Breast Wishes
WOMEN’S breasts occupy a strange place in modern western society. Like most things about women they are at once revered, envied and lusted after while also being denigrated and treated as jokes – think hooters, boobies, bristols, bazookas, udders, funbags and danglers for starters.
And then there are the kinds of jokes women make among themselves, which have a much more satisfactory feel. For instance, this arrived from a girlfriend this morning:
“Apple announced today that it has developed a breast implant that can store and play music. The iTit will cost from $499 to $699, depending on cup and speaker size. This has been hailed as a major social breakthrough, because women are always complaining about men staring at their breasts and not listening to them.”
And then there’s breast cancer. Who among us has not been touched by those two terrifying words? Whether it’s a friend, sister, mother, aunty, work mate or ourselves, breast cancer is one of the 3am nightmares most women will own up to.
The best way to combat fear is to do something about it and that’s exactly what actress Anne Looby decided to do. Over the past year or so she has gathered a rolling cast of wonder women to workshop, experiment and finally put together a show whose pedigree – writing, music and performers – is as impeccable as the cause for which it will generate funds.
October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month and Breast Wishes will b “a celebration of breasts and those who support them.” Want to know more? How about “Breast Wishes is a new Australian musical about love, loss, life and silicon; a witty and hysterical journey of courage and determination through laughter to triumph.”
Clues as to the probable wit, humour and humanity of the show is evidenced in the line-up of writers Looby has cajoled into the project: Merridy eastman, Jonathan Gavin, Richard Glover, Wendy Harmer, Sheridan Jobbins, James Millar and Debra Oswald. Choreographer Nathan Wright joins musical director Michael Tyack, musician and lyricist Bruce Brown and director Jason Langley.
The performers are Valerie Bader, Virginia Gay, Lisa Hewett and Anne Looby.
THE IMPORTANT STUFF The cause is the National Breast Cancer Foundation, the date is October 31 at 8pm and the venue is Sydney Theatre at Walsh Bay and you may buy tickets by ringing (02) 9250 1999 or go to the websites www.sydneytheatre.org.au or www.ticketek.com.au. See you there.
