MOULIN BLUES!!!!!!

It doesn't seem that long ago, that another amateur theatre company was being 'discussed' with regards to its legitimacy for charging high prices for shows when the cast were not paid (or compensated in any way). That company being Omnibus - and whatever the name of the alleged 'rehashed' company was.

I think the professional V Amateur debate has gone on for so long now it warrants its own discussion thread where everyone can have a _healthy_ discussion, as opposed to making allegations against certain individuals, be them founded or unfounded.

At the end of the day, I think we need to accept that for the immediate future the only big shows that can be classified as 'professional' are shows where the cast is a touring cast from the Eastern states (usually minus the usual lead characters). It's a sad fact, but Perth just doesn't seem big enough to sustain any big scale production with an entirely local cast. We get the odd big scale touring show - but it's only ever tended to be one at a time - which sucks.

Whilst in the UK recently, I heard about the auditions that were coming up for the UK and Northern Ireland touring cast of "Mamma Mia"; "Mary Poppins" and the Woman In White (the new Lloyd Webber Musical - sorry if I got the name wrong). They were paid positions - but I didn't audition, as I was on my way back home. But it was great to know that Paid theatre work was going on somewhere in the world. It was great to know that the 'wares' that we have to offer were being appreciated somewhere in the world.

So how come paid casts were available? Because people fly from all over the world to see shows in the UK. The theatre productions are able to offer their cast money because they have the audience available to support them. I wonder whether Perth would be in a similar position. I'm sorry - but i've never heard anyone who has flown to Perth to see a show (though my Nan was coincidentally flying in from England around the time I was doing a show!)

We have already seen some good quality pro-am companies go by the way side due to a fall in audience numbers, and insufficient funds. Which as I have said, sucks.

So instead, we have a plethora of amateur theatre companies willing to fill the void (and perhaps lining their own pockets) in order to atleast offer the Perth public some form of showcase of Perth talent. And in my humble opinion that is great. So long as the company in the first place is not alleging to be offering money for the cast, and then that never eventuates. I also believe that the people who do accept cast positions in amateur theatre are doing so because they love acting, and like the non-monetary rewards that they receive. Not to mention the experience they will get in the industry so that they are then able to offer even more should they ever leave the shores of perth for a brighter future in paid theatre. So long as the theatre company is then able to make a further contribution to the industry by using the money made in order to put on further shows, I can't see a problem with amateur theatre.

As I mentioned, I find it highly unlikely we will get any shows to pay the cast any money in the near future. If an actor is truly serious, and wanting to make a living out of acting, I think it is highly unlikely that they will be wanting to stay in Perth. Instead, sadly they will need to go over east to either Melbourne or Sydney or indeed internationally to London or the USA.

It's terrible, but Theatre (in Perth atleast) appears to be the poor cousin of the acting industry.

And if someone is wanting to Act and perform solely for the means of some form of monetary compensation, surely they are doing it for the wrong reasons?

I am not sure whether my Drama teacher was quoting someone else, but when I was at North Lake Children's Theatre back when I was knee high to a grass hopper (though some would argue I haven't grown much!!) the teacher always told me that "The greatest, most rewarding sound to an actor is the sound of applause, and the greatest most rewarding sight, that of a standing ovation".

A philosophy I subscribe to whenever I am contemplating doing a show.

Anyway - just thought i'd throw my two cents in.

James