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
Sat, 26 Aug 2000, 06:01 amWalter Plinge
I think that this is indeed the way to go. Use the money to create somthing new somthing which strikes a chord. Anything that you import is more than likely going to do nothing to enrich the culture of WA because there is so little of any significance being created
anywhere.
Make somthing new and exciting and then export it.
will
anywhere.
Make somthing new and exciting and then export it.
will
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