Rent @Campbelltown

Ok

Firstly, this is the director and the guy who played Roger in the show. If you have any feedback or constructive criticism or suggestions or ideas then please feel free to email me at the address above because I am always willing to hear thoughts and suggestions on how to better shows.

I had no idea this production had suddenly caused so much flared up emotion and ideas. However, does anyone remember the Rockdale vs Penrith forum that went for three pages? I believe that RENT is one of those shows that a lot of people feel strongly about as it speaks to them in a personal way and thus they have very strong ideas.

Just to set a few things straight. Noone in my cast ever bitched about any other casts. Most of went to support Rockdale and Penrith and then the Penrith cast in Chatswood and the support was returned. Yes we all had differing views on productions but we never ever turned around and bitched about other productions behind other casts' back. If anything, the cast members who saw other productions of RENT became excited about our interpretation of the musical and it began a healthy discussion between our cast of what we saw the musical as being.

The cast knew every word they were singing and what it meant to them. Yes, harmonies went off at times and yes, interpretation of character and scenes differed to others. But the cast were well aware of what the meaning of the show is and the messages that were portrayed within the musical as it was pounded into them on a daily basis and many leanrt about their own values and belief systems and I hope to some degree I challenged the cast about what they believe in.

To viewer - thank you for your opinion and your input. I value everybody's thoughts and ideas as I stated before. I know that a production will not please everyone. I dont believe personal attacks are necessary but nonetheless I do understand what you have been saying in your posts and I will take that on board. Again, please feel free to drum up a dialogue or send me an email with your thoughts and ideas of what you would like to see in the future. I wish you luck in your own professional work in the future.

Thank you to all who saw the show and for those who have the courage to post their veiws on the forum as it gives me a better insight into what we need for the future.

So some people have said its the best show to have hit the Campbelltown stage - others have said its the worst show they have seen and you know what? In the long run that is what theatre is about - to create discussion and thought and provoke ideas and get an audience thinking about what they like and what they don't. RENT is such a passionate show, full of energy and emotion that it is hard not to have strong opinion about it.

Thank you to the cast, crew and band and to the people who saw the show. I hope it challenged you and made you think about your own views and by the sights of the forum, mission accomplished.

For those who are interested, if you would like to be informed of Anderson & Burdon's future productions please feel free to email my address above and I will add you to our mailing list. Our future program for 2006 includes NOISES OFF in July, SILENCE (an original play) in September and possibly LITTLE SHOP OF HORRORS or THE WILD PARTY in November. It would be great to hear from some of oour audeince members what they would like to se eour company perform next.

Thank you to all for your input and honesty and I hope to see you again at one of our shows or to deconstruct the production of RENT one on one with you.

Cheers
Jonathon Anderson
Director - RENT (Anderson & Burdon Productions)