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Media backgrounder
- 1. Page 1 of 3 BACKGROUND MEDIA INFO – for immediate release It’s “the new way to do your Fringe” … says the new kid in town With 174 performances from around the world and across Australia ‘The GC’, at 223 Flinders Street, will make an impressive debut at this year’s Fringe. Its newest ‘hub’ features classical to rock music, comedic magic and an impressive line up of more serious theatre of a type that can be hard to find on the Fringe. There’s an international flavour with critically and publicly acclaimed Irish theatre, one of the UK’s top magicians and a Pulitzer Prize nominated play by Will Eno. The program – offered throughout the month-‐long Fringe over four floors in Flinders Street’s iconic German Club – is selling well, particularly its early ‘Icons and Tributes’ series. Both 1965 MASTERS APPRENTICES and ABBA GOLD have sold out first performances. Spokesman Alan Rosewarne points enthusiastically to shows by national 70s rock icons, former Spectrum front man Mike Rudd in RETROSPECTRUM (Feb 17) and two shows by the legendary Angels Brewster brother’s MOONSHINE JUG & STRING BAND (Feb 12 & 13). For Rosewarne, who fronts popular local band The Bald Eagles (AS YOU LIKE IT, three shows Sunday Feb 21), Mike Rudd is “a personal favourite … a musical hero of mine.” “Mike was there when it was all happening, not only creating some of the most-‐played songs on Australian radio playlists, but rubbing shoulders with many of the great rock music figures in the business … here and overseas. “On top of all that, he’s a wonderful performer; it’s a treat to have him appearing in our new venue for his first ever Fringe show.” “Also famous … especially here in Adelaide … John and Rick Brewster and their mates in Moonshine metamorphosed into smash hit act, The Angels and audiences are keenly anticipating their return to The GC on the Fringe.” The GC’s bands’ season runs almost daily between Feb 11 and 21, all in its largest venue SHOWROOM ONE, first floor at 223 Flinders Street, city. “It will be set up in cabaret mode for all the rock shows and for Hans & Willsys’ TWINS on Feb 19 and 20. That pairs the outrageous Hans … Berlin’s wonder boy and alter ego
- 2. Page 2 of 3 of entertainer and journalist Matt Gilbertson … and Adelaide’s favourite daughter, television’s multi Logie winner, Anne Wills,” says Rosewarne. “For all these shows patrons will be able to eat an inexpensive bar snack in situ, while watching the show, or enjoy full dining facilities in the ground floor Bistro Alstadt.” When the rock music stops SHOWROOM ONE will magically transform to full theatre mode to accommodate what Rosewarne describes as the “artistic highlight and coup for The GC’s Fringe season”. “We are absolutely thrilled to have three fine plays from Ireland, direct from sell out, critically acclaimed seasons at last year’s Edinburgh Fringe. “This is still classic Fringe fare,” said Rosewarne, “international class but short and accessible theatre pieces being brought to us by Adelaide’s own international producer, Arts Project Australia (WOMADELAIDE, et al). “All three in our Irish theatre series – BEOWOLF-‐THE BLOCKBUSTER; UNDERNEATH; and Donal O’Kelly’s LITTLE THING, BIG THING) can be seen in a single evening at 6pm, 7.30 and 9.30 pm … or patrons can spread their pleasure throughout the Fringe (Feb 27-‐ 28; Mar 1-‐6 and 8-‐13)”, he says. “We think this series is a real coup for The GC and indeed for Adelaide. We’re confident Adelaide audiences will respond and flock to welcome them. It’s an international class of theatre at a level of excellence that can be hard to find in a Fringe season.” Rosewarne says other Fringe highlights of The GC set to play longer seasons and for larger audiences include guitar virtuoso Matthew Fagan’s LORD OF THE STRINGS (CLUBROOM, various dates Feb 17-‐21); David Calvitto in Will Eno’s Pulitzer Prize nominated THOM PAIN (BASED ON NOTHING) in the (CELLAR, various dates Feb 12-‐ Mar 6); and CHOPIN’S LAST TOUR (Feb 26-‐29 and Mar 1-‐5). “We have lots of other ‘small but perfectly formed’ shows. Across our whole program we reckon The GC offers something for very nearly everyone. And, with the German Club’s help, especially with food and beverage … and nary a shred of canvas or a portaloo in sight … we like to think The GC really will be THE NEW WAY TO DO YOUR FRINGE.” Fringe chair David Minear welcomed The GC as “our newest Fringe hub”. “The GC program is first-‐class. Great artists, great shows, loads of variety, loads of appeal. The venue itself fits perfectly with the Fringe and sits comfortably alongside other established venues. “Well worth making your way to 223 Flinders Street."
- 3. Page 3 of 3 The GC – Backstory The GC is the brainchild of three (‘sexagenarian’) amigos, all South Australians and self-‐ confessed ‘old farts’. They ‘discovered’ at Flinders Street’s German Club its possibilities as a ‘performance hub’ while performing at last year’s Fringe as the Bald Eagles. Alan Rosewarne and Colin Koch – front liners in the popular band – noticed their venue was at least a ‘well kept secret’, if not one of SA’s least discovered, under appreciated and under utilised arts and entertainment ‘hubs’. “Like many people we’ve shown since”, Alan Rosewarne said, “we were amazed by the building’s capacity for at least six separate performance spaces and its potential – especially being fully air-‐conditioned, with extensive toilet facilities and the German Club’s excellent dining and bar facilities already in place – as a Fringe and Cabaret Fringe Festival entertainment ‘hub’. Pulling in friend and marketer Ron Dent – who had helped sell out the Bald Eagles’ three performances for Fringe 2015– the other ‘amigos’ caught the ear of the German Club people and the rest is … history. So far! But “the best” – at least in the estimate of the three amigos – is yet to come” … and soon! Feb 9, 2016 … ends MORE INFORMATION & ASSISTANCE For any assistance with coverage of The GC, including artist contact, please phone Ron Dent 0417 860 930 or Sally Woolford 0417 860 599. For instant comment on any aspect of the venture including the program please phone Alan Rosewarne 0417 809 362 or Colin Koch 0419 878 799. W: http://thegcadelaide.com.au/#the-gc-adelaide F: https://www.facebook.com/GCAdelaide/ THANKS