We saw a Sunday afternoon performance which was in contrast to earlier Friday night attendance but I was pleased to see the cast give it their all and the audience really enjoy themselves. I do have some criticisms about the musical which had a brief run on Broadway but has found a second life in community theatre groups of the world.
I have not read the beloved book by Nick Hornby which spoke to a whole generation and still remains a classic. My best mate Mike recommended the film adaptation from 2000 as one of the year’s best starring John Cusack. I was pretty excited about this since his recommendation for the previous year was the excellent American History X. I am sad to report I was not as impressed but it may be time for a re-look. For me in a lot of ways the musical made certain improvements over the film and I was very charmed by the cast and the spirit of the piece.
Weekend Notes are a growing online magazine with a wealth of contributors based out of several cities across the United Kingdom, Australia and New York. Articles are leisure related and can include a wide variety of subjects from rainforest hikes to cultural festivals, from what hot new play is on at your underground theatre to a ultra trendy eatery. Writers are paid for their work based partly on how many views their articles get so please feel free to stop by and show some love.
-Lloyd Marken
Copyright Lloyd Marken.
Outside the Crete Street Theatre. Copyright Lloyd Marken.
FIrst time we went to theatre, we found a park nearby where a public library and the Beenleigh war memorial is. I decided to pay my respects upon our return.. Copyright Lloyd Marken.
Copright Lloyd Marken.
Karen scaling the heights in the carpark. Copyright Lloyd Marken.
I was back at MELT: Festival of Queer Arts and Culture last week to see Giantess on Thursday night at the Turbine Studio, Brisbane Powerhouse on assignment for Scenestr. Written and performed by transgender stand-up Cassie Workman, it has won numerous awards since its debut. Following Trade by Impromafia, a show I deeply enjoyed and felt privileged to attend, this was a quieter performance that proved touching with its message and the demure but steely presence of Cassie herself. What a wonderful thing it is live in a city where such a festival provides an outlet for artists and attraction for audiences.
We took in our surroundings a bit more with the ice-block float hanging from the ceiling as part of the MELT festivities at the iconic Brisbane Powerhouse. We also grabbed the beloved bar snack menu pizzas – pepperoni for me and tomato and basil (margherita according to others) for Karen. While enjoying our pizzas outside on the balcony our possum came by to see if we’d let some scraps come our way. Unfortunately nobody told him/her how seriously Karen and I take our pizza eating.
Produced by Eyeball Media Enterprises Scenestr is an online national magazine with local offices around Australia. Having started in 1993 they’ve excelled at moving into the digital realm but they remain at heart from the streets. They still publish magazines in print for Western Australia, South Australia, New South Wales, Victoria and Queensland every month.
-Lloyd Marken
Copyright Lloyd Marken.
Copyright Lloyd Marken.
Copyright Lloyd Marken.
View of a performance on the Turbine Platform. Copyright Lloyd Marken.
View of lollipop on the level 1 walkway. Copyright Lloyd Marken.
Copyright Lloyd Marken.
Stairs leading down to Visy Theatre, Turbine Studio and Mary Mae’s Bar. Copyright Lloyd Marken.
Two floors up. Copyright Lloyd Marken.
Karen waiting for our pizzas before the possum announced it’s arrival. Copyright Lloyd Marken.
On ground entrance level looking up at the MELT ice-block. Copyright Lloyd Marken.
Copyright Lloyd Marken.
View of ice-block second floor catwalk. Copyright Lloyd Marken.
Selfie time. Copyright Lloyd Marken.
PIZZA! Copyright Lloyd Marken.
Promo for the musical ‘Yank’ projected. Copyright Lloyd Marken.
Me with the first print issue of Frooty. Copyright Lloyd Marken.
Copyright Lloyd Marken.
I am proud to announce that I was published in the very first print issue of Frooty magazine. Frooty was founded as an online magazine in 2017 by the Arts/Comedy Editor for Scenestr Jesse Chaffey.
Jesse edits the bulk of my published pieces for Scenestr as well as so many others. He’s rescued me a few times, regularly made my pieces look better, taken on board anything I thought was important to keep and it is a fragment of what he does as an editor working long hours relentlessly. Like all members of staff at Scenestr, he’s talented, hard working and passionate about what he does. The fact he created Frooty the same year he as a recent graduate started as the Arts/Comedy editor for Scenestr speaks volumes and let’s not forget Scenestr has also grown in the same time frame moving into print in Western Australia and Melbourne.
Started in 2017 and produced by Eyeball Media Enterprises, Frooty is an online national magazine that covers news and entertainment with a queer perspective. They have just done their first print issue with more to come.
It has been a delight to attend MELT: Festival of Queer Arts and Culture for the first time this year on assignment for Scenestr magazine.
There is a fantastic roster of shows, talks and displays so it was great to attend the latest show from the ever reliable and hilarious ImproMafia.
However this show was a little different from others I have attended and I feel that there was something special in the air that night at the Visy Theatre, Brisbane Powerhouse.
Produced by Eyeball Media Enterprises Scenestr is an online national magazine with local offices around Australia. Having started in 1993 they’ve excelled at moving into the digital realm but they remain at heart from the streets. They still publish magazines in print for Western Australia, South Australia, New South Wales, Victoria and Queensland every month.
-Lloyd Marken
Karen and I attending MELT for the first time. Copyright Lloyd Marken.
Copyright Lloyd Marken.
Copyright Lloyd Marken.
MELT 2019 at the Brisbane Powerhouse. Copyright Lloyd Marken.
On the 13th of May I was lucky enough to be on assignment for X-Press Magazine to attend a preview screening of Red Joan. This was my first assignment for X-Press in 2019 followed by checking out John Wick Chapter 3: Parabellum.
Red Joan in some ways was a refreshing take on the way we approach spy thrillers but a real slow burn of a film. I can’t say I was riveted by say the quiet but visually dynamic and stylish Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy. By the way are they going to do a sequel to that or not? Still I think there is a lot to recommend in Red Joan not least of which are the performances of the cast led by Sophie Cookson and Dame Judi Dench.
X-Press Magazine was established in 1985 and at one point was Australia’s highest circulating free weekly entertainment publication with over 40,000 copies reaching 1,0000 outlets every week. On the 24th May, 2016 Issue 1527 hit stands. Like many publications of its ilk X-Press Magazine is now foremost an online magazine engaged globally and making the most of the possibilities that new digital technology offers. It’s roots though are tied to its home city, love of local artists and productions and music which it supports wholeheartedly. Perth a capital city most isolated from all the other capitals is continuing to grow and develop culturally and artistically with its own identity and talent. X-Press has always been there to capture this growth and will continue to do so.
The night of my first assignment for Scenestr magazine 21MAR207. Copyright Karen Marken.
Last Friday I reached a milestone with Scenestr magazine, I have now had 100 posts published with them online or in their printed copies on the street. This all started with a review I submitted to them of Hidden Figures that Karen had won tickets to see. The review was published 23 February, 2017.
Copyright Lloyd Marken.
At New Farm for the first screening I attended where I needed to sign a review embargo agreement. Copyright Lloyd Marken.
Copyright Lloyd Marken.
Copyright Lloyd Marken.
Copyright Lloyd Marken.
The first film I reviewed on assignment for Scenestr magazine. Copyright Lloyd Marken.
Copyright Lloyd Marken.
Copyright Lloyd Marken.
Copyright Lloyd Marken.
Copyright Lloyd Marken.
Copyright Lloyd Marken.
Best film of 2018. Copyright Lloyd Marken.
Within a couple of months I realised if I wanted to make the most of my opportunities there I would have to put my hand up to do interviews. Despite having done this in the past at university I was still quite nervous when I did my first interview with the stars of Grease: The Arena Spectacular Meghan O’Shea and Drew Weston almost two years ago. Knowing it scared me made me confident it would be truly rewarding and that turned out to be true.
In 2018 there were 50 posts published online of my work, it is doubtful I will match that output moving forward, there are things I am currently pursuing away from Scenestr but I am grateful to continue my work for the biggest street press magazine in the country.
BIFF 2018! Copyright Lloyd Marken.
After Hellboy at Chermside cinemas10APR2019. Copyright Lloyd Marken.
At Chermisde for ‘Godzilla II: King of the Monsters’ 29MAY2019. Copyright Lloyd Marken.
Copyright Lloyd Marken.
Copyright Lloyd Marken.
BCF 2017. Copyright Lloyd Marken.
Italian Film Festival Opening Night 2018. Copyright Lloyd Marken.
Copyright Lloyd Marken.
Brisbane Comedy Festival 2019. Copyright Lloyd Marken.
Blue Room Cinebar for the first time to attend a critics’ screening of ‘The Breaker Upperers’ 03JUL2018. Copyright Lloyd Marken.
Shakespeare Double Bill at Spring Hil Reservoir. 10OCT2018 Copyright Lloyd Marken.
New Farm Cinemas December 2017. Copyright Lloyd Marken.
CHER! Copyright Lloyd Marken.
‘Uncle Vanya’ 18AUG2017. Copyright Lloyd Marken.
Italian Film Festival Opening Night 2018. Copyright Lloyd Marken.
The Purple Cinema at New Farm Cinemas the night I went to them for the first time to see Valerian 08AUG2017. Copyright Lloyd Marken.
About to see Tom Gleeson at Brisbane Comedy Festival 2018. Copyright Lloyd Marken.
Outside Crete Street Theatre following the great Beenleigh Theatre Production of ‘Lord of the Flies’ 19JAN2018. Copyright Lloyd Marken.
New Farm Cinemas after seeing ‘Wonder Wheel’ 04DEC2017. Copyright Lloyd Marken.
Hedda by the Queensland Theatre company 15NOV2018.. Copyright Lloyd Marken.
Shakespeare Double Bill at Spring Hil Reservoir. 10OCT2018 Copyright Lloyd Marken.
At QPAC for Circa in DEC2017. Copyright Lloyd Marken.
CHER! Copyright Lloyd Marken.
The delicious menu from SABA at the Cine Latino Film Festival Opening Night 2017.
Shakespeare Double Bill at Spring Hil Reservoir. 10OCT2018 Copyright Lloyd Marken.
All the people coming to see Cher in 2018. Copyright Lloyd Marken.
Myer Centre Cinemas in Brisbane CBD for ‘Captain Marvel’ 05MAR2019. Copyright Lloyd Marken.
At Brunsick Heads 07OCT2017 for the Byron Bay Film Festival 2017 to see the excellent film The Go-Betweens: Right Here. Copyright Lloyd Marken.
Warm-up act for Cher 2018. Copyright Lloyd Marken.
At the Queensland Maritime Museum to see Act/React’s ‘Kiss of the Vampire Squad’. This was performed on HMAS Diamantina as part of the Anywhere Theatre Festival 2018. Copyright Lloyd Marken.
Young Australian Filmmakers Awards 14OCT2017as part of Byron Bay Film Festival 2017. Copyright Lloyd Marken.
BCF 2017. Copyright Lloyd Marken.
New Farm Cinemas December 2017. Copyright Lloyd Marken.
Copyright Lloyd Marken.
Copyright Lloyd Marken.
At QPAC for the Queensland Symphony Orchrestra 12MAY2018. Copyright Lloyd Marken.
19AUG2017 ‘Lord of the Thrones’. Copyright Lloyd Marken.
Outside Metro Arts night of seeing Lord of the Thrones in 2017.
CHER! Copyright Lloyd Marken.
Director of ‘Celeste’ Ben Hackworth talking about his film with BIFF Artistic Director Amanda Slack-Smith. Copyright Lloyd Marken.
Copyright Lloyd Marken.
Copyright Lloyd Marken.
Pretty neat having my own Media pass at Byron Bay Film Festival 2017. Copyright Lloyd Marken.
Byron Bay 2017. Copyright Lloyd Marken.
The opportunity Scenestr gives writers and how that flows onto the rest of the print industry is extraordinary. I hope to be working for them for a long time yet.
Of the 100 posts published, 10% were reviews of stand-up comedians and their shows, 29% were theatre reviews, 28% were film reviews, 32% were interviews and 1% were reviews of Cher concerts.
The first time on assignment at Brisbane Powerhouse for ‘The Soldier’s Wife’ 10JUN2017 as part of the Queensland Cabaret Festival. Copyright Lloyd Marken.
If you’re been along with me for part of the journey I hope you have enjoyed the ride, I thank you for your support and I hope to continue with you by my side. Two years ago this milestone seemed very distant if even possible and it has been one of the great joys of my life to have had this happen to me at 36 when I was feeling that life was kind of passing me by. I feel very grateful to my editors for their support and knowledge and to all our readers. Thank you from the bottom of my heart.
Produced by Eyeball Media Enterprises Scenestr is an online national magazine with local offices around Australia. Having started in 1993 they’ve excelled at moving into the digital realm but they remain at heart from the streets. They still publish magazines in print for Western Australia, South Australia, New South Wales, Victoria and Queensland every month.
-Lloyd Marken
Karen in City Hall for Tom Gleeson during the 2018 Brisbane Comedy Festival. Copyright Lloyd Marken.
Karen about to see ‘What Rhymes WIth Cars and Girls’ in 2017. Copyright Lloyd Marken.
At the Spring Hill Reservoir to check out some Shakespeare in 2018. Copyright Lloyd Marken.
About to see Bad Moms 2 in 2017. Copyright Lloyd Marken.
Karen arriving at the 2017 Bryon Bay Film Festival. Copyright Lloyd Marken.
At BRISFEST 2018 for ‘Ode to Man’. Copyright Lloyd Marken.
Last Wednesday I was lucky enough to be back on assignment for Scenestr magazine to review Godzilla II: King of the Monsters. This was in the Gold Class cinemas at Chermside cinema, usually I demure from such things but this time around I ordered dinner from their menu and had it served to Karen and I in the cinema – delicious. It was easily the highlight of the night because the film frustrated me no end.
The flawed Hellboy came out recently and has closed out its box office run quickly and with very little gross. I felt more engaged and energised by some of the inventiveness of that film despite its many faults. I have no doubt Godzilla II will meet with more success than Hellboy.
Copyright Lloyd Marken.
Chermside rooftop carpark. The shot is kind of epic, I like to imagine it with Godzilla in it. Copyright Lloyd Marken.
Gold Class all the way baby. Copyright Lloyd Marken.
Karen rocking her new suede jacket for winter. Copyright Lloyd Marken.
We’re in June and I’m yet to see the first great film of 2019 but I don’t want to be too old and grouchy. I think for fans of Godzilla there is enough Easter Eggs and visual splendour to enjoy. Also the filmmakers seem to be addressing some of the criticisms of the 2014 original by giving the humans more agency here but make no mistake it is the human story that is lacking. During the finale set in Boston I really could have used some colourful Bostonian character reacting to Godzilla. “Hey you think ya bedda dan meah?!”. You can check out my review here http://scenestr.com.au/movies-and-tv/godzilla-king-of-the-monsters-review-20190531
Produced by Eyeball Media Enterprises Scenestr is an online national magazine with local offices around Australia. Having started in 1993 they’ve excelled at moving into the digital realm but they remain at heart from the streets. They still publish magazines in print for Western Australia, South Australia, New South Wales, Victoria and Queensland every month.
