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Gracie Otto to host Q&A screenings for The Last Impresario

Australian filmmaker, Gracie Otto is confirmed to attend exclusive Q&A preview screenings of THE LAST IMPRESARIO in Sydney and Melbourne, ahead of the film’s national release on 26 June.

Following the screenings, Otto will speak about her debut feature, before opening the discussion up for audience participation.

THE LAST IMPRESARIO delves into the life and work of theatre impresario, Michael White- an eccentric, daring and unstoppable man who changed British culture, one show at a time. The Hollywood Reporter US says: “The kind of glitzy, gossipy, celebrity-jammed story that grabs you from the first frame.”

Michael White is the most famous man you’ve never heard of. In a career that spanned over five decades, he produced 101 stage productions, 27 films(including Monty Python’s The Holy Grail) and helped shape the careers of international celebrities such as John Cleese, Spike Milligan, Barry Humphries and Kate Moss.

Michael single-handedly changed the shape of West End theatre in the 1970s, earning a reputation for the risqué with productions like Oh! Calcutta!, the original Rocky Horror Show, A Chorus Line and introducing Merce Cunningham, Pina Bausch and Yoko Ono to London audiences.

This incredible trip down memory lane shows how the son of a Jewish glove maker from Glasgow, Scotland turned into the The Man with the Midas Touch. Along the way he role-played as gambler, bon vivant, playboy and eccentric friend of the rich and famous. Now in his late seventies, Michael still enjoys partying like there’s no tomorrow. The Scottish Sunday Mail decribes Michael as having “the best-connected social network before Facebook.”

In this intimate, must-see documentary, THE LAST IMPRESARIO introduces us to this larger-than-life character, paying a vibrant tribute to a fascinating entertainer, creative nurturer and collaborator, and offers and fascinating insight into the spectacular highs and lows of White’s career.

It features 50 interviews with many of his closest friends including Anna Wintour, Naomi Watts, Yoko Ono, John Waters, John Cleese, Kate Moss, Barry Humphries, Greta Scacchi, Rachel Ward, and of course, the man himself.

Following its world premiere at BFI London International Film Festival (2013), THE LAST IMPRESARIO has also played at the Dubai (2013) and Glasgow (2014) International Film Festivals. It was Opening Night Film at DocWeek Australia (2014), and will next play on June 11th at the Sydney Film Festival, where it is screening in Documentary Competition.

Umbrella Entertainment will release THE LAST IMPRESARIO in limited cinemas nationally on 26 June.

Details of the exclusive preview screenings are below:

SYD: Wednesday 18 June
6.30pm intro by Gracie Otto, Q&A from 8.15pm
Palace Norton St, Leichhardt
MELB: Friday 20 June
6.30pm intro by Gracie Otto, Q&A from 8.15pm
Cinema Nova, Lygon St Carlton
http://www.cinemanova.com.au/catalogue/meet-the-filmmaker/lastimpressariot
MELB: Sunday 22 June
4.00pm intro by Gracie Otto, Q&A from 5.45pm
Classic Cinemas, Gordon St Elsternwick