Will Hugo Weaving pick up an Academy Award?

Colin Freils & Judy Davis

The new play Faith Healer by Brian Friel just opened at the Belvoir Street Theatre in Surry Hills. It's a series of four monologues with actor Colin Friels, Alison White and Pip Miller.

Keith Robinson & Hugo Weaving

On the opening night we not only had Friels at the after party but his wife Judy Davis who has picked up 2 BAFTA awards, 3 EMMYs and 8 ACCTA awards. Not only that she starred in the Academy Award winning film My Brilliant Career. That movie was produced by Australian producer Margaret Fink who Whispers took to the ritzy Sardi's Restaurant in New York after she had nabbed the Oscar at the awards in LA. As we swept into Sardi's waiters snapped to attention as the maître d led us to the very best table.

"Crikey, you must be really well known in this town" offered Margaret. Whispers didn't have the heart to tell her that when we telephoned to book a table we said we'd be bringing the winner of this year's Academy Award for Best Film.
Also at the Belvoir party- Hugo Weaving who is getting rave reviews for his part in Mel Gibson's Hacksaw Ridge which received a standing ovation from Hollywood's film community a few night ago when it premiered in Tinsel Town. Talk is Weaving is in hot running to pick an Oscar for Best Supporting Actor. pics by William Yang
Faith Healer is on at the Belvoir until 27th November.

Belvoir Celebrates it's Original Shareholders

above : Geoffrey Rush  Belvoir's original Artistic Director  Neil Armfield and the current one Ralph Myers

He may be  Hollywood Royalty these days but actor Georfrey Rush still finds time to assist local theatre and most especially at the Belvoir Street Theatre in Surry Hills where Rush got his start. Geoffrey was the MC for a special performance on Sunday for around a hundred Belvoir benefactors and original shareholders who clubbed together 30 years ago to get the theatre up and running. After a show that included a number of acts from early performers (one couldn't make it- superstar Mel Gibson) the crew walked down the road to the Belvoir's rehearsal space for a party.

actors at the Belvoir bash : Mike McLeish Julie McGregor and Simon Burke

Some Joy For Geoffrey Rush & Sly Stallone Loves Jackie

Lucy Durack

Pippa Grandison & David Wenham

He may not have picked up a gong at the Golden Globe Awards but Geoffrey Rush scored some accolades at last night's Sydney Theatre Awards when the production of Diary of A Madman in which Geoffrey stars won 4 awards : Best Supporting Actress, Best Costume, Best Lighting Design and Best Score. 

A host of theatricals like David Wenham, Pippa Grandison, Gia Carrides and Susie Porter attended the awards at the Paddington RSL Club.

Rush is the executive producer of The King's Speech so he should feel some satisfaction in it's Best Film award last night at the Globes and Jackie Weaver, despite being a non-winner still  has a staggering nine nominations in various US  film awards for her role in Animal Kingdom and she is sure to be nominated for an Oscar

Adam Garcia at the awards

Jackie is drowning in compliments on her US promotional tour with a host of Globe attendees heaping praise upon her. She told the Shuttle this morning from LA that she had met Sylvester Stallone, Mel Brooks and Colin Firth who all approached her on the night to congratulate her. She has also received dozens of offers of work and is carting a pile of scripts around to read on her nationwide tour.

Diary of A Madman demonstrates Geoffrey Rush's extraordinary commitment to live theatre. He commands up to $5 million a picture but is working for union wages in the state subsidised Belvoir Street Theatre

The Shuttle watched Geoffrey's wonderful performance in the 150 seat theatre at last Sunday's matinee.

Within 3 hours of the curtain falling Rush was on a Qantas jet to Los Angeles to attend the Golden Globe Awards. At mid-day today, Rush was again in the air for the 18 hour trip back to Sydney to appear in Wednesday evening's production.

Now that is dedication !

"inspiration"

At the Sydney Theatre Awards, legendary Shakespearean actor and director John Bell  (left ) received a Lifetime Achievement award. John revealed the inspiration for his theatre career-as a child in the UK watching George Formby (right) performing.

Other awards received: Scott Rankin for Best New Production with Namatjira, the play about the Aboriginal artist with indigenous actor Derek Lynch receiving an award for Best Newcomer. Another indigenous performer Christine Anu won Best Performance in a Musical while Trevor Ashley received the award for Best Cabaret in his one-man show I'm Every Woman.