Cabaret

Is this the only show less-than-imaginative theatre groups can come up with? Surely there are other less performed pieces that you could be enticing theatre-goers with? Come on - set the scene...

Thank you so much for your interest in our theatre group and your worthwhile input which I personally appreciate.

As President, I would like to invite you to join Scarp Theatre Company and put forth some of your interesting ideas and help us in presenting more enticing work.

Email me direct on the above email address and we can discuss it further, there is always plenty of room at Scarp for new blood who is prepared to help and be part of our ever growing team.

Come on - set the scene!!

Welcome to Perth!
The fabulous city where no-one ever does a musical unless its been done before, or they made a really good film of it.
I mean, how many fabulous musicals have NOT been done over the years (ie Camelot, Sweet Charity, Mame...) and how many have had so many productions that we practically know the thing back-to-front without trying (Fiddler, Guys and Dolls, My Fair Lady...)
Even some really challenging works are staring to become old hat (THREE productions of Assassins in six years?)

Where's the new stuff?
Where's the old stuff that should not be forgotten?
Why do we keep going down the same paths over and over and over again...

When compared to other stuff going on, Cabaret isn't so bad. Yes, it's been done this year already, but when was it last done before that?

Maybe what we need to do is start holding regular gatherings where people bring along their favourite unknown musicals and get other people to know them as well.

My list of favourite 'unknown' musicals:
Falsettos
Candide
Anyone Can Whistle
Once Upon a Mattress
One Touch of Venus
Das Barbecu
Nine
Passion
Pal Joey

Need I go on...

Hi all,

Paul Treasure wrote:
-------------------------------
Welcome to Perth!
The fabulous city where no-one ever does a musical unless its been done before, or they made a really good film of it.

Hear, hear!

I mean, how many fabulous musicals have NOT been done over the years (ie Camelot, Sweet Charity, Mame...) and how many have had so many productions that we practically know the thing back-to-front without trying (Fiddler, Guys and Dolls, My Fair Lady...)

Errrrr...all of those mentioned have been done sometime in the last decade...and I reckon that GUYS AND DOLLS doesn't get done enough!!! Love that show!!!

Even some really challenging works are staring to become old hat (THREE productions of Assassins in six years?)

Funny how trends go - someone entreprenurial (or with lots of money) has a go at a show like Assassins and others see it and like it and say, 'I could do that' and voila! One show done 3 times in six years...though I reckon anything Sondheim could be done over and over again...I'd go!

Where are the productions of FOLLIES and PACIFIC OVERTURES - I DARE anyone to do these shows!!! Mind you, following Paul's logic, Follies is due for a re-run...

When compared to other stuff going on, Cabaret isn't so bad. Yes, it's been done this year already, but when was it last done before that?

Errrr...1995/6 - one of those...the infamous Diana Waldron, producer.

Maybe what we need to do is start holding regular gatherings where people bring along their favourite unknown musicals and get other people to know them as well.

Sounds good - sort of a hoi polloi version of the Wagner Society for Musical Theatre.

My list of favourite 'unknown' musicals:
Falsettos - I've heard whispers about this one being done...
Candide - Playlovers almost did it a couple of years ago...
Anyone Can Whistle - Oh, dear...can't say it's a favourite...
Once Upon a Mattress - GASP!
One Touch of Venus - Don't know it
Das Barbecu - Don't know it
Nine - You and whose millionaire friend...?
Passion - Tooooooooooooooooo hard! Mainly for the audiences...
Pal Joey - ummmm...a bit era specific, but OK.

Just some random thoughts!

Jason

Hey understudy - you haven't contacted me??? Someone with your enthusiasm and knowledge would be most welcomed to work with us.

I agree CABARET might not be YOUR *thing* but we have other shows next year too and I would love you to put an imaginative proposal to us.....Give it some thought. I am serious.

Teri

I agree wholeheartedly that many musicals are done so often that they have the life flogged out of them. I would dearly love to see an audition notice for Falsettos or Sunday In The Park With George or Romance Romance or Closer Than Ever or even an oldie like Mack and Mabel.

It is, however, a sad fact of life that Perth (and Australian) audiences really DO want to see The Sound of Music again.

Cabaret may be one of those done to death shows but the reality is that it played to packed houses and helped Playlovers out financially in a very big way. Sometimes money really does make the world go 'round!

Cheers,
Gill

I strongly believe that CABARET is a show that is capable of withstanding regular production, provided each new interpretation is fresh, innovative and progressive. CABARET is an atypical musical and its multidimensionality allows for a wide variation of interpretation - it is not a trite storyline with forced musical numbers...its social relevance is clear and bold and it should be seen by as many people as possible. It is a very important work in this respect.
Fanciful musicals, of questionable depth and distinction, that are reproduced over and over, and are not executed with any degree of innovation, can become monotonous - there has always been this type of regurgitation occurring in community and professional theatre circles for the sake of profit.
It is a question of the standard of the production, and whether or not the director has the ability to re-present the concept in an inventive and sincerely challenging style. The integrity and consistency of the director's vision is the key to the success of a show like CABARET. In my case, I am directing CABARET because I have a vision for the production that I believe is worthy of experimentation and execution. The proof of its worthiness will be in the showing. Come to my CABARET in January, 2001 and please, bring your critical observation skills inside...I love an animated, rigorous engagement of views.

Hi Terry,
I would loved to get involved in theatre but I am not in a postion to just at the moment. I have two very young children and work from home - so any spare time is my money. I can't help but feel that your invitation is born out of what appears to be the fact that you are some what offended by what I said. I am not one who falls for that ' "well can you do any better" crap. Quite frankly, I don't think it's the point. People read books by authors because - well they are readers and not writers. Audiences go along to plays to watch a play not take part in them. As an audience member I think Perth theatre companies are selling us short. We live in a unique place with some pretty unique experiences and I just think that a nit of variety would go a long way in the Perth theatre scene. And dare I say nobody knows whether doing something different will be a success because nobody has actually tried.

Actually, you are incorrect in your assumption, well ok at first i thought..a little rude....but when i gave it some serious thought i figured you would be the type of person that we need...some one with ideas and willing to put in time and effort just what any theatre company needs, and Scarp just loves new blood. So hey give us a try when you have more time on your hands, i know what its like with little ones - been there done that.

More thoughts on that...and hey i would rather you didn't get up on stage if you joined Scarp. We have an abundance of performers, and really need helpers on the other side, administration, front of house, advertising, and other areas etc. (i still get to be in the audience). So seriously, if you are interested at some time, you have my email address.

Hi Teri,
I will get my creative juices going and get in touch when I have some time. I don't have any acting aspirations - more writing and directing. Thanks for the honesty and the interest and I'm sure there are others out there who want to create something new and dynamic but who might feel that established theatre groups would not be interested. Hopefully now they know better.
Cheers,
Under Study.

Hey, does that mean its not worth auditioning for Caberet?????

Ive had some negative experiences in the past
why put out ads for auditions if you dont want new performers????

Dear Ange, my apologies for giving that impression, gee, re-reading it i see that it does look like we dont' want performers...hell yeah we do..we want you to audition.

My reply was directed at *Understudy* referring to the time he/she had available that it wasn't an acting role that we wanted him to join *as those roles are often time consuming* . He/She had mentioned that they had little time available and i was directing him/her into a less 'time consuming role.

My most humble apologies for any confusion.

Teri

Hi Readers!

I'm relatively new to the ITA Website and have reading with interest many of the topics discussed. I've often felt like putting word to E-mail but never have. Why now? Well I have been mulling over the comments by 'Under Study' with regards to the season of Cabaret and while I agree to a certain degree that new productions of the ilk mentioned are great and sometimes lacking in local theatre there is a definite market for the tried and tested ones ( Bums on seats stuff ). I am a committee member of a local theatre group who obviously makes the decisions of what gets put on at our club and these decisions aren't taken lightly. I think there are a number of reasons why a show is chosen. Firstly the person directing the show must be comfortable about what he/she is about to direct and therefore familiarity with the show is important. I was one of the people who directed "Assassins" in the past 5 years and also acted in one of the other productions of it. I chose it because I loved the show and thought it would work at the venue we put it on at. Also I don't think that it would fit into the category of 'have been done to death'. A lot of the clubs in community theatre rely on good audiences to help fund the next production and so sometimes you are forced to rely on a bums on seats show like "Cabaret". You can't always do shows that no one knows because they won't turn up and then it's a battle to break even on the show. As an actor it is very rewarding doing challenging, new shows but we must also think of who we are performing to. What do the audiences want to see and I bet if you were to do a study of the general population you would get the same ones coming up every time. Just look at the professional shows that have toured or are currently touring - Les Mis; Phantom; Sound of Music; Cats; Grease to name a few. They are the ones people want.

Why doesn't someone do "Blood Brothers"? Not many people know it. What a great show, it's new and challenging. But you can't get the rights. Maybe if you could they would be too expensive. It's hard to justify performing a new show and not get the audience to pay for the rights.

Yes it is important to do non standard stuff but clubs must survive so a club's seasons must have a blend. I don't think it's fair tackle a club over one production. You must look at the overall picture for example do they have a balance over the year of seasons.

'Under Study' have you been involved at a club committee level or its workings. If you haven't then maybe you should. You will have a greater understanding of the reasons for the selection of shows.

Good luck Jamie and Terri with Cabaret.

Regards
Alex

Alex, thank you for your words of encouragment.

Actually, Scarp have done some 'interesting' plays over the last few years. All being directed by very talented people either graduates of university or people studying at university.

Crazy Face by Clive Barker - great show - not widely known and didn't put bums on seats - even with good promotion.

The Winters Tale - Shakespeare - (part of our Shakespearience 99 Festival) - another great show that isn't 'over done'. Because its not as well known as eg Romeo and Juliet. Again didn't get bums on seats

Let Me In - Ted Nielsen - not a well known play, but a great little one act play. Again, didn't get bums on seats

Simon and the Bohemians - locally written by Nick Miller. A great show with lots of emotion. Again, didn't get bums on seats.

There you have it...we have done the 'not so well known' shows. Cabaret is a great play, and with Jamie Cant's vision and skill there will be not be any boundary's for interpretation. I hope everyone does themself a favour and comes to see this amazing production in January 2001.

And we look forward to bums on seats.