theatre

Knock Three Times & Ask for Knuckles 

Posted on by RoyMaloy




As one of the founding members of Speakeady HQ, Knuckles has become an institution behind the bar, as the creative driver and engineer of most aspects of the design and running of Australia’s first vaudeville theatre in over 50 years!!

But many have asked the same question – what does it take to be the Matriarch of such a volatile and electric empire such as Speakeady HQ? With over 30 artists each being coordinated and rallied onto stage each week to form the iconic 15-act vaudeville shows that has made Speakeasy HQ a Melbourne icon, Knuckles also takes on the task of of managing the entire business back end, ticketing, online systems, social media and all food and drink services at the theatre. 

In our hunt to know more we took the blonde bomb shell of the bar aside and asked her a stack of questions to see what makes her tick!!

Who are you and what do you do?

Knuckles is the name, and some would say it’s a well earned name. But that’s another story.

I’m a part owner of Speakeasy HQ. Most people don’t realise that Im a nearly 6ft blonde woman. I guess it’s the perfect juxtapose, since most people think that Knuckles is a bikie looking guy.  But running around during Showtime keeping the food moving, keeping our beautiful VIP’s happy and the easy speakers that venture through our doorway suitably liqueured up to enjoy the show, I try and do it all Speakeasy style. 

How did you begin managing a theatre?

I’ve always managed people, but now in the world of theatres & vaudeville, at this blistering pace, it takes a bit of grit and determination to make it all happen. Come to think of it I’ve always loved alcohol too so I guess it was always in my cards to put the two together and manage a project like this! I guess you could also say that I fell in love – and that made me want to see Speakeasy HQ succeed. I love the people, the mind blowing talent, and the electricity that surges through that place!

What’s the toughest show you’ve ever performed and why? 

Haha oh I’m not a performer, as much as I’m sure a few people wished I was or should I say hoped I performed burlesque! So I’ll answer it a different way. The toughest Speakeasy HQ we ever produced was probably our first one. Between the four of us we piled two vans and 4×4 car full of tables, chairs, bar and all sorts of equipment to produce a full show in an empty hall in South Melbounrne. It was about 2.5 ton of equipment that we had to move in and then move out, as well as working the show with 85 guests. None of us could move the next day… Apart from Roy… But he’s a bit tougher than most. 

How do you decide the what drinks and food will be served at Speakeasy HQ?

Some are by chance and others are by tradition. See, we have several kinds of seating in the theatre. We also have a rooftop bar. So, the rooftop bar is outdoors and in the summer months we serve a BBQ up there and the drinks are chosen to make you feel like you’re at a BBQ. So plenty of local beers and wines. As for the BBQ food -that was a tough one. We originally went with the obvious – sausages. And to tie into the theme of being at a show, we made them gourmet hot dogs. However, a lot of our audience are vegan and vegetarians, so we added baked potatoes and grilled corn. Then down in the theatre there are two kinds of food. The candy dolls are our ushers that wear the beautiful and iconic candy belt, stocked with crisps, popcorn, candy and they serve the pretzels. The pretzels were tradition as much as anything. They come from the Chicago vaudeville culture of the 1920’s where they had a lot of Germans migrants in their audiences and the bread pretzels are a part of their culture. But the other kind of food we offer is themed around opulence. We offer a stunning VIP package that seats tables of two at the front of stage, where we present them with locally sourced antipasto and premium wines throughout the show. So, the foods available are vast, varied and exciting. 

Do you have any rituals before the theatre opens each week?

Sleep… My only ritual! Once that day starts it is like a freight train not stopping until the wee small hours the next day and I wouldn’t have it any other way!

What can we expect at Speakeasy HQ on Saturday the 21st March?

It’s our first show on the new venue! I have a real bar!!!! Plus I’ll show you my talent 😉

My talent is remembering faces & the drink that matches, so from me you’ll see happy bar goers, smiling as they are walking away with a drink in hand without even saying a word in some cases 😉

Don’t miss out on your chance to eat pretzels, drink fine booze and say hi to Knuckles this Saturday night at Spealeady HQ!! Tickets are limited and available at http://www.trybooking.com/FADK

TCR

Posted on by RoyMaloy

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At Speakeasy Nuevo we have had possibly more emails about one artist than all the others combined. We speak of course of the one and only Boylesque Superstar, Timothy Christopher Ryan!

Performing regularly for heading toward a year with Speakeasy now, at ALL of its different locations, TCR has become one of the biggest draw cards of all our artists if for no other reason than he has, to this day, never performed the same routine twice, while performing over two DOZEN times!!! Very few artists in the world could ever boast such a wide variety of skills and material as he does!!

So we took the Superstar aside from his usual duties of polishing his shoes, seeing on sequins and ironing his Isis wings to ask him the famous five questions!

1) Tell us about your performance; what do you perform?

I am a storyteller. Focusing on physicality and complimenting it with the voice, I communicate fantasy fueled stories that originate from a not to distant reality of mine.

2) How did you begin performing?

The first performance I ever remember performing was a dance I created for my grandmother set to the song ‘I’m a Barbie girl’ by Aqua.

3) If you could meet one person alive or dead who would it be and why?

The one person I’d love to meet in my life would be a clone of myself. I think I’d really enjoy my own company. And oh what a time we would have together.

4) What would you like to be remembered for in 100 years?

I would like to be remembered for my grand immersive performances. Artworks that brought people away from their T.V.’s and computers and encouraged them to play within the interactive art.

5) What will you be performing at Nuevo on May 17th?

Timothy Christopher Ryan presents something rather intimate. It may offend some and it may arouse others. Jump in bed with Timothy as he presents a performance devised purely from his own sex life. A man who loves the idea of sex but is bored by the act it… Time to spice things up a little.

We can’t wait to see his newest adventure in the flesh! For more information and ticketing log into:

http://www.trybooking.com/Booking/BookingEventSummary.aspx?eid=84323

The fairest of them all – Marjorie May Fair

Posted on by RoyMaloy

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Stunning to see in person and stunning by her every movement the vintage diva Miss Marjorie May Fair makes her debut at Speakeasy Nuevo this Saturday in a collaborative performance with the Boylesque Superstar Timothy Christopher Ryan.

Having performed for a majority of her adult life her skills and presentation will demonstrate a uniquely quirky articulation of awkward and at times hilarious human habits.

So we took Miss May Fair aside and threw a bunch of questions at her as she limbers up and stretches out for this Saturday night’s performance!

If you could have your dream gig where and what would it be?

I would love nothing more than to tour with the infamous Finucane and Smith. They are inspirational, artistically illuminating, and completely insane! The piece would have to involve the colour red.

In a hundred years time what would you like to be remembered for?

I want to be remembered for the world’s best aerial tassel twirling window washer! Maintaining a high reputable job, whilst motivating unenthused workers in a fun and exciting way… sounds good to me!

What rituals do you have to prepare for a big show?

The Playground Pre-Show Recipe:
Begin with a spoonful of sugar, two cloves of a salute to the sun, a bunch of trills and drills, a slice of kicks, three spinal rolls (preferably diced) and just a pinch of Laban to open up the body with as little or as much effort as you require to perform. Be sure to shake well to energize and serve with a smile!

What part of your performance are you proudest of and why?

The art of combining choreography with improvisation; making each performance unique and intimate. It takes trust, bravery and an attempt to balance a seesaw (The actors are on one side and the audience are on the other).

What are you most looking forward to when performing at Speakeasy Nuevo?

Meeting a whole bunch of talented artists that speak with a sense of ease and being at it like rabbits.

Don’t miss your opportunity to see the Miss Marjorie May Fair live by hitting the link below. Seating is strictly limited so don’t miss out!!

http://www.trybooking.com/Booking/BookingEventSummary.aspx?eid=76473

TCR all things boylesque

Posted on by RoyMaloy

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The art of Boylesque is often misunderstood and lumped readily into a simplified genre of just dance and drag. However, Speakeasy Nuevo has been fortunate enough to have one of the best known and most highly sought after Boylesque artists in Australia today performing on out stage. His performances of power, grace, poetry and sexual contortions have gathered him a cult following.

At Speakeasy Nuevo Timothy Christopher Ryan will be delivering his audience a whole new presentation of his gender absurd and intellectually delicious performance in a collaborative act with vintage diva, Miss Marjorie May Fair.

So we took TCR aside to throw a stack of questions his way,
As he sews on the sequins, prepares the pros and heads toward Speakeasy Nuevo this Saturday night!

What would your dream gig be?

My dream gig would be a show that I’ve created, a spectacle, a labyrinth of a world that invites the audience to loose themselves.

What would you like to be remembered for?

It is this style of theatre that I would like to be remembered for. Immersive theatre; creating a realistic, multi sensory, engaging world that communicates a story and allows the audience to play.

What rituals do you have to prepare you for your shows?

Before every performance I find a way to ground myself. I shake off the day wether it be bad or good and start at a neutral grounding, from there I built back up with the essence of the act in mind.

The play. My partner Marjorie Mayfair and I have a delicious relationship. Together we work as one, our body’s just seem to fit together like Lego and being born on the same day must say something in the star sign world.

What will you be performing at Speakeasy Nuevo?

At Speakeasy Nuevo I’m looking forward to sharing my love story and the true awkwardness that comes with the sexual encounter. I’m looking forward to getting intimate with the audience and loosing some clothing along the way.

Don’t miss your opportunity to see the Boylesque superstar live by hitting the link below. Seating is strictly limited so don’t miss out!!

http://www.trybooking.com/Booking/BookingEventSummary.aspx?eid=76473

The Boylesque Superstar Timothy Christopher Ryan aka TCR

Posted on by RoyMaloy

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One of the most popular and talked about artists to hit our boards at Speakeasy HQ was none other than Timothy Christopher Ryan, who hammered out an unthinkably brilliant Boylesque performance, bringing it down to next to nothing, to the roars and cheers of our audience.

When given the request to perform something more subtle that wouldn’t literally bring the house down, he came our way once again with something equally brilliant! Tipped as one of the fastest rising stars on the Speakeasy traps TCR is a do not miss artist. So we took him aside to ask him the famous five questions as he polishes his shoes, glues on his pasties and beats off his adoring fans.

Where are you from?

The beautiful beachside village of Frankston where it’s always hot – even when it’s cold 😉

How long have you been performing?

Ever since I got bored of being self conscious and shy.

Where did you get your training?

I did my time at University of Ballarat acting course with an honours in immersive theatre.

What’s your inspiration as an artist?

I think I get my main inspiration from Physicality and western societies’ separation of vocal and physical. I also have a lot of time for the theatre company Punchdrunk and the Melbourne based finucane and smith. (Seriously go check them out!!!)

What will you be performing at the launch of Speakeasy Nuevo?

A moulin rouge favourite of mine; the Elephant Love Medley duet as a solo.

Mr Ryan… TCR – we bow down to your superiority, theatrical brilliant and creativity at all levels!! We cannot wait to see you perform at the launch of Speakeasy Nuevo on January 18th. Get booking now at www.Speakeasy-HQ.com as tickets are strictly limited.

Inferno World Record at Speakeasy HQ Launch!

Posted on by RoyMaloy

Inferno World Record For Speakeasy Launch.

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Very few people can claim to have achieved something that no other person in the history of mankind has ever done before. On Saturday November 2nd at the launch of Speakeasy HQ we will be hosting a World Record attempt by Ronon Inferno to walk 40 paces on the heaviest stilts EVER walked on. Currently held by Roy Maloy, the record requires each stilt to weigh a crippling 36kg!

As it’s first time ever to host a World Record event Speakeasy HQ in our excitement we have pulled the man himself aside to ask him the famous five questions.

Where are you from?
I’m from Townsville in far North Queensland, the most humid place on the planet! But since I began performing I’ve been traveling far and wide and am not home all that often now.’

How long have you been performing?
I have been performing professionally for about 4 years, but I was always preparing myself in one way or another to perform at this level. I think it’s more of a life’s obsession than anything else.

Where did you get your training?
I’ve been very lucky. I’ve had a lot of mentors and was given training from a variety of other artists and circus’ from all around the country. I guess I’ve been extremely hungry at every stage of my life to learn and perform and every time I was offered a chance to perform, even a free show, or I’ve met someone who would give me any advice or skill I would take it and use it in any way I could.

What’s your inspiration as an artist?
In the circus world I have 3 heroes that inspire me greatly; Nino Frediani, the worlds fastest juggler. The King of Australian Circus Roy Maloy. And one of my best friends and co-founder of Circus Alabanza with me, Nate Flint. Each of them does something that makes me remember that I want to be more and push every boundary, while also taking what inspires me to produce my own work.

What will you be performing at Speakeasy HQ?
I will be breaking a World Record on the night if all goes to plan! It has its challenges. I’m training at the moment to help my hips and back carry the sheer weight I need to. It’s like having fifteen, 2L milk bottles tied onto each leg, coupled with the difficulty of balancing on the stilts as well. If it goes wrong the stilts will kind of roll forward, and the added weight would most likely crush my knees and ankles. But hey – if it was easy, everyone would do it, right?

Thank you & good luck Ronon Inferno!!!

We look forward to seeing you own a slice of history at Speakeasy HQ!!! To see this moment of wonderment log onto http://www.speakeasy-HQ.com and book your place in history!!