Trio gives Greenaway's "Red Fox" a wonderful run

The Little Red Fox for piano trio 

by Sally Greenaway. 

Live music stream, October 22. 

Reviewed by Tony Magee

This delightful short piece scored for piano, flute and cello is one of a set of three, commissioned by a Canberra couple, celebrating their 40th wedding anniversary. 

Canberra composer Sally Greenaway has beautifully captured the essence of what surely is a young fox, darting about, very playful, cheeky, inquisitive, getting up to mischief and learning heaps every day as he or she becomes more and more familiar with the countryside and the other animals who live there.

Canberra composer Sally Greenaway. Photo: Zhenshi van der Klooster

One is instantly transported to a “Wind In the Willows” style of imagery, charming in its child-like innocence, but equally appealing to an adult audience, as the best prose and programatic music can be.

After a gentle musical introduction, setting the scene, Samuel Payne on cello played a delightful melodic opening in the bass register, then repeated it in the treble, followed by amazing arpeggios, over which David Shaw on flute soared with almost bird-like qualities, the arpeggios then being taken over by Edward Neeman at the piano.

Flute and cello then traded musical phrases, supported by a solid bass foundation from the cello.

The piano followed up with supporting fifths with flute dancing above gleefully and the cello responding with tremolo in falling semitones.

The Little Red Fox had a wonderful time scurrying about and enjoying the day to the max.

All three musicians were perfectly in tune, with beautiful tone production and played with the youthful joy and curiosity required to capture the style of the piece.

The event was beautifully produced for the streaming audience, with excellent production values, including a countdown with musical accompaniment, a brief but very apt introduction by the composer, exquisite sound quality, excellent balance between the three instruments and interesting camera angles and vision.

I was able to run a line-out from my computer through a really nice Luxman amplifier and a pair of KEF 104aB reference monitor speakers. It sounded great.

During her spoken introduction, Greenaway hinted that we might just catch a glimpse of said fox and sure enough, right at the end and you’d have missed it if you blinked, a little red fox did indeed dart across the screen, disappearing into the musical landscape, looking very pleased indeed.

The Little Red Fox is available on Greenaway’s forthcoming CD, “Delights and Dances” or for purchase via unlimited streaming from sallygreenaway.bandcamp.com

First published in Canberra City News, October 23, 2021

New Bond movie set for November 11 Australian release

By Tony Magee

James Bond actor George Lazenby was at the US premiere of “No Time to Die”, the 25th in the franchise series of James Bond movies.

It is also the last of five outings for Daniel Craig as Bond.

US Theatrical release poster. © 2021 Danjaq LLC. & Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer (MGM)

Taking to Twitter, Lazenby said he was unable to attend the London premiere on September 28, but was equally as honoured to be seeing it in Los Angeles on opening night, September 29. He added “there are some very interesting music choices in the soundtrack”.

On further investigation, that comment appears to be a veiled reference to the fact that the soundtrack occasionally recalls themes from the song “We Have All the Time in the World”, originally sung by Louis Armstrong in 1969’s “On Her Majesty’s Secret Service”, which starred Lazenby as Bond.

In addition, Daniel Craig as Bond utters the line “We have all the time in the world” during the new film, as he ponders a confession by one of his nemesis’.

The same line is also uttered by Lazenby in the 1969 film, right at the end, as he cradles his dying wife, played by Diana Rigg.

George Lazenby, Australia's 007, at the US premiere of 'No Time to Die' in Los Angeles, September 29

Reception to “No Time to Die” among critics has been overwhelmingly positive.

In his five star review of the film, Kevin Maher of The Times said: “It’s better than good. It’s magnificent. Craig is a towering, charismatic presence from opening frame to closing shot and he bows out in terrific, soulful, style.”

In another five star review, Peter Bradshaw of The Guardian said: “An epic brainstormer [which delivers] pathos, action, drama, camp comedy, heartbreak, macabre horror, and outrageously silly old-fashioned action”, concluding the film as a whole is “very enjoyable and gleefully spectacular”.

In a reference to the 18 month delay in the film’s release, due to COVID, Robbie Collin, writing for The Telegraph said “We’ve been expecting you, Mr Bond, for quite some time, and what a joy and relief it is to have you back”.

Mick LaSalle of the San Fransisco Chronicle stated that “Craig leaves the series in a mammoth, 163 minute extravaganza that audiences will be enjoying for decades. It’s a lovely thing to see”.

And finally, The Los Angeles Times’ Jessica Kiang optimistically stated, “If ‘No Time to Die’ marks a widespread return to the cinema, it will be nicely fitting that it’s Bond“.

Previous cast members who make a welcome return include Ralph Fiennes as M, Ben Whishaw as Q, Naomie Harris as Moneypenny, Geoffrey Wright as Felix Leiter, Christoph Waltz as Ernst Blofeld and Léa Seydoux as psychiatrist Madeleine Swann and Bond’s love interest.

Seydoux was quoted as saying after the London premiere: “There’s a lot of emotion in this Bond. It’s very moving. I bet you’re going to cry. When I watched it, I cried, which is weird because I am in it”.

Born in Goulburn and raised in Queanbeyan, George Lazenby moved to London in 1963, pursuing a career in modelling. In 1966 he was voted Britain’s “Top Model of the Year”.

Diana Rigg as Contessa Teresa di Vicenzo (later, Tracy Bond) and Geogre Lazenby as James Bond,
publicity photo 1969. Photo credit: Comet Photo AG, ETH Bibliothek, Zürich

After his single outing as James Bond in 1969, he moved to Hong Kong, starring in three films for Golden Harvest: “Stoner” (1974), “The Man From Hong Kong” (1975) and “A Queen’s Ransom” (1976).

Lazenby moved to Los Angeles in 1978 and has resided in the United States ever since, with frequent trips back to Queanbeyan and Canberra over the years to visit his parents and friends, as well as participate in some Canberra “Bond themed” events. In 2016 he was the official guest of honour and Patron of Goulburn’s second SPYfest festival, celebrating everything spy-related - from cars to music and the latest technology.

He has gone on to secure roles in another 25 movies, including three this year (two are in post-production).

In 2017, the Hulu docudrama “Becoming Bond”, featured Lazenby recounting his life story and portrayal as Bond.

“No Time to Die” will be released in Australian cinemas on November 11.

Originally published in City News Digital Edition, October 2, 2021

Deborah Kerr: The English rose actress being reclaimed by Glasgow

By Pauline McLean BBC Scotland arts correspondent

Deborah Kerr played the governess Anna in the 1956 film version of Rogers and Hammerstein's The King and I

Deborah Kerr was billed as Hollywood's English rose and even her stage name was anglicised to be pronounced Carr - to rhyme with star.

But the famous actress was Scottish, born in a maternity home in the west end of Glasgow on 30 September 1921.

Her parents, Captain Arthur Charles Kerr Trimmer and his wife Kathleen, spent three years living in Helensburgh with his parents, where it was generally assumed that Deborah was born.

Now, a group of performing arts students from Glasgow's Clyde College have confirmed that she was actually born in Glasgow, 100 years ago today, in a maternity home in what was then St James Terrace.

Today, it's Ruskin Terrace, and residents at number 7, where the home was, were happy to back the students' campaign to have a blue plaque sited outside their door in her honour.

"I know she's always thought of as an English rose but we want to reclaim her as a Scottish thistle," says lecturer James McIvor.

"We were making a documentary about Deborah Kerr, and we were focused on Helensburgh but when we asked for her birth certificate, we realised she was actually born in Glasgow."

"This has been a long term project, and the more we found out, the more we felt it was important to mark where she was from."

Deborah Kerr holds a candle in a scene from the film 'Black Narcissus', 1947.

After moving south with her parents when she was just a few years old, Kerr was educated in Bristol and Weston-Super-Mare.

Another plaque was unveiled earlier this month by her grandsons, outside the family home there.

She originally trained as a ballet dancer at Sadler's Wells but switched to acting.

Her first lead role in the UK was in Love on the Dole, and she won critical acclaim for playing three women in The Life and Death of Colonel Blimp.

It was her role as a troubled nun in another Powell and Pressburger film, Black Narcissus, which brought her to the attention of Hollywood.

MGM offered her a contract in 1947 - where she became known for playing cool, reserved English ladies - with one exception, the 1953 film From Here to Eternity, in which she famously romped in the sea with Burt Lancaster.

A scene in From Here to Eternity, in which she famously romped in the sea with Burt Lancaster.

It earned her an Oscar nomination for Best Actress, as did another iconic role, as the governess Anna in the 1956 film version of Rogers and Hammerstein's The King and I.

It's that moment which is recreated outside Number 7 Ruskin Terrace this morning, as performing arts students from Clyde College, sweep across the street outside to the sound of "Shall we Dance".

Most of the neighbourhood seem to have come outside to watch.

Laura and Mark live at number 7. They're relative newcomers to the terrace and didn't know about the connection until the students told them.

"It's quite exciting, and nice to find out about the history of the building," says Laura.

"We've put up film posters in the shared hallway, and we're looking forward to meeting any fans who call round."

Wendy has lived in the neighbourhood for 40 years, and was surprised and delighted by plans for the plaque.

"It's such a lovely connection. After the rotten time we've had over the last 18 months, it's really cheered people up," she said.

Deborah Kerr with Glasgow Film Theatre chairman David Bruce on a visit to the city of her birth in 1990

"I've already noticed people stopping for a look, although I suppose not everyone will know who she is."

Try telling that to acting students Niamh Blane, Jennifer Smith, Mark Grant and Lee Hughs.

"Oh yes, I love the King and I, it's a wonderful musical," says Niamh.

"And to know Deborah Kerr was born here, in Glasgow is amazing. If she can do this, there is hope for all of us."

"My mum is a huge fan, and she was so excited to hear I was involved in this celebration today," says Mark.

"She's definitely an inspiration to Glasgow."

First published at BBC News, October 1, 2021