Powering the Performing Arts
Wed, 16 Aug 2000, 12:08 amGrant Malcolm16 posts in thread
Powering the Performing Arts
Wed, 16 Aug 2000, 12:08 amIt's been exciting to follow the suggestions for re-developing the old East Perth Power Station and turning it into a cultural centre with performing arts facilities.
While I'm not too sure about the obsession with blindly following the lead of other capital cities in pushing for a performing arts venue situated on the water's edge - can't we come up with something original? - the Power Station represents a stunning opportunity.
The building itself is beautifully situated and the huge structure is most impressive when view from either the railway or the new tunnel bridge. The proximity to both the casino and Northbridge lend the venue a centrality that would be invaluable in attracting new audiences.
I'm not sure that i share Geoff Gibbs' enthusiasm - reported in The West - for housing two theatre venues seating 400 and 600 respectively. Only a couple of weeks ago in the same paper, Ron Banks was bemoaning the fact that our larger venues will be returning to extended periods of darkness after an unprecedented run. And Gibbs' is suggesting we need two more medium sized venues?!?!
The two busiest theatres in town - the BlueRoom and Effie Crump - each seat less than 100. Do we really need another two venues seating four times that number that will be empty nine months of the year except for when we have imported products showing?
If Geoff Gibbs and Arts Minister, Mike Board, are serious about supporting local industry, I hope the venue will house at least one much smaller studio space. The space can easily be filled by local productions on less than stellar budgets.
What does everyone else think?
Cheers
Grant
While I'm not too sure about the obsession with blindly following the lead of other capital cities in pushing for a performing arts venue situated on the water's edge - can't we come up with something original? - the Power Station represents a stunning opportunity.
The building itself is beautifully situated and the huge structure is most impressive when view from either the railway or the new tunnel bridge. The proximity to both the casino and Northbridge lend the venue a centrality that would be invaluable in attracting new audiences.
I'm not sure that i share Geoff Gibbs' enthusiasm - reported in The West - for housing two theatre venues seating 400 and 600 respectively. Only a couple of weeks ago in the same paper, Ron Banks was bemoaning the fact that our larger venues will be returning to extended periods of darkness after an unprecedented run. And Gibbs' is suggesting we need two more medium sized venues?!?!
The two busiest theatres in town - the BlueRoom and Effie Crump - each seat less than 100. Do we really need another two venues seating four times that number that will be empty nine months of the year except for when we have imported products showing?
If Geoff Gibbs and Arts Minister, Mike Board, are serious about supporting local industry, I hope the venue will house at least one much smaller studio space. The space can easily be filled by local productions on less than stellar budgets.
What does everyone else think?
Cheers
Grant
RE: Powering the Performing Arts
Wed, 16 Aug 2000, 05:18 pmWalter Plinge
Hi,
As I wrote in The West last week, the National Trust is currently trying to raise money (and interest) in the conversion of the power station.
Something I didn't report: the main guy said he was keen to hear from people with suggestions - constructive, literally! - for what would be nice at the site.
Bear in mind that from his point of view it's an entirely privately funded affair so it has to make room for cafes, shops etc that would make the site viable.
Andrew Ross of Black Swan told me he went through the EP power station with an architect a year ago looking for a temporary/permanent theatre site and was told the cost of converting the (very messy) site would be tens of millions - which suggests fewer arts and more shops.
From my conversation with Mike Board, he's more keen on expanding the Northbridge cultural centre - but he said his Cabinet submission next month will deal with the performing arts venue problem (without saying exactly what the problem is!)
It reminds me of some Douglas Adams: We know the ANSWER to the great question of Life, the Universe and Everything is '42'. Now we just have to work out what the question is.
CHeers,
Nick Miller
As I wrote in The West last week, the National Trust is currently trying to raise money (and interest) in the conversion of the power station.
Something I didn't report: the main guy said he was keen to hear from people with suggestions - constructive, literally! - for what would be nice at the site.
Bear in mind that from his point of view it's an entirely privately funded affair so it has to make room for cafes, shops etc that would make the site viable.
Andrew Ross of Black Swan told me he went through the EP power station with an architect a year ago looking for a temporary/permanent theatre site and was told the cost of converting the (very messy) site would be tens of millions - which suggests fewer arts and more shops.
From my conversation with Mike Board, he's more keen on expanding the Northbridge cultural centre - but he said his Cabinet submission next month will deal with the performing arts venue problem (without saying exactly what the problem is!)
It reminds me of some Douglas Adams: We know the ANSWER to the great question of Life, the Universe and Everything is '42'. Now we just have to work out what the question is.
CHeers,
Nick Miller
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