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, 12:07 pmI don't think theatre is dying. I think a lot of it is the 'appearance' of dying - more fringe companies that don't get any backing or funding from anyone, and only a handful of medium - large size companies. I was listening to a graduate of Swinburne's course the other day, and how she was comparing our theatre scene with Europe's. The difference is that the fringe groups here have no way of becoming larger, as there is little to no government/business support. Over there, companies are able to grow with the help of government/business. That isn't to say that we don't have government/business support, just that we don't have enough.
It is also because they have more schools, 'ensembles' where you can graduate and immediately join an established group of performers, and of course, touring to another country doesn't necessarily mean a sea crossing.
I always think that theatre in Australia is fringe theatre. There are heaps of venues and shows on that nobody ever hears of. That doesn't mean it's dying. It just means that we have a different kind of theatre scene than other places. Art is in the eye of the beholder - we shouldn't be comparing our theatre industry to another.
I think the biggest problem is money. If we could just get a little bit more money (from wherever), then the issue of theatre dying wouldn't be so important. The whole discussion seems to me a symptom of people not having enough funds to do what they want, where they want, when they want. Basically, we all want to feel more supported. Financially and emotionally.
It is also because they have more schools, 'ensembles' where you can graduate and immediately join an established group of performers, and of course, touring to another country doesn't necessarily mean a sea crossing.
I always think that theatre in Australia is fringe theatre. There are heaps of venues and shows on that nobody ever hears of. That doesn't mean it's dying. It just means that we have a different kind of theatre scene than other places. Art is in the eye of the beholder - we shouldn't be comparing our theatre industry to another.
I think the biggest problem is money. If we could just get a little bit more money (from wherever), then the issue of theatre dying wouldn't be so important. The whole discussion seems to me a symptom of people not having enough funds to do what they want, where they want, when they want. Basically, we all want to feel more supported. Financially and emotionally.
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