Of All The Stupid Ideas!!!
Mon, 26 Apr 2004, 04:57 pmAHarwood8 posts in thread
Of All The Stupid Ideas!!!
Mon, 26 Apr 2004, 04:57 pmLadies and Gentlemen - and the rest of you (you know who you are).
Over the last few months I have received paperwork from a certain group disucssing plans for a new theatre sturcture in Perth. There have also been discussions about whether to place an already established company or develop a new company to take up residence in this theatre. I may not be fully informed on the current situation or the details but I have my soap box and its about time it got some airing.
I believe in a vote held at a meeting the majority of the attendents believed we should migrate an already established company into the new building. I am here to say "I TELL YOU NO!"
I have just finished working on what might be my 64th or something near that production. Some of you may have seen it - no one really wrote a review on it - and some of you might not. But those that did would have seen the talent in this company.
They were - in my opinion - absolutely brilliant.
I am well aware that every show in Perth, even the world, requires dedication, commitment and effort. And I know it has been there in almost every show I have been involved in. But never so much as in this group of fine people.
They put their hearts, time and lives into this show as so many people around Perth do.
But the thing that stood out in this show was the lack of back biting, bitchiness, competition, hate and malice. There was none of this usually obligatory rubbish going on behind the scenes. They got together and worked, became friends and it rocked my world. And I think it goes without saying - but I will - that it has been one of the most gratifying experiences in my theatrical life. I will genuinely miss th cast, the show and the experience.
And the funny thing.. despite all the shows I've done and seen, I had never met over half the cast before. And yet they have so many talents and strengths.
Why should a group of actors who have already established a company and most of the professional companies in perth have a venue already - be moved into a new venue when there are so many damned talented actors, singers and dancers out there with only the odd community theatre show to get involved in?
I am sick and tired of all the shows coming from the east or over seas and thinking we could do a hell of a lot better than that. (with exception of Maggie Smith and Margaret Tyzack). So why not give the people out there who are not permanent members of a company a go and have a company in the venue that is open to auditions to the whole public much like community theatre is and advertised on a wide scale as that. There is a hell of a lot of untapped talent in this state and its about time it got seen.
I am only going to be in Perth for a few more months but I am only leaving because there are too few opportunities here. But I WILL BE BACK TO HELP MAKE PERTH BETTER FOR THE THEATRE PEOPLE! Its just getting stupid now so I will stop. But I wish everyone in perth luck with theatre cos we're better than that imported crap we've been getting of late. Maybe we SHOULD start touring over there and show we are better than them. But that will have to wait till we have the money and the balls to do it:)
Take care everyone!!
Anthony
[%sig%]
Over the last few months I have received paperwork from a certain group disucssing plans for a new theatre sturcture in Perth. There have also been discussions about whether to place an already established company or develop a new company to take up residence in this theatre. I may not be fully informed on the current situation or the details but I have my soap box and its about time it got some airing.
I believe in a vote held at a meeting the majority of the attendents believed we should migrate an already established company into the new building. I am here to say "I TELL YOU NO!"
I have just finished working on what might be my 64th or something near that production. Some of you may have seen it - no one really wrote a review on it - and some of you might not. But those that did would have seen the talent in this company.
They were - in my opinion - absolutely brilliant.
I am well aware that every show in Perth, even the world, requires dedication, commitment and effort. And I know it has been there in almost every show I have been involved in. But never so much as in this group of fine people.
They put their hearts, time and lives into this show as so many people around Perth do.
But the thing that stood out in this show was the lack of back biting, bitchiness, competition, hate and malice. There was none of this usually obligatory rubbish going on behind the scenes. They got together and worked, became friends and it rocked my world. And I think it goes without saying - but I will - that it has been one of the most gratifying experiences in my theatrical life. I will genuinely miss th cast, the show and the experience.
And the funny thing.. despite all the shows I've done and seen, I had never met over half the cast before. And yet they have so many talents and strengths.
Why should a group of actors who have already established a company and most of the professional companies in perth have a venue already - be moved into a new venue when there are so many damned talented actors, singers and dancers out there with only the odd community theatre show to get involved in?
I am sick and tired of all the shows coming from the east or over seas and thinking we could do a hell of a lot better than that. (with exception of Maggie Smith and Margaret Tyzack). So why not give the people out there who are not permanent members of a company a go and have a company in the venue that is open to auditions to the whole public much like community theatre is and advertised on a wide scale as that. There is a hell of a lot of untapped talent in this state and its about time it got seen.
I am only going to be in Perth for a few more months but I am only leaving because there are too few opportunities here. But I WILL BE BACK TO HELP MAKE PERTH BETTER FOR THE THEATRE PEOPLE! Its just getting stupid now so I will stop. But I wish everyone in perth luck with theatre cos we're better than that imported crap we've been getting of late. Maybe we SHOULD start touring over there and show we are better than them. But that will have to wait till we have the money and the balls to do it:)
Take care everyone!!
Anthony
[%sig%]
Mis-interpreted or not. Probably still Stupid
Sat, 1 May 2004, 04:32 pmHiya!
>I applaud your zest in getting up and speakingÂ…but there might be a >few
>details that perhaps need clarifying.
Finally at least someone can. See IÂ’m not insane everybody. Paranoid yes but not insane. But I think its rude that people involved in theatre in Perth are not made aware of these facts.
>Yes, there is a commitment from the state government to construct a new
>state-of-the-art theatre performance venue in the next few years. This
is
>partly because some venues like the Subiaco Theatre Centre and the
Playhouse
>are due to be de-commissioned as theatres and possibly torn down. The
This is both regrettable and understandable. It seems to be impossible to book a venue like the playhouse anyway even if you are willing to pay the money and get everything set in concrete months before it is actually needed. But in losing these two venues and replacing it with one – this hardly offers much choice to the theatre industry in Perth now does it? It’ll be like a small group local to me who use their own hall constantly without anyone having a chance to use it in the down time. ( I know people will debate this but if it is so damn hard booking the Playhouse for a week or two weeks – imagine what it will be like when there are fewer major venues in perth.)
>submit ideas and attend discussions. After all, we are talking about a
new
>PROFESSIONAL venue, built and funded by government to be a flagship
venue.
>Community theatre HAS been a part of the discussion, as major events
like
>this are going to effect everyone, and production houses like the Blue Room
>work closely with the amateur sector through co-ops.
Professional or no. Community theatre seems to be having the need to use these PROFESSIONAL venues these days because places like the Rachabites and the Blue Room donÂ’t cut it for many productions.
>I appreciate your sentiments about the group of people you have
recently
>worked with. IÂ’ve felt the same about almost every other cast IÂ’ve
worked
>with also, especially if weÂ’d not known each other previously. But your
>premise is wrong. When they talk here about an established ‘company’
they
>are talking about a company STRUCTURE (ie artistic directors,
management,
>technicians) who would inhabit the buildingÂ….not a company of actors.
>In my mind there are great benefits to having an ensemble of performers
>resident in a company, but general sentiment (including a poll I posted last
>year on this website) doesnÂ’t see that as particularly high priority.
My premise in not wrong. I must admit I was under the misconception of moving the entire company along but even if it is the artistic directors, management and technicians. They will already have a devised ensemble company to work from as they do now. How would this be any different to how things are run now?
Case in point. After I wrote my last reply I received advertising from one PROFESSIONAL company with the same actor advertised in two plays soon to be showing.
Another example on the tv screen. John Howard the actor from Seachange, Grass is Greener, Japanese Story and now a movie of his own and All saints. You canÂ’t tell me there wouldnÂ’t be other actors in Australia who could do the role rather than giving it to the same person? Same goes for using this actor in perth (Who I do admire and respect.) But I feel that there are other actors in Perth who could do as good a job if given the chance. But it isnÂ’t just this one actor.. many PROFESSIONAL companies in perth use the same actors over and over. They hold isolated auditions not widely advertised and very few and far between. I donÂ’t think having an established company board move into the new theatre will change anything except make it harder to find a venue.
>So during the discussions with government about what would be desirable for
>a new theatre venue, it became apparent that we want it to be
controlled by
>a resident companyÂ…not an auspicing body. Rather than create such a
company
>from scratch, it makes sense that a currently operating structure be
set up
>in the new venueÂ…although this is still under debate (who; how; what
happens
>to the existing status quo..?).
I think the control by a theatre company would be better as long as it had the community theatre in mind when running it. Perth Theatre Trust donÂ’t seem to accept community theatre so much. But their main concern will be their own company obviously.
>But no, performers would still audition for shows, same as they always
have
>with all the companies. There is no talk of preference to any
particular
>group of artistsÂ…that is a mis-interpretation .
I do disagree. Putting an established company set up in will already give preference as I indicated above. I may be a cynical idealist but I do feel that nothing will really change. Which is a bad thing.
>Your second post sounded like you fear that the venue will be tenanted
by a
>company not from Perth..? IÂ’m pretty sure this is not anyoneÂ’s
intention and
>is not at all likely to happen. However, your vision of a community
theatre
>group, or group of actors currently without a venue, becoming resident of
>the new theatre venue is also not at all likely to happen.
Neither of these things are what I had in mind. I am aware the company would be from Perth – I just hate the fact our best selling shows are those from the eastern states when we could do a better job.
I am also aware no community theatre company would be invited in simply because that is not viable and its too idealistic to be realistic. (Maybe it would be a better option tho) But I can pretty much say those community theatre actors wonÂ’t get the opportunity to perform at the new venue if things keep heading the way they seem to be. Which is sideways instead of forward.
>As far as Perth competing with the rest of the countryÂ…only yesterday I
>visited the Sydney Theatre Company at their venue, the Wharf Theatre,
and
>just walking down the corridor of past shows you realise what a wealth
of
>talent has been a part of making this company the flagship of
Australia.
>Perth needs a venue of similar prestige, and then a state flagship
company
>operating its programme, before we can even hope to competeÂ…regardless
of
>the individual talents involved onstage.
And none of our venues can offer this as they are now? As for a state flagship company – should this not be operated from the state’s resources not from a small ensemble company? Open auditions take time but it gives a better idea what talent is out there. Again – why don’t the professional companies do bigger shows like the good ole musicals using more talent in perth than the two or three man shows they do? They will make the money.
Thanks for clarifying some points for us though. Much obliged.
Anthony.
[%sig%]
>I applaud your zest in getting up and speakingÂ…but there might be a >few
>details that perhaps need clarifying.
Finally at least someone can. See IÂ’m not insane everybody. Paranoid yes but not insane. But I think its rude that people involved in theatre in Perth are not made aware of these facts.
>Yes, there is a commitment from the state government to construct a new
>state-of-the-art theatre performance venue in the next few years. This
is
>partly because some venues like the Subiaco Theatre Centre and the
Playhouse
>are due to be de-commissioned as theatres and possibly torn down. The
This is both regrettable and understandable. It seems to be impossible to book a venue like the playhouse anyway even if you are willing to pay the money and get everything set in concrete months before it is actually needed. But in losing these two venues and replacing it with one – this hardly offers much choice to the theatre industry in Perth now does it? It’ll be like a small group local to me who use their own hall constantly without anyone having a chance to use it in the down time. ( I know people will debate this but if it is so damn hard booking the Playhouse for a week or two weeks – imagine what it will be like when there are fewer major venues in perth.)
>submit ideas and attend discussions. After all, we are talking about a
new
>PROFESSIONAL venue, built and funded by government to be a flagship
venue.
>Community theatre HAS been a part of the discussion, as major events
like
>this are going to effect everyone, and production houses like the Blue Room
>work closely with the amateur sector through co-ops.
Professional or no. Community theatre seems to be having the need to use these PROFESSIONAL venues these days because places like the Rachabites and the Blue Room donÂ’t cut it for many productions.
>I appreciate your sentiments about the group of people you have
recently
>worked with. IÂ’ve felt the same about almost every other cast IÂ’ve
worked
>with also, especially if weÂ’d not known each other previously. But your
>premise is wrong. When they talk here about an established ‘company’
they
>are talking about a company STRUCTURE (ie artistic directors,
management,
>technicians) who would inhabit the buildingÂ….not a company of actors.
>In my mind there are great benefits to having an ensemble of performers
>resident in a company, but general sentiment (including a poll I posted last
>year on this website) doesnÂ’t see that as particularly high priority.
My premise in not wrong. I must admit I was under the misconception of moving the entire company along but even if it is the artistic directors, management and technicians. They will already have a devised ensemble company to work from as they do now. How would this be any different to how things are run now?
Case in point. After I wrote my last reply I received advertising from one PROFESSIONAL company with the same actor advertised in two plays soon to be showing.
Another example on the tv screen. John Howard the actor from Seachange, Grass is Greener, Japanese Story and now a movie of his own and All saints. You canÂ’t tell me there wouldnÂ’t be other actors in Australia who could do the role rather than giving it to the same person? Same goes for using this actor in perth (Who I do admire and respect.) But I feel that there are other actors in Perth who could do as good a job if given the chance. But it isnÂ’t just this one actor.. many PROFESSIONAL companies in perth use the same actors over and over. They hold isolated auditions not widely advertised and very few and far between. I donÂ’t think having an established company board move into the new theatre will change anything except make it harder to find a venue.
>So during the discussions with government about what would be desirable for
>a new theatre venue, it became apparent that we want it to be
controlled by
>a resident companyÂ…not an auspicing body. Rather than create such a
company
>from scratch, it makes sense that a currently operating structure be
set up
>in the new venueÂ…although this is still under debate (who; how; what
happens
>to the existing status quo..?).
I think the control by a theatre company would be better as long as it had the community theatre in mind when running it. Perth Theatre Trust donÂ’t seem to accept community theatre so much. But their main concern will be their own company obviously.
>But no, performers would still audition for shows, same as they always
have
>with all the companies. There is no talk of preference to any
particular
>group of artistsÂ…that is a mis-interpretation .
I do disagree. Putting an established company set up in will already give preference as I indicated above. I may be a cynical idealist but I do feel that nothing will really change. Which is a bad thing.
>Your second post sounded like you fear that the venue will be tenanted
by a
>company not from Perth..? IÂ’m pretty sure this is not anyoneÂ’s
intention and
>is not at all likely to happen. However, your vision of a community
theatre
>group, or group of actors currently without a venue, becoming resident of
>the new theatre venue is also not at all likely to happen.
Neither of these things are what I had in mind. I am aware the company would be from Perth – I just hate the fact our best selling shows are those from the eastern states when we could do a better job.
I am also aware no community theatre company would be invited in simply because that is not viable and its too idealistic to be realistic. (Maybe it would be a better option tho) But I can pretty much say those community theatre actors wonÂ’t get the opportunity to perform at the new venue if things keep heading the way they seem to be. Which is sideways instead of forward.
>As far as Perth competing with the rest of the countryÂ…only yesterday I
>visited the Sydney Theatre Company at their venue, the Wharf Theatre,
and
>just walking down the corridor of past shows you realise what a wealth
of
>talent has been a part of making this company the flagship of
Australia.
>Perth needs a venue of similar prestige, and then a state flagship
company
>operating its programme, before we can even hope to competeÂ…regardless
of
>the individual talents involved onstage.
And none of our venues can offer this as they are now? As for a state flagship company – should this not be operated from the state’s resources not from a small ensemble company? Open auditions take time but it gives a better idea what talent is out there. Again – why don’t the professional companies do bigger shows like the good ole musicals using more talent in perth than the two or three man shows they do? They will make the money.
Thanks for clarifying some points for us though. Much obliged.
Anthony.
[%sig%]
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