'Artistic merit' versus popularity
Sat, 16 Mar 2002, 12:39 pmNorma23 posts in thread
'Artistic merit' versus popularity
Sat, 16 Mar 2002, 12:39 pmA perennial subject, and one with which you are probably bored to death, but to illustrate the point (yet again)
The Old Mill Theatre is about to present one of the best dramatic plays, written by a well known playwright (Ronald Harwood) of modern time. It will be the first presentation of it in WA and for all I can discover, the first in Australia.
I refer of course to "Taking Sides" which commences on Friday March 22. Bookings are very slow to date and two social groups who usually book parties for our productions have told me: " not this one thanks, we'll wait for the next comedy"
We backed it because we think it's a damn good play which deserves to be seen, so all you 'theatre-lovers' out there who say where are all the good dramas, the booking number is 9367.8719
March 22/23, 27/28/30, April 4/5/6
The Old Mill Theatre is about to present one of the best dramatic plays, written by a well known playwright (Ronald Harwood) of modern time. It will be the first presentation of it in WA and for all I can discover, the first in Australia.
I refer of course to "Taking Sides" which commences on Friday March 22. Bookings are very slow to date and two social groups who usually book parties for our productions have told me: " not this one thanks, we'll wait for the next comedy"
We backed it because we think it's a damn good play which deserves to be seen, so all you 'theatre-lovers' out there who say where are all the good dramas, the booking number is 9367.8719
March 22/23, 27/28/30, April 4/5/6
RE: 'Artistic merit' versus popularity
Mon, 18 Mar 2002, 06:42 pmWalter Plinge
I think what we marketing people call this is 'audience development'. Not many clubs do it, alot of clubs keep catering to the same audience which is ok when your houses are near to full, but you really see the impact when you vere away from the usual genre of play the company performs. Sure you get the bums on the seats but, perhaps unfortunatley, have done nothing towards educating those 'bums' in the process.
As community theatres, often we dont see our responsibility as 'educating' or 'expanding' the minds of our audiences as we are too busy trying to squeeze together enough money for the next production. I guess its sometimes seen as a luxury that only the pro theatres can afford. Blak Yak does it, but its common knowledge that it been hard for them, I think its fantastic they have developed an audience as diverse as the plays they perform.
We had the same problem as The Old MIll at The Irish Club, 'Little Moon of Alban' was described by some as 'too heavy a drama'. Compared to your usual Irish comedy about cows and potatoes, maybe it was, but we're glad were performed it, it changed alot of peoples ideas about Irish drama and those people will be back again.
If anything Norma I think 'Taking Sides' may expand the horizons of your audience. You always get those that drop off for whatever reasons, but they can be replaced by new blood coming in.
Catherine Mc
The Studio
As community theatres, often we dont see our responsibility as 'educating' or 'expanding' the minds of our audiences as we are too busy trying to squeeze together enough money for the next production. I guess its sometimes seen as a luxury that only the pro theatres can afford. Blak Yak does it, but its common knowledge that it been hard for them, I think its fantastic they have developed an audience as diverse as the plays they perform.
We had the same problem as The Old MIll at The Irish Club, 'Little Moon of Alban' was described by some as 'too heavy a drama'. Compared to your usual Irish comedy about cows and potatoes, maybe it was, but we're glad were performed it, it changed alot of peoples ideas about Irish drama and those people will be back again.
If anything Norma I think 'Taking Sides' may expand the horizons of your audience. You always get those that drop off for whatever reasons, but they can be replaced by new blood coming in.
Catherine Mc
The Studio
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