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Um.....musical madness??

Fri, 22 Aug 2008, 10:00 pm
jmuzz36 posts in thread
Thought I'd look at the auditions coming up in Perth theatre. Lessee...... A Chorus Line - Melville Black and White Cabaret Performance - Adhoc Fame the Musical (what else would it be?) - Wanneroo Phantom of the Music Hall - Kwinana The month before.... The Sound of Music - Roleystone Sing On - Stirling I'm guessing Murray Music and Drama involves some singing and dancing given its a pantomine. Billy Connolly once likened his voice to that of a goose farting in the fog. Mine's worse. Don't complain to me that we have a shortage of male auditionees if you're all going to try and be this year's "Eurobeat" or "Cabaret". Topic for discussion - Is dramatic/comedic theatre facing a certain extinction because musicals pull an audience? Well, no, we know there have been quality dramatic productions this year. Right? As a non musical actor is it all in my head that there seems to be an ever increasing bias toward musical productions? Am I cynical enough to suggest amateur theatre may be leaning toward the quick buck a musical can generate? Many of the people who populate this forum are on club committees - please tell me it's all coincidence that there is not one non-musical audition to be had in Perth during September. Please!!! Guess I can concentrate on the garden and other thoroughly enjoyable activities next two months. I'm gonna say it because I've hinted at it before in previous posts - we will see more of this and we will see more of the same production in the same year perfomed ad nauseum by any number of clubs and for God's sake, how fricking stagnant will amateur theatre be in 5 years!!!!! Guess I'll be auditioning exclusively at KADS and Garrick (I know there was a recent exception)because their stages don't accomodate musicals (although I'd pay to see The King & I perfomed at KADS - the equivalent of one of those rubber guys folding himself into a cardboard box) It's in my head right? No more musicals than in previous years? Right? Grrrrrrrrrr

You're absolutely right....

Mon, 25 Aug 2008, 04:24 pm
it was an assertion...or assumption even. Not sure where you thought I felt musicals were on a "lower rung" than other plays and can't really find anything in my original post which suggests there was clarity required. Where did I have a dig at musical performers? If anything, that's another bug-bear I have with musicals. I have been to some (and I emphasise some) which seem to be filled with WAAPA students doing the musical course there. If anything, some of the musicals in Perth seem to be verging on semi-professional status and whilst I agree each and every production should be of the highest standard possible, I hope we don't become a "try-out" platform for every would-be professional out there (this extends to theatre in general). My post is clearly stated as a comment that there is a lack of plays other than musicals in Perth at present to audition for - that the balance seems to be vearing toward musical theatre and questioning the reasons why that may be. Some people have pointed out that the auditions function on this website may not be used by clubs as much as it was meaning there is no notification of certain auditions and I'm prepared to accept that. It's also fair for you to say that as a musical-biased actor, this is a good time for you. Can't argue with that. Anyway, I've spent enough time whinging - just be assured I have nothing but the highest admiration for those talented few who can sing, dance and act.

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