A fine cast of six has been assembled, all giving extraordinary performances. Laurence Coy plays Sergeant Simmonds, a chauvinistic hypocrite who has no respect for women. Sam O’Sullivan is a naive and inexperienced Constable Ross, whose behaviour becomes violent and uncontrollable.

Audiences will find themselves laughing and cringing, as comical dialogue is cleverly interwoven with scenes of horrifying brutality. Showing in a small theatre with seating close to the stage adds intimacy, with audiences seemingly onstage with these characters.

A very satisfying theatrical experience but be prepared for a production like no other – where the shocking and perverse transpire onstage. (MM)

Until Jun 15, Bondi Pavilion Theatre, Queen Elizabeth Drive, Bondi Beach, $40, 1300 241 167, rocksurfers.org

BY MARK MORELLINI

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When Billy is murdered, Julian’s mother Crystal (Kristin Scott Thomas) demands the heads of those involved; an order that pits Julian against Chang (Vithaya Pansringarm) a former police chief who takes a hands on (or off) approach to ridding the city of crime.

Only God Forgives is a nightmarish vision of the Thai underworld in the style of a Japanese horror film. It is beautifully crafted and like Drive pulses with emotional rhythms that keep you on the edge of your seat, however it requires a lot of patience and for some it may be too abstract and too violent. (NH)

****

Jun 15 & 16, State Theatre, 49 Market St, Sydney, $19.50, sff.org.au

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Masks are meant to conceal, to hide, but this exhibition reveals a parallel universe, with its own codes, textures, rules, styles, colors and boundaries (or lack there-of). It is bold, interesting, and a vivid combination of jarring, yet appealing face-covers. An exhibition of actual masks, and their prints.

Aptly called Masked Intentions, each piece reflects a designers own interpretation of the persona a mask can carry, of the forethought that acts as a veil and a guise challenging the norms. The exhibition brazenly presents an atmosphere of ideas and concepts which are unique and definitely worth indulging. (JR)

Until Jun 9, He Made She Made Concept Gallery, 70 Oxford St, Darlinghurst, Free, hemadeshemade.com

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Thu, May 30^th, Sydney Opera House

Teenage Hand Models: Self professed, “worst band in Sydney,” the Inner West locals still book show after show. The punk-rock band features an ever-changing line up of musicians, with the rumour that the only criteria to join is answering “Yes” to “Do you want to be in the band?” Their live shows are frenzied and incredibly difficult to remain indifferent to. See them for yourself. Sans Normality, Blonde Band and Robosexual will be joining them.

Fri, May 31^st, The Standard

Something For Kate: This Australian rock band is nearing their 20th year together. With a critically acclaimed sixth studio album, the trio will be doing their first national tour in four years. They’ll be showcasing tracks off the latest record as well as crowd favourites from their expansive back catalogue. Something for Kate is renowned for their outstanding live sets and joining them on what will be a very special night is indie pop singer-songwriter, Courtney Barnett who just released her debut EP, I’ve Got a Friend Called Emily.

Sat, June 1^st, Metro Theatre

Northlane: The metal quintet from Sydney has proved to be one of the hardest working, most ambitious bands in the live circuit. After releasing their first EP, Hollow Existence in 2010, they have been touring relentlessly, building up a cult following. They will be celebrating their latest release, Singularity with a string of live dates and loyalists will know that these guys are all about innovation – their show will no doubt be a reflection of DIY ethic and ambition.

Sun, June 2^nd, Annandale Hotel

Buffalo Tales: You may remember the brains behind this new musical project as the well-publicised winner of an Australian reality singing competition, but the folk singer has reinvented himself since his bout of fame as Buffalo Tales. With his new album, Roadtrip Confessions to be released shortly, the new record will see a return to Wes Carr’s singer-songwriter roots.

Mon, Jun 3^rd, Venue 505

Rachael Zella: This ethereal songbird is debuting her new album with her talented six-piece band, The Blackbirds. No Stranger is an eclectic mix of folk, indie and country with haunting vocal harmonies and beautiful melodies. Zella is classically trained and has been composing music since the age of eight so she is no doubt a talented birdie.

Wed, Jun 5^th, The Vanguard (SY)

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The New Wave: Sound program complements the Vivid Sydney ethos by featuring Australian and international practitioners at the forefront of contemporary music.

“Audiences will be treated to both established and exciting emerging artists showcasing their most innovative creations,” says New Wave: Sound Curator and Artistic Director of Seymour-resident Company Chronology Arts, Andrew Batt-Rawden.

An Infinity Room performs synthesised ‘drone’ music, Frostbyte features a surround media projection using sound samples from the Antarctic and Ampere Quartet, Australia’s only electric guitar quartet, performs ear-bleeding loud music.

Abstraction & Pathology, exploring composed and improvised electro-acoustic music by three of Australia’s most adventurous composer and performers: Anthony Pateras, Natasha Anderson and Erkki Veltheim, will be a program highlight. (CN)

Jun 7-8, Seymour Centre, City Rd & Cleveland St, Chippendale, $20-105, (02) 9351 7940, seymourcentre.com

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Mutu’s concern with the collision of Third World and First World – starvation and gluttony – come to the forefront in the piece, Exhuming Gluttony: Another Requiem. Which requires the audience to step inside a room evocative of the aftermath of some violent banquet. Suspended wine bottles slowly drip their contents on the table and floor, filling the room with a pungent odour that is familiar and yet sickening.

Intimidating and shocking, the exhibition shows Mutu’s divine ability to combine the grotesque with something beautiful. The accumulated incorporation of conflicting elements is what makes her artworks stand out among other contemporary artists. (ATS)

Until August 14, Museum of Contemporary Art, 140 George Street, The Rocks, Free, mca.com.au

BY ALEXIS TALBOT-SMITH

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It all culminates with Jeff’s legendary 1991 tribute performance of his father’s songs in a Brooklyn church, three years prior to the release of his critically acclaimed first album Grace. The film features stirring musical performances and the memorable songs of a father and son who are well-known to both generations of fans.

Greetings from Tim Buckley will be showing as part of this year’s Sydney Film Festival. (MS)

***

Jun 7 & 15, Event Cinemas, George St, Sydney, $19.50, sff.org.au

BY MEL SOMMERVILLE

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Theak says, “We like to think of JMO as a symphony orchestra equivalent to jazz or improvised music. Our music is definitely not your standard Frank Sinatra style, it’s really cutting edge and contemporary.”

“We use the full colours of all the instruments available, there are lots of different colours and sounds we are trying to put together.”

On this tour JMO will be collaborating with Australian pianist Sean Wayland and ‘steam punk’ band leader Darcy James Argue.

So, how do you combine steam punk with jazz? Theak explains, “Darcy imagines that the big band never really died and is still the pop music of today, so he uses modern pop and rock influences when composing. It’s new but using elements of the old.”

It seems that both new and old aficionados of big band music will be delighted by the JMO experience. (LR)

Jun 9, Sydney Opera House, Bennelong Point, Sydney, $48, (02) 9250 7111, mothershiporchestra.com

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Cue David Williamson’s latest masterpiece: an incredibly witty and compelling story that follows the slightly dysfunctional family life of Professor Roland Makepeace. Simply titled Happiness, the story follows this Professor of psychology from Surry Hills, whose theories on how to achieve ‘well-being’ are tested by his fiery daughter Zelda – much to the scorn of her judgmental, sex-driven and slightly alcoholic mother Hanna. 

With amazing one-liners that provoke laughter throughout the show, the actors, including Mark Lee, Erica Lovell and Anne Tenney, provide authentic portrayals of a family dynamic. The ironic aura of the Professor’s happiness surrounded by his daughter and wife’s unhappiness provides an interesting context that allows the audience sympathy with these everyday characters.

With Kirribilli’s picturesque Ensemble Theatre as the venue, post-show satisfaction is an understatement. (CD)

Until July 6, Ensemble Theatre, 78 McDougall St, Kirribilli, $30-72, (02) 9929 8877, ensemble.com.au

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The State Government, which was at one stage responsible for 50 per cent of library costs, now only funds five per cent of library services. The move has left Leichhardt Council with a $1 million shortfall each financial year.

“Our libraries are the most popular services Leichhardt Council provides to its residents with families, students and senior citizens,” said Mr Byrne. “But the continued withdrawal of State Government funding has put enormous pressure on the Council budget.

“I am calling on Barry O’Farrell to reverse this cost shifting trend and make sure that our families and our children don’t miss out on the invaluable education and inspiration that only our libraries can provide.”

Last week, NSW Minister for the Arts George Souris announced grants of $2.5 million for public libraries across the state in the annual Library Development Grants and Country Libraries Fund programs.

Mr Souris said 34 local councils will receive grants for projects, providing significant public benefit and improving public library services for NSW citizens.

“Public libraries play a critical role in our communities by providing access to collections, information and technology that help people at all stages of their lives. The NSW Government is committed to working with councils to enhance library services and facilities across the state,” he said.

But Mr Byrne said the lack of funding had been an ongoing issue.

“For 18 years the State Government has refused to increase its proportion of funding toward council libraries in line with inflation, let alone increase funding in real terms. The government pays just $1.85 per person per year for local libraries – the same amount it has paid since 1995,” he said.

Local Government NSW has continued to lobby the State Government about the impact of cost shifting.

“Leichhardt Council is completely correct in their claims that State Government cost-shifting – and their refusal to increase public library funding in line with inflation or in real terms – is a serious burden on councils,” said a spokesperson.

“Sadly libraries, and all that they have to offer local residents, are a major service under-resourced by the State Government and contribute significantly to the yearly cost shifting amount hoisted onto Local Government.

“The latest Local Government NSW survey found that the estimated amount of cost shifting by the State and Federal Governments onto NSW councils equates to $500 million per annum and the under-funding of libraries is a significant part of this yearly amount.”

Mr Byrne said emergency services are also bearing the brunt of cost shifting.

“We are paying $1.1 million a year of ratepayer money to the State Government for the fire levy to fund emergency services that has gone up on average by 7.5 per cent for over a decade, much faster than the rate of inflation,” he said.

“The Leichhardt and Balmain Fire Stations are closed more and more often each week so there’s been a reduced service and there is a danger to the community. I’m calling on the State Government to freeze any increases in the fire levy budget.”

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