BRISBANE 24 JANUARY 2008: — The Australian Mark Twain Society (AMTS) has been gifted more than 40 back issues of the Mark Twain Journal. Freighted to Australia with compliments by Professor Thomas Tenney, the publication's long-time editor, the collection contains more than 20 years of modern Twain scholarship and makes an invaluable contribution to developing Australian interest in Mark Twain. "The many back issues are for your growing society — which I hope will thrive," Professor Tenney said. AMTS spokesperson Ron Hohenhaus said Professor Tenney's generosity would help to inspire others to delve a little deeper than the standard Twain texts almost everyone has known since childhood. "Because the Mark Twain Journal publishes factual articles and previously unknown material from Twain's own lifetime, each edition can be either be savoured immediately, like the fine chocolate, or cellared for later pleasure like a big Australian red," he said. "For example, one of the latest editions has an article about the recent discovery of impromptu notes that Twain scribbled on his travel trunk in the late 19th century. "This is a fantastic gesture, and Professor Tenney is to be congratulated." The Mark Twain Journal is published twice yearly and only available by subscription. For information about how to subscribe to the Mark Twain Journal or how to access the AMTS's archived back issues please contact this website.
BRISBANE: 14 JAN 2008 — Queensland actor Geoff Stewart-McLean is set to reprise his popular one-man show at Strathpine, in a performance which recaptures highlights of Mark Twain's sell-out tour to Australia in 1895. "Mark Twain Down Under", written by award-winning author Stephen Measday, brings Australian culture to life through the eyes of Twain - America's greatest writer and humorist. "Although it's nearly a century since Twain's death in 1910, many of the insightful comments he made about Australian life and culture during his visit to Australia were recorded in his 1897 book "More Tramps Abroad" that still resonates with modern audiences," Geoff said. "Mark Twain Down Under" is a show aimed at audiences who will appreciate a fresh look at Australia through the eyes of a legendary character whose literary genius, incisive wit and humour caused him to become the most popular American celebrity of his time," Geoff said. The performance is a dramatisation of the lecture tour Mark Twain embarked upon in Australasia from September 1895 to January 1896. Geoff Stewart-McLean is a well known Mackay-based actor, singer and bush poet who brings a wealth of experience to the role, with performances in England and Canada to his credit. According to Australian Mark Twain Society member, Ron Hohenhaus, Geoff does an excellent job of portraying the genius of Twain on stage. "Geoff's portrayal of Twain allows us to step back in time - as if Twain had visited Queensland after all," he said. "His manner of speaking; his timing and sheer stage presence combine to create one of the most convincing Twain stage portrayals anywhere in the world today." Twain's journey to Australia in 1895-96 was depicted in the book, "More Tramps Abroad", which was titled "Following the Equator" when it was released in America. Geoff will be performing "Mark twain Down Under" at Strathpine's Act 1 Theatre at 7.30 pm on Saturday, 2 February, followed by a special 2.30 pm performance the following day. Tickets for "Mark Twain Down Under" are available at the door or by calling 3205 1897. To interview Geoff Stewart-McLean please telephone (07) 4954 9527 or 0448 087 838. (High-res images also available) Image caption: Actor Geoff Stewart-McLean holding a rare first-edition copy of "More Tramps Abroad", the book Mark Twain wrote about his trip to Australasia in 1895-96.
TWAIN INSPIRES LITERARY EVENT IN RURAL AUSTRALIA
ENTHUSIASTIC START TO MARK TWAIN'S VISIT TO AUSTRALASIA
AMTS NEWS
TWAIN STUDIES IN AUSTRALIA
Rare Book Inspires Insightful Twain Performance
BENDIGO: 29 SEP 2007 — MARK TWAIN and the impressions he recorded of Australian life in the late 20th century will be the subject of a literary luncheon to be held at the Bendigo Town Hall on 18 October at 12 noon.
Presented by former Australian Deputy Prime Minister Tim Fischer and writer Don Watson, the luncheon will be a celebration of Mark Twain's 1895 visit to rural Victoria and Bendigo, which formed part of his "around the world" lecture tour.
In 1895, Twain travelled by train to Bendigo, on his way, spending several hours on the platform at Castlemaine. He also visited Maryborough - which he dryly observed was: "A railway station with a town attached."
The subject of the luncheon will be "The Wayward Tourist", a book published in 2006 by Australian writer Don Watson that features Mark Twain's Australian travel writing.
Watson, widely recognised in Australia for his no-nonsense style, penned a memorable introduction to "The Wayward Tourist" and delights in illuminating the unforgettable encounter between Twain and Australia.
Later on the same day, actor Chris Wallace will bring his performance of "The Mark Twain You Don't Know" to Bendigo's Old Fire Station - showcasing some of Twain's lesser-known writings.
Download a PDF promotional brochure of the luncheon here (413 KB).
More information:
Stan Liacos
Director - City Futures
City of Greater Bendigo
Victoria, Australia
Ph: 61-3 5434 6446 or 61-3 0418 172362
BRISBANE: 6 April 2007 — THE AUSTRALIAN MARK TWAIN SOCIETY (AMTS) was officially launched this week with the society holding its inaugural meeting at a small bookshop in the inner-city Brisbane suburb of West End.
At 7.00 pm on Thursday, 5 April the inaugural audience included a retired university lecturer in Twain studies, one journalism student and several self-described 'book worms'.
During a 90-minute presentation, one of the society founders outlined the towns Mark Twain had visited in Australia and New Zealand during his 1895 world tour — and explored contemporary newspaper accounts of Twain's 'down-under' podium performances.
To the delight of AMTS organisers, one member of the audience brought along an 1897 first-edition copy of 'Following the Equator' — Twain's account of his around the world tour in 1895-96.
AMTS spokesperson Renn Murray said despite the relatively modest turnout of 12 people he was satisfied the society had nevertheless made a strong start and was building momentum.
"Last night's program was the first in a series of presentations we're developing to stimulate interest in Twain — and we have only just begun," Mr Murray said.
"The presentation is something we plan to grow and improve over the next 12-18 months, leading up to an increase in interest about Twain in 2010, the anniversary of the great writer's death."
"If it hadn't been for the forthcoming Easter holiday break, we would certainly have been turning people away at the door — because the space could really only accommodate about 15 people comfortably."
The society had received several apologies, he said.
Time constraints curtailed what promised to be a lively discussion of Twain's trip to Australasia.
Mr Murray said plans were under way to organise regular meetings of the Australian Mark Twain Society at a venue that could accommodate more people and more group discussion.