Newtown wants Cate Blanchett

Newtown

Cate at the Sydney Theatre Company

The decline of Sydney's King Cross and the legendary 'Golden Gay Mile' of nearby Oxford Street is having unexpected consequences. Double Bay as we reported previously is becoming the location for smart nightclubs like Karim Gharbi's Casablanca and the Pelicano Bar.
But Newtown, the densely populated suburb much favoured by students at the nearby Sydney University is positively booming.
The main street is packed with restaurants of all stripes, coffee shops, gay hotels, smart and alternative boutiques along with second hand and designer furnishing stores.

Now an ambitious plan is underway to attract Oscar winner Cate Blanchett to a newly renovated theatre, The Hub which is ideally located slap bang in the centre of Newtown and directly opposite the subway station.

The Hub at various stages during it's lifetime

The property developing Vlattas family have invested $500,000 in refitting the 100 year old Vaudeville theatre that has done time as a porno cinema amongst it's varied and often sad life.
The Vlattas' are also part owners of the nearby Enmore Theatre, now the only live venue in the inner city.
Whispers attended the opening of Mel Spencer's Green Room bar next to the Enmore Theatre along with Russell Crowe and Danielle Spencer (and our favourite crooner Kamahl)
left : Kamahl with Adam Spencer at the Green Room
Chris Vlattas is hoping that Blanchett who has had such a stellar success with her Sydney Theatre Company productions will take up an offer to lease the 1500 seat Hub.
                                                      *********************
The Seal Of Approval that Newtown is now a serious contender as the up and coming suburb for the smart young set surely must be the fact that Australia's most ambitious and successful nightclub entrepreneur Justin Hemmes has purchased the nearby Queen Victoria Hotel in Enmore for $11M. below Justin Hemmes & his new purchase

A revelation from Russell Crowe in the Green Room

Don Spencer & daughter Danielle aka Mrs Russell Crowe

With the ABC 702 Radio riding to the top of the ratings charts, mainly to the efforts of morning host Adam Spencer, perhaps that is why his wife and a good pal have splashed out and opened a new wine bar in the boom inner-west suburb of Enmore.

Mel Spencer has bought an old betting shop and tarted it up as the Green Room, conveniently located just a short walk from the Enmore Theatre which is now one of the last inner city live venues and which is packed most nights with it's line-up of international acts.

About 30 of us trotted a long for the opening night, mainly a clutch of Adam and Mel's show-biz pals like TV hosts Kylie Gillies and Tracey Spicer, top rating Gruen Transfer's Wil Anderson, actor Russell Crowe and wife Danielle Spencer (no relation) who brought her dad Don and our favourite crooner Kamahl.

Wil Anderson & Deborah Hutton

Kamahl & Adam Spencer

Never forget: Kamahl was the Queen Mum's favourite singer and she had all his albums. Which is just as well as few other people do. But he's actually a great singer and once headlined at the Carnegie Hall in New York City so he can't be that bad !.

Tracey Spicer & husband Jason

And Russell was able to put to bed the recent rumour that he and the family had visited the home of the late Lady Sonia McMahon which is up for sale with a view to buy.

"Not for us" said Russell." Not even interested". Asked if the $42M palace Altona was more his style, Crowe replied:

Tony & Kylie Gillies

"Altona would be wonderful for the kids but it's a bit open and accessible. I need something more private but I am looking. You can't bring up kids, especially 2 rowdy boys, on a wharf ".

He was referring to his $12M penthouse at Wolloomooloo Wharf where he has lived for the past 8 years.

Co-incidently the Shuttle lunched at Ottos on the Wharf today after the General Election shambles the night before. At adjoining tables, PI Frank Monte and guest. 

At another- retired radio host John Laws and wife Caroline who lunched with guests former Liberal Party leader Andrew Peacock and his wife Penne ( who was a  former Texas beauty queen and is Laura Bush's best pal ).

See why  HRH Queen Elizabeth The Queen Mother was enraptured with Kamahl !

# Those Tweets so you don't have to bother !

 

justinbieber 

3 years ago I was on the side of the street busking in Stratford for anyone who would listen....2nite we sold out the ACC!! NEVER SAY NEVER! ( busking at 12 ??)
 

DalaiLama

 

Unfortunate events, though potentially a source of anger and despair, have equal potential to be a source of spiritual growth.