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: A very simple solution.
Thu, 24 Feb 2005, 05:51 pmGarreth wrote:
>
> I go to the theatre often. The problem lies in getting people
> who normally wouldn't go, to go.
Same answer. Take a friend, or shout them a ticket for a present. Take your kids. Take their friends. Make it as common as going to the movies together. Tell people at work that you went. Talk it up, especially when you see a good show and especially when there are discount previews and especially when you're around people who don't already go to the theatre. If you're producing a show, send out heaps of freebies to groups who wouldn't normally attend, especially early on in your season. Let your politicians know that you are interested in Arts issues involving theatre. Send a few lines to the paper whenever they comment on theatre and you happen to agree, or disagree. Let theatre companies know what you think. If it was good, encourage them. If it was crap, encourage them. Let them know why you think what you think. Feedback and patronage will breed quality and profile, which will widen the circle to include those people you mention.
When general public profile increases, so too does business interest for sponsorship and advertising possibilities. So too does political support and funding opportunities. The STC and MTC have a slight advantage in that they can usually cast names that have a profile from TV appearances (that's why it happens here too), and their theatre therefore appears to be stronger, but that's merely appearance. Quality, unfortunately, is sometimes the last link in the chain to catch up, but it too will increase, starting the circle over again. And since when has quality had a huge effect on television? But it has profile, so it attracts money, and it finds audiences. I'm not saying theatre will tackle and topple the TV industry, but some of the principals are the same.
If you build it, they will come. So build it. Regardless of whether you have any resources, regardless of whether you see immediate results...let people know you are building it and the rest will follow.
I'm not meaning to sound glib, but you actually summarised the issues into a very simple question. And I maintain that at the root of it all is a very simple answer.
All that remains is to see how many are optimists and how many are pessimists. The actions needed to find the solution are totally dependent on the majority's attitude.
Cheers
Craig
>
> I go to the theatre often. The problem lies in getting people
> who normally wouldn't go, to go.
Same answer. Take a friend, or shout them a ticket for a present. Take your kids. Take their friends. Make it as common as going to the movies together. Tell people at work that you went. Talk it up, especially when you see a good show and especially when there are discount previews and especially when you're around people who don't already go to the theatre. If you're producing a show, send out heaps of freebies to groups who wouldn't normally attend, especially early on in your season. Let your politicians know that you are interested in Arts issues involving theatre. Send a few lines to the paper whenever they comment on theatre and you happen to agree, or disagree. Let theatre companies know what you think. If it was good, encourage them. If it was crap, encourage them. Let them know why you think what you think. Feedback and patronage will breed quality and profile, which will widen the circle to include those people you mention.
When general public profile increases, so too does business interest for sponsorship and advertising possibilities. So too does political support and funding opportunities. The STC and MTC have a slight advantage in that they can usually cast names that have a profile from TV appearances (that's why it happens here too), and their theatre therefore appears to be stronger, but that's merely appearance. Quality, unfortunately, is sometimes the last link in the chain to catch up, but it too will increase, starting the circle over again. And since when has quality had a huge effect on television? But it has profile, so it attracts money, and it finds audiences. I'm not saying theatre will tackle and topple the TV industry, but some of the principals are the same.
If you build it, they will come. So build it. Regardless of whether you have any resources, regardless of whether you see immediate results...let people know you are building it and the rest will follow.
I'm not meaning to sound glib, but you actually summarised the issues into a very simple question. And I maintain that at the root of it all is a very simple answer.
All that remains is to see how many are optimists and how many are pessimists. The actions needed to find the solution are totally dependent on the majority's attitude.
Cheers
Craig
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