Culture Club: Simon Gallaher’s new life as a member of arts boards
ONE of Queensland’s best-known musical-theatre stars is still heavily involved in the arts, taking on a more behind-the scenes role.
Confidential
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ENTERTAINER Simon Gallaher was our boy wonder back in the 1970s and ’80s, but what is the Queensland icon up to nowadays?
Well, as it happens he’s enjoying the fruits of his labours in retirement on Mt Tamborine in the Gold Coast hinterland with his wife Lisa.
Their three children are grown up and have “flown the coop”, and for the Gallahers it’s time to chill out — a bit.
But Gallaher will never retire completely, and he’s still busy sitting on boards and offering help when he can.
Just recently the 59-year-old joined the board of the Queensland Symphony Orchestra, which makes perfect sense, and he is also on the board of Queensland Theatre.
QSO chairman Chris Freeman says Gallaher is one of the country’s leading entertainment presenters and foremost theatrical producers, and brings “serious gravitas” to the QSO.
Gallaher says he enjoys being on boards.
“I like to keep my hand in,” he says.
“My two passions are theatre and music. I've always been a musician and an aspiring actor.”
Gallaher spent a decade on the board at QPAC, and if you attend a lot of shows there you may have run into him at opening nights.
His association with QPAC is long and happy, and in case you don’t remember, he opened the joint in 1985 starring as Frederic in The Pirates of Penzance with the late Jon English as the Pirate King.
“That was back in the Joh days when there were power strikes and no airconditioning in the theatre,” Gallaher recalls.
“We sold lots of programs at that show because people wanted to use them as fans.”
That was a memorable show in more ways than one, because it not only starred the two Aussie icons Gallaher and English, but introduced two more: David Hobson, who was Gallaher’s understudy, and Marina Prior, who got her start in that production which was QPAC’s first show. Amazing.
Gallaher had a glittering career. He grew up in Brisbane, went to the Anglican Church Grammar School (Churchie) and the Queensland Conservatorium of Music, and got his big break at 20 touring as a support act to Hollywood and Broadway star Debbie Reynolds.
“I learnt a lot from Debbie on that concert tour,” Gallaher recalls.
“She really took me under her wing and spent a lot of time with me.”
He went on to become a Queensland icon, a star of World Expo 88 and he once sang for Princess Diana when she visited Brisbane.
Di loved him so much she asked him if he had recorded any albums. Of course he had, so he signed one for Charles, Di and little William.
Gallaher went on to become a successful producer as well as performer, and in recent years has trod the boards again in Hairspray and Wicked.
And though he says he’s “kind of retired”, he will be performing at Brisbane City Hall in August at the Lord Mayor’s Concert, and we hope we see him at least occasionally.
His audience may demand it.
CHEAP SEATS FOR STUDENTS
EXCITEMENT is building about the visit later this year of the Teatro Alla Scala Ballet Company from Italy.
And students should get extra excited, because QPAC has released tickets for The Student Movement as part of the 2018 QPAC International Series.
This means that on consecutive Tuesdays, November 6 and 13, upper-primary, secondary and tertiary dance, theatre, music, fashion, design and arts students from across Australia can get a rare inside look at the company, with $25 tickets that give them access to a dress rehearsal of Don Quixote (November 6) and Giselle (November 13), and will also get to attend the pre-performance talk and get a free copy of the official program,
In the pre-performance talks they will hear arts legend Leo Schofield and QPAC scholar in residence Judith Mclean discussing the rich history behind the world famous ballet company which will be on its first ever visit to Australia. After the talk students will get to see the company’s first full dress rehearsal, an important part of the creative process not normally open to the public.
Arts Minister Leeanne Enoch says this is “a rare chance for students pursuing a range of creative professions to gain first hand knowledge about one of the oldest and most prestigious ballet companies in the world”.
“The Student Movement is an important element of QPAC’s International Series, helping to foster professional development in the arts and nurturing the next generation of Queensland’s creative sector,” Ms Enoch says.
QPAC chief executive John Kotzas says the prices of tickets can sometimes be a barrier to students attending.
“So The Student Movement removes that barrier, providing a valuable learning opportunity for students to engage with this remarkable company up close,” Kotzas says. The Student Movement tickets are now on sale at qpac.com.au/lascala/student-movement.
DIG DEEP TO HELP QAGOMA
EVERY year the folks at QAGOMA hold a QAGOMA Foundation Appeal for help funding the purchase of a special artwork. Last year they wanted help to realise the major architectural light installation by American artist James Turrell which will light up GOMA soonish — next month, we think.
Last year major philanthropists and you, the punters, all kicked in to help with that and it worked.
The year before the appeal helped us buy Michael Zavros’s terrific self-portrait Bad Dad, and that was the first time a work by a contemporary Queensland artist had been the sole focus of the foundation’s annual appeal.
This year they’re looking for support for the acquisition of Metafisica Australe, a 2017 collaboration between two leading Australian artists Michael Nelson Jagamara and Imants Tillers.
In launching the appeal last weekend, foundation president Tim Fairfax said the striking 72-panel work was the result of a collaboration that has been going on since 2001, resulting in 21 artworks.
QAGOMA director Chris Saines says the “expansive and compelling work” holds special meaning as it reflects on how the artists embarked on their working relationship.
“Metafisica Australe is the next chapter in the long-term collaboration between these two much-loved Australian artists and the gallery relishes this opportunity to celebrate an important artistic partnership that began nearly two decades ago,” Saines says.
“Their continuing conversation has a deep resonance with our Australian Collection display, highlighting a unique exchange between and indigenous and non-indigenous artist.”
Since its establishment in 1979 the Foundation has raised more than $130 million enabling acquisition of more than 8000 artworks.
Donations of all sizes are welcome and those of $2 or more are tax deductible, if that helps. QAGOMA hopes it does.
GOLDY NO LONGER A CULTURAL DESERT
Once regarded as a cultural desert, the Gold Coast has really made advances in the arts in recent years. Festival 2018 during the recent Commonwealth Games showed that.
The rebranding of the city’s arts precinct as HOTA (Home of the Arts) is getting a lot of attention and their new outdoor stage is featuring some big acts this year, including Neil Finn and Laurie Anderson.
Their art gallery, now known as Gallery at HOTA, is excellent and, while they are getting a schmick new one soon the old one is still kicking goals.
Right now they are having a free exhibition featuring highlights from their collection and that includes works that depict the Gold Coast. Gallery at HOTA director, Tracy Cooper-Lavery, says she is proud to put the spotlight on the Gold Coast in this exhibition.
“This exhibition showcases the depth of our wonderful collection,” she says.
“From Edwin Bode’s Lower Falls, Guanaba, Tamborine from 1898 to William Robinson’s The Rainforest, 1990, our region has been a constant muse for artists.
“The Gold Coast is home to a host of incredibly talented artists and we are excited to showcase their work.
“Visitors to the Gallery at HOTA will delight in seeing a diverse exhibition that will put a different spin on how the Gold Coast is seen.”
We Are Gold Coast: Works From the Gallery at HOTA Collection is on at HOTA,
135 Bundall Rd, Surfers Paradise, until July 15
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