Teen flick ticks the bitchy boxes

By Kevin Sadlier

MADE in Cronulla, Circle of Lies is a new teen drama now on selected release in NSW cinemas, although not yet in St George or Sutherland Shire.

The setting is the fictional Short Beach High School where the most popular girl student, Denise played by Hilary Caitens, finds her life turned upside-down after a night-time beach party, hosted by a character called “V” played by Nikki Webster, now 26, and who is remembered for her performance at the opening ceremony of the Sydney 2000 Olympic Games when just 13.

In Circle of Lies, V is described as a “spoiled brat”, a member of an ultra-cool group who call themselves “the exclusives” and believe they are above all the rest.

The film opens on the first day of a new school year when audiences will meet students good and bad, in particular Denise (Hilary Caitens) who is bullied and victimised by classmate Kirsty (Anna Lawrence), the leader of the ultra-cools.

Anna’s previous film and television roles include feature roles in TV series such as Underbelly: Razor, Packed to the Rafters and Tricky Business.

Source: St George & Sutherland Shire Leader

Big break for Nikki Webster

NIKKI Webster has gone back to school. The 23-year-old has landed her first lead film role, shooting independent feature Short Beach around Sydney in recent weeks.

Webster’s been cast as V, a schoolgirl, in the “teen beach movie” also starring Johnny Boxer and Matt Zeremes.

“This role is fun because I wasn’t at school a lot in years 11 and 12, so I never got to be that girly girl,” she said.

“I missed that – I was too busy designing a clothing range and releasing music.”

Webster has started her own performance school at Stanmore in Sydney’s inner west, specialising in singing, dancing and drama classes for children aged five to 16.

“It’s hard running your own business but it allows me to share my experiences with the kids and teach them,” she said.

“I love it. The benefits of having your own business and watching it grow is so rewarding.”

Webster, who gained fame after starring in the Sydney Olympics opening ceremony, recently got engaged to 31-year-old Matthew McMah who works in the aviation industry.

The pair have yet to set a date

Source: The Herald Sun

Webster Carries Torch For Kleiser On Indie ‘vanilla’

By Cathy Dunkley

Nikki Webster, the 13-year-old Australian girl who sang during the opening and closing ceremonies at the 2000 Summer Olympics in Sydney, is set to star in the independent African feature film “Vanilla Gorilla” to be directed by Randal Kleiser (“Grease,” “Honey, I Blew Up the Kid”). Production is expected to begin in February for a targeted Christmas 2001 release.

“Vanilla” is the story of a captive albino gorilla that learned American sign language and teaches it to a young girl (Webster) he befriends.

Craig Gardner wrote the screenplay and will be a producer on the film with Normandi Brown and Tony Sloman. Sam Kute will executive produce, and T.J. Mancini and Erika Branna are co-producers. The project was packaged by Jerry Zeitman of the Agency.

Source: The Hollywood Reporter

Oz moppet Webster goes ape for Kleiser

Pic marks feature debut of stage actress

By Jill Feiwell

Thirteen-year-old Nikki Webster, whose solo performance at the opening ceremonies in Sydney helped kick off this year’s Olympic Games, is set to star in the African adventure film “Vanilla Gorilla” for “Grease” helmer Randal Kleiser.

Pic, skedded to go before cameras in February, marks the moppet’s feature debut — she previously appeared on stage in the tuners “Les Miserables” and “The Sound of Music.”

“Gorilla” tells the story of a captive albino primate who, with the help of a young girl, escapes his confinement from a zoo in Capetown, South Africa.

Pic, penned by Craig Gardner, is being produced by Normandi Brown, Tony Sloman, Gardner and exec producer Sam Kute for L.A.-based production house Neon Entertainment, in association with the Sharmat Organization. T.J. Mancini and Erika Brannan will co-produce.

Kleiser’s directing credits include “White Fang,” “The Blue Lagoon” and “Honey I Blew Up the Kids.”

Source: Variety