London and Perth
Thu, 3 Jan 2002, 07:45 amStephen4 posts in thread
London and Perth
Thu, 3 Jan 2002, 07:45 amHi there.
I have been working as an actor/drama teacher in London for twenty odd years and family circumstances mean I will be moving to Perth in July. I would be very interested to know about the scene over there. I intend to either join a group, or even start my own. I am thinking of the semi-pro, post drama school level (in England we say Fringe).
Is there anyone there who could give me ideas on the differences between the UK and WA. Particularly anyone who might have trodden this route before me?
Q's I am interested in especially:
1 Are there many amateur'semi pro groups around?
2. How easy is it finding rehearsal spaces?
3 How many performance venues are around..and what sort of cost?
4 As I am a teacher, I thought of giving one-to-one drama classes. What is the normal charge for this?
Help with any of the above would be greatly appreciated. I feel a little like I'm stepping into the unknown - In my early forties I feel like a kid again, lost, but a little excited. I am going to be living in a place called Cannington(?) just south of the city.
Stephen Quinn
I have been working as an actor/drama teacher in London for twenty odd years and family circumstances mean I will be moving to Perth in July. I would be very interested to know about the scene over there. I intend to either join a group, or even start my own. I am thinking of the semi-pro, post drama school level (in England we say Fringe).
Is there anyone there who could give me ideas on the differences between the UK and WA. Particularly anyone who might have trodden this route before me?
Q's I am interested in especially:
1 Are there many amateur'semi pro groups around?
2. How easy is it finding rehearsal spaces?
3 How many performance venues are around..and what sort of cost?
4 As I am a teacher, I thought of giving one-to-one drama classes. What is the normal charge for this?
Help with any of the above would be greatly appreciated. I feel a little like I'm stepping into the unknown - In my early forties I feel like a kid again, lost, but a little excited. I am going to be living in a place called Cannington(?) just south of the city.
Stephen Quinn
RE: London and Perth
Tue, 8 Jan 2002, 02:08 pmWalter Plinge
Hi Stephen
I can't believe that no-one has replied to your enthusiastic email. A premature WELCOME would be in order!!
There are many, many healthy amateur groups in Western Australia. There are possibly (don't quote me and don't jump down my throat anyone out there!) twenty in the Perth metro area. Within a boomerang's toss (ha! couldn't resist) of Cannington you have access to at least five long established and well respected amateur groups. Of course, that would entail around twenty minutes travel both ways which may be hideous in comparison to what you're used to but highly tolerable down under (couldn't resist that one either). Each group would produce five shows a year on average with some presenting up to seven! Audition notices are regularly posted on this site. The clubs have an annual competition under the impartial banner of the ITA called the Finley Awards which is open to entry from all clubs and is adjudicated by a group of people nominated by those clubs and approved by the ITA committee. Each year the awards are presented in categories such as Best Play, Best Musical, Best Directors and so on. Best Male and Female Actor are not awarded I can only assume in an effort to maintain harmony amongst otherwise warring egos?! The Finley Awards are held in high estime by most of the amateur theatre world. The winners of the most recent Finley Awards are also posted on this site for your interest and as an example of what works are attempted. Most amateur groups have their own theatre space which is used as rehearsal space also. Some are better than others and many are improving on a day to day basis. They all run for the fun of it and usually on a shoe string budget. They would probably all welcome you with open arms because a) you're a man b) you're a man who has acting experience c) you're a man who might be willing to impart some of that knowledge d) you're a potential director and e) you're a man....oh, I mentioned that.
Perth has a very active fringe continguent also but maybe someone in the biz could explain in more depth. Suffice to say we have several well known fringe theatre venues and many not-so-well known which are constantly sponsoring the performance of new works and classics.
That's all I have time for without jeopardising my job. Can someone else embellish?
Kind regards.
Don't be a stranger when you land!!
I can't believe that no-one has replied to your enthusiastic email. A premature WELCOME would be in order!!
There are many, many healthy amateur groups in Western Australia. There are possibly (don't quote me and don't jump down my throat anyone out there!) twenty in the Perth metro area. Within a boomerang's toss (ha! couldn't resist) of Cannington you have access to at least five long established and well respected amateur groups. Of course, that would entail around twenty minutes travel both ways which may be hideous in comparison to what you're used to but highly tolerable down under (couldn't resist that one either). Each group would produce five shows a year on average with some presenting up to seven! Audition notices are regularly posted on this site. The clubs have an annual competition under the impartial banner of the ITA called the Finley Awards which is open to entry from all clubs and is adjudicated by a group of people nominated by those clubs and approved by the ITA committee. Each year the awards are presented in categories such as Best Play, Best Musical, Best Directors and so on. Best Male and Female Actor are not awarded I can only assume in an effort to maintain harmony amongst otherwise warring egos?! The Finley Awards are held in high estime by most of the amateur theatre world. The winners of the most recent Finley Awards are also posted on this site for your interest and as an example of what works are attempted. Most amateur groups have their own theatre space which is used as rehearsal space also. Some are better than others and many are improving on a day to day basis. They all run for the fun of it and usually on a shoe string budget. They would probably all welcome you with open arms because a) you're a man b) you're a man who has acting experience c) you're a man who might be willing to impart some of that knowledge d) you're a potential director and e) you're a man....oh, I mentioned that.
Perth has a very active fringe continguent also but maybe someone in the biz could explain in more depth. Suffice to say we have several well known fringe theatre venues and many not-so-well known which are constantly sponsoring the performance of new works and classics.
That's all I have time for without jeopardising my job. Can someone else embellish?
Kind regards.
Don't be a stranger when you land!!