My mother had this piano music when I was young,
and I grew up enjoying the songs from that great old Broadway musical, South Pacific...
A few years later, and a young Mr Cardinal was seen on stage in a local amateur production.
The characters are US army personnel during World War II, fighting on the idyllic islands not far off the coast of New Guinea and Queensland.
An Australian professional revival of the show is currently playing in BrisVegas...
Naturally, the Cardinals flew in to see it the other night.
Yes, it is modernised a bit, but why meddle with the formula - same gang of cheeky guys,
Heroine Nellie (Lisa McCune) is still trying to Wash That Man Right Outta her Hair!
That Man, French Planter Emile De Becque, is played by world-class operatic star, Teddy Tahu Rhodes.
What a Voice!! Stunningly gorgeous!
The sets were great, very evocative of the tropical island Bali Hai,
and I liked the use of giant, period-style, maps which showed us just how close the war was to our own state and city.
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We have been back in the mountains again, with my Dad (92 and still loves an outing). Took these tropical snaps from the deck of a jungle cafe.
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Tree fern: sits outside my laundry door.
Whilst in the mood for Musicals, we popped off to see Les Miserables.
Raw and gutsy, Oscar-worthy it undoubtedly is, and I did appreciate the dramatics and cinematic effects. Hugh Jackman and Russell Crowe waved the flag for Australia in fine form.
But, and there is a but, I do prefer my beautiful music sung beautifully...
Sorry, lovely and talented Anne Hathaway, but it was a bit too much emoting at the expense of the aria.
I think I prefer Susan Boyle singing "I Dreamed a Dream" ..
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Getting the place back to normal, post-Christmas?
Me too..
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Somebody left a few of his Christmas toys behind ..
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Mr C has returned to the office this week, but spent a few of the holidays clearing out this formerly Overgrown and Sinfully Neglected section of garden.
New plants coming soon, but meantime, look at the orchid I tied to a tree.
It was a piece cut from a large orchid at my Dad's old home, and look how well it is shooting. It produces tiers of lovely creamy orchids, but I forget its name.
Anyone?
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The little cottage garden we started before Christmas is coming along.
But will it survive the next heatwave, set to hit tomorrow and last a week?
Temperatures could go up to 40C. around here.
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I may decide to go somewhere else for the duration!
Happy January
xxx
I think we will all be heading to the movies over the next few days - air-conditioned seating will be at a premium...keep the water up to your beautiful garden...
ReplyDeleteGood thinking Judith; we might do the same thing!
DeleteI have never seen South Pacific, now I want to! I just couldn't do the Les Mis marathon. I hated the stage version in London and now Ms Hathaway shrieking would be too much to bear. She will go nuts if they don't hand her that Oscar!
ReplyDeleteIf you hated the stage Les Mis, I would not go to the movie, Sulky. It is Very Intense!! South Pacific, also about romance in wartime, is a little more fanciful and fun! Find the DVD xx
DeleteSouth Pacific is one of the first musical movies I remember seeing. Loved it then, love it now. Never seen it performed on stage but I imagine it was great.
ReplyDeleteDarla
Darla, it is a great old musical, isn't it? The stage version with Mr C in it was the best I've seen - ha ha. I'll still watch the movie any time.
DeleteI've only seen the film version of South Pacific and loved it and it's also my DH's favourite musical.
ReplyDeleteA lovely post, especially the super photos of your tropical vegetation and lovely garden. I do hope your heatwave isn't as bad as further south.
DH has good taste in musicals, P.!
DeleteThe heatwave is getting scary, as the fires move up the Australian continent, heading towards Qld. Today is set to be the hottest here in 50 years! Ouch!!
Very interesting post Patricia.
ReplyDeleteI have a family friend here at the moment.. and he was sent to the Camarouns during his army service.. and my brother in law to hong kong.. South Pacific is a family favorite. I have the film.. and we were only saying this weekend.. we will watch it before he leaves.
I am dying to see les miseraveis.. but not sure if its over our side yet.
love Both the actors.. Oh dear ..poor Ann. I didnt know whe could sing! ):
Those tropical trees are amazing.
How wonderful your dad can still enjoy them..
great post.
thanks Patricia.
xxx val
You must watch South Pacific again, Val. Great old songs and the setting is lovely - tropical islands, settled by the French, off the coast of Australia! What could be prettier! Dad still loves to get out and see the beauties of nature. We just found out he was the guy who decorated the Christmas tree at his Aged Care Centre. He has quite the artistic streak, does Dad!
Deletexxx P.
The South Pacific music is among my most favorite music ever. Loved the film; never saw it performed on the stage. I saw Les Mis last week; not that impressed; like Russell Crowe as an actor but he's a lousy singer. Great progress in the garden, Patricia, but I'm so sorry you're suffering such heat and droughts. Your plants look amazing, esp. that orchid. I wish I could send you some of our rain. Here, it rains all winter but doesn't rain in summer!!
ReplyDeleteGlad you also like South Pacific, Sanda. It has so much to offer and think about. Wish you could send over some rain, the fires in Australia today are extremely frightening. Fortunately they are not near to us, fingers crossed.
DeletePatricia, I enjoy your lovely flowers. We have at least 4 1/2 months to go for them to sprout here. Also, nice to see Hugh Jackman. When he performed on Broadway, a neighbor must have spent a year of her salary going to his shows over and over again. She bought front row, center seats as she was such a fan.
ReplyDeleteThanks Debra, glad you like gardens. That is funny about the Hugh Jackman fan. I wonder if she ever had a chance to speak to him/get an autograph?
DeleteOh my Dad used to sing that song all the time, it reminds me of his so much.
ReplyDeleteI can't get over those tropical pictures, I have never seen anything quite like it, it's like my Beverly Hills Hotel bathroom wallpaper, I love palms and fronds.
Dear Tabitha, that is so special a musical memory - I'm happy to have prompted it. Wonderful to have a Dad who sang.
DeleteYes, we are sub-tropical here, and have plenty of palms and ferns - but of course, contrary woman I am, I try to grow roses and pansies. Don't want the California vibe to run amok round here!!
Patricia, please forgive me for posting my question on your blog. I can't figure out how to priviate message. I just bought a product on ebay that I love, which is no longer sold in the USA, namely, Max Factor Pan Stik.
ReplyDeleteI mostly use it as under eye concealer. It looks so natural and stays on all day, and I used to be able to buy it at any drugstore here. Is it still sold in your drugstores? The one I bought off ebay is the old larger size (4 g), thank goodness, it will last me for years. Now I understand, it's more expensive and much smaller. I figure I'm not set for awhile, but I am curious to know how easy or hard this top-notch Pan Stik is to get outside of the US. Thanks for the information. You can delete this eventually, if you'd like. No worries. :)
Debra, I'll look about for the pan stik today.
DeleteAnd I can't figure out how to put a link to private message on the blog, but have been working on it. I want to have a giveaway soon.
Correction: Should be I am "set for awhile."
ReplyDeleteHa, Laughing out Loud, Valerie! I have never heard that little play on words - but it henceforth will enter the Red Cardinal family vocab of weird words and sayings - he he .. gotta go try it out of Mr C now :)
ReplyDelete