October 2013 Archives

Okay you’ve bought your ticket, you’re packed, you’re ready...and then what? Here’s an email being sent to all ticket holders for Chicago! Has some great info.

If you haven’t bought your ticket yet...you’re going to miss out if you don’t hurry. Tickets are selling like hotcakes!

Go here and order your tickets

For more on Lucy’s role as Velma Kelly in Chicago, go to AUSXIP Lucy Lawless Chicago The Musical (Auckland) subsite

We're excited to welcome you to Auckland Theatre Company's Vodafone Season of CHICAGO!

You've bought tickets to a performance this week and will be heading to Q theatre, cafe and bar any time now... We want you to have an extraordinary experience while you're here at Q, so we've put together some helpful hints that you may find useful.
If you have a question that you don't see answered here, please visit ourwebsite, send us an email or give us a call on 09 309 9771. 

See you soon!
The team at Q

TICKETS & ACCESS

Thanks for booking in advance and securing your seats to the hottest show in town! Please take note of the performance date and time of your booking. Performance times vary during the week, so make sure you know when your show starts! (You'll be surprised how many people get it wrong). To check your show time, visit our website or contact our box office on 09 309 9771.

When you arrive at Q, you may need to collect your tickets from our box office, situated on the ground floor on Queen St.

Please take note that Q theatre has two performance spaces, Rangatira and Loft. CHICAGO is showing in Rangatira which has three levels of seating - Floor, Balcony and Gods. If this if your first time seeing a show in Rangatira, don't worry, we'll have plenty of ushers to help you locate your seat. There is lift access to all levels of the theatre. Please let us know if you have accessibility requirements or need us to assist you to your seat.

SHOW DURATION & DISCLAIMER
Running time: 2 hours, 20min - including a 20min interval (Just enough time to duck to the toilets (located on the lower ground level) and refuel with a drink or an ice cream!)

CHICAGO is recommended for mature audiences as it contains adult themes, violence, sexual references, drug use and content that may offend.

NO PHOTOGRAPHY ALLOWED
No cameras, mobile phones and recording devices may be used during the performance. We appreciate your cooperation with this policy to ensure everyone has an enjoyable experience.

LET THE RAZZLE DAZZLE CONTINUE AT Q...

Don't let the party stop there! Indulge your desires with a late night treat and try The Razzle Dazzle champagne cocktail and a duo of canapes. Deliciously crafted and available after each performance for $25 pp. Book a table or a booth at reservations@qtheatre.co.nz or call 09 282 4402.

Here's to a night of fame, fortune...and ALL THAT JAAAAAZZ!

I received the following note about the 2013 Starship Christmas Album. On the 16 October I posted news about Starship's upcoming 2013 Starship Christmas Album which follows up their record breaking 2012 Starship Christmas Album with Lucy singing "Little Child".

Unfortunately due to Lucy's VERY busy schedule she's unable to record a song for the 2013 Christmas Album. Please see below the email from Starship. I reckon it would be still a great stocking filler.

Dear Starship Friends,

Thank you so much for contacting us to say you would like to order one or more of the Christmas Album 2013, raising funds for Starship's National Air Ambulance Service.

We are so appreciative of your support.

Pre-orders within NZ can now be made at www.umusic.co.nz/StarshipChristmasAlbum

There is a small delivery charge if you order online, so if you would prefer to wait for the album to come out in stores (The Warehouse, Caltex, New World), you are welcome to do so.  They are expected in-store approx 22 Nov.

International orders will be processed via the Starship Foundation. I will contact all overseas supporters separately to this email to advise of postage costs to your respective countries.

The artists on the album may differ slightly from any previous notices you have seen. Artists include SOL3 MIO, Greg Johnson, Bic and Boh Runga, Jamie McDell, Anika Moa, Andrew Fagan, Ruby Frost and Peter Urlich.

To all our loyal Lucy Lawless fans, unfortunately, despite everyone's best efforts, we couldn't find a time in Lucy's busy schedule to record a song for this year's album, but she has asked me to pass onto you all that she would really value your support of the album and of her generous friends who have recorded beautiful Christmas songs for it.

If you have any further questions about the album, please feel free to come back to me.

Otherwise, once again, thank you so much for your generous support of Starship.


Kind regards
Andrea Newland

For more info about Lucy Lawless and Starship, visit the AUSXIP Lucy Lawless Starship Info Page

The countdown is on, we have just two days to the preview (1 Nov) and three days to Opening Night (2 Nov). Excitement is building. Here are a couple of photos from AUSXIP Lucy Lawless’s twitter and Facebook pages.

You can find us on twitter at http://twitter.com/lucylawless.net

You can find us on Facebook at http://facebook.com/lucylawlessnet

The cast of #ATCChicago...opening night 2nd Nov w Lucy Lawless as Velma Kelly pic.twitter.com/nbDHKpys7t

— AUSXIP Lucy Lawless (@lucylawlessnet) October 29, 2013

Air NZ is having a seat sale 4 OZ to NZ End 1 Nov. PERFECT for grabbing a seat to see Lucy Lawless in #ATCChicago! http://t.co/i3m8v3hqhz

— AUSXIP Lucy Lawless (@lucylawlessnet) October 29, 2013

Just been backstage at #Chicago and all I can say is: @sebonsafari - you HAVE to see the show.

— Siobhan Waterhouse (@MrFahrenheit_PR) October 29, 2013

@hudsie42 great! Rehearsing a kick arse show. (It's certainly kicking my arse!)

— Lucy Lawless (@RealLucyLawless) October 27, 2013

#BangBang painting the town red with CHICAGO - opening at Q this weekend! http://t.co/59tEObHjG2

— Q (@QTheatre) October 29, 2013

Here’s the second part of the State of NZ Film Industry and the ongoing battle to get the NZ Government to be aware of how much the film industry contributes to the NZ economy through jobs and tourism. You can read the first part here. It seems NZ Government Minister Steven Joyce decided to play the man rather than the ball in his attack on Rob Tapert during a radio interview with Radio New Zealand. Instead on focusing what he can do to FIX the problem, he has only inflamed the situation even more. The NZ Film Industry is dying.

Rob Tapert has been responsible for creating thousands of jobs and bringing in millions of dollars to NZ. In a recent article in the NZ Herald “Past Our Peak” on 31 August 2013 it said about Rob’s contribution:

They cite the impact of Spartacus, which over four years attracted grants of $30 million and returned $170 million to the economy in wages, post-production work, equipment hire, leases, accommodation, travel and legal fees. Spartacus was the most recent in a string of long-run TV series brought here by Hollywood producer Rob Tapert, husband of Lucy Lawless. The series, which began with Hercules in 1994, is credited with pumping $800 million into the local industry.

Those achievements mean nothing to a government hell bent of killing off their film industry. What’s worse, they are determined to destroy their Pure NZ brand by their policies. Once you destroy the Pure NZ brand, it is impossible to get back.

Stuff.co.nz had an article about this issue:

The film and television industry is "effectively dying" as productions are lured overseas by bigger state subsidies, leading Kiwi director Andrew Adamson says. Film-industry gossip is running hot that the Avatar sequels will now be shot overseas, but insiders say that is just the tip of the iceberg, with the Kiwi industry in a worse state than at any time in the past 20 years.

Under the Large Budget Screen Production Grant, New Zealand offers big-budget productions a 15 per cent rebate on money spent in the country, with larger rebates for projects more than $200 million. Other nations such as Britain and South Africa offer rebates of 25 per cent, while New Zealand's high dollar is a further deterrent to overseas money. Economic Development Minister Steven Joyce has ruled out a straight rebate increase, although he said he was working to pull the industry out of its "tough period".

Read more

Allegedly Mr Joyce says he hasn’t paid attention to Lucy’s tweets to him. He hasn’t paid attention but goes on to say that “her views were contradictory”. Hm...if he hasn’t paid attention how does he know that Lucy’s views are “contradictory” (they’re not but let’s go with this for moment.) You have to pay attention to what someone says in order to respond to what that person says.

Mr Joyce...play the ball and not the man or in this case, the woman and the man.

This is Lucy’s response to the Joyce’s attack on Rob – you can listen to it here

@StevenJoyce, you may as well have said, "Go Home, Yank" to my husband who has employed 1000's of NZers since 1994. NZ film RIP.

— Lucy Lawless (@RealLucyLawless) October 25, 2013

@VFXSoldier @emsentity to be competitive.

— Lucy Lawless (@RealLucyLawless) October 25, 2013

By that logic, theNZ Govt would care about our clean, green status but their focus is on coal/oil/gas.ToHell w theEnviro. @findingthesense

— Lucy Lawless (@RealLucyLawless) October 25, 2013

Perhaps his is why the NZ govt realised they should have been backing TV. They done been shafted by the big boys! @VFXSoldier @emsentity

— Lucy Lawless (@RealLucyLawless) October 25, 2013

@davidstripinis @Juicexlx @VFXSoldier @emsentity Have you ever seen any of my shows? Mind u, we never got a subsidy. RT, a true job creator.

— Lucy Lawless (@RealLucyLawless) October 25, 2013

If people can't work, they get desperate &angry. Tax rebates to encourage production keeps mortgages paid, kids fed. CBA anyone?

— Lucy Lawless (@RealLucyLawless) October 25, 2013

Lucy Lawless – My Happy Place
Herald on Sunday
27 October 2013

In the Moment – article / interview with Michael Hurst, director of Chicago!

Director Michael Hurst’s Version of Chicago has humour, song and dance – and a dark, gritty side as well. Dionne Christian reports

NZ Weekend Herald
26 October 2013

Does he like peeling onions? Michael Hurst looks bemused by the question — he is eating a home- made salad of piquant appearance — so he pauses, fork in mid-air, and tilts his head. What’s being referred to is not preparing vegetables; it’s the amount of research the veteran actor and director does as he readies himself for a role.

In this case, he’s directing Auckland Theatre Company’s end- of year musical Hurst signed up for the job 15 months ago and has since spent a large chunk of time reading about 1920s Chicago and peeling back information about jazz, prohibition and the underground scene it inspired and, more specifically, the real-life murders and subsequent trials on which the musical is based.

He says is cynical and satirical; a musical deliberation of celebrity and its transience and the role the media plays in shaping public perception.

When he talks to a group of theatre company supporters about the show, he uses the example of singers Miley Cyrus and our own Lorde to illustrate the ebbs and flows of celebrity.

One week, the talk is of Cyrus’ antics; the next, it’s all about a young girl from New Zealand who keeps her clothes on and lets her music make a statement.

Thirty-six hours later, when we meet, Hurst is talking about a new local scandal being tilled over by anyone and everyone.

‘‘It’s all about perceptions and media manipulation and that’s more present than ever before with the rise of social media alongside traditional media. You can look at

as being a story about two glamorous women, but the reality is they were probably out of their minds on really bad alcohol and a lot of their experience was very ugly and not very funny. We have to take that and make it entertaining so, yes, there will be humour and great singing and dancing, but we wanted to make sure the other elements of the story are present.’’

That means there will be no ‘‘jazz hands’’ and while numbers such as and

will be as bold and brassy as ever, they will have an edge which emphasises the story’s darker aspects. The costumes are scant and revealing.

Hurst took a similar get-to-theheart-of-the-story approach to the musical in 2010 but says that was a different kind of show with two storylines running simultaneously, distinct driving forces and musical arrangements.

At no point did he and the creative team, which includes

collaborator choreographer Shona McCullagh, think they were making that show for the 1920s.

One of the world’s longest running musicals, was written by reporter Maurine Dallas Watkins, who spent a chunk of her early career covering the 1924 murder trials of Beulah Annan and Belva Gaertner. Despite their crimes, the women became media darlings whose every move was followed by an entranced public. With Annan the inspiration for Roxie Hart and Gaertner for Velma Kelly, Watkins explored a rumour which circulated that, because jurors of the time were all men, attractive and feminine women would not be convicted.

The theatre company’s stars Lucy Lawless as Kelly, Amanda Billing as Hart and Shane Cortese as the lawyer Billy Flynn, who works the system to get the women released and make money and a name. Hurst believes Flynn is the most corrupt character because he sought to manipulate justice for his own ends; the women were making the most of the little they had.

Is it a feminist piece? ‘‘ That’s an interesting question, but no, I don’t think so,’’ says Hurst. ‘‘The women were certainly very strong in many respects but they were at the mercy of circumstances and those around them. It makes it very cynical.’’

He has never sat all the way through the 2002 film, with Renee Zellweger, Richard Gere and Catherine Zeta- Jones in the lead roles, so it hasn’t influenced him. Lawless starred as prison warden extraordinaire Mama Morton in a Hollywood Bowl version of the show which was directed by Brooke Shields and starred Stephen Moyer and Ashlee Simpson.

‘‘There’s an audience of 15,000- 16,000 people and when you step out, there’s a wall of people in front of you but they still feel very close and present so your adrenalin levels go through the roof,’’ says Lawless.

‘‘You’re fitting into something with a huge history and every character has an equally huge tradition. It’s very specific; everything has to be done just so but what we’re working on here i s not museum theatre. It’s a re- imagining and that’s very exciting.’’

Hurst, McCullagh and musical director John Gibson were keen to jazz up the musical, with Gibson telling Hurst he’d do it only if they could come up with a more contemporary approach.

They opted to stage the play in the round, with the audience surrounding the 4.3m-wide stage, cast some male dancers to play female roles, and strip back the set.

Getting 14 cast members on a small stage has meant some innovative and creative thinking for McCullagh, who is working with dancers as well as actors. She says it helped that Hurst had a definite vision and comprehensive plan for the show because she could work on finding a movement language which would match this as well as the abilities of all players.

‘‘We bounce off each other very well and because Michael has such clear ideas, it makes my job much easier.

‘‘When you’ve got ‘creative challenges’ to solve, it leads you into doing some really exciting stuff.

‘‘Bob Fosse [who directed and choreographed the original Broadway production in 1975] imprinted a new way of moving which became very famous. We thought there was no point in trying to recreate what he had done. Beside, we’re making this show for New Zealand in 2013 so the movements are inspired by when and where we are and there are some surprising references in there.’’

If Hurst feels nervous about his grittier and darker approach, he watches YouTube clips of shows.

‘‘And that reminds me we are right on track and not to be influenced by what has gone before.

‘‘Will the purists like it? If you asked, ‘ Will people who like theatre enjoy it?’ then yes, because it’s what theatre should be about: surprise and making you sit up and watch. If people want to see the way they know it, they should stay home and rent the film.’’

For more on Lucy’s role as Velma Kelly in Chicago, go to AUSXIP Lucy Lawless Chicago The Musical (Auckland) subsite

Order your tickets here

AUSXIP Lucy Lawless now has an official Facebook page. It’s a sister site for this site. Go check it out!

Visit the facebook page here

iEat: Lucy Lawless
NZ Listener Magazine
24 October 2013

Lucy Lawless’s passion for environmental issues is well documented – thanks to her arrest following a four-day protest at the top of an oil tower in Port Taranaki. But is she equally passionate about healthy eating? Lawless, who is starring as Velma Kelly in the Auckland Theatre Company’s production of Chicago, shares her thoughts on healthy living.

The rest of the article is here (subscription only)

The New Zealand Film Industry is going through a tough time and Lucy has tweeted about the troubles.

SJ, u brilliant db, we shot #Xena for 6 yrs in that studio w. a train next door. The film industry is dying coz U killed it. @stevenljoyce

— Lucy Lawless (@RealLucyLawless) October 23, 2013

SJ, u brilliant db, we shot #Xena for 6 yrs in that studio w. a train next door. The film industry is dying coz U killed it. @stevenljoyce

— Lucy Lawless (@RealLucyLawless) October 23, 2013

I remember when Gerry-sexy-coal-Brownlee came to our set so he could decide exactly how best to MUNT foreign investment. WOW. @stevenljoyce

— Lucy Lawless (@RealLucyLawless) October 23, 2013

All the NZ Govt can think of to balance the books is Coal/Oil/Gas. Sooo 19th century. Why not push our geothermal knowhow? @stevenljoyce

— Lucy Lawless (@RealLucyLawless) October 23, 2013

Another production just left NZ for Sth Africa. Film Industry dying, SJ! Why do you love fossil fuels so much? #ClimateChange @stevenljoyce

— Lucy Lawless (@RealLucyLawless) October 23, 2013

NZ film workers losing their trucks. 22.10.13 - Question 8: Jacinda Ardern to the Minister for Economic Development http://t.co/hGjDXiENnr

— Lucy Lawless (@RealLucyLawless) October 23, 2013

NZ Film once more lucrative than wine. Now moribund. 22.10.13 - Jacinda Ardern to the Minister for EconDevelopment http://t.co/hGjDXiENnr

— Lucy Lawless (@RealLucyLawless) October 23, 2013

He did. He gave them the best advice to keep film rolling and they screwed him over. @Brycepearce @stevenljoyce

— Lucy Lawless (@RealLucyLawless) October 23, 2013

Every day Rob &ChloeSmith get calls from Film crew desperate they can't pay their mortgages. Rob can't convince studios to come! @crixacus

— Lucy Lawless (@RealLucyLawless) October 23, 2013

@welliejaffa @stevenljoyce Govt policy on tax rebates for NZ film killed all incentive. foreign invest now NIL. Big Tax$ spent wooing BigOil

— Lucy Lawless (@RealLucyLawless) October 23, 2013

The New Zealand gay magazine Express has a fantastic interview with Lucy in their most recent issue.

Read the article

The New Zealand gay magazine Express has a fantastic interview with Lucy in their most recent issue.

I Love Lucy
by Amie Wee

Photography by Patric Seng

There’s no business quite like show business and one rather beautiful leading lady is eager for the curtain to rise on a new adventure.

The last time I saw Lucy Lawless, she was wearing a pleather cat suit and belting out the ’90s classic Lucy Lawless,on stage at The Kings Arms, while a U-Haul of screaming lesbians catapulted their wet knickers at her from the front row. “It’s all in a days work!” Lucy laughs.

Recently I was lucky enough to interview the gorgeous kiwi actress, activist and musician Lucy Lawless, infamous for her role as the original queen of ass-kicking – Xena Warrior Princess, as well as her performance as D’Anna/Number Three in Battlestar Galactica and more recently, as the ruthless, self-serving and damn fine Lucretia in Spartacus. Oh yeah, let’s maybe not forget that time Lucy casually got arrested for commandeering and halting a Shell oil drilling rig ship that was headed from New Zealand to the Artic to go screw up the environment.

Lucky for us, Lucy’s back in New Zealand for a bit and while she’s steering clear of oil rigs, November does see her climbing aboard the stage for Auckland Theatre Company’s production of the 1975 Broadway classic Chicago. A story of murder, greed, corruption, violence, exploitation, adultery and treachery, Lucy tells me how excited she was when ATC director Michael Hurst handpicked her for the role. “After seeing ATC’s production of Cabaret a couple of years ago which starred Amanda Billing and was directed by Michael; I just thought she was fierce and he was so brilliant and I was hungry to work with the pair of them.”

With rehearsals in full swing this talented lady tells me that she’s “more excited than ever” and that the experience thus far is “turning out to be every bit the dream”. It’s exciting how much Lucy lights up when she starts talking about Chicago and her enthusiasm for Michael’s directorial interpretation. “It’s truly incredible. It’s anarchic. It’s a complete re-imagining of Chicago’s text.

Read Full Article

The following is from the Sunday Star Times (NZ) 20 October.

Actor Lucy Lawless is held in a mock prison cell during a day-long vigil on the Auckland waterfront to mark 30 days of injustice for the Arctic 30 detained in Russia. Thirty volunteers, representing the Arctic 30, are each spending 30 minutes in the cell on Queens Wharf near to where the Rainbow Warrior was bombed by the French Government in 1985. As the Arctic 30 face their 30th day of imprisonment by Russian authorities, nearly 10,000 people are taking to the streets at 85 events in 36 cities to call for their immediate release. A Russian court has charged the Arctic 30 (twenty-eight Greenpeace International activists, as well as a freelance videographer and photographer), with piracy, punishable for up to 15 years in prison.

© 2013 Greenpeace / Richard Simkins

and here is the video from Greenpeace – time lapse video

30 volunteers in Auckland stood a silent vigil for each of the Arctic 30 detained in Russia on piracy charges for their peaceful protest against Arctic oil drilling.

Lucy can be seen 1.16 into the video clip below

Press Release: ‘30 Days of Jnjustice’ Vigil for Arctic 30
Greenpeace New Zealand

Posted: 17 Oct 2013 02:19 PM PDT

Auckland – Greenpeace volunteers are today holding a dawn to dusk vigil in a mock prison cell on the Auckland waterfront to mark the 30th day of detention in Russia for the Arctic 30 which includes two New Zealanders.

Greenpeace is calling for the immediate release of the 28 activists plus a freelance photographer and freelance videographer.
Thirty volunteers including Nicola Beauchamp, the sister of New Zealand activist Jonathan Beauchamp, are taking turns to complete 30-minute vigils in the small prison cell on Queens Wharf. Each volunteer represents one of the Arctic 30.

Nicola Beauchamp said her family were heartened by the thousands of people who had been involved in solidarity events for the Arctic 30 over the last month.

“Jon and his colleagues took a stand for us. Now we need to stand up for them,” she said

The Queens Wharf vigil is near to where the Rainbow Warrior was bombed by the French Government in 1985. Greenpeace NZ Executive Director Bunny McDiarmid, who was a crew member at the time of the bombing, was one of the first volunteers in the cell vigil. She represented the captain of the Arctic Sunrise Peter Willcox who was also the captain of the Rainbow Warrior in 1985.

McDiarmid said similar events were being held around the world today to mark the ‘30 days of injustice’ for the Arctic 30 charged with piracy by a Russian court following a peaceful protest against Arctic oil drilling at a Gazprom oil platform in the Pechora Sea.

“They knew that an Arctic oil spill would decimate a region of breath-taking beauty and would be almost impossible to clean up. And they knew that we can’t tackle the threat from a warming world if we burn the oil under the Arctic. We are here because peaceful activism is not a crime,” she said.

“Greenpeace does not put itself above the law. Those 30 brave men and women are not pirates and this charge represents nothing less than an assault on the very principle of peaceful protest.”

Amnesty International's Activism Support Manager Margaret Taylor, also at the vigil, described the piracy charges as is “absurd, unfounded and ludicrous and damaging to the rule of law."

"These charges should be dropped immediately, and there are no grounds for the activists to be held and denied bail under them. Unless there are any other reasonable and well-founded charges, the activists should be released immediately."

Other vigils this morning have represented New Zealanders David Haussmann and Jonathan Beauchamp who, earlier this week, were denied bail along with 11 others. Bail hearings for the rest of the group are continuing.

Visitors to the Queens Wharf vigil are sending messages of support to the Arctic 30 by writing on paper doves. They are also being asked to join the 1.5 million people who have sent letters to Russian embassies demanding the release of the group.

See more of Lucy's role as an Eco-Warrior and Greenpeace Ambassador

Lucy Lawless takes part in a vigil to mark the 30th day of detention for the activists, crew and freelance journalists of the Arctic Sunrise.

You can add your voice to Lucy's and the almost 1.5 million other people worldwide who have told Russian embassies that they want to #FreeTheArctic30here >> www.greenpeace.org/freethearctic30

The Official Q Booking site has indicated that the Chicago season from 1 November to 30 November has been extended once again. It’s now extended to 15 December!

If you haven’t bought your tickets and the seat you wanted was sold out, now here’s another chance!

The extended dates are:

• Sunday – 1 December
• Tuesday – 3 December
• Wednesday – 4 December
• Thursday – 5 December
• Friday – 6 December
• Saturday – 7 December – (2 pm)
• Saturday – 7 December – (8 pm)
• Sunday – 8 December
• Tuesday – 10 December
• Wednesday – 11 December
• Thursday – 12 December
• Friday – 13 December
• Saturday – 14 December – (2 pm)
• Saturday – 14 December – (8 pm)
• Sunday – 15 December

Order your tickets here

1920s, Chicago. Cook County Jail is home to a bawdy band of murderesses, all of whom have eradicated their quickly insignificant others. Chanteuses Velma Kelly (Lucy Lawless) and Roxie Hart (Amanda Billings) have both acquired a spot on Death Row. Velma enlists the help of prison matron Mama Morton (Colleen Davis) and smooth-talking lawyer Billy Flynn (Shane Cortese) to turn her incarceration into a media frenzy. But, not one to rest on her laurels, Roxie comes up with a foxy plan to steal back the limelight and, instead of wrangling the law, the two divas find themselves fighting the ultimate battle – the race to superstardom.

Set in the legendary city during the Roaring Twenties, an era renowned for organised crime, alcohol prohibition and the very best jazz, Michael Hurst's version of this razor-sharp show about bad girls behaving badly will bring all the sass, brass and a%$e of his most recent Auckland Theatre Company musical Cabaret (2010).

CHICAGO THE MUSICAL

Music by John Kander  Lyrics by Fred Ebb  Book by Fred Ebb, Bob Fosse

Directed by Michael Hurst
Location
 Q (305 Queen St)

Booking info
 +64 9 309 9771 or www.qtheatre.co.nz

Season dates

Preview: Friday 1 November, 8pm
Opening: Saturday 2 November, 8pm
Closing: Sunday 15 December, 7pm

Cast

Roxie Hart - Amanda Billing
Velma Kelly - Lucy Lawless
Amos - Andrew Grainger
Billy Flynn - Shane Cortese
Mama Morton - Colleen Davis
Narrator/Little Mary Sunshine - Sandra Rasmussen

Chorus - Will Barling, Stephen Butterworth, Mike Edward, Rebekkah Schoonbeek, Sia Trokenheim, Hannah Tasker-Poland, Lavinia Uhila

Creative team

Director - Michael Hurst
Musical Director - John Gibson
Set Designer - John Harding
Costume Designer - Lesley Burkes-Harding
Lighting Design - Sean Lynch
Stage Manager - Chelsea Adams
Set Construction - 2construct

www.atc.co.nz

In 2012 Starship released their 2012 Christmas Album which generated $251,293 for Starship and that featured Lucy singing "Little Child". Starship is back with their 2013 Christmas Album and you can now pre-order your copy.

The album will be released in late November for $15.99 NZD. You can pre-order a copy or four by emailing Starship at starshipfoundation@adhb.govt.nz stating the number of albums you would like and your name and address.

The album will once again feature Lucy and other kiwi artists such as the gorgeous Jason Kerrison, Bic Runga, Jordan Luck, Jackie Thomas, Jamie McDell, Anika Moa, Boh Runga, Peter Urlich.

Order one or four now and help the children!

For more info about Lucy Lawless and Starship, visit the

Here’s the latest update on tickets for Chicago The Musical with Lucy as Velma Kelly. The show has been extended till 30 November and there might be a possibility it will be extended again. Judging from the ticket sales, I wouldn’t be surprised if they did extend it.

If you haven’t bought a ticket, can I suggest you do so and quick! Check out the screencap for the ticket sales below.  You can purchase tickets from here

For more on Lucy’s role as Velma Kelly in Chicago, go to AUSXIP Lucy Lawless Chicago The Musical (Auckland) subsite

Last night in Auckland, there was a preview of what’s coming up in the Auckland Theatre Company production of Chicago The Musical. Here’s some photos (courtesy of @MichaelHurstNow)

Lucy and the actress that will play Mama Morton, Colleen Davis, performed “When You’re Good To Mama”.

CHICAGO BackstageStory last night-pics: Michael w/@RealLucyLawless,Lucy w/Colleen Davis,Amanda Billing, @ShaneCortese http://t.co/p5SR4ZM6bm

— MichaelHurstNow (@MichaelHurstNow) October 14, 2013

For more on Lucy’s role as Velma Kelly in Chicago, go to AUSXIP Lucy Lawless Chicago The Musical (Auckland) subsite

TICKETING INFO HERE

Early bird tickets for Chicago are coming to an end on 18 October. If you haven’t bought your ticket and you want to go, now is the time to go and get your tickets. They are selling out fast. Lucy has once again made the point (on twitter) that this is an adult show with adult themes. What that means exactly is unknown other than don’t take the kids.

A heads up, the early bird discount for Vodafone Season of Chicago ends 18/10 Lucy Lawless as Velma Kelly! https://t.co/ES8OaoWWAs

— AUSXIP Lucy Lawless (@lucylawlessnet) October 12, 2013

@RealLucyLawless: Chicago rehearsals for the @AkldTheatreCo are going great. NOT FOR CHILDREN (or Prudes)! You have been warned. A/S/V/AL

— Lucy Lawless (@RealLucyLawless) October 12, 2013

CHICAGO THE MUSICAL

Music by John Kander  Lyrics by Fred Ebb  Book by Fred Ebb, Bob Fosse

Directed by Michael Hurst
Location
 Q (305 Queen St)

Booking info
 +64 9 309 9771 or www.qtheatre.co.nz

Season dates

Preview: Friday 1 November, 8pm
Opening: Saturday 2 November, 8pm
Closing: Sunday 30 November, 8pm

Cast

Roxie Hart - Amanda Billing
Velma Kelly - Lucy Lawless
Amos - Andrew Grainger
Billy Flynn - Shane Cortese
Mama Morton - Colleen Davis
Narrator/Little Mary Sunshine - Sandra Rasmussen

Chorus - Will Barling, Stephen Butterworth, Mike Edward, Rebekkah Schoonbeek, Sia Trokenheim, Hannah Tasker-Poland, Lavinia Uhila

Creative team

Director - Michael Hurst
Musical Director - John Gibson
Set Designer - John Harding
Costume Designer - Lesley Burkes-Harding
Lighting Design - Sean Lynch
Stage Manager - Chelsea Adams
Set Construction - 2construct

www.atc.co.nz

A couple of videos (actually it’s only audio) of commentary tracks Lucy did for the Gods of the Arena Blu-ray editions are now on youtube. Check them out.

For more about Lucy's role as Lucretia on Spartacus visit the AUSXIP Lucy Lawless Spartacus subsite or the AUSXIP Spartacus News and Multimedia Site

Spartacus:Gods of the Arena DVD Commentary 0x04 (audio only) Ep 4 Dustin Clare, Lucy Lawless, Jaime Murray & DeKnight http://t.co/GGdMsyTmJe

— AUSXIP Lucy Lawless (@lucylawlessnet) October 12, 2013

Spartacus: Gods of the Arena - DVD Commentary 0x03 (audio only) - Lucy Lawless, Rob Tapert, Michael Hurst http://t.co/9KYvjd361K

— AUSXIP Lucy Lawless (@lucylawlessnet) October 12, 2013

For more about Lucy's role as Lucretia on Spartacus visit the AUSXIP Lucy Lawless Spartacus subsite or the AUSXIP Spartacus News and Multimedia Site

Here’s some wonderful pics of Lucy at the 2013 DragonCon event. The photos are on the official DragonCon site. – you will have to look through all their gallery of their guests for Lucy pics.

For more photos, video and news on Lucy’s appearance at DragonCon go to the AUSXIP Lucy Lawless DragonCon Event Page

For more photos, video and news on Lucy’s appearance at DragonCon go to the AUSXIP Lucy Lawless DragonCon Event Page

Lucy's tweets for September 2013 have been archived in the AUSXIP Lucy Lawless Messages & Tweets Section. You will also find archived tweets from February - December 2012 and January to August 2013

Click here to read September 2013 Tweets

Catch up with Lucy's Messages and Special Tweets To Her Fans on  AUSXIP Lucy Lawless Messages & Tweets

Follow Lucy on twitter @RealLucyLawless

Here are few screencaps from Lucy’s Seven Sharp appearance. She stayed for the full show (approx 24 minutes) and talked about Mount Albert (in the Property segment), her bees and of course Chicago The Musical.

Watch the video clip here

..Lucy as Velma Kelly! NOT TO BE MISSED!

For more on Lucy’s role as Velma Kelly in Chicago, go to AUSXIP Lucy Lawless Chicago The Musical (Auckland) subsite

TICKETING INFO HERE

Some Rehearsal Pics....

Interview pics

For more on Lucy’s role as Velma Kelly in Chicago, go to AUSXIP Lucy Lawless Chicago The Musical (Auckland) subsite

TICKETING INFO HERE

Chicago PR is stepping up and Lucy was a guest panelist on the NZ TV Show Seven Sharp in New Zealand. See below for news and pics! Their show is posted on their site – the first couple of episodes are geoblocked and then the rest are not (at least for me in Australia).

A small snippet of the interview (approx 2 minutes) is not geoblocked and you can view it on their web site here – the full episode (Lucy stayed on and talked about Mount Albert, Bees and Chicago is geoblocked but will be unblocked in a few days (from what I can tell from previous episodes)

Lucy Lawless @RealLucyLawless on the show tonight @SevenSharpTim pic.twitter.com/n3hvNjVg3S

— Gracie Taylor (@Gracie__Taylor) October 9, 2013

Excited much? YES. Lucy Lawless is with us tonight. #sevensharp pic.twitter.com/DwAJg5yCMK

— Tamati Coffey (@tamaticoffey) October 9, 2013

Are ya watching? @sevensharptim @RealLucyLawless @AkldTheatreCo pic.twitter.com/ln3an9j4xu

— Siobhan Waterhouse (@MrFahrenheit_PR) October 9, 2013

Lucy Lawless hanging out with us for the whole show ... Woo!

— Seven Sharp (@SevenSharpTim) October 9, 2013

Lucy Lawless, 7Sharp "We're doing it really different. You know, it's a Michael Hurst production & that means he's gonna push every boundary

— MichaelHurstNow (@MichaelHurstNow) October 9, 2013

..there's lines that never made sense to me before & now do because it's very gritty, it's not the Fosse show, this is the Underbelly show"

— MichaelHurstNow (@MichaelHurstNow) October 9, 2013

Chillin' in the Greenroom with @reallucylawless before her guesty on @sevensharptim tonight. She's talking #chicago (and all that jazz)

— Siobhan Waterhouse (@MrFahrenheit_PR) October 9, 2013

..Lucy as Velma Kelly! NOT TO BE MISSED!

For more on Lucy’s role as Velma Kelly in Chicago, go to AUSXIP Lucy Lawless Chicago The Musical (Auckland) subsite

TICKETING INFO HERE

- See more at: http://www.lucylawless.net/2013/10/chicago-update-lucy-on-her-first-day-of.html#sthash.5Bsofnul.dpuf

Oh dear oh dear...all I’m going to say is if you don’t have tickets and you can make it to New Zealand...go and grab a flight and a seat to sit on because this is looking like one hell of a show!

Update from the Auckland Theatre Company facebook page

Lucy is on the far right wearing a pink shirt and sunglasses...very difficult to miss.

Today we welcomed Lucy Lawless into her first day of rehearsals for The Vodafone Season of Chicago.— with Stephen Butterworth, Mike Edward, Hannah Tasker-Poland and Lucy Lawless.

Click here for the full size version

...Lucy as Velma Kelly! NOT TO BE MISSED!

For more on Lucy’s role as Velma Kelly in Chicago, go to AUSXIP Lucy Lawless Chicago The Musical (Auckland) subsite

TICKETING INFO HERE

Here's the scans and the transcript of the sizzling photoshoot with Lucy to promote the upcoming Chicago the Musical in Auckland - for more info about Lucy's role as Velma Kelly in the Auckland Theatre Company production of Chicago, check out the AUSXIP Lucy Lawless Chicago Subsite

Many thanks to Jo for the scans and transcript by MaryD.

You can purchase this magazine from here for $4.30

We Love Lucy!

Dancing, Diets & All That Jazz!

Woman's Day (New Zealand)
14 October 2013 Issue

Our Warrior Princess is set to knock 'em dead in a raunchy new role

Wearing sexy see-through lingerie, Suspenders and some seriously kinky boots, Lucy Lawless strikes fierce pose after fierce pose for our Woman's Day photo shoot. Her hair teased into a wild mane, the statuesque seductress fixes us with a ferocious stare that's more man-eating lion than sex kitten and purrs, "See anything you like?"

Speechless, We're about to mumble some sign of approval when the actress throws back her head and lets out a playful cackle. Despite becoming a global sex symbol as the star of Xena. Warrior Princess and more recently playing an extremely risqué role in graphic swords-and-sandals series Spartacus, it's clear this is all just an act for the down-to-earth mum-of-three from Auckland.

"This sex-bomb stuff is like a character I pull out," laughs Lucy, 45. "It's amusing to me. It's something might have used at some time in my life and it can feel a little bit cheesecake, but if you're doing it for a photo shoot or a play, where you can't have any self-consciousness about you, all the fun of the circus." So if Beyoncé has Sasha Fierce, what does Lucy call her alter ego? "This is, er, Aragula Roquette,"

Showstopper!

Lucy's "Aragula" will next make an appearance in the Auckland Theatre Company's production of Chicago, in which she sings and dances as murderous showgirl Velma Kelly, opening in November. Starring alongside "powerful actors" Amanda Billing and Shane Cortese, plus working with long time friend and director Michael Hurst, were tempting reasons to accept the role, but for Lucy, the biggest motivation was the opportunity to get out of her comfort zone by dancing around on stage in racy, barely-there costumes.

"This scares the bejesus out of you," Lucy confesses. "I'm going to be half-naked in front of a home crowd - which is the hardest crowd to play to - and dancing, which is not just my forte. But just because you're 45 doesn't mean you shouldn't do something really challenging, terrifying and scary.

"I'm never going to be younger than I am today and there's only one thing I fear more than a challenge and that's getting old and thinking, "I chickened out,"

We mostly fear what other people might think of us, but guess what? Time's ticking. That's what drives me.

"Sometimes I feel over the hill or that I'm past my sell-by date, but that's what I think of that woman who failed to swim from Cuba to Florida four times, then on her fifth attempt, at 62, she triumphed. She's my hero. I'm taking a bit of her spirit and getting back on that horse."

The phrase "over the hill" won't be used by anyone who has seen our pictures, but Lucy insists, "You get your arse kicked in Hollywood. In my business, there's always someone younger or prettier. I can feel terribly sorry for myself, but it's really important not to let yourself go."

To maintain her enviable figure, Lucy hadn't touched a drop of wine for 20 years, but in recent years, she's rediscovered it and decided she quite likes the taste.

"Then before you know it, you're having half a bottle or more a night," she says. "It's awfully easy, right? Then it's midnight and you start eating pizza, potato chips, ice-cream or whatever's around. Initially, I thought it was just the way it was - that in your 40's, you get a little chin and a little tummy but I wasn't ready to hang up my skinny jeans. I had to do something about it."
What did Lucy do? "I just put the pizza down, man," she grins. "I knew I was over-indulging and, unfortunately, you just don't need as much when you get older. It's calories in and calories out - it's so easy that it's hard! I think I was sometimes in denial about what it takes. I've just got to put more work into it, do some damn exercise and try not to eat the incredible catering."
"Dancing is a real difficulty for me because, as a tall girl from a family full of boys, the mechanics of grace was never a talent I discovered," explains Lucy. "It was never something that interested me because, in New Zealand, you feel a bit of a show-off if you walk properly. Having your shoulders back makes your boobs stick out and then you're just a tart - who do you think you are?

"There are all these messages about having to be modest, which have been a thorn in my side for 40 years, so I've gone to reclaim some of these things and try to myself. I'm trying to develop musculature for dancing instead of walking like a farmhand, which l do because I spent all my teen years on a farm!"

Lucy no longer lives on the farm, but she's still based in New Zealand, living in Auckland with her US-born husband of 15 years, filmmaker and Spartacus executive producer Robert Tapert, 58, and their two sons Julius, 13, and Judah, 11. She also has a 25-year-o1d daughter, Daisy, from a previous marriage, who has worked as an assistant editor on Spartacus.

Kiwi girl at heart

While Lucy has to spend some time in the US for work she has a recurring guest role on Four's Comedy Parks and Recreation - Aotearoa is very much home for the family.

"You won't see me in the clubs, but I am here," she laughs. "We live Very quietly. My kids just want to be here and enjoy summer on the beach. Fm friends with the mums from my kids' school and we all hang out. We don't own a bach, but our best mates have a beach house and we spend time with them in the Coromandel.

"I don't know that my kids ever want to leave here. They've been to school in other countries and we've just found New Zealand is such a great place to be a kid still- the barefooted-ness of it all! The lack of nannies and security gates, and because nobody's suing everybody else, it means people aren't needlessly risk averse. There's less neurosis.

"In LA, so tense and regimented. If you have three children in your car, you have to drop them at school in a certain 15-mínute time slot and, by God, you'd better have the right sticker displayed in your window. Then the traffic's so horrendous, you're lucky to get two things done - the dry-cleaning and a meeting - before you have to head back to pick the kids up. It's really tricky for families."

Lucy confirms there has been talk of a Xena revival and although very little has been worked out so far, she will definitely be "part of The process". She says, "I feel like it'd be good for the fans to resurrect her and hand it over to a new generation."

Unfortunately, because New Zealand has been losing a number of films to overseas locations, Lucy and the family will be spending more time in the US after Chicago comes to an end.

"It's a dire situation," admits Lucy, "but I want to live my life. In darker moments, I try to remind myself that my career is not my life - I should make my life my career. I'm excited about all the possibilities, no matter what they are."

Michael Hurst’s Official Twitter (@michaelhurstnow) has tweeted a scan from the NZ Woman's Day article about Lucy who will star in Auckland Theatre Company's CHICAGO at Q Theatre beginning 1 November 2014.

All I can say is..HOLY SMOKES BATMAN! My god this show is going to SIZZLE! Is it November yet?

New article on CHICAGO star Lucy Lawless in 14 Oct NZ Woman's Day. (Buy single issues here: http://t.co/RdF2qZaOWe) http://t.co/ufBYqRB8St

— MichaelHurstNow (@MichaelHurstNow) October 6, 2013

If you haven’t got your tickets yet, what are you waiting for? The show has been extended to 30 November. Grab a seat today and watch Lucy as Velma Kelly! NOT TO BE MISSED!

For more on Lucy’s role as Velma Kelly in Chicago, go to AUSXIP Lucy Lawless Chicago The Musical (Auckland) subsite

TICKETING INFO HERE

15 Most Memorable Deaths on ScreenCrush. Lucretia’s dive off the cliff with Ilithyia’s bubba in her arms is #8

Screencrush says: let’s take a journey back in time and look at some of the most memorable character deaths in TV history. Here are the moments that shocked us, disgusted us and broke our hearts into a thousand little pieces.

Lucy Tweeted this so many thanks to Lucy Lawless for the news <g>

Sent to me by @jaimemurray. Cool: Check out The 15 Most Memorable TV Deaths http://t.co/GtndbfQt7E @screencrushnews

— Lucy Lawless (@RealLucyLawless) October 5, 2013

#8 - Lucretia in 'Spartacus'

Starz's 'Spartacus' had a habit of killing more major characters in single episodes than many shows do in their entire run, so a death on this show has to be really special if it wants to stand out from the crowd. No death was more harrowing or operatic than that of Lucy Lawless' Lucretia, who ended a season of suffering in the flashiest way possible. Driven insane after losing her child to a stab wound back in season one, Lucretia spends much of the second season being battered around and mistreated by her so-called friends, who use her as a tool to earn more political influence. However, Lucretia has the last laugh. When her arch-enemy/best friend Ilithyia goes into labor, Lucretia cuts the child from her womb and leaps off a nearby cliff with the baby in her arms, prepared to meet her husband in the afterlife with the child they always wanted. It's grim, it's absurd and it's totally amazing.

For more about Lucy's role as Lucretia on Spartacus visit the AUSXIP Lucy Lawless Spartacus subsite or the AUSXIP Spartacus News and Multimedia Site

Lucy has tweeted about working in the New South Wales outback (Broken Hill and Silverton) today. Here are her tweets:

Been in the Outback for past three weeks working on 'The Code' with the incredible Aaron Petersen, Dan Spielman, Ash Zukerman. Too good!

— Lucy Lawless (@RealLucyLawless) October 5, 2013

When greeting an Aboriginal, soft hand contact and averted gaze is considered polite.Hand shake is a 'meeting of Spirits'.Don't crush!

— Lucy Lawless (@RealLucyLawless) October 5, 2013

IT WAS TOO BOSS WORKING WITH U SIS! @RealLucyLawless Stay black an deadly! ;) xx pic.twitter.com/Ih4Lr04KCG

— LISA BOSS FLANAGAN (@flano666) October 5, 2013

Lisa Flanagan and Ursula Yovich are part of my mob. @flano666

— Lucy Lawless (@RealLucyLawless) October 5, 2013

For more on Lucy’s role as Alex the teacher on the Australian mini-series Code, check out the AUSXIP Lucy Lawless Code Subsite

The NZ Weekend Herald 05 October 2013 in their canvas headstart section talk to Beth Allen. Beth was Pilee / Vanessa in the Xena episode “Daughter of Pomira”

TO BE OR NOT TO BE...an Actress
Beth Allen

There’s a very interest tidbit about working on the show and Lucy’s advice to her:

“I did an episode of Xena when I was a kid and I was incredibly nervous on my first day. Lucy Lawless took me aside and said: “You just gotta go for it: all these crew members watch me doing ridiculous stuff every day. Never be embarrassed about your performance.” Not long after that chat I was hit in the face with a fake axe by a stuntperson and needed stitches.

Some screencaptures from the episode:

DAUGHTER OF POMIRA

Season 4, Episode 11

May 1, 1999

Reviewed by Sheryl-Lee Kerr
slkx@hotmail.com

RATING: 5.5 chakrams

PASSING PARADE: Beth Allen (Vanessa/Pilee); Craig Ancell (Milo); Bruce Hopkins (Rahl); Mandy McMullin (Adiah); Watchman Rivers (Cirvik); Andrew Kovacevich (Garth); Bob Johnson (Lieutenant).

STORY SO FAR: Xena rescues a child adopted by the Horde only to find the girl is caught between two worlds.

DISCLAIMER: No blonde-haired, blue-eyed Horde girls or their extended families were harmed during the production of this motion picture. Lakota toti. Bonai. Soli bonai. (No fight. No war. Family, in Pomiran)

REWIND FOR: There is the funniest pissed-as-hell look on Xena’s face when Pilee/Vanessa informs Xena matter-of-factly that her big tough adoptive daddy is gonna come and make her plenty dead. It comes right after the little darling says "Why run?" and Gabrielle is about to pull Xena off to one side. Tee hee, way to rile a Warrior Princess.

That’s a big lass they have there. At the gate when she’s rattling on it to get out, Gabrielle and Vanessa’s mother walk up to her to lead her away and she seems almost taller than them both.

QUOTABLE: "I know that a child needs her mother and her father, right Xena?" Oh sheesh, Gabrielle, talk about foot and mouth disease. And while you’re at it, find some salt for Xena’s wound...

Best Comebacks:

Xena: I’m saying total wipeout - no prisoners, no terms, complete annihilation.

Milo: Marry me.

Xena: Take some men and go to the south wall before we boil up the oil.

Milo: She’s ba-ack.

Gabrielle: I did all that? Hmm and they call you the hero.

Xena: Wanna switch? Fine, you kick butt and I’ll take notes.

Read the Review

Lucy as Diane, now married to Ron and pregnant, appeared in the second episode of Season 6. She appears in 2 small sections. Both clips are below.

Find out more about Lucy's role as Diane Lewis (not Swanson) on the AUSXIP Lucy Lawless Parks and Recreation subsite

Season 6 Episode 2 The Pawnee-Eagleton Tip Off Classic

Leslie is preparing for a press conference before the annual Pawnee-Eagleton Tip Off Classic, a high school basketball game that pits the rival towns' high school basketball teams against each other. Traditionally, the towns engage in a friendly wager before the game, but Leslie has decided to use the press conference as an opportunity to take a few pot shots at the uppity residents of Eagleton and the press eats it up.

If you wish to purchase this book in time for the holidays, now is the time.  I originally posted the following information on 3 September 2012 - Help support Starship by buying this gorgeous book. It makes a terrific gift AND it has Lucy pics!

Here's an update on the Starship Book "For The Love Of Our Kids" that features well known kiwis including Lucy. Cindy from Starship told me some interesting news about the book and Lucy

Lucy now has several pictures in the book including a bit of a 'hero' spread in the middle - specifically for the fans.

Starship has been gracious enough to offer Lucy fans a sneak peek via AUSXIP of the photos featuring Lucy, her sons Julius and Judah, Koha and the kitten. These are just gorgeous photos! Yes there are great big copyright signs on these pics here but not in the book <g> Please buy the book and support Starship!

So if you want a pre-Christmas gift to order, now would be the time!

MILK (Moments of Inspiration, Love and Kinship) and Starship Foundation have compiled a beautifully bound photo book entitled For the Love of Our Kids which can be yours for $45 + postage.

Purchase Now

Featuring photos of well-known faces such as Lucy Lawless, Tiki Taane, Keven Mealamu, Jaquie Brown (on the cover with her gorgeous boy Leo), Shane and Nerida Cortese, Dame Rosie Horton, Dominic Harvey and JJ Feeney, Trelise Cooper, Kerre Woodham, CJ Bruton, Graeme Hart, Toni Street, Rawdon Christie, Paul Flynn (Flynny), Kate Hawkesby and Sir Peter Leitch with their own children or special Starship patients. Plus there are also photos of patients and generous supporters with their families - and all with heartfelt messages of what their children mean to them.

This book, with its beautiful images by photographer Michelle Carlson, is exclusively available through the Starship Foundation website. All proceeds from the sale of For the Love of Our Kids will come to the Starship Foundation to help fund care for the thousands of children from around New Zealand who are treated at the national children's hospital every year.

Your purchase will be processed within 2 working days.

Purchase your copy now

Nationwide New Zealand Delivery $6.00

Postage to Australia $15.00

Postage to Rest of the World $25.00

Pick up is by prior arrangement only.

In September, Starz announced that they were going to have a Spartacus Marathon with a difference; it would be Spartacus Uncut – the entire series will be rebroadcast beginning 26 October with Blood and Sand. Not only will all the episodes screen but there will be bonus footage which was only available on the Blu-Ray discs.

All 39 episodes of the series will be available on Starz on Demand and Starz Play beginning October 26th.

For more about Lucy's role as Lucretia on Spartacus visit the AUSXIP Lucy Lawless Spartacus subsite or the AUSXIP Spartacus News and Multimedia Site

SERIES OVERVIEW

The House of Batiatus, a gladiator training camp, is on the rise, basking in the glow of its champion Gannicus. A young Batiatus, with his loyal wife Lucretia by his side, is ready to overthrow his father and betray anyone to keep his gladiators in demand. But when Batiatus falls on hard times, it will take a gladiator greater than current champion Crixus to turn his fortunes around. When a Thracian slave named Spartacus arrives, Batiatus senses greatness. Under the watchful eye of gladiator trainer Doctore, Spartacus rises through the ranks to become the new champion. However, when Spartacus discovers that his wife Sura has been killed, he plots to avenge her death and free every slave; a bloody escape ensues. Gaius Claudius Glaber, the Roman responsible for bringing Spartacus and his wife into slavery, sends troops to crush the slave army. But Spartacus, with a rebellion swelling to thousands of freed slaves, becomes a force mightier than Rome had ever imagined. The Roman Senate turns to Marcus Crassus, a wealthy, strategic politician, for aid. With a young Julius Caesar as an ally, Crassus must crush the rebellion. And one final, bloody battle will be unleashed; a battle unlike anything ever seen before in the history of the Republic.

The back to back playoff will run as follows:

OCTOBER

• October 26th- Beginning at 10:05pm (immediately following Episode 2) "Spartacus: Blood and Sand" episodes: The Red Serpent; Sacramentum Gladiatorum; Legends

NOVEMBER

• November 2nd- Beginning at 10:05pm (immediately following Episode 3) "Spartacus: Blood and Sand" episodes: The Thing in the Pit; Shadow Games; Delicate Things
• November 9th- Beginning at 10:05pm (immediately following Episode 4) "Spartacus: Blood and Sand" episodes: Great and Unfortunate Things; Mark of the Brotherhood; Whore
• November 16th- Beginning at 10:35pm (immediately following Episode 5) "Spartacus: Blood and Sand" episodes: Party Favors; Old Wounds; Revelations
• November 23rd- Beginning at 10:05pm (immediately following the epilogue of "Dancing on the Edge") "Spartacus: Blood and Sand" episode: Kill Them All "Spartacus: Gods of the Arena" episodes: Past Transgressions; Missio
• November 30th- Beginning at 9:00pm "Spartacus: Gods of the Arena" episodes: Paterfamilias; Beneath the Mask; Reckoning

DECEMBER

• December 7th - Beginning at 9:00pm "Spartacus: Gods of the Arena" episode: The Bitter End "Spartacus: Vengeance" episodes: Fugitivus; A Place in This World
• December 14th - Beginning at 9:00pm "Spartacus: Vengeance" episodes: The Greater Good; Empty Hands; Libertus
• December 21st- Beginning at 9:00pm "Spartacus: Vengeance" episodes: Chosen Path; Sacramentum; Balance
• December 28th- Beginning at 9:00pm "Spartacus: Vengeance" episodes: Monsters; Wraths of the Gods "Spartacus: War of the Damned" episodes: Enemies of Rome

JANUARY

The following episodes do NOT have Lucy as Lucretia

• January 4th- Beginning at 9:00pm: "Spartacus: War of the Damned" episodes: Wolves at the Gate; Men of Honor; Decimation
• January 11th- Beginning at 9:00pm "Spartacus: War of the Damned" episodes: Blood Brothers, Spoils of War; Mors Indecepta
• January 18th- Beginning at 9:00pm "Spartacus: War of the Damned" episodes: Separate Paths; The Dead and the Dying; Victory

For more about Lucy's role as Lucretia on Spartacus visit the AUSXIP Lucy Lawless Spartacus subsite or the AUSXIP Spartacus News and Multimedia Site

The local Broken Hill newspaper "Barrier Daily Truth" has a great article on the filming of Lucy's new mini-series Code which has been filming in Broken Hill and Silverton (25 km from Broken Hill). This is the first article focusing more on Code rather than Lucy. The second article will focus more on Lucy and her career after Xena. Many thanks to Alexandra Hawke for the newspaper scans and transcript.

In Code, Lucy plays the role of Alex Wisham, a "passionate" teacher (as she is described in the article below). What was more interesting in this article was that Lucy was first to sign up to the mini-series. We will see the mini-series in Australia on the ABC sometime next year. No word yet on whether this will be shown in other countries.

Stay updated on all the news and multimedia about CODE by bookmarking the AUSXIP Lucy Lawless CODE subsite

Barrier Daily Truth - 2 October 2013

Stars Come Out

Shooting Begins in Political Thriller
by Kurtis J Eichler

2 October 2013

Move over Hollywood- Broken Hill is staking its claim as a filmmaker's paradise as crews descend on the city to shoot a political thriller.

The outback city has been home to the crews of Mad Max, Priscilla: Queen of the Desert and Wake in Fright in the past - now all classic Aussie flicks. Now film crews making the six-part ABC political thriller called 'CODE' are shooting in Broken Hill, Silverton and the border town of Cockburn for three weeks.

Crews have shot in Canberra- the first production to film inside Parliament House on Election Day - and on sets in Sydney. Broken Hill's name is left untouched but Silverton has been dubbed 'Lindara' for the show.

The mini-series tells the story of two brothers who come across information that some of the most powerful politicians want to keep under wraps. The film kicks off with a gut-churning truck crash which kills two Aboriginal boys. The accident is shrouded in conspiracy as it emerges the cargo is a prohibited substance the government wants to keep secret. The brothers, internet journalist Ned - played by 'Offspring' star Dan Spielman- and 'Rush' star Ashley Zukerman break open the case.

The ensemble cast is rounded out by Lucy Lawless of Xena: Warrior Princess fame, playing a passionate teacher and David Wenham as the charming yet loathsome Deputy PM Ian Bradley who is fighting to keep the secret. Yesterday crews set up in Silverton for their second week of filming. Six trucks for make-up, wardrobe, catering, a greenroom and electronics rolled in, creating a hive of activity in the usually quiet smalltown.

Screenwriter Shelley Birsesaid it took four years to get the script ready for filming. She said Broken Hill was chosen as a location because of the "sheer beauty of the landscape".

"There's a great kind of shift from the corridors of power right to a great, big vast landscape," Ms Birse said. "There have been some beautiful similarities in the pictures too."

Ms Birse - who wrote for teen drama Blue Water High- said the chance to travel to Broken Hill was one of the reasons high-profile stars jumped on board.

"The great attraction for people was to be able to travel with the series here and do it in the real place and tread the real ground." Executive producer David Maher said despite being fictional, writers always wanted a "ripped from the headlines" feel about the "rollercoaster thriller".

"It's got a real contemporary, globally relative perspective," Mr Maher said. New Zealand-based Lawless was the first to signup. She said the themes of media, responsibility and truth-telling attracted her to the "rich" production.

"It was just bloody good from the start," the 45-year-old said. "I loved the relationship between the two brothers and it was just a really sophisticated piece of writing." Her co-star Aaron Pederson plays outback cop Tim Simons. He said the chance to perform with young Aboriginal actors was the key to him signing on.

"It was the opportunity to work with a large group of Indigenous actors that are coming through," Pederson said."It is new ground and it's the way we should be heading."

It's expected the series will hit ABC screens next year.

The ABC Broken Hill site has an article about the filming of CODE in Silverton and we get to learn more about Lucy's character. We knew, from Lucy's description of her character at DragonCon, that Lucy was going to play a teacher. We now learn that Lucy's character is called Alex Wisham (I think that's what I heard).  The article mentions that the role has taught Lucy a lot about Aboriginal people and their interaction with the law.

Lucy said: "It's an enormous subject that is handed really intelligently I think and honestly and respectfully at the same time,"

TV show centres around a truck carrying a mysterious substance crashing into a car carrying two Aboriginal teenagers, killing them. The mystery of the accident would have remained secret if it wasn't for two brothers - a journalist and a hacker.

Filming wraps up locally on Friday (04 October 2013) and the six-episode series is expected to go to air by the middle of next year.

Read the full article here

Listen to Lucy Talk About Her Character:

The Starship Spring Clean is over for another year and all the auction items here on AUSXIP and on Trademe have ended. Here are the final tally for each Lucy related item

Total amount raised: $4,880 NZD

Congratulations to all the winners!

10 minute Skype Chat with Lucy Lawless

Winning Bid: $4010 NZ

Authentic Hercules & Xena Crew Vest

Winning Bid: $130 USD / $156 NZD

Xena Warrior Princess Season 3 Episode "The Bitter Suite" Costume head dress.

Winning Bid: $550 USD / $664 NZD

Chuy, Lucy’s Living Matchbox Art

Winning Bid: $50 NZD

A Broken Hill reporter, Eugene Boisvert, has tweeted a photo of Lucy and her co-star Aaron Pederson in Silverton, a village 25 km from Broken Hill. Silverton has a population of 89 (according to the 2006 Census)!  You can find out more about Lucy's role on Code by going to the AUSXIP Lucy Lawless Code Mini-Series subsite -

Check out the photo below!

Filming underway in Silverton for ABC series CODE with actors @RealLucyLawless and Aaron Pedersen #brokenhill pic.twitter.com/K8um2dEYh5

-- Eugene Boisvert (@eugeneboisvert) October 1, 2013

What is CODE about?

Lucy Lawless of Xena: Warrior Princess fame, Dan Spielman from Offspring and Adam Garcia from Coyote Ugly are some of the big names starring in a political thriller to be filmed in Canberra.

CODE, a six-hour series for ABC TV. CODE is being billed as a ''contemporary thriller stretching from the spectacular red desert of Australia's outback to the cool corridors of power''. It's the story of two very different brothers who come across a new technology that people in the highest echelons of power will kill to keep secret.


CAST

• Lucy Lawless (Spartacus), 
• Dan Spielman (An Accidental Soldier, Offspring), 
• Ashley Zuckerman (The Slap, Rush), 
• Adam Garcia (Coyote Ugly, Bootmen), 
• David Wenham (Answered by Fire, Killing Time), 
• Aden Young (I Frankenstein, Rectify), 
• Chelsie Preston Crayford (Mystery of a Hansom Cab, Underbelly: Razor), 
• Adele Perovic (SLiDE), 
• Dan Wyllie (Rake, Puberty Blues), 
• Aaron Pedersen (Jack Irish, City Homicide), 
• Paul Tassone (Underbelly).

Lucy Lawless as the amazing character of Lucretia in Spartacus.