Rumours of yet ANOTHER cancelled production

Hi KimI understand that Coralie has been postponed - not cancelled. It's also my understanding that this decision was not made by Jason alone but with the backing of the Grads committee and after consultation with University Theatres.Anyone that knows the play will appreciate the enormity of undertaking this show. A faithful interpretation requires a double story naturalistic set with staircase, exterior balcony and a huge tree centre stage. This was always going to be a difficult undertaking on the Dolphin stage. In recognition of this and in anticipation of what was bound to be an excellent production, i believe Grads committed nearly quadruple its usual set budget to the show.However, what was urgently required was skilled personnel - not money. With one key person forced to withdraw from the show, i believe Grads found it could neither replace this person in time nor adequately support the person should they rejoin the production in a lesser capacity.I hope Jason is able to restage the show later in the year - Grads has a free slot - and that Grads is better able to supply the production with personnel.CheersGrant

>Thankyou Grant.I KNEW that someone out there would have answers.Its still a huge pity for all concerned with the show. Very sad.Kim

I heard on the grapevine this morning that GRADS production of CORALIE LANSDOWN SAYS NO has been cancelled due to the director pulling out.Can anyone confirm this ?Why Jason ???? If this is true then this is the second production you have pulled out of in less than twelve months.I have a friend in the cast who is bitterly disappointed. She has poured heart and soul into this show ( my interpretation, not hers ) and has been EXTREMELY stressed by various problems associated with the show. Despite this she was really looking forward to the production.This actress ( and it was a very talented cast across the board ) has turned down opportunities to appear in very good roles in at least two productions that I know of.The director, Jason Seperic has always struck me as being a very decent ( as well as talented ) guy. I can't understand why a director would pull out of a show.Further to that.......Why are productions "pulled" when directors quit ? Would a theatre group cancel a show if a director was seriously ill ? Lead actors throw tantrums in the final weeks and are sacked.........surely a directorless show with a few weeks to go would be salvagable...........Kim( Who is hoping someone can answer my question and is wondering why shows always DIE just after the 10th of the month, which is the Stage Whispers deadline )

Hello,I would just like to add my two cents worthI think it is important at this stage to note that while Jason Seperic had to make the decision to postpone the production, he was forced into that decision by the actions, and lack thereof, of others and certainly did not make the decision lightly.As you will all be aware key personell are very difficult to come by and so it seems are people willing to stick to their commitments.There are alot of people who are distressed at the postponment of this production. ALL the actors had put in a lot of hard work. I myself had done some work towards costuming the play and considerable time and effort by David Cotgreave has been put into designing the set.I think what community theatre needs is a few less people willing to spread mallicious gossip and a few more people willing to get on with the business of "making some theatre" - I mean after all that's what we are good at.May I take this opportunity to remind you that commencing 26 March 1999 is the Garrick production of "The Rivers of China". I look forward to talking to you all in the foyer afterwards.see you thereKristine

Hello,I'm sorry, but I'm afraid that I just don't understand Kristine's message. If a play that I had been eagerly anticipating (as I was with CORALIE...) had been cancelled, then I would want to know about it as soon as possible. How can a message requesting confirmation of such be classified as spreading mallicious (sic) gossip?I have little doubt that everyone involved gave 100% and are all very disappointed about the cancellation, but isn't it a contradiction in terms to call for people to stop gossiping and "get on with the business of making some theatre", when theatre productions ARE being cancelled?(I know, I know, the play has only been postponed, but does ANYBODY seriously believe that the entire cast and crew are going to forego any other commitments on the CHANCE that the play MAY be rescheduled later in the year?)Best of luck to GRADS and Jason, both of whom have a deserved reputation for quality productions. I sincerely hope CORALIE... does get rescheduled, where I will be waiting - again - to book tickets.Jarrod.

To Kristine and others,You will note that I specifically stated in my post on Sunday, that Jason has always struck me as a decent guy. I did not say anything about Jason personally that was abusive. I have nothing against him personally. I did not suggest that his decision to cancel ( or postpone ) the show was taken lightly, heavily or any other way.It was a request for information,,,which Grant was kind enough to provide.I write a theatre listing and previews article each month, which I ATTEMPT to keep as accurate as possible. I was hoping that accurate information might be available in time to rectify the article...no such luck.Most of the post was directed at people ie theatre companies ( plural ) who cancel shows well into the production period. I stand by all my statements that this is a very lousy thing to do to actors and others involved with the show. It also reflects badly on community theatre in general .... too many cancelled shows looks bad for us all.Imagine if you were a Buzo fan who reads Have A Go News or Stage Whispers and had tried to book for Garrick's cancelled Buzo show in September or October last year.....What would you think when now Coralie is not on either ?Obviously there are UNAVOIDABLE circumstances, sometimes there is NO alternative, but in all possible cases, surely the old adage should apply and the show must go on.KimberleyPS the only information I had on Sunday was from an actor who rang me on Sunday morning extremely distressed because she had been phoned with the news the show was OFF.This was why I clearly stated that the news was from the grapevine ( in other words gossip ) and is why I asked for clarity from the board......if we can't gossip on the gossip board...what should we do ?On a positive note I have been hearing wonderful things about Rivers of China.

Kimberley and Jarrod and anyone else who is remotely interested,the point I was TRYING to make was not wether or not the play had been cancelled or postponed or whatever, but that it was not the director who instigated the postonement as inferred in Kimberley's first message.Also, as the decision had only been made almost a few hours before Kimberley saw fit to write her message, then the only people who needed to know at the time had been advised.I am sorry if your life will never be the same after this but, we shall all have to live without Coralie for a while.I wonder if it ever occurred to Kimberley to ring Jason and ask him what had happened?Kristineps: it is certainly not the fault of the directors if information boards are not kept up to date, have you looked at the "whats on" page on this website?

> ps: it is certainly not the fault of the directors if information> boards are not kept up to date, have you looked at the "whats> on" page on this website?*twang*doh!*collapses in a heap on the floor*that was a cheap shot, Kristine;)hehehei'm working on it, okay?CheersGrant

Sorry Grant.Love your work!Kristinexxx

> I am sorry if your life will never be the same after this but,> we shall all have to live without Coralie for a while.NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!!Say it isn't so! SAY IT ISN'T SO!!!Gazpacho Sooooouuuuuup....

NO SOUP FOR YOU, ONE YEAR!K>> NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!!> Say it isn't so! SAY IT ISN'T SO!!!> Gazpacho Sooooouuuuuup....

I absolutly agree Kim, this is a Gossip Board, or so we were lead to think.Therefore what appears here should never be taken to heart nor should it be taken as absolute fact, unless indicated so.this is an excellent forum for discussion and i look forward to reading its contents, to find out the "Gossip" in ameture theatre.Lighten up guys!!Sue>> To Kristine and others,> You will note that I specifically stated in my post on Sunday,> that Jason has always struck me as a decent guy. I did not say anything> about Jason personally that was abusive. I have nothing against him> personally. I did not suggest that his decision to cancel ( or postpone> ) the show was taken lightly, heavily or any other way.> It was a request for information,,,which Grant was kind enough> to provide.> I write a theatre listing and previews article each month, which> I ATTEMPT to keep as accurate as possible. I was hoping that accurate> information might be available in time to rectify the article...no> such luck.> Most of the post was directed at people ie theatre companies> ( plural ) who cancel shows well into the production period. I stand> by all my statements that this is a very lousy thing to do to actors> and others involved with the show. It also reflects badly on community> theatre in general .... too many cancelled shows looks bad for us> all.> Imagine if you were a Buzo fan who reads Have A Go News or Stage> Whispers and had tried to book for Garrick's cancelled Buzo show in> September or October last year.....What would you think when now Coralie> is not on either ?> Obviously there are UNAVOIDABLE circumstances, sometimes there> is NO alternative, but in all possible cases, surely the old adage> should apply and the show must go on.> Kimberley> PS the only information I had on Sunday was from an actor who> rang me on Sunday morning extremely distressed because she had been> phoned with the news the show was OFF.> This was why I clearly stated that the news was from the grapevine> ( in other words gossip ) and is why I asked for clarity from the> board......if we can't gossip on the gossip board...what should we> do ?> On a positive note I have been hearing wonderful things about> Rivers of China.

> NO SOUP FOR YOU, ONE YEAR!> K>Bwaaaaaaaaaaaa, Ha Ha Ha Ha Ha Ha Haaaaaaa!I like it. Thanks a lot!J

Jmy pleasure.K>> Bwaaaaaaaaaaaa, Ha Ha Ha Ha Ha Ha Haaaaaaa!> I like it. Thanks a lot!> J

I type this in the not-so-vain hope that someone's actually watching the site. I am intrigued and impressed that one production (or lack thereof) can provoke such civilised bitchery. This wouldn't occur at a party- it'd be claws at 20 paces all round."CLSN" would have been a knockout production, I've no doubt. (Then again I am biased; Jason being a good friend 'n all...). I do wonder why a cancellation/postponement would cause such extravagant responses from all concerned. Is this due to the attraction of Buzo's play? I doubt it, based on the number of "fee-a-tah" patrons that stayed away in droves from "A Barrel of Buzo".Is it, then, due to the committee and membership of GRADS rising up in anguish at the junking of a season? Maybe. (Hands up if you carry your GRADS membership card in the streets). This level of reaction is unprecedented for a recent production. I vote Jason puts "CLSN" on as soon as possible to capitalise on the publicity surrounding the show's demise.Oh, and one other point. "ANOTHER cancelled production"?? Please provide a comprehensive list of shows cancelled in the last six months, and the reasons for cancellation. I'm sure we'd all like to know...Til then, swing wildly from the rafters and write home in crayon,Eliot McCann

Eliot !!Good question.Coralie was only the third or fourth ITA production cancelled ( or postponed indefinately ) in the last 12 months. Can't name the shows cancelled without pulling out a years worth of Stage Whispers. ( My definition here is using shows that were pulled after the 10th of the month prior to the production - my deadline ).I can email you a list of clubs and the months of shows if you like.About another four shows altered their dates significantly after my publication date ( that includes non ITA shows as well ).Heaps more changed their casts after I listed cast members in a show preview.( Watch for March Stage Whispers which probably has a certain actress in the wrong show......lol ) This is not a huge problem, but I keep having visions of disgruntled "fans" coming after me !!!!!!!!Its not the end of the world. I will live. My readers will live ( all 3 of them ! )Unfortunately three or four shows cancelled is still too many isn't it ?Kim

BUCU!Camel wranglers of the world unite!cheers"Kristine of Alfred Cove"> I type this in the not-so-vain hope that someone's actually watching> the site. I am intrigued and impressed that one production (or lack> thereof) can provoke such civilised bitchery. This wouldn't occur> at a party- it'd be claws at 20 paces all round.> "CLSN" would have been a knockout production, I've> no doubt. (Then again I am biased; Jason being a good friend 'n all...).> I do wonder why a cancellation/postponement would cause such extravagant> responses from all concerned. Is this due to the attraction of Buzo's> play? I doubt it, based on the number of "fee-a-tah" patrons> that stayed away in droves from "A Barrel of Buzo".> Is it, then, due to the committee and membership of GRADS rising> up in anguish at the junking of a season? Maybe. (Hands up if you> carry your GRADS membership card in the streets). This level of reaction> is unprecedented for a recent production. I vote Jason puts "CLSN"> on as soon as possible to capitalise on the publicity surrounding> the show's demise.> Oh, and one other point. "ANOTHER cancelled production"??> Please provide a comprehensive list of shows cancelled in the last> six months, and the reasons for cancellation. I'm sure we'd all like> to know...> Til then, swing wildly from the rafters and write home in crayon,>> Eliot McCann

Hold it everyone, this is getting nasty!As we all know only too well "circumstances beyond our control' etc etc do arise from time to time.at least in 'professional' situations a casting agency can be called upon for help.Thinking of some of the problems I know about it 's a wonder so few plays are postponed/cancelled, not that there are so many!On the theory (?Oscar Wilde's?) that there isn't such a thing as good or bad publicity, CLSN should be a Wow of a show when it does eventually arrive on the scene> BUCU!> Camel wranglers of the world unite!> cheers> "Kristine of Alfred Cove">

point taken but i thought it started nasty so i guess there is no accounting for taste.Kristine> Hold it everyone, this is getting nasty!> As we all know only too well "circumstances beyond our control'> etc etc do arise from time to time.> at least in 'professional' situations a casting agency can be> called upon for help.> Thinking of some of the problems I know about it 's a wonder> so few plays are postponed/cancelled, not that there are so many!>> On the theory (?Oscar Wilde's?) that there isn't such a thing> as good or bad publicity, CLSN should be a Wow of a show when it does> eventually arrive on the scene>

Hi all!Adam Webb here, just popping in for the first time to see the site and catch up on the goss...And my goodness isnt all of this Coralie news quite comic! I find it quite interesting how some people insist that Coralie is just another show being cancelled, and the director should be burnt at the stake, and that this is just another example of community theatre going to the dogs and that we should all just be sweet and nice to each other and that some people should just calm down!Well, now for me...My concern is with Kimberley's comments that after publication date, which she has reminded us many times over being the 10th of the month, that no company has the right to do anything with a show that will lead to her reputation being tarnished, such as moving the dates or forfeiting the show all together. Sadly, most of us are forced to live in reality where all these things DO actually happen, and we are often forced to deal with things that others may not like.Perhaps Kim could not focus so much on her writings and oh so important magazine (which 3 people read (sic)) and focus on the actual cases of the show itself.It is a very difficult decision to make, for the director and the committee to cancel/forfeit/postpone a show, and as community theatre members we should be showing community support and assisting in making community theatre stronger. The director loses face, the committee loses money, and the patrons lose their minds. Is it fair for any of us to then turn and critisise?????Is it fair for us to bitch? Perhaps to the simple minded among us it may be, but I feel that as a whole, we are better.Let sleeping dogs lie. I congratulate Jason on making a very difficult decision, and wish him nothing but pure unadulterated success in his many future endeavours.Cyber kissesAdam.