Of All The Stupid Ideas!!!

Ladies 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

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Hey Anthony - how nice you've had such a great experience in your last show. Hopefully it won't be as rare as all that in the future.

But, I simply *must* ask:

Would you (or anyone else) care to tell me what company / venue / whatever your post relates to?

(yes, I live under a rock... but am I the only one???)

:-)

I second that! Harwood's post said everything and nothing at the same time...

I know I left a lot of you confused about the mention of a venue and a new or moved company. So far it seems to be only rumour and conjecture (I hope thats the right word) but its something that is being discussed by several groups. There has actually been a vote to determine that a pre-established company would be moved in, in the event of a new venue being developed.

Being perth I doubt it will eventuate but my main issue is not really the idea of the venue but the idea that the vast talent in Perth is not being given the opportunities it deserves.

I know it. You know it. We all know it.

And I'm beginning to wonder about the futility of my argument. (which is not really an argument.)

What I want to see is Perth being recognised. But it has to start here in Perth.

Perth is too small to sustain long running shows like the Lion King, Mamma Mia. Or is it? How long is the average season at the Burswood of these visiting shows? And in many cases, they have very good crowds.

Perth patrons pay 80 dollars plus to see imported rubbish. (see my Cabaret review from ages back.) But are loath to pay 15 dollars at the local theatre.

They will, however, be more likely to fork it out for the “professional” companies that do tinpot little shows that no one has ever heard of that requires a cast of three to seven at the bigger venues.

I can understand this. A theatre company like any other business has budgets to adhere to and money they can draw upon is usually limited. But they are often on the receiving end of grants/subsidies from the government.

When it comes to community theatre, no one gets paid and no one receives money from the government. And yet Playlovers took the risk and did Grease at the regal, Jesus Christ Superstar at the subi theatre. Act One Scene One did Chicago at the Bridge(which has been closed down – a huge shame due to the fact is was a beautiful venue and one of a very few in Perth) and then again at the Regal.

Big risks. Big Money. A lot of which is due to venue hire and it is funny how difficult it can be to get a booking of a venue when you are willing to pay the money. But the money from those shows can go on to improving the condition of the company and funding the next show as we are aware.

Generally each of the shows has paid off. Not just monetarily (is that a word) but also for the experience of the cast. Big Casts given opportunities. They don't need to be paid, though it would be nice, they need the chance to perform. And these companies have given them that chance to show off their talent and put their abilities to good use – with a fantastic reception by the public.

The problem I see is that the government will give money to sports foundations and other government departments but will not put it into the arts. They put money into the handful of professional companies in Perth. They will not (on a totally different topic) put money or property toward a film company in WA which can do nothing but Promote WA as a holiday destination and a centre of arts.

Why not subsidise some of the community companies so they can afford to pay the high venue rentals and put on decent shows at places such as the Regal, Playhouse, Subi Theatre Centre where the populous will actually pay money to go see shows regardless how bad they might be - look at Puppetry of the Penis for goodness sake. How many tricks like that can the audience stand to watch and yet they pay top dollar and go again the next time they are in town.

My point is, though, that shows done in Perth wonÂ’t BE bad. There is far too much talent out there that can be utilised to ensure a good show every time.

*The issue there is who will decide which shows and which companies will receive the funding? Why should one company have rights over another. Thus a brick wall we find our heads banging.*

We have A world renowned drama school with WAAPA and brilliant Drama courses at Curtin and Murdoch which are spewing out talent left right and centre. We have schools dedicated to drama – one that’s opened up a million dollar venue (is this venue open to community theatres to use? Cos it’s what we need). We have beautiful weather and beautiful people that deserves to be used and shown off.

Sure. We canÂ’t keep doing Grease or Les Mis over and over again. (or could we after completing Chicago 3 earlier this year..) But what about Phantom? Mamma Mia with our own talent? The money makers. It is a fact that the musicals draw the crowds. So lets do Jekyl and Hyde, Rent, Little Shop of Horrors (Rocky Horror is just too tied up in rights hell I believe), Cabaret, Joseph, Jesus Christ, CATS(hmm), Into the Woods. And these are just the better known ones. Big Chorus Shows allowing people to work (paid or unpaid cos a lot of people would do it for love of the experience and the show).

We as Perth Artists need to build Perth up somehow to show we mean business and we have the people in Perth to back it up. My family are gonna do our best with Pageant later this year – Venue Permitting (hopefully details soon). Playlovers have made a showing with Grease and JC.

Where do we go from here?

That’s the big question. Do we just sit back relax and enjoy the show or do we pull our fingers out and start a movement that gets Perth Put on the Arts World Map as we damn well deserve (I bet you are picturing me standing tall, cape waving behind me and hand on chest. – not quite but close)!

Heck we were mentioned in Kill Bill Vol. 2 as a silver mining town.. we deserve more than that!!!!

Once we have established ourselves here, we can look at moving on from there. Perhaps if a show is successful enough it could make the move to the eastern states and see how they like it for once receiving our shows and seeing that there is far more talent this side of the country than over there. (mind you so many people move over there or to England it won't be long till Sydney is populated by WA actors)

Take Care,

Anthony Harwood

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GÂ’day Anthony

I applaud your zest in getting up and speakingÂ…but there might be a few details that perhaps need clarifying.


>>"Â…..Over the last few months I have received paperwork from a certain group discussing plans for a new theatre structure 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. "

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 industry is trying to plan the best way to effect this transition. Check the ArtsWA website for more information. They are initiating the discussion with the WA Govt. There have been many professional artists invited to 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.



>>" 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 appreciate your sentiments about the group of people you have recently worked with. I’ve felt the same about almost every other cast I’ve worked with also, especially if we’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 building….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.

There actually arenÂ’t too many groups of performers in Perth who have established a professional company Â…Bizircus is the only one that springs to mindÂ…where an ensemble is identified as BEING the company. Likewise, there are virtually no companies that really have full control over their venueÂ…it is almost all managed by the Perth Theatre Trust on behalf of the government; the companies have to rent/hire the theatre spaces, same as anyone else does.

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..?).

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 .


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.


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.


Hope this clears some things.
Cheers,
Craig

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Hiya!


>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.

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A couple of replies

> 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?

No company in perth has an ensemble but every director does have actors they like working with on a repeated basis. Why? Because in an audition you can only learn so much about an actor - compatibilty, work rate, professionilsim and depth of talent (to name a few areas) Thus if you find someone who works for you, you go back to them!

Productions are a big investment for any company and a big risk, so it is no surprise to see companies minimizing the risks associated with it. But no company just casts people they've worked with before!

I'm unsure what you mean by open auditions, as evry company does work through the agents. Are you suggesting advertising on this site or in newspapers?

Im my opinion actors who are with agents aren't necessarily going to be the only actors around but they do demonstrate a level of professionalism which is a good starting point in considering them (but then again when they come in without learning their audition pieces...)
But i do believe most companies will let you audtion during an audition round.

I take it you missed the excellent Casting couch night last year, an equity organised forum that saw actors getting a chance to question artistic directors, casting agents and the like. Was advertised on this site

> 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.

In reference to this, and I am assuming we are talking about the same thing...one show the actor auditioned for at auditions organised through the agents, which all companies do pretty much for all shows unless they are a show developed with an actor in mind. The second show the actor actually developed in association with the company.

. 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.
>

$$$$ Take the budget of the last show you were in and pay everyone on stage, equity rates (oh and super and possibly holiday pay too).

Good to ask questions though and not accept the status quo but you can be asking these in a lot of other places and you may be getting more fulfilling answers. Try Arts WA or ring the companies and discuss their audition and programming policy.

Cheers

Dave R

Continuing to add points to previous points, albeit a bit randomly:



>But I think its rude that people involved in theatre in Perth are not made aware of these facts.

No, I think it's a degree of how MUCH you involve yourself in theatre. Asking questions as you have, results in some of your questions being answered. Others have sought these answers before you, and have been informed for a lot longer.
Those who are really involved ARE the ones making these decisions. They try to inform other interested people, but how can we if we don't know who you are?
As you have demonstrated, if you want to find out, ASK.




>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?

>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.)

>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.



Nobody in the industry wants less venues. But currently there are NO companies that actually manage their own venue. So the ideal situation we would like to see in a new venue is a resident company (whether this means a new company or an existing one is immaterial, it'll be better than what exists now).
Having a theatre company committed to keeping the venue LIVE not DARK will mean they will be able to programme the year so there is always something happening. If this is not a production by the resident company, it'll be another company or indeed an amateur company. It's better to keep audiences regularly attending the venue, rather than not have anything happen. Do you realise that that is exactly what was happening with the Playhouse and the Subiaco Theatre Centre? They were dark (ie NOTHING was happening in the building) for at least a third of the year and in one particular year, even more than that. We're not going to be worse off, even if we are a venue less than when we started, if the new venue is managed so as to stay open and with continuous productions, so that audiences attend frequently, like they would to a moviehouse. There are companies in NSW and Brisbane that I can think of that are rolemodel examples, I'm sure there are others. THAT is what we are aiming to achieve with the new venue.





>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.

Funny, yet the professional companies actually seem to be using the Rechabites and Blue Room MORE.
I've worked and watched in all the spaces you've mentioned, and I don't consider the venue to be a huge indicator of the quality of entertainment I'm going to get.





>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?

As Dave has said, there are NO ensembles companies in Perth at present. Your perception of the way shows are cast really comes down to market forces. It's always been like that, and I'd be surprised if you could show me an amateur company that didn't have its 'favorites' as well. Given time, actors move on, new ones move in.



>>Case in point...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...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?
>I feel that there are other actors in Perth who could do as good a job if given the chance. .. many PROFESSIONAL companies in perth use the same actors over and over.


And why not bring up films as well? Why does Samuel L Jackson keep getting cast in films, apart from the fact he's obviously an excellent choice? Why do we keep going to see...well, virtually any film really, with a recognised talent? it's just the same actors over and over...
No, sorry, I don't think this tired argument really holds water. Directors are ALWAYS looking for new talent that will be new and exciting and impress audiences. But they also have a huge back-history of actors they've already worked with well, who they've established a working relationship with, who they don't have to train on the job, who audiences recognise and enjoy seeing in a new role,

I guess I'm one of those actors you could use as an example...I tend to be in about every third Barking Gecko show. I put it down to the fact that I have spent about 18 years actively honing my skills in theatre for young people, I offer the company more than just acting skills, and like Dave's example, I have actively created my own work and presented it to the company to be used in their programme in association with my company. I know that for some particular shows, Barking Gecko have actively searched for someone else...ANYONE else...to cast instead of me (!) but I ended up getting the gig because they couldn't find anyone who could do what I do. So THERE's a challenge to any 35 yr olds who want to take me on!

That's the reality...there are thousands of people who might fit a ROLE, so companies look for OTHER criteria...how well you work with others, musical/singing ability, physical/gymnastic/dance ability, touring ability, compatibility with other actors, improvising ability, devising ability, ability to take direction, ability to lead/initiate artistic tasks, speech/diction/vocal range, ability to represent the company in an interview/publicity situation, technical/mechanical skill, ability to work with (and be liked by) children, puppetry skills, circus skills, having a truck license/ability to reverse a trailer, sense of humour, sense of professionalism, reliability, inventiveness, consistency in performance, ability to sustain long repetitive seasons, generally excellent health and stamina, oh yes and some acting skills.
I realise I've kind of been listing my job description because that's what I know, but I guarantee if you look at any of those actors you see consistently onstage and find out the qualities they bring to a production behind the scenes, their employability is always totally justified.






>They hold isolated auditions not widely advertised and very few and far between.
>Open auditions take time but it gives a better idea what talent is out there.

You ought to get on the phone and hassle your agent, if you think you're not getting sent to enough. All the auditions I've been to are well attended by a lot of actors, both faces I recognise and new ones I've yet to. The companies seem to be getting a hell of a lot of talent crossing their doors each audition, why should they advertise for more when it's hard enough getting through what they do?
Again, INVOLVE YOURSELF, don't expect the companies to do it for you.





>I think the control by a theatre company would be better as long as it had the community theatre in mind when running it.

The Pro companies recognise the influence of community theatre, but really there is only so much that can be offered. The government is investing this money with a view to re-establishing the professional theatre industry and linking it with tourism, in a world class quality venue. Previous arts policies and venue-management decisions have not helped the industry in the least, and need to be rectified along the line of these plans.
Amateur theatre, by definition, does the best with what it can, and is currently not in any danger of disappearing.




>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.

I suggest you get hold of the ArtsWA budget criteria to find out exactly what it does cost. No, in general they WON'T make the money. That's why Theatre is invariable subsidised, and most professional companies are not-for-profit organisations. A show like The Lion King is just covering its production costs, and it's playing in the population and tourism capitol of Australia, at $100 a ticket. Sorry, if you're going to insist the pro companies do musicals like that to make money, I'm afraid I'll be seeing very little of it on my salary...and they won't be affording to do any other theatre so I'll either have to put on low budget productions myself and compete with the amateur plays, or go back to teaching scubadiving....



Cheers,
Craig

weekend in Penrith

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