News in brief

Panto changes name, plot

Upcoming Sydney Opera House pantomime trAnnie has undergone a name change and plot revisions after criticism from trans groups. The planned Christmas pantomime – the brainchild of performers Trevor Ashley and Phil Scott – attracted over 1,000 signatures against it in an online petition and numerous NSW Anti- Discrimination Board complaints. The musical will now be known as Little Orphan trAshley and a key character, who is trans, will cease to be a convicted paedophile. Indi Kelly Edwards, spokesperson for Trans Menace Australia, said she was pleased by the changes but still had concerns. “This pantomime is still about an underaged orphaned trans girl who is being sexually exploited. Trans children are at very high risk in society and … paedophilia is never funny.”

Newtown Station improved

The upgraded Newtown Station was unveiled on Monday, featuring a new station concourse, lifts, stairs, covered walkways and public art. A Transport for NSW spokesperson said more improvements were to come. “The features … form stage one of the project. The second stage involves refurbishment of the old booking office to create retail space and conversion of the old stairs into emergency stairs. These additional works will be finished early next year. By delivering the project in two stages, we’ve ensured customers can benefit from much needed access upgrades as quickly as possible.”

Sydney Peace Prize

The 2012 City of Sydney Peace Prize will be awarded this Wednesday, November 7 to Zimbabwean Senator Sekai Holland, Zimbabwe’s Co-Minister for Reconciliation Healing and Integration. Professor Stuart Rees, Chair of the Sydney Peace Foundation said: “In addition to her work for the education of rural women and her founding of Australia’s anti-apartheid movement fifty years ago, Sekai Holland has been a significant leader of non-violent democracy campaigns, and is a key figure in her country’s national dialogue on [healing] social conflict.” Tickets to the ceremony, to be held at Town Hall, are available through Ticketek.