the catalogues to find the product you like, then take the product code to the pick-up counter where you get a flat-packed box in exchange. Genius, huh?

Due to their massive size, the Ikeas in London are located outside the centre of the city, whereas Argos’s space saving service allows them to be placed on just about every High Street.

But whether or not your nearest store is in walking distance or a short flight away, if you’re buying many things or anything heavy, go for home delivery. Both chains offer a delivery service for a small additional fee which trust me, is well worth your while. It’s a real pain in the a– to lug large, heavy and difficult-to- carry items on public transport, especially at peak hour or when you’ve got a sizeable walk home from the Tube. If you can get it delivered, get it delivered!

TOP IMAGE:  Via Pixabay

The post Kitting out your new London digs: should you go new or second hand? appeared first on Australian Times News.

English weather is, of course, notoriously bad; the gloomy skies, endless winter and incessant rain is certainly a far cry from the beautiful sun kissed shores of our homeland. But we knew what we were in for before we signed on, so let’s not linger on how miserable it can be.

What surprised me most when I first arrived in Blighty is that the infamous English rain is actually really pissy. Equipped with wellies and a heavy duty raincoat I’d been prepared for utter downpours, but that’s just not the case. What you get instead is that dull sprinkling, so thin you can hardly see it, but persistent enough to soak you through if you dare stay out for any measurable period of time.

So then we come to the recurring problem: how to stay dry? Unfortunately taking to the streets every day in your bright yellow poncho and knee-high galoshes is too embarrassing an option to consider, so we fall back on the good old fashioned brolly – friend of the Englishmen for aeons.

But umbrellas are a cumbersome day-to-day addition to your handbag, not to mention an extra thing to remember to keep on your person. Those umbrella buckets at the entrance of shops and restaurants are nothing short of death traps. They may as well be labelled “umbrella donations” for the amount left there on overcast days.

Umbrellas also make it incredibly difficult to navigate your way through a high street full of raised brollies that batter you from every angle as you politely try to make your way through the crowd.

Even though we do traditionally imagine the portrait of an English gentleman wielding a 48-inch, neatly gathered navy brolly, it doesn’t accurately depict the reality on the streets. The average Joe doesn’t bother with a weighty umbrella, their way is to just get wet. As soon as the heavens open, they pull a hood over their heads and soldier on. Unless it’s truly bucketing, London locals leave their brollies at home.

TOP IMAGE: Via LondonSLR / Flickr.com

The post Living in gloomy, rainy London: umbrellas vs hoodies? appeared first on Australian Times News.

WHILE Aussie darlings Kylie and Dannii have been racking up countless accolades around the globe, a third Minogue sister has been tethering on the cusp of stardom, just waiting for her time to shine!

Erin Minogue, the younger, less charming, and completely fictional sister of two of Australia’s most iconic songstresses, is hitting the London cabaret scene this Australia Day weekend. Her show, “On A Night Like This: The Erin Minogue Experience,” will feature some of Kylie and Dannii’s most loved numbers, as it takes audiences on a musical journey retelling the wholly untrue story of the life unled of the third Minogue sister.

Fresh from Tasmania’s Festival of Voices, Erin will be in town for a three-night only, Australia Day spectacular. Australian Times caught up with “Erin”, brainchild of producer Duncan Ray, one time Neighbours writer Christopher Gist, and colleague Paul Kooperman, for a candid interview about growing up in the shadows of her sisters’ fame and why she thinks the world doesn’t need another Minogue.

What’s it like being the younger sister of two of Australia’s biggest pop icons?

It’s like amazing. Seeing them go from rags (no offence Mum) to riches. They’re rich and I’m…so proud of everything they’ve done. It’s complicated too – some people try to put them down, but Kylie won a French knighthood, which is one of the best you can get, and Dannii’s still an Etihad Ambassador I believe, which is a bit like an Arabian knighthood. I do miss them though. They’re so busy now.

So you’re in London to see them?

Yes, but it’s a secret, so please don’t print this: I’ve come to bring them home to Australia. They’ve been away so long, they probably won’t even recognize me. I think Dannii’s visa renewal is dependent on the success of her next album. Of course, that’s still pending. And Kylie’s excited about her UK tour, which is dependent on the success of her latest relationship. Also pending.

But you’re also putting on a show while you’re here, are you looking to make a name for yourself in the UK?

No, I’m not here to steal Kylie or Danni’s limelight, if that’s what you’re asking. I’ve satisfied that urge. I run a fame school back home. You can teach fame, but not talent. Or success. But success isn’t for everyone, is it? Which is what my show’s about: a detailed diary of our unparalleled childhood together, and fame and success. It’s nice to revisit some of the old hits too. But no, I don’t think the world needs another Minogue.

What was it like growing up in the Minogue household?

Let’s just say the house was alive with the sound of music. And we made clothes together — Gran was a skilled seamstress. And Dad was amazing – he really got behind us all, a great spotter of talent. It seemed like we all had demo EPs recorded before we could crawl. But it was Dad who encouraged me to do way more with my life than singing.

So were you also on TV or doing music growing up?

Well, yes. No. Not on TV.  The girls were instant stars at everything, but I fluffed a move in an audition. I have been teaching very cool grapevines ever since at the Erin Minogue Fame School: www.erinminoguefameschool.net …as for music — yes, I download heaps for free.

It’s your first visit to London, what are you looking forward to?

Well top of my list is to get the new Nigella book — if only to support her. I’ve read about the poor thing and I reckon she needs my £20. Also I had enough of my friends who did OEs coming home with all their fancy shiny London stuff years ago, so now it’s my turn. I’ll also be working on my Playstation tan while I’m over to show off during Aussie summer.

Tell us about the venue you are playing?

All I know is that it’s called BL-NK and it’s in Shoreditch, and it used to be a warehouse. I told my mum and she said, ‘don’t tell dad you’re working in a warehouse again!’. However, everyone in Shoreditch said it’s where Shakespeare started. I’ve loved London from afar for so long – it’s just so full of unexpected history.

You can catch “Erin” and her antics from Friday, 24 January, to Sunday, 26. More information is available at , early bird tickets can be purchased from £7.50.

The post Erin who? The third Minogue sister hits London’s cabaret scene appeared first on Australian Times News.

TRYING to save an extra buck you jump on the cheapest flight of the day, only to realise after you’ve purchased the ticket it leaves at five in the morning. The mental calculator starts ticking; got to be there two hours early so three am, plus an hour and a half on the coach, 45 minutes to get to the coach station and 15 minutes to walk to my local bus stop. So I basically have to leave home at half past midnight — guess I’ll be spending my first day in Barcelona in bed.

One of the best things about living in London is that it’s a porthole to the rest of Europe and plenty of amazing holiday destinations. Unfortunately we can’t just snap our fingers and find ourselves on a banana chair soaking up the sun, mojito in hand; and that’s where the problems start.

Those cheap EasyJet and RyanAir flights are oh so tempting, but what you save in pounds is usually paid for in trouble as many of the best deals leave at the most god-awful hours. Most EasyJet flights leave from Gatwick and RyanAir from Stansted, both are outside London so unfortunately your weekly pass won’t be coming to the rescue.

There are a selection of coach services that go to Gatwick and Stansted costing you anywhere between £2 and £10. But depending on where you get on, you might have to allow two hours plus to get to the airport. So considering how close things are in Europe, if you choose to take a coach, it might well take you longer to get to the airport than to fly to your destination. Unless you have plenty of spare time on your hands, enjoy a leisurely drive through the countryside or live on the outskirts of London, coaches are probably not your best option.

For a much faster and less traffic dependent route, go by train. I’m sure you’re already familiar with the Gatwick and Standsted Expresses, seeing as you can’t type “airport” without being redirected to their websites. The Gatwick Express leaves from London Bridge and Victoria, and the Stansted from Liverpool Street or Tottenham Hale. Both take anywhere from half an hour to 50 minutes to arrive, with one way fares setting you back around £20.

Your other, much less advertised and just as swift option, are companies such as Southern Railway or First Capital Connect, which leave from the same stations and will get you to Gatwick from as little as £8. The choice is yours. Prices vary so do consult their websites.

Charging through the airport, suitcase clamouring behind you, coat, scarf and other accessories (that wouldn’t fit into said suitcase) billowing away, isn’t the most attractive situation to be finding yourself in when they announce your final boarding call. Taking a train instead a coach could well save you over an hour in journey time but no matter how you get there, always leave plenty of leeway to avoid getting caught out!

For more advice on getting where you need to go, check out Bianca’s new book, An Aussie’s Survival Guide to London; tackling the little problems for newcomers to London.

The post A timely departure | How to get to London’s airports appeared first on Australian Times News.

Finding a place to live is challenging anywhere in the world, but back home you’ve got friends and family to lend you a couch when in need and help you with the big move when the time comes around. Not the case (for most) in London town.

Add in the extremely competitive market, need to find a flat near to public transport, sky-high costs and general poor quality of what’s on offer and you have yourself a real handful.

Finding a nice place to live is a full-time job and you’ve got to be on your toes if you want to bag something good. Whether you stalk an Apple Store, swap mocha-choca-lattes for free wifi at Starbucks, or sweet-talk your way into an internet café owner’s heart, do what you gotta do to hook yourself up to a computer and get the search underway. After all, how long can you stay in your 13-share dorm before a park bench starts looking like a viable option.

First things first. Do yourself a favour and always sort properties from newest to oldest. Things move quickly in this town so if you find something you like, jump on it, or somebody else will.

When you’ve got your eye on a particular property, it’s always useful to aim to be the first person to view it, because if the place is worth taking it’ll be taken on the first viewing.

I was so eager to secure my studio flat in South London I said yes just as soon as I walked in the door. The agent led me into the bedroom — which didn’t contain the kitchen — and I dropped an excited, “I’ll take it!” A tad hasty I agree, but how often do you come across a well-priced studio where you don’t sleep in front of your stove?

Another very London problem are old buildings. From the outside they add to the historic scenery and old-world charm of the city, on the inside however, they’re often dank and dark, have cracked ceilings, jammed windows and rusty pipes. There can be many issues with old buildings so make sure you ask the right questions when checking one out. It’s also important to have a flexible landlord who understands the building is old and that some things may need to be fixed or replaced during your stay.

Also if a long hot shower is not a negotiable point for you, don’t go for a ground floor flat in an old building. Old piping systems favour higher apartments and water only trickles down to the ground floor often leading to lukewarm low-pressure showers. So unless you intend on reaching for the hose every time you need to wash your hair, ask the current tenants or have a sneaky test while visiting the place.

For other hints and ‘how to’s’ for getting around London, check out Bianca’s new book, “An Aussie’s Survival Guide to London” from talktraveltome.com; tackling the little problems for newcomers to London.

The post Welcome to the (rental) jungle appeared first on Australian Times News.

MOST Aussies take a sizeable pay cut when moving to London. It’s comforting to reason that what you lack in funds is usually made up for in the culture and excitement of the big city, not to mention having the rest of Europe on your doorstep. Unfortunately these things do little to console a grumbling tummy when lunchtime rolls around, so finding a good feed that won’t break the bank becomes a number one priority for penny pinching Aussies in London.

What’s great about this city is that there are plenty of chain eateries that sell cheap, ready-to-go food with a more simple and natural approach to the traditional American fast food chains. There’s no excuse for McDonald’s when Eat, Prêt and Leon are around! We’re all familiar with their toasted warps and rolls, hot soups, sandwiches and salads which make a great bite when you’re on the run. However, if your heart — like mine — only beats for Asian food, there are only so many stingily served Peking duck wraps you can handle before you start to crave something a little more authentic.

Itsu and Wasabi are the Asian chain take away alternatives at the same end of the scale. I wish I could put in a good word for their selection of sushi, but they really are shrivelled, miserable looking things compared to those big, juicy rolls we’re used to munching on back home. Plus when you add a drink and some wasabi flavoured chips, the price really starts to add up, and I often feel I’d get a better deal sitting down to yum cha for one. That said, when the itch comes in and Chinatown’s nowhere in sight, they’re the next best thing.

If you’re after something cheaper still, make a bee-line for your local supermarket or Boots which usually have a selection of pre-made sandwiches, rolls and wraps on offer. For the ultimate bargain, you can opt for a “meal deal”; it’ll normally set you back around £5 and includes a sandwich of some description, a drink of your choice and a packet of chips or small bag of fruit.

Of course a cold sanga doesn’t appeal to everyone, and there is another warmer option that shouldn’t set you back too much more. London is littered with little takeaway chicken shops that sell super cheap, deep-fried low-grade chicken and chips. Everything is ultra spicy, so it’ll definitely warm your cockles, but I wouldn’t recommend it for the faint hearted. Who needs KFC when you’ve got a PFC (Perfect Fried Chicken), HFC (Halal Fried Chicken), Dixie Chicken, Chicken Cottage or Chicken Palace around just about every corner?

These eateries are usually very small and basic and do attract a rather suspicious clientèle. However, they’re not so bad if you’re desperately hungry, need a quick lunch and have recently thrown out all respect for your health.

For more information on where to get good, cost-effective grub in London, check out my new book, “An Aussie’s Survival Guide to London”; tackling the little problems for newcomers to London. Available from talktraveltome.com. 

The post Best cheap eats on the go in London appeared first on Australian Times News.

The narrative follows a young, poverty stricken mother, Amber Murray, who advertises her baby for temporary care in the belief he will have a better life. Her baby is sought out by the wealthy “baby-farmers” family, the Makins, but Amber is soon driven by suspicion and desperation to hunt down the illusive couple when she is continually denied access to her child.

Set in central Sydney at the close of the nineteenth century, the musical is inspired by one of the most shocking court cases to occur in Australian history. Not to worry though, this isn’t typical Australiana and you won’t be berated by badly disguised or overtly Aussie accents.

Tucked away between the winding streets of Camberwell, far from the bright lights of the East End, the Blue Elephant Theatre provides a perfectly intimate setting for the show. The dimly-lit theatre is shrouded in a blanket of haze from the moment you walk in, giving the impression you’re literally stepping through the mists of time to a much darker, drearier age.

The stage is completely bare, broken by a semi-transparent curtain and furnished only with a couple of rickety wooden chairs. The dense fog adds a depth to the shadowy backdrop which is pierced by single spotlights. The intensity is only diffused by the mist that bathes the stage in a soft glow.

The direction exhibits a strong influence of physical theatre, using bodies as a form of expression to create an element of dynamism to the otherwise static set. The unchanging lighting, backdrop and overall tone of the musical does lead it to the edge of tedium at points, but the monotony is mostly broken by the physicality of the performance.

The quite substantial cast fill the stage adding movement and confusion to build tension, and empty it to accentuate themes of loneliness and destitution. At other times actors gather in the background, emerging through the fog in a dance-like trance, like phantoms haunting the stage.

The excellent blocking and use of freezes throughout the entire show create picturesque scenes that beg to be photographed at every turn.

Gemma Beaton gives an inspired performance as Amber Murray, portraying the very human side to the young mother’s plight. Vocals in the predominantly female cast were strong overall, with a lone piano providing the backing to the generally quite moving musical pieces.

Some numbers, such as “Puddles”, are less lyrically inspired than others, with lines such as “puddles are just puddles, when you look at them you’ll find they can never really hurt you”, seeming a tad juvenile considering the gravity of the context.

The Hatpin is a haunting and incredibly emotive tale of motherhood, suspicion and doubt, true friendship and the pursuit of justice. This musical is a must-see for theatre enthusiasts, so if you’re up for a trip to South-East London, don’t miss this show.

The Hatpin is playing at the Blue Elephant Theatre in Camberwell until 24 November. See www.greenwichtheatre.org.uk for tickets.

Nearest tube: Oval (Northern Line)

(Images: Adam Trigg)

The post REVIEW | The Hatpin appeared first on Australian Times News.

LET ME briefly introduce EastEnd Cabaret’s ultra egos: there’s primadonna Bernadette Bryne, the glamorous and excessively flirtatious primary vocalist, and Victor Victoria (affectionately ‘Victy’), half-man half-woman, monstrously in love with afore mentioned Bernadette to whom she provides all manner of musical accompaniment.

Victy, blinded by a passionate yearning for the lovely Bernadette and bearing the scars of a difficult adolescence — during which half her body developed some distinctly masculine features — finds comfort in the Cabaret’s welcoming audiences.

“Luckily, most people are willing to embrace me (sometimes literally) for who I am. In fact, many people seem to find my half-and-halfness pretty attractive!”

Apart from the occasional wildly infatuated fan, it would seem the greatest challenge facing communist hermaphrodites in today’s society is clothing.

“As a bilateral hermaphrodite (my right side is male, my left is female), I usually have to buy two outfits, and try to stick them together somehow. This involves a lot of needle-pricked fingers and heartache. And safety pins, when I get lazy.”

Coping with the difficulties commonly attached to a gender confused body, Victy spent a good deal of her adolescence buried in numerous readings of Marx and Engels.

“As a budding teenager, dealing with some very unique physical changes (and obsessing over Bernadette, my one true love and soul mate) my communist readings taught me that everybody is equal, despite first appearances.

“But after hiding out in my room for days on end, I realised that Engels had also said that ‘an ounce of action is worth a ton of theory’. So I left my room, and chased Bernadette to Europe. So, this is the mantra that everybody should remember – no matter how freakish you might think you are. We need to stop hiding away in garrets, lusting after cabaret divas — it’s time to take action!”

And so she prepared to leave Australia in search of her lost love. Meanwhile, on the other side of the globe, the lusted after diva in question was busy selling her skills in the dirty taverns and darkened alleys of Paris.

“Victy and I have known each other since we were children, and I have been trying to get rid of her for years. I did manage it for a while, when I was travelling Europe with my ukulele. In the end, I did get tired of playing only the same five songs (my ukulele skills are somewhat limited) and decided I needed an accompanist. Victy would always do anything for me.”

Once reunited, the couple moved to London and made the East End their home, exploiting the fact a lover of Bernadette’s left his bed-sit “unaccompanied”, and they have been performing their dark and slightly bizarre brand of Cabaret, ever since.

Throughout their shows, the duo have exhibited a particular talent for corrupting the meaning of popular songs. Having performed dirty covers of singles from Radiohead, Britney Spears, John Lennon and Jimmy Barnes, I couldn’t help but ask where they draw inspiration for their colourful songs.

“We are inspired by life, darling.” Bernadette answered with charm.

“We write about funny things that happen to us, or our closest friends. The things that people won’t talk about until they’ve had one too many gins.”

But with dirtier and more explicitly sexual lyrics wheedling their way into contemporary pop music, the pair are having to change their tact.

“You are right darling, contemporary pop is dirty enough. At the moment we are writing more and more original songs – crazy things just keep happening to us!”

But after a run-in with the ‘queen of crazy’, Bernadette is having to keep a low profile. She is no longer on speaking terms with Lady Gaga after she chose her own Victy above the pop rock princess as her accomplice for the EastEnd show.

“Of course there are some tensions, but I know that I made the right choice. Victy plays a much more extensive range of instruments – accordion, violin, piano, musical saw, the kazoo… and also doesn’t arrive for performances dressed entirely in meat. Victy is just much better for the show, but don’t tell her I said that.”

In their recent tour Down Under, the pair very much enjoyed corrupting the innocence of their Australian audiences.

“Australia was absolutely delightful; perhaps a little more conservative than London at first, but there’s nothing that a song about ping pong ball shenanigans won’t fix.”

“We recruited many wonderful Aussies to our Half-Moustache Army in Adelaide and Melbourne — as you’ll agree, a half-moustache is a distinguished addition to any outfit or occasion.”

But despite the various delights involved in taking their raunchy cabaret act to Oz, the comedy duo are glad to be back in London.

“London is our home, and audiences here are fabulously louche and open to anything from danger-wanking to the phenomenon of camel-toe. We are very excited about our upcoming shows at the London Wonderground on the Southbank,”

Victy adding with gusto, “…and we’ll be handing out more half-moustaches to swell the ranks of the army — join us!”

Bernadette in particular is very much looking forward to their upcoming London shows in the Wonderground’s spectacularly fitted out Spiegeltent.

“I have always wanted to perform in a Spiegeltent, ever since I was a little girl. Victy and I had our first Spiegeltent experience at the Adelaide Fringe Festival this year where we won the ‘Best Cabaret Award’ and were invited to perform with the fabulous ‘La Soiree’. The Priceless London Wonderground is going to be absolutely stunning.”

The pair will be accompanied in the Spiegeltent by their Mao inspired sexual activist, Mr Little Red Book, who makes frequent appearances on their shows as he attempts to bring about a sexual revolution.

“Mr Little Red Book belonged to Bernadette’s father. He had seemingly used this copy of Mao’s handbook as a hiding place for some slightly… sexier reading materials, including a well-thumbed pamphlet on various deviant behaviours. An excellent influence —since Mr Little Red Book was transformed into a small hand puppet, he has advocated and educated our audiences on sexual practices such as the Fidel Fruit Bowl and the Trotsky Tickle. His methods are the way forward into the sexual revolution — you have nothing to lose but your chains (and your innocence)!”

Back in London for only three shows, the EastEnd Cabaret promises to “shock, arouse and enlighten”.

Don’t miss them at the London Wonderground on the Southbank on 24 May, 22 June & 26 July. For more information visit EastEndCabaret.com

The post Aussie Cabaret duo shock and arouse London’s EastEnd appeared first on Australian Times News.

Michael, I can’t help but ask — what’s Bruce Willis like?
“Bruce is an amazing legend in Hollywood— think film royalty. I truly don’t think Bruce Willis was meant to do anything else in life!”

Is he as intimidating in person as he appears on screen?
“It’s not intimidating — when Bruce Willis is on set, the atmosphere is electric!”

And I believe you had scenes with Sigourney Weaver as well. She’s another Hollywood veteran, what was it like working with her?
“Sigourney possesses a great sense of calm, she helps you be at ease before you work; a truly amazing actor to work with and even to be around. Again, film royalty.”

Considering some of the biggest A-list movie names are Aussie: Hugh Jackman, Russell Crowe, Cate Blanchett,  Sam Worthington; it looks as though Australians are very much sought after in Hollywood.  What sort of demand do you think there is for actors from Down Under at the moment?
“There’s been an Aussie explosion in Hollywood over the past couple of years. Australia has a good tradition in the arts and Aussies have a real outgoing and friendly attitude towards business — and of course, the Aussies find it a bit easier to do an American accent than the Brits!

“I envision that Australian actors will start to form a huge percentage of the Hollywood film community in the near future, if they don’t already.”

Before you started making films in Hollywood, you moved from your Eastern Sydney home to London in search of career opportunities. Would you say London was the platform from which you launched your career?
“Yes, I would. I felt a lack of opportunities for me in Australia at that time. The great Laurence Fishburne once said to me, ‘If you want to be actor, you should go to the UK and learn Shakespeare’, which I have now had the chance to do with the best in London. But I must admit, I had to get grips with the pace and increased competition in London, I started off a little slow.”

And how did you find life as an Aussie expat?
“Aussie expat life in London is great! You have all the ‘Walkabout’ pubs, but let’s face it; walk into any pub or bar when Australia’s playing sport and you’ll shortly bump into some expats.”

What advice would you give aspiring Aussies who are trying to break into the industry in London?
“Start with a few courses, maybe try ‘Actors Centre’ or somewhere similar, it’s a great place to network and work on your craft. Then think image; how do you want to be seen? Get a great headshot, and market, market, market!

“Also, if you want to get into film, I suggest taking any job on a film set so you can understand the process and meet potential employers. If it takes a long time, don’t give up — I waited several years for another break in Hollywood. Just keep working your craft, and be ready when that opportunity finally comes.”

Your first shot at a big Hollywood film was back in 2001 when the Wachowski brothers brought the Matrix films to Sydney. You hadn’t worked in film before and were cast as Laurence Fishburne’s body double, but it didn’t finish there – tell us about your experience.
“I was very nervous when I arrived at Fox Studios in Sydney. The set was enormous, it looked like a huge circus. Then, from under the bright lights, emerge directors Larry and Andy Wachowski who introduced themselves and said ‘Welcome to our set’. After looking at me for what seemed an eternity, they said ‘We think he’s a little tall to work for this’. Then the director of photography said, ‘Isn’t Laurence wearing those little slip heals for this film?’ and the brothers said, ‘Yeah that’s right, Michael how about you come back next week and meet Mr Fishburne?’. Well, that was the longest week of my life!

“The following week I went back to the production and after 200 plus days of shooting, the directors loved my work ethic and cast me in my own role, Zion Controller. Since that day, I never gave up on my dream of acting in film.”

And now you’ve turned your hand to directing! I believe you’re currently working on your directorial debut film, Life of the Party?
“Yes, Life Of  The Party, is a quirky dramatic comedy about three friends edging past their thirties who, in an attempt to hang on to their carefree youth, embark on an attempt to break the world record for the longest ever house party — 423 days. The three main characters – Jason, Kray and Sandra – throw a monumental party, but also set off on a voyage of self-discovery, facing their personal demons and coping with love and loss.

“I also star as Kray in the movie, and helped write some key scenes and characters. I am extremely excited about the film, we’ll be shooting in the US in late 2012.”

It’ll be a while yet before we get a peek at Michael’s next film, but in the meantime, you can catch him in The Cold Light of Day, which is out now in cinemas.

The post Budding Aussie talent making a splash in Hollywood appeared first on Australian Times News.

WITH less than a month to go before the prestigious Cannes Film Festival begins, 19-27 May, organisers of the event have unveiled the films nominated to compete.

54 films have been announced, 22 of which are in the running for the coveted Palme d’Or, and the others entered in the new talent section, Un Certain Regard.

A host of Aussies will be starring in this year’s festival including actress Nicole Kidman, who will be starring in two films.

Kidman will feature in Lee Daniel’s film The Paperboy, set in 1960’s America, as well as in Philip Kaufman’s Hemingway and Gellhorn, which will be screened outside competition.

Australian directors are also making a splash with both Andrew Dominik and John Hillcoat’s American made films making the shortlist.

Dominik’s gangster film, Killing them Softly, starring Brad Pitt will be competing against Hillcoat’s film Lawless bootlegging, which features Aussie actors Mia Wasikowska and Jason Clarke.

In addition, a short film by Australian director Michael Spiccia has been chosen to compete against nine others for the Palme d’Or du Court Metrage at the festival. The 13 minute feature, Yardbird, follows a young girl in a remote region who attempts to fight off her father’s bullies.

(IMAGE: Courtesy Caroline David via Wikimedia Commons)

The post Aussies at the 2012 Cannes Film Festival appeared first on Australian Times News.

Aussie comedian and airline know-it-all, Pam Ann (or Caroline Reid in the real world) is getting “lubed up for London”. Back in town with her new show You F’Coffee, Pam says audiences will enjoy a completely new experience.

“There’ll be a lot of topical stuff,” she laughs down the phone from New York in her special interview with Australian Times. “What’s going on with the airlines, right up to the minute sort of stuff! And then we’re going to have “Pam Cam”: we’ve got a little camera that I’m gonna take round into the audience, new ‘movies’, new set design and some of that new social media — Twitter is it? — people can tweet what row they’re in. It’s bloody exciting!”

And just to make sure she’s appealing to all the expat Aussies, Pam conspiratorially told us: “Yes I do talk about Qantas quite a lot…and the cracks in their wings!”

On making her triumphant return to theLondonstage, Pam says that the pressure that comes from her popularity here motivates her to be always coming up with something new and fresh. The keen eyes of her many UK fans meaning she’s never able to recycle old material.

“InLondon, for me, there’s more pressure, because everyone’s like ‘It’s not new material!’” she says with a mimicked whine. “‘Why isn’t it new material!’”

Test-running parts of her new show in New York, Pam found American audiences harder to maintain but certainly easier to please.

“In New York, I can do what the f*ck I like!

“However, audiences in the Big Apple are pretty tough because they’ve seen everything. You gotta get ‘em in the first five seconds or else they’ll just go.”

Although definitely enjoying the scene in the Big Apple, and the interaction with American audiences, Pam said with delicacy that in London, “the innuendo and irony is a lot more understood”.

Having ridiculed and parodied the ins and outs of the airline industry for years, Pam unashamedly admits she’s a bit of a “plane geek”, and with a hearty laugh said her obsession with airlines and airplanes began with her desperate need to leave Australia.

“I wanted to get out!” she laughs “I wanted to get off the island! I guess my fascination with planes started when I had to come up with an idea to get out. Tullamarine, get me the f*ck outta here!”

Despite her somewhat scathing description of ‘The Lucky Country’, Pam says she does love going home and is getting geared up for her Down Under tour this August which will include, for the first time, a show in Darwin.

She pulls a Big Kev-like “I’m excited”, saying “I can’t wait to go to Darwin and get my didgeridoo out. I wanna take that f*cking ‘Sorry’ dress up there and see what they really think!”

She says she still loves the “fantastic” Aussie comic scene because of the freedom it allows performers.

“In Australia we can f*cking say what we like!

“I think we’re harsher, I think Australians get away with being a little bit more racist. And I don’t mean I’m racist, but I’m just saying that everyone’s so far away, it’s like ‘Ah that’s alright!’”

After living many years in the UK, and now residing in the States, Pam says she still calls Australia “65% home”.

“It’s still home because I’ve got my family and everyone out there, and I love Australia but there’s a certain breed of Australians that need to move around — we’re like a virus.”

Pam’s theory about Aussie travellers and expats is that “we give people a false sense of security. They all think we’re nice and down to earth, but really, we just want VISAs.”

Don’t miss Pam Ann’s new show You F’Coffee at the Bloomsbury Theatre from the 17 April

The post Pam Ann tells London Aussies You F’Coffee appeared first on Australian Times News.

By Bianca Soldani
Nicola Samer’s latest theatrical endeavour is the internationally celebrated play Ruben Guthrie, a shocking but dizzyingly funny comedy by Australian actor and playwright Brendan Cowell.

“Ruben Guthrie is a comedy about a guy trying to reconcile his world and his place within it,” Nicola told Australian Times. “He could be any one of us – he’s an individual who finds himself answerable for his relationships with alcohol, drugs and those nearest and dearest to him. He’s trying to find his voice amongst the chaos of a world in which he’s essentially an alien. But aren’t we all?”

An advocate for Australian theatrical writing, Nicola’s production company IronBark – launched in 2010 – was inspired by a desire to have the voices of talented Aussies heard in the UK.

“Although there are many theatres who program Australian work and organisations who support the international arts, there didn’t seem to be any one company whose remit focused on promoting and producing Aussie work.”

And so IronBark was born. A particularly interesting initiative the company undertakes is the “Theatre Ashes”, a creative adaptation of the infamous cricketing competition. It involves three Australian and three British playwrights who go head-to-head to create a winning 10-minute masterpiece about the others’ country.

“I think playwrights and theatre audiences respond to ideas which although are essentially interesting, also have heart and aren’t just a gimmick. I think it’s a testament to all involved that when the pieces were performed in the pouring rain at Latitude Festival there was even a sustained crowd at all!”

IronBark’s next big project is to launch an ‘Australian Theatre Festival’.

“Our aim is to create an event which will see the culmination of Australian work programmed across a centralised London venue to promote and produce plays, live work, music, readings, poetry and exhibit Art.

“A festival to celebrate the diversity of a country so far away and yet so familiar to the British public.”

Nicola comments on the unique experience of theatre in London, saying it provides a “fantastic cross section of genres and an abundance of international work”. She reveals that what she likes most about the London scene is the fact that on any given day, there is always something to see – and that it’s very accessible.

“Theatre in the UK isn’t for an elitist audience, it specifically aims to include and embrace cross-sections of the community and can cost the same as a cinema ticket.”

She also maintains that among the diverse range of rich European theatre cultures that merge in London, the Australian artistic voice has strength in its “innate purity”, facilitated by our geographical distance.

In such a hectic and animated industry, Nicola certainly keeps herself busy. She started production on Ruben Guthrie just after she completed work on a stage appropriation of the classic novel Little Women, continuing all the while, as associate director of the hugely successful West End play Lady Killers. Australian Times asked this busy former Sydney-sider how she manages to keep going.

“Vitamins? Coffee? A love of what I do? I don’t really know. I’ve always got plays in my head or [am] figuring out the next story I’d like to tell – I’m not sure I could do only one thing!”

She goes on to exclaim: “The 25 hour day would definitely [get] my vote.”

Nicola concluded by advising young Aussies still figuring out the career path that’s right for them, that it’s “essential” to do what you love.

“It’s important to be doing what you love for the right reasons.”

Ruben Guthrie will be playing from 14 to 17 March. Tickets are available via Atgtickets.com/wimbledon

Top image: Members of the theatrical IronBark crew –  Zö頠Caldwell, Nicola Samer and Tim Major-Knightley. (Image by Mark Adlington) 

The post Nicola Samer tells all about Aussie theatre in the UK appeared first on Australian Times News.

SYDNEY band The Jezabels took out the seventh annual Australian Music Prize on Thursday for their album Prisoner.

The four-piece indie rock group won the $30,000 cash prize that accompanies the award, promising to put it towards furthering their music.

The Jezabels claimed the prize ahead of other contenders Gotye, Boy & Bear, Adalita, Abbe May, Gurrumul, Jack Ladder, The Middle East and Kimbra.

The AMP is awarded on the basis of musical excellence rather than commercial success and is now added to the album’s accolades alongside the title of Australia’s Rolling Stone “Album of the Year”.

Their album Prisoner was also nominated for ARIA and APRA awards, and single ‘Endless Summer’ featured in nineth place on Triple J’s Hottest 100 list.

Watch ‘Endless Summer’ below or catch our exclusive Australian Times video interview with the band:

Images by Australian Times photographer Justin Ng

The post The Jezabels win 2012 Australian Music Prize appeared first on Australian Times News.

AN odd YouTube video of Miranda Kerr appearing in a Japanese Lipton Ice Tea commercial has gone viral this week.

The Victoria’s Secret model features as a very leggy waitress, singing accolades for a “limone” flavoured ice tea to a host of gentlemen – one of which appears to be wearing a face-full of cake.

Kerr shows off her slender post-baby body in a yellow and red mini dress, her leg suggestively extended over a table as she burts into song.

The ad was shot in Japan last month where Miranda Kerr was acting as an ambassador for Lipton. She joins a growing list of celebrities who have made appearances on Japanese TV, including: Madonna, Britney Spears, Natalie Portman, Arnold Schwarzenegger, Christopher Walken and Nicolas Cage.

View the full Miranda Kerr Japanese Lipton Ice Tea advert video:

The post Miranda Kerr sings ice tea in strange Japanese advert appeared first on Australian Times News.