Rechabites Hall- what's the story??

Just come in from seeing Wolf Lullaby (yes I know!!! I'll shut up about it now- won't mention it again!!! Read my review) and I have a few questions, which maybe thems in the know can help me with:

Who runs the Rechabites' Hall? Can you please step forward so's we can beat you with strands of linguini?

Speaking as an audience member (never been onstage) This "venue" is DIABOLICAL. Dirty, messy, unkempt, ill eqipped to handle humans- god HELP you if you're on crutches or in a wheelchair! When one of the rats in the building is so disgusted with its abode that it DIES in one of the change rooms, you know the building has problems. It is a disgrace that a performance venue should charge people money to use such a hovel. In fact, when was the last time an officer from Occupational Health and Safety went over it with a fine-tooth comb?

It is hard enough for independant theatre groups to produce their work, without having to resort to "putting up with" conditions that verge on the unsanitary. And HOW DARE YOU expect people to blindly fork over the money to sit in a uncomfortable dust-filled BARN and call it a "nice night out".

It is NOT good enough- it is laughable. The building has cancer. Either funnel some money into it or knock it down.

Must "independant" and "co-op" ALWAYS be synonimous with "ramshackle" and "half-assed"??

Eliot

Of course Eliot the other argument could be that there IS no money to do it up and no possibility of any, either from government or private enterprise. And we either put up with the Rechabites being gross (I preferr to think of it as atmospheric and quirky) or we lose another inner city venue, leaving just the Blue Room and the Bridge and unhelpful competition for those venues with much of Perths plethora of talented young co-ops not being able to find anywhere to perform.

I don't know the facts however. Maybe the money is sitting around or lining someones pockets but you've been on the Perth theatre scene long enough to know that with the exception of Healthway and the Lottories Comission, there isn't a whole heap of interest at throwing money at struggling young theatre groups, excpecially not to do something as large scale and expensive as doing up the Rechabites.

However, a quick whip round at the next Wolf Lullaby show might pay for a cleaning lady...(or gentleman).....

I'm not sure who "runs" it... But... If it was "done up" so to speak can you imagine how expensive it would be to hire? A nice theatre on William St in Northbridge would cost a fortune to hire! Admittedly the dead rat smell in the dressing room is an unwelcome recent inovation and is one that probably shouldn't be retained (and I'm sure it won't). I think the good thing about the Rechabites is that it is cheap to hire and is central, sadly this also means it has a vaguely "run-down" look.
I've performed in the Rechabites and I'm not that disappointed with it as a venue. I think it has it's own mystique and beauty. The big jarrah staircase, pressed tin ceilings, faint musty smell, it's long history, and it's sheer volume - it's just so big!
In regards to the "barn" comment, if you'r more concerned about being in an ugly venue than the quality of the show, then perhaps you should stick to the Maj? If the show is good, the quality of the venue won't matter too much.

Actually, given its history it is a wonder the thing is still standing.
Auctor

Oh come ON Eliot, quit beating about the bush and tell us what you REALLY think...........

Last night was my first time in the Hall from Hell, and to be brutally honest, I really liked it. It's like stepping back in time and has an almost surreal quality to it. I remember thinking at some point, how sad it is that there are not more theatres left with as much character. True, a lick of paint and a quick hoover wouldn't hurt, but I found it really quite charming.

Sadly I couldn't convince my poor butt of the merits of the venue. By the end of the show, said butt was SCREAMING!!!!! Sitting atop a parking meter could not have caused this much discomfort!

Julia

From what I gather there has recently been some money alotted to the Rechabite Hall for the improvement of the facilities. Unfortunately no one is going to come up with the hundreds of thousands of dollars required to make it the brilliant venue it has the potential to be. However this could be quite a good thing. No one is going to hand over a million dollar venue to me to do a show in!!
Maybe they should take the tip from a couple of community theatres who have turned ramshakle buildings into wonderful theatres - Kads is one group that springs to mind -
over my fifteen year assosiation with Kads their little theatre has gone from being a falling down leaky church to the showpiece of Kalamunda.
I think time and interest are the key. Keep up the interest and over time the facilities will improve.

Indi

At the risk of putting myself in the firing line:
I cannot believe someone involved in the arts scene in Perth is suggesting an occupational safety & health officer look at an inner-city venue!! Very useful! And are you really suggesting that a venue be closed down because it isn't wheelchair accessible? Perhaps you'd like to share this view with Artrage:) Welcome to the real world: the money is not out there, and cheap venues close to public transport are rare. 'Funnel some money into it or knock it down'?! How's that for a naive dichotomy?

How about funnelling that time/ angst/energy into a few emails lobbying the government for more funding? Or a slightly more constructive letter to an editor or three? Or perhaps even mobilise some people into some kind of 'working bee' on Rechabites if you're so offended.

If artists are happy to perform in an accessible venue that they can afford, then that is their choice. It would appear to be a choice that many are happy to make. If audience members have a problem with cheap venues then they can choose to stick to mainstream theatre and miss out on the kind of cutting edge performance that Rechabites can offer.

I hardly think audiences are being conned into 'blindly forking out money' - what exactly did you expect as you walked into the foyer? Plush seats and scented airconditioning? I am one of the many who love Rechabites for exactly that atmosphere, and I hope that by supporting shows there, in every way I can, I'm doing my bit to keep it operating as a theatre.

IndependEnt theatre is about working with what you have, not knocking down buildings that don't meet your refined standards. Most people come out of Rechabites grateful that someone has resisted the urge to cash in on prime real estate by selling the land, and chosen to make it available to those with tiny budgets but great ideas.

Thinking that Rechabites could be better is fair enough. Ranting in this tunnel-visioned and negative way is pointless. Here endeth the lesson.

sorcha sublimely stomped:
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*At the risk of putting myself in the firing line:

Not at all... I'm just glad for a passionate response.

*I cannot believe someone involved in the arts scene in Perth is suggesting an occupational safety & health officer look at an inner-city venue!! Very useful!

Well, I'll be able to get the opinion of an OH&S officer when he comes to see the show with me on Sunday.... I'll be intrigued.

*And are you really suggesting that a venue be closed down because it isn't wheelchair accessible?

No, not at all. My main (if horrendously hyperbolic) drive is yes; here is a venue we can all utilise. Yes, it is getting a reputation as a venue where exciting works are performed and produced. But the thing that disturbs me is how long will the venue actually be there (ie upright) for ANYONE to use?

*Welcome to the real world: the money is not out there, and cheap venues close to public transport are rare. 'Funnel some money into it or knock it down'?! How's that for a naive dichotomy?

I think it's beautifully naive. :-p. But it's not just me that's saying it. And is there REALLY no money anywhere??

*How about funnelling that time/ angst/energy into a few emails lobbying the government for more funding? Or a slightly more constructive letter to an editor or three? Or perhaps even mobilise some people into some kind of 'working bee' on Rechabites if you're so offended.

Absolutely. Great idea! But answer my first question. WHO RUNS IT???? I'll have to address a questionnaire to somebody. And if I do write up such a questionnaire, will you sign it?

*If artists are happy to perform in an accessible venue that they can afford, then that is their choice.

NOT TRUE! It is their LOT, not necessarily their choice. Granted the atmosphere may be charming to some, but this I would posit is more to do what they may have become accustomed to.

In a less-inflammatory fashion, my point is; is this is to be a burgeoning hive of activity, can we not make at least a COMFORTABLE venue to work in and/or view new work?

Eliot

The first time I worked in the Hall was probably three or four years ago when we used it as a rehearsal venue for a Blue Room show I was doing at the time - at that point, it was in far worse condition than it is today, and I felt that the Hall was sadly bound for an abrupt demise (probably for more bloody luxury apartments which are going up in every corner of Perth wherever something comes down). I then went overseas for a period and on return, was surprised to hear that the Hall had been renovated slightly and turned into a theatre. Intrigued, I went along to see a show there, and was impressed by the work that had been done on it, while noticing several areas which could be improved, for example the lack of an adequate lighting rig in the ceiling. A year later, I worked in the Hall and noted that a rig had been added, as well as several improvements in the foyer. I guess what I am getting at is that the Rechabites Hall has been undergoing a slow transformation over the past few years. I mean, it would be great to get a million dollar grant or donation to give the building an instant facelift, but it is inevitable that renovations will be a gradual process while funds are being collected. The building is not endangering either performers or audience members in its ramshackle qualities. We need the Rech Hall due to the fact that it is very rare to find a performance space of its size (aside from perhaps the Bridge and the Quarry, and I would wager that hire rates are far more reasonable at the Rechabites) which might accomodate the larger plays that will not fit into the Blue Room (who are, to answer your question, the managers of the venue). Maybe we need to launch a public appeal amongst the theatregoing public to help restore (or God forbidding if Eliot gets his way, SAVE) the Rechabites Hall, to make it an effective venue. I have plenty of ideas of my own on how to improve the venue - the dressing rooms are hideously inadequate AT THE MOMENT, as are the backstage areas - and they could do with some more comfortable seating. To change these things, however, requires money, and nothing will be done unless this money is raised. I have often said that if I won the lotto the first million of my winnings would go straight to the Blue Room to develop two of my favourite venues. Realistically though, I think the key is to let the Blue Room board of this need for alteration (and I know some board members haunt this site) - perhaps someone needs to prepare an appeal and go before the board suggesting a fundraiser to save the Rechabites.

I understand your point, Eliot, but give the Hall a chance. By bringing structural engineers in to SEARCH for faults, you are not actively supporting the arts in this building, but instead are consciously looking to bring about its downfall. Change takes money, sure, but it also takes time. Who's with me for helping the Hall?

Toby

Yes, let's not have anyone running off on any "damn fool idealistic crusades" (to quote Star Wars). I certainly don't want my show cancelled because some safety freak says it's too dangerous! We've worked too hard to have in shut down days before it opens!
Please people, be concious of the impact you'll have on others if you try making changes to the Rechabites Hall.
I find it curious, too that people say that the dressing room and backstage areas ARE hideously inadequate. I don't think inadequate is the appropriate word. They exist and can be utilised, surely half the fun is working out how to make use of the space you have.

Cheers
Nath

Toby Malone wrote:
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The first time I worked in the Hall was probably three or four years ago when we used it as a rehearsal venue for a Blue Room show I was doing at the time - at that point, it was in far worse condition than it is today, and I felt that the Hall was sadly bound for an abrupt demise (probably for more bloody luxury apartments which are going up in every corner of Perth wherever something comes down). I then went overseas for a period and on return, was surprised to hear that the Hall had been renovated slightly and turned into a theatre. Intrigued, I went along to see a show there, and was impressed by the work that had been done on it, while noticing several areas which could be improved, for example the lack of an adequate lighting rig in the ceiling. A year later, I worked in the Hall and noted that a rig had been added, as well as several improvements in the foyer. I guess what I am getting at is that the Rechabites Hall has been undergoing a slow transformation over the past few....

zat u nath?

Agreed, though the dead rat in the dressing room is a bit too bohemian for my taste (smell...whatever.)

cheers
dean

Yup...
I'm hoping the ol' rat will be gone soon too! Wouldn't be good for me to be backstage with a dead rat... Never know what might happen!

Could be good for our little ratty's motivation to perform. "See what happened to the last Mr Ratty my little furry, buck toothed friend!"

I can report that today the rat problem was taken care of, although its presence can still be smelt...







<8>-/=====-----------

I can guarantee you, do the place up until it's up to some 'nice', 'pristine' level to satisfy the 'discerning' tastes of some of the people involved in this discussion and the State Government would buy it back before you could say 'Boo hoo, where are we going to perform now?' They'd turn it into a block of luxury apartments. Or perhaps a ballet hall. Would that make you happy? Sounds like it would. The Rech is one of the last places available for aspiring theatre companies to put on thier works. Give it the credit it deserves, for God's sake. It's a beautiful old hall with a charm and character that seems to be quickly disappearing from this culturally desolate city. Probably from people dragging saftey officers in willy nilly to prove a point. And it's not falling down either. I should know, I used to work there. And loved it. For God's sake, what do you want? An apology stuck to the front door saying Sorry It's Not The Academy Or The Maj? Wake up and smell the funding. The Rech can be an amazing place, you just have to know how to use it. And that's my two cents. Be seeing you.

I knew him Horatio- a fellow of infinite pest...."

I'll stop there whilst I'm still walking....

My thanks to all who have posted on this subject. It's been a scream.

Eliot

:)
I've calmed a little now!

Eliot - it seems that while we all think that Rechabites can be improved, the 'sticking point' as twere is your plan to expose her to an occ safety & health officer's beady eye. As a one-time small business owner in the Northbridge / Perth area, i can tell you that the City of Perth inspectors have no soul - they are in fact Satan's children!! I think the uneasiness / vitriol you have unleashed is due to our nagging suspicion that Rechabites wouldn't pass such an inspection. Thus you run the risk of being the instrument of her demise. And a very unpopular laddy indeed:)

Perhaps what this debate has highlighted is the need to put some work into Rechabites - work of the unpaid basic variety - rather than having her inspected. Could you consider not inviting the antichrist I mean inspector when next you visit Rechabites?

I'm sure you've now realised that the Blue Room manage Rechabites, and that there are those of us who would help out if someone organised us:) I'd be happy to help, but after my last email I think I'll go under cover!!

Sorcha

"The building has cancer"?
Come on, Eliot-having performed at the Rech I think you're being a little unfair on the old place. Times are tough for independent theatre, and places which have the character and accessibility the Rech possesses are becoming increasingly rare. Let's be serious, if the place was as bad as you seem to think it is, who in their right mind would put a play up there, let alone come and see it?
And by the way, "ramshackle"? "Half-assed?". I really hope you were referring to the venue rather than the people who were working their arses off to bring you these shows...