IDLE GOSSIP with Maria O'Hare

31 October '06
Well, the ghosts & ghouls were out in full force on Tuesday….wow everything that could have gone wrong did….mics not working, guitar amp not having any of it, lines of songs being forgotten - wow it was spooky. Still, we had a great night, intense audience, but it’s different every time. That’s the beauty of live performance! The show must go on and go on it did! It just amazes me how many talented people there are out there, it’s awesome to be part of this experience! It was a close call with another tie in the top three so the top 3 was actually the top 4. They were Lexi Hutton, Jennifer Brown, Penny Horsfield & Sam Meisner. Girl power! And the judges chose Penny Horsfield. She sang ‘It’s a Fine, Fine Line’ from Avenue Q and was fantastic. Her stillness and simple interpretation of that fabulous song was what got her through. Les was impressed with her song choice as was Adrian who also mentioned that he put her through because she made the audience believe her….sooooo important! So now it Peter Meredith, Christine Lee Tyrrell and Penny Horsfield so far in the Grand Final.

A huge thank you to Terry Clarke from NIDA for coming down to guest judge and of course to Josh Quong Tart, Byron Tart & John Neeme who rocked the house as our guest performers – receiving a standing ovation.

Next week we have the cast from ‘Bangers & Mash’ as our guest performers (now showing at the Seymour Centre) - should be very funny! So get your tickets booked now guys, if the last 3 weeks is anything to go by we will be bursting at the seams next week.

Oh, before I forget here’s some good tips from Adrian and Les about song choice:-

1. Songs should not exceed 3.5 minutes.
2. Try not to attempt anything out of your emotional range.
3. Do not try a complicated song to impress--it rarely does, keep choices to songs you feel you "own".
4. Do not to go for obvious choices (Phantom/Les Miz/Cats/Sound of Music etc) but, it is not a good idea to try for anything too obscure for the sake of its obscurity.
5. Try looking at some great music theatre standards and see what you can bring to them:-
   My Fair Lady, Brigadoon (Lerner and Lowe catalogue), Rodgers and Hammerstein particularly less known shows like "Flower Drum Song", "State Fair", "Me and Juliet" - there are some wonderful songs there.
6. Make sure the song has a strong story.
7. Make sure the song shows off your range, don’t over extend the range of the song: it’s a performance not a rehearsal.
8. Keep it simple, not too complex, not too long and make sure the material is suitable for your age and gender.
9. It’s a search for a Music Theatre Star, the material should suit the requirement. You wouldn’t sing a Jazz standard at a Phantom of the Opera audition and expect to get the job.
10. If it’s not well prepared don’t do it.

Tips from the top eh? Till next week my friends, stay safe and keep singing!
big M xxx

17 October '06
What a night we had last night….the place was packed not a seat in the house! I’m so glad these people are here supporting this night let’s face it without an audience there’s no night so a big thanks to all of you who come down each week!
‘Open Mic Idle’ saw 8 more wonderfully talented performers hit the stage. One running theme from the judges throughout the night was song choice. Quite a few contestants picked songs that showed off their voices but not the story, don’t forget guys the judges are looking for triple threats not singers! But all in all the entertainment was fan bloody tastic. Our guest performers Anita Margiota, Brendan Irving and Felicity Wright rocked the house. I was so proud, they have all done so well since they won ‘Open Mic Idle’ season 1. It just reaffirms that this platform is working and in turn getting artists’ recognised and most importantly getting them gigs! I think the judges last night were brilliant, they were pretty ruthless but fair in their comments. A huge thank you to Pete Nettell, our guest judge, who was nurturing, insightful and was great fun.
Soo the top 4 (there was a tie), as vioted for by the audience were: Chris Bamford, Rosella Herbert, Julian Kuo & Christine Lee Tyrrell. The judges choose……Christine Lee Tyrrell to go through to the Grand Final. She was fantastic she sang ‘Maybe This Time’ and just blew us away. She has no agent and is currently starting out around the clubs as a singer. Wow this girl has one serious voice, fantastic stage presence and a great set of pins! The whole package as one judges put it! That’s what ‘Open Mic Idle’ is all about finding those hidden gems and catapulting them to stardom! I’m so excited about the Grand Final it’s going to be a corker so don’t forget to buy your tickets from the Seymour Box Office like now - 12th Dec be there or seriously miss out on one of the best nights Sydney has to offer.
Don’t forget no show next week (24th Oct) we’re back on the 31st along with Josh Quong-Tart and his brother Byron as our guest performers, see you there!
And so I leave you with the bitter sweet taste of success. I have a feeling season 2 is going to fly, look out world’ Open Mic Idle’ is going global!!
Till next week my friends….
big M xxx

11 October '06
Well opening night went off big time! The sound lounge was packed with a very enthusiastic crowd who raved about the night. All 8 contestants sang their hearts out and the level of talent on the stage was outstanding. Michael Falzon star of We Will Rock You was there to support the night along with Nick Tate who plays the Captain in Titanic, Andrew Conaghan, our Sigrid Langford-Scherf, Frank Hansen & Luke Joslin from the cast of Titanic. Our Guest stars Belinda Wollaston & Haden Tee from Titanic brought the house down as always…can’t wait to see their show it should be wicked.

Andrew Benson was brilliant to work with, I’m so looking forward to next week. I think I’m falling for his charm! Watch this space for further developments of this match made in heaven!

The judges were more than fair with their comments and the top 3 performers to be voted by the audience were just brilliant. They were Josephine Ison, Aaron Taylor and Peter Meredith. The judges then voted for who they thought should go through to the Grand Final from these 3. Well done to Peter Meredith, our first Grand Finalist and what a performance he gave. He just captivated both the audience and the judges, it was a touchdown!!! I’m so looking forward to seeing him on stage again on the 12th December.

Don’t forget next week we have the winner of season 1’s Grand Final Felicity Wright performing along side Brendan Irving & Anita Margiota who came second and third. It’s going be great to find out what they have been up to since March and how ‘Open Mic Idle’ has helped them develop their careers. We also have Pete Nettell, one of the loveliest blokes in theatre, as our guest judge. He has over 15 years experience as a director and producer and 30 years as a performer and singer both here and in England. Mind you everyone has a dark side wonder if ‘Open Mic Idle’ will bring it out….

That’s me done I’m off to write back to all the people who have emailed in to thank us for a great night and then it may be wine o’clock. Feel like I‘ deserved a wee drop after last night. Till next week…..

big M xxx