A Girl From Oz

Lyndall Hobbs is an ex-Australian TV journalist who moved to London in the 70s and began a relationship with the theatrical impresario Michael White (Rocky Horror Show) who passed away recently and was the subject of Gracie Otto's award winning documentary The Last Impresario.
Lyndall lived with Michael White for 10 years and their house in trendy Egerton Crescent in West London was the "salon" of 70s London where she introduced 'Chalky' White to some emerging Australian talent like Jim Sharman, Barry Humphries and Martin Sharp (and even Whispers).
This is only one chapter in her fabulous life story from her new book "A Girl From Oz". When her affair with White ended she moved to New York and lived for many years with the actor Al Pacino. 
Hobbs now runs a highly successful design business in Los Angeles where some of Hollywood's biggest show business names are her clients.The book is fascinating reading about a person who has lived a rich and rewarding life. Available in all good books stores (the ones that are left) . Buy it for a glimpse of a fascinating era, the 1970s to early 90s.

 

Theatre impresario Michael White dies

Michael White at the launch of The Last Impresario with Gracie Otto (far right)

 One of the UK's greatest theatrical impresarios of the last century has died in Canada at age 80. Michael White was the original producer who took the famous Rocky Horror Show into London's West End which was such a success the musical has never been out of production on a stage somewhere around the world since.

During his time White worked with Jennifer Saunders and Dawn French, the Monty Python team and the comedy team called The Young Ones.

White who once famously quipped :"I'm the most famous person you have never heard of " lived with for many years with the Australian journalist Lyndall Hobbs who remained a life long friend and was the subject of the 2013 documentary produced by Gracie Otto called The Last Impresario.

 Gracie tweeted : "Love you so much... a true inspiration and generous soul. Changed my life forever. RIP dear dear Michael White,"

No Party Without Kerri-Anne

 

Aboriginal model Samantha Harris prepares backstage for David Jones' fashion parade

 


David Jones launched the 2014 fashion bunfight with a front row powerhouse that include Great Gatsby star Elizabeth Debicki, Oscar nominee and four time nominated Emmy winner Rachel Griffiths (left), star Jessica Marais, Young Hollywood talents Isabelle Cornish, Leeanna Walsman, Grace Huang and Alex Russell (set to star in Angelina Jolie's new film) and the inevitable Kerri-Anne Kennerley (right) and Terri Biviano.
Designers on parade included :  Christopher Esber, Michael Lo Sordo and Nicola Finetti, Akira, Alice McCall,  Josh Goot and Zanerobe.

Bradley Cocks & Collette Dinnigan                                   Cameron McGlinchey  & Natalie Bassingthwaighte

actresses : Jessica Marais                         Alyssa McClelland                                           Leeanna Walsman           

The Successful Otto Clan

Gracie

Gracie Otto comes from Australian acting royalty. Her dad is the respected actor Barry Otto (John Gielgud once said he was one of the best actors in the world) and big sis is Miranda Otto who appeared in the Lord of The Rings trilogy.

Miranda

Now Gracie's debut film as a director, Seamstress staring Barry, Julie Forsyth and the leggy Mink Sadowsky will premier at the prestige Palm Springs International Film Festival. Described as detective mystery drama, Seamstress tells the tale of a man ( Otto) who become obsessed with the gorgeous seamstress who lives next door.

Seamstress opens at the Festival on June 21st. The Shuttle would love to be there but we have an appointment that day with Dame Edna Everage at the Black & White charity Women of Achievement event !.

Jack Black

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Lucy Lui

Kung Fu Panda 2 premiered last night at the Hoyts Complex in George Street, Sydney with Jack Black, Lucy Lui and producer Jeffrey Katzenberg in attendance.

Gordana Wears Her Faith to the Hermes Beach Party

 Hermes was throwing a no-shoes beach bash at Nielsen Park and the conditions were perfect as the overbearing and humid weather held off for the day. Party starved Sydney socialites were out in force as dozens arrived in a stream of black limousines.

Natalie Imbruglia & Nickey Joye

Tucked into a roped off section of the beach at the David Grant designed party set : 6 giant Hermes bracelets, a barbecue and several bars serving champagne and cocktails.

Noticeably absent were Sydney's social media who for some unknown reason gave the do a  miss.

Gordana & Mary

Perhaps It was something to do with Hermes boss Karin Upton Baker's on-going dramas. Financially embattled husband Gary Baker looking stressfully slim, arrived  in a humble Toyota albeit with his signature  XXX number plates. The Rolls and Bentley went months ago. And how she did it is a mystery but Karin would have made Houdini proud when she seemingly materialised in the middle of the party crowd thus avoiding the paparazzi.

Lara Bingle & pal

Guests were still arriving at 7.30pm while some who had come earlier were already leaving including designer Trent Nathan who declared 'that's enough' after 30 minutes, Gracie Otto who sped of in a Mercedes on an urgent errand and film producer Margaret Fink who said the sand was playing havoc with her calves.

Gordana Willesee was happy to show off the new tattoo snaking up her arm. A Mother Mary perfectly executed for the committed Catholic who along with husband Mike Willesee had a private meeting with Pope Benedict XV1 during his Aussie visit in 2008.

Erica Heynatz & Andrew Kingston

 Natalie Imbruglia slipped in with a pal.. She'd been spotted earlier that day zipping around town with Justin Hemmes in his 1960's Porsche.

Lara Bingle , Rebel Penfold Russell, Di Hamill, James Gordon, Jonathon Ward, Mandy Quinn, Greg Daniels Gary & Susie Rothwell and restaurateurs Michael & Judy McMahon and almost anyone connected to the fashion industry were amongst the 250 guests.

And we loved  Miss Teen Age International & water skiing champ cum boxer Lauryn Eagle's  'pimp-mobile'- a huge Chevy bearing silver letters on the boot saying MORE MONEY. She roared up to the entrance with South African born boxing champ LoveMore N'dou.

Eventually fleets of luxury buses arrived to transport guests to a mystery destination as guest Pam Murray observed they were part of her husband's 2000 strong fleet.

And the fashion hit of summer (apart from the Hermes accessories worn by most ) featured by at least 8 guests: Camilla Frank's caftans.

Collette Dinigan & Bradley Cocks

James Gordon

Lauryn Eagle & LoveMore N'dou

Julie Schaeffer & friend

Mark Cavanagh, Penny McCarthy, Rebel Russell, Warren Fahey

Guilleume Sadourny & Terry Schwamberg