Christopher Johnson: Eastside's arts whiz

Author: CBOnline | Source: CBOnline | Date: 05-02-08

Eastside's Christopher Johnson

Eastside's Christopher Johnson

Since Christmas Day 1999, presenter Christopher Johnson’s program Arts Thursday has treated Eastside’s Sydney listeners to in depth interviews with esteemed and emerging creatives. Guests on Christopher’s programs have ranged from writers, to artists, directors, dancers, actors and the occasional poet.

Since its initial conception, Christopher’s program repertoire has expanded to include all that is latest in the film realm on Talking Movies and Screen Scene.

Beyond the airwaves, CJ is an award winning writer, director, performer and producer for theatre and film. His play The Young Tycoons sold out two seasons at the Darlinghurst Theatre. His previous plays at the Darlinghurst include Backpacker!, which was short-listed for the Phillip Parsons Young Playwright of the Year Award in 2004. Barnesy, The Harbour and You and The Dog Logs also went on to tour across Australia.

Upon graduating from the NIDA Directing Course in 1997, CJ has directed numerous plays including Romeo and Juliet, Macbeth, Othello, The Conduct of Life and American Buffalo, as well as being an assistant director to Gale Edwards on The White Devil and to Richard Wherrett on Cabaret.

Screening worldwide at esteemed festivals, Christopher’s short films The Game and Saturday Night Newtown Sunday Morning Enmorehave taken him to Wyoming, Toronto and Berlin. Coming second on Foxtel Reality/ Competition program Project Greenlight Australia 2006, Christopher is well versed in talking the talk when it comes to film craft.

Often an MC at various Eastside fundraisers, Christopher is a crucial addition at Sydney events such as Jazzgroove Birthday Celebrations, Marrickville and Council Arts Launches.

Guests on CJ’s shows have included Rolf de Heer, Max Gillies, Clara Law, Brendan Cowell, Lano and Woodley, Neil Armfield, John Bell, Max Cullen, Peter Helliar, Debra Conway, Austen Tayshus, The Umbilical Brothers, Rhys Muldoon, Michael Leunig, Paul Capsis and Oscar winners Russell Boyd and Adam Elliot.

Tune into Christopher on Sydney's Eastside 89.7fm on
Arts Thursday (9.30am – 11.30am)
Screenscene (Thursday 11.30am – noon) and
Talking Movies (Monday 6.00 – 6.30pm).

Oscar winner Adam Elliott and Christopher Johnson.

Oscar winner Adam Elliott and Christopher Johnson.