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Tricked you. Now you have to read on as punishment. If you perform theatre, you should see theatre. This is not a discussion about the necessity of seeing theatre as an means to develop your artistry; although there is that too. This is about going to see theatre to ensure its survival. Let us disregard the spheres of professional and semi professional theatre/fringe, as they are both, in my opinion, in a stable position. Let us turn our attention, however, to their less fortunate cousin, community theatre. If you want to create amateur theatre, you naturally want people to attend. Not only because it is something you have worked on (and in most cases are proud of), but because the revenue of said projects allows the theatre group to continue with this worthwhile exercise. Community theatre groups find it a financial necessity to be conservative, hence why we see many productions of the same works- they are bankable. I've never known a lack of bums on seats for The Importance of Being Earnest or The Sound of Music. Don't misunderstand me, both are great shows, but if you love theatre as much as I do, you do like a little of variety. Which is why it saddens me to hear that when someone does something a little different (and less known), the crowds stay away. So why don't we support them? Are we only interested in what we do or what we are familiar with? I for one do not act very much in community theatre anymore – maybe one show a year – yet I see roughly 10. I go because friends are in it, I'm interested, or I just feel like a night out. I would hope that friends of mine would come to the shows I perform in or write for. It's not often the case, but it doesn't worry me too much and is not the focus of this discussion. Anyway, I digress. Its good to try different things. Kudos to practitioners and groups that facilitate this process. I have a few friends in an upcoming production at Melville theatre, Zastrozzi - Master of Discipline. So far the ticket sales are not particularly strong, which is a shame, because from what I understand, the director has done a fine job and that this is a comedy that deserves to be seen. You never know, I might absolutely hate the production. But that's not the point. If community theatre is going to survive, people are going to have to be more supportive of it than they are now, particularly when the traditional generation of theatre-goers pass on. Not every show is going to be brilliant. So what? At least we still have venues in Perth that allows people the opportunity to join a theatre group, flex their creative muscles and be social. And if you need any more reasons - alcohol is really cheap, am I right? So, I guess this is a shout out to people who are involved in community theatre to go see more of it. If you want good attendance of your production, give the same courtesy to others. I'm going to catch this show next week. If you're interested in forming a mean arse posse to see this show, drop me a line. Thanks for listening, Daniel Jon Kershaw Details: A SWASHBUCKLING ADVENTURE Zastrozzi tells the story of an amoral and charismatic criminal mastermind and master swordfighter who cuts a swathe of destruction across Europe in the 19th century. Zastrozzi relentlessly pursues revenge against Verezzi, a naïve and disturbed artist who has been one step ahead of Zastrozzi for the past three years thanks to his tutor, Victor. But Zastrozzi, with his not too bright sidekick Bernardo, and Matilda (the greatest seductress of Europe and lover of Zastrozzi), have finally caught up. Now, it is time for all to meet, and what is left to do is decide if you on the side of goodness and purity, or evil… or like Julia, being simply thrown into world you know nothing about and hope to land on your feet! Inspired by, but not based on, the novel Zastrozzi by Percy Bryce Shelley. CAST: Zastrozzi: Jeff Watkins Bernardo: Matt Lister Verezzi: Steven Hounsome Victor: Jeffrey Hansen Matilda: Laila Gampfer Julia: Clara Helms Start time: 8pm Bookings Email Address: melville.theatre.company@gmail.com Bookings Name: Joan Scafe Bookings Phone Number: 9330 4565 (Leave your booking on the machine please) Ticket Prices: $17 Full - $13 Member/Concession Website: www.meltheco.org.au Address: Cnr Stock Rd and Canning Hwy, Palmyra.