With sneakers resting on tables piled with newspapers, I can just imagine the brainstorming session among the Chaser lads as they planned their live comedy show ‘The Chaser’s Age of Terror Variety Hour.’ Between gulps of coffee, they would have ping-ponged each other’s ideas: ‘Let’s get the audience involved’,  ‘Let’s show that we can be witty without camera takes.’, ‘Let’s use PowerPoint.’  For the audience, the Chaser team did in fact accomplish all these dot points in a fast-paced satirical performance – albeit a bit raw around the edges.

Even if you’ve never watched an episode of the political satire show ‘The Chaser’s War on Everything’ on ABC1, the humour is relevant to current events for people who enjoy irreverence and un-PC entertainment at an intellectual level. Four of the five main stirrers of the Australian society melting-pot star in the show; Craig, Andrew, Julian, and Chas. Original Chaser member Dominic Knight filled in for Chris Taylor and brought his own style of humour to the evening.

Canberra Theatre was packed with the gel-haired jeans and t-shirt crowd as well as the older left-wing types; their pre-show banter about whether the live show would be a re-hash of the TV show’s material – indeed what would the subject matter even be now that the preferred prey of Howard and the Liberals have faded out of the spotlight?

As the lights rose and the PowerPoint began, it was clear the evening would be full of the expected humour of tongue-in-cheek, butt cheeks, and lots of cheek.  From musical interludes and dancing, to short skits of the re-worked-around-copyright characters, the Chaser team set up jokes and brought them home.

Choosing a big theatre for their performance to maximise profit, the setting detracted from what is really just a university revue. However, they still showed their true wit under pressure, by including improvisations that involved unpredictable audience interaction and ad-libbing rapier repartee.

The high-pace had low times though, with some inter-skit fillers dragging on without much originality, but these times were few and soon enough the audience focus was on ‘what on earth will they do next’?

As the first stop in a national tour, there were a few glitches; the show is about as polished as their scruffy sneakers, but the entertainment is there – a lot of laughs with intellectual substance. And let’s hope they have a good lawyer.

Future shows in Canberra are yet to be announced.

Prepare yourself! Prepare yourself to be transported to an incredible, ancient land. Prepare yourself for the Divine Performing Arts’ Chinese Spectacular. This world-renowned performance is coming back to Canberra on 11-12 April with a dazzling new program. This is a journey to the land of the true China, a land of ethereal beauty and celestial enchantment.

It features Chinese classical dance with stunning high-tech backdrops; its gorgeous costumes is inspired by ancient Chinese scrolls; its music blends techniques from the West with melodies from the East; its artistry captures the eyes, delights the senses, touches the heart, and moves the soul.

China was once called the land of the divine. Ancient Chinese philosophy, painting, music and dance exemplify the harmony of man and heaven. Sadly, decades of cultural repression have seen these traditions nearly destroyed.

Today, a renewal has begun, and the Divine Performing Arts Chinese Spectacular is leading the renaissance of true Chinese culture. Through the language of dance and song, ancient stories are brought to life; the traditional Chinese values of loyalty, filial piety and admiration for divine beings are all vividly depicted and faithfully restored. Indeed, the parts of the show beyond Beijing’s control include artistic representations of freedom triumphing over oppression.

Audiences around the world have acclaimed this pageantry of Chinese classical dance as at once entertaining, enlightening, delightful and uplifting. Performers aspire to achieve a melding of “form, spirit, strength, movement”; they attain a realm of “using body and mind, unifying internal and external.”

Chinese classical dance’s rich language of movement and superb technique can express myriad themes, depict a range of characters, and articulate a wide spectrum of emotions. China’s history and divinely inspired culture is a wellspring of material for Chinese classical dance, and the form, in turn, provides an avenue by which to express the depth of that culture.

The Divine Performing Arts’ two groups of artists will tour over 60 cities for more than 200 shows in 2008. In just five years it has become the world’s preeminent Chinese cultural celebration. The Spectacular will be in Melbourne 28–30 March, Sydney 2–5 April, Brisbane 7–8 April and Adelaide 14–15 April. Canberra dates below. This is a show not to miss out.

Tickets are selling fast. You can book through Canberra Ticketing (02) 6275 2700, or online at www.canberratheatrecentre.com.au

The Taipei Economic and Cultural Office in Canberr (TECO), in association with the Tuggeranong Arts Centre, is proud to invite you to share in the wonders and beauty of Taiwan at the "Enchanting Taiwan" photo wxhibition. This captivating photo exhibition is being held from 20 March through 7 April, 2008 at the Tuggeranong Arts Centre, Cnr Reed & Cowlishaw Streets, Tuggeranong, ACT.

 The opening reception of the "Enchanting Taiwna Photo Exhitition" and "Taiwan Film Festival" will be held from 6:30 pm on 27 March, co-hosted by Dr. Gary Song-huann Lin – the Representative of the Taipei Economic and Cultural Office in Australia and Ms. Evol McLeod, the Director of the Tuggeranong Arts Centre. The reception will feature an introduction tot he photographs of Taiwan and morden Taiwanese films.

 "Enchanting Taiwan" is a compliation of photographs by Taiwan’s premier photographers. These artists have focused their cameras on Taiwan’s exquisite landscape, and on the lives and customs of the people who have created a lively and diverse society on the beautiful island. Everyone is most welcome to enjoy the evening and we invite you to join us as we introduce the beauty of Taiwan.

 The three films selected for this year’s Taiwan film festival are: Island Etude (2006), Chocolate Rap (2005), and The Shoe Fairy (2006). These films reflect the unique style of each director and their observations and interpretations of love and life. The screenings are:

•   27 March, 7:30 pm – Island Etude
•   28 March, 2:00 pm – Chocolate Rap
•   28 March, 7:30 pm – The Shoe Fairy

 Island Etude is a Taiwanese film directed by En Chen. The story follows the travels of a young man around Taiwan on his bike. The movie shows the beauty of Taiwan, and is Taiwan’s official entry to the Academy Awards. In capturing the spirit of Taiwan, this exceptional film is definitely not to be missed.

 The Shoe Fairy is a lighthearted love story with a charming dose of fairy tale elements, and starts the delightful Vivian Hsu who plays a girl who is completely enamored with shoes. This film won the Best Art Direction at the 42nd Golden Horse Awards and one of the films from the Focus First Cuts series, The Shoe Fairy will take you on a journey through the colourful land of fairytales, in serch of true love and happiness.

 Chocolate Rap tells a very interesting story about a young hip hop dancer’s success.

 For more information, please contact the TECO Information Division on 02-61201030