So where to now?
Thu, 24 Feb 2005, 01:48 amWalter Plinge23 posts in thread
So where to now?
Thu, 24 Feb 2005, 01:48 amThere has been some discussion on this forum of late that arises out of the current poll. I think that is a highly important subject and one which has to be addressed.
It seems that theatre as a form of entertainment and a means by which people converge together and socialise is slowly dying. It seems that of late theatre has become in the general publics opinion seen as a pretentious artform meant to be experienced only by those that deem they can afford it. It is sad that often the publics general opinion and the truth of the matter are the complete opposites.
There are many reasons for this taking place, a number of which have been discussed in the other thread. I now want to put it to the wider forum community that something has to be done to counter the situation and it won't happen by accident. The question before us is, how? How do we do this? We must all work together ametuers and professionals alike and for awhile, at least, dispose of our ego's to re-inforce the rocky foundations of Australian theatre.
In short:
There's a problem that i deem needs fixing, how do we fix it?
It seems that theatre as a form of entertainment and a means by which people converge together and socialise is slowly dying. It seems that of late theatre has become in the general publics opinion seen as a pretentious artform meant to be experienced only by those that deem they can afford it. It is sad that often the publics general opinion and the truth of the matter are the complete opposites.
There are many reasons for this taking place, a number of which have been discussed in the other thread. I now want to put it to the wider forum community that something has to be done to counter the situation and it won't happen by accident. The question before us is, how? How do we do this? We must all work together ametuers and professionals alike and for awhile, at least, dispose of our ego's to re-inforce the rocky foundations of Australian theatre.
In short:
There's a problem that i deem needs fixing, how do we fix it?
Re: So where to now?
Thu, 24 Feb 2005, 05:58 amGarreth wrote:
>
> There has been some discussion on this forum of late that
> arises out of the current poll. I think that is a highly
> important subject and one which has to be addressed.
>
> It seems that theatre as a form of entertainment and a means
> by which people converge together and socialise is slowly
> dying. It seems that of late theatre has become in the
> general publics opinion seen as a pretentious artform meant
> to be experienced only by those that deem they can afford it.
I'm sorry but you've done nothing to convince me of this being so aside from some generalisations about 20 somethings not going to the theatre, a death of some forms of theatre(?) and a comparision with theatre tickets and concert tickets.
Also i'm not sure where your general publics perception has come from on theatre being a pretentious artform? How many people went and saw Deckchair theatres Sahkspeare in the park? How many of them go to other theatre and how many of them think theatre is pretentious as theys it there eating food from their eskies enjoying a drink on their picnic rugs?
Its surely counter productive to sit round crying, saying it's dying and what grand plan can we do to save as opposed to going out and being involved and creating theatre? Of course theatre will have to always develop its audiences like all Art forms but it dosen't mean it's dying. Have a look at the big picture from a government funding and policy level down to fringe theatres and communtiy theatres and then make your sweeping statements.
How about the Australian Film Industry? Is that dying too? Well what was the last Australian film made? Sommersault? and what else?
In comparision a few random facts.... Yirra Yaakins Windmill Baby, yet to be produced but touring internationally. I live in a country town that sells out for Bell Shakespeare. Audience numbers were highest ever for Melbourne International Arts Festival. Barkign Geckos Crabbing at High Tide all but sold out for the festival in Perth. Competition for spots at producing venues (like Blue Room, La Mama, Bakehouse, Dalinghurst) at allt ime high.
Random facts that together don't mean anything conclusively but are they the harbingers of the death of theatre in Australia? I don't think so. Is it as good as it could be? No. Just because you havent reached your potential doesn't mean your terminal.
Dave R
>
> There has been some discussion on this forum of late that
> arises out of the current poll. I think that is a highly
> important subject and one which has to be addressed.
>
> It seems that theatre as a form of entertainment and a means
> by which people converge together and socialise is slowly
> dying. It seems that of late theatre has become in the
> general publics opinion seen as a pretentious artform meant
> to be experienced only by those that deem they can afford it.
I'm sorry but you've done nothing to convince me of this being so aside from some generalisations about 20 somethings not going to the theatre, a death of some forms of theatre(?) and a comparision with theatre tickets and concert tickets.
Also i'm not sure where your general publics perception has come from on theatre being a pretentious artform? How many people went and saw Deckchair theatres Sahkspeare in the park? How many of them go to other theatre and how many of them think theatre is pretentious as theys it there eating food from their eskies enjoying a drink on their picnic rugs?
Its surely counter productive to sit round crying, saying it's dying and what grand plan can we do to save as opposed to going out and being involved and creating theatre? Of course theatre will have to always develop its audiences like all Art forms but it dosen't mean it's dying. Have a look at the big picture from a government funding and policy level down to fringe theatres and communtiy theatres and then make your sweeping statements.
How about the Australian Film Industry? Is that dying too? Well what was the last Australian film made? Sommersault? and what else?
In comparision a few random facts.... Yirra Yaakins Windmill Baby, yet to be produced but touring internationally. I live in a country town that sells out for Bell Shakespeare. Audience numbers were highest ever for Melbourne International Arts Festival. Barkign Geckos Crabbing at High Tide all but sold out for the festival in Perth. Competition for spots at producing venues (like Blue Room, La Mama, Bakehouse, Dalinghurst) at allt ime high.
Random facts that together don't mean anything conclusively but are they the harbingers of the death of theatre in Australia? I don't think so. Is it as good as it could be? No. Just because you havent reached your potential doesn't mean your terminal.
Dave R
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