Omnibus Antes the Ups

This is the first time I've really checked this out, but perhaps
pre-maturely, I am going to defend Omnibus productions for the cost in
tickets.First and foremost, I am a cast member, and no, actors are not paid.
Musicians, and crew are though. Please keep in mind that "The Secret
Garden" is only running for three days, putting on five shows. I dont
know if anybody here has put on a show at the Regal, but hiring the
venue for nine days is not a cheap venture.Quite frankly I think it's great to see Omnibus move on from their
productions at the Fremantle Town Hall. I have done several shows for
Omnibus, which were earlier on, and by far this is the most
proffesional show they have done. The leads are superb, and the show
has an all round strong cast. I dont believe I have seen a cast so good
since Playlovers did their production of "Chess" in 1996. Everybody
should do themselves a favour, and try and come along to see the show.
You might all get a nice surprise.Brooke Forward.

Hi BrookeThanks for joining in!> This is the first time I've really checked this out, but perhaps
> pre-maturely, I am going to defend Omnibus productions for the
> cost in tickets."really checking it out" is just the problem. Practically all amateur theatre companies are structured as Incorporated Associations. As such they are legally bound to comply with the relevant Act, sections of which require the Association to maintain accurate accounts and make these available to members of the Association. What is more, the membership through their voting rights have a say about who runs the association and how the money is spent. If the association folds, the committee doesn't get to keep the money and run. By law, they are required to pass any remaining funds on to another association with similar aims or another registered charity.Has anyone involved in The Secret Garden, apart from the "business partners", ever seen the financial records? As far as i am aware, the Ominbus business partners are not incorporated and can do what they please with the proceeds from a production without anyone else having any say whatsoever. If the partners decided (and i'm not suggesting they would - i know them personally!) to fold the company and fly to America on the proceeds of The Secret Garden and the other shows, my understanding is that they can do just that without consulting another soul.Fine, we live in a capitalist, economic-rationalist, get-rich-at-other's-expense society, if someone has found a way of making a buck let's cheer them on.Remember that, though, when the friends you've worked and trained with turn "pro" and leave the state to find work. Remember it when you see families split, children leaving home to find work in the eastern states. Remember that when you've spent 3 years at university and another three at the Academy of Performing Arts and are sitting on the dole queue looking for work in your profession, trying to raise the money to buy a ticket to the promised land - Sydney.At $49 a full price ticket, it's well past time some of the deserving actors began to see some benefit.> First and foremost, I am a cast member, and no, actors are not
> paid. Musicians, and crew are though. Please keep in mind that "The
> Secret Garden" is only running for three days, putting on five
> shows. I dont know if anybody here has put on a show at the Regal, but hiring
> the venue for nine days is not a cheap venture.Who is being paid? Which members of the crew? All of them? Or just the Regal staff?What are they being paid? Are the musicians all getting a full professional rate? If so, why is this courtesy extended to the musicians but denied to the actors? Did anyone count the number of hours the cast spent rehearsing? How many hours did you see the musicians rehearsing? They can't even remember their lines, they have to play with the music in front of them (that's a joke folks - poor taste i know).A few of us on the list have been involved in staging shows at the Regal. We know that it costs! Bear in mind though, that the ITA used the Regal last year for the Finley Awards. I gather it wasn't quite full and it was nothing like $49 per ticket but the show about broke even.> Quite frankly I think it's great to see Omnibus move on from their
> productions at the Fremantle Town Hall. I have done several shows
> for Omnibus, which were earlier on, and by far this is the most
> proffesional show they have done. The leads are superb, and the
> show has an all round strong cast.I'm sure none of this is in dispute. I saw some ealier work by Omnibus and will readily second your comments that they've done some good quality work. I hope the cast have a great time and enjoy working in the Regal.> I dont believe I have seen a cast
> so good since Playlovers did their production of "Chess" in
> 1996.Playlovers Inc. financial records are open for all members to see.> Everybody should do themselves a favour, and try and come along to see
> the show.Personally, i'll avoid it. I would much rather support a true amateur company that's incorporated, or a local professional company that provides some employment for local actors.I'm saving my $50 to buy my own way to England.Cheers
Grant

The crew members that got paid were the stage manager, assistant stage manager and also the regal crew. Why does it matter that the actors dont get paid anyway? They know that full well when they sign up to do the show. They do it because they like to perform. Even still, Omnibus has already lost a lot of money to do with the show going on, then not going on, and change of dates. So what if the tickets are too overly priced for you. I just think that you have missed out on this one, as their have been numerous commetns by people who have seen both the Melbourne and Perth production and have said that the perth produiction is much better.
I don't understand what gives you the right to judge omninbus just becasue of what they do with their financial records and how much they charge for ticketsJames Harley

and if you are singing brooke...it will be worth every cent to hear you....your voice is simply amazing...(hoping i have the right brooke).Even if it is just to hear brooke sing...it would be well worth the money...Teri Welch

Hi James> The crew members that got paid were the stage manager, assistant
> stage manager and also the regal crew. Why does it matter that the
> actors dont get paid anyway?What does it matter if the muso's don't get paid? The director doesn't get paid? The theatre doesn't get paid? The light bill doesn't get paid? The phone bill doesn't get paid?Hey, why pay anyone? Why pay for a ticket?I hoped i'd made this point clear in my original post. There are far too few opportunities for actors to earn a living at their craft in this town. In my view, this production is another example of a private company standing to make a tidy sum on the backs of unpaid performers; some of whom are probably very deserving of an honest wage for their efforts.To rephrase your question: Why does it matter that the "business partners" don't get paid?> They know that full well when they sign
> up to do the show. They do it because they like to perform.That's it, isn't it? Because someone likes to act, because they enjoy doing "it", it's not real work?You'd better make sure those muso's aren't having a good time, and while you're at it, tell the crew to stop smiling.As long as people think they can replace an actor hoping to earn a crust with one desparate to do it for fun, they'll kid themselves there's no difference between a paid and non-paid performer.> Even still,
> Omnibus has already lost a lot of money to do with the show going
> on, then not going on, and change of dates.Have you seen the accounts?> So what if the tickets
> are too overly priced for you.I occasionally pay far more than this for tickets. I've also paid a hell of a lot less to see unfunded, professional shows that pay the whole cast and crew.> I just think that you have missed out
> on this one, as their have been numerous commetns by people who have
> seen both the Melbourne and Perth production and have said that the
> perth produiction is much better.I'm sure it is a very good show. Maybe i did miss out on something special - this time.I'm also thinking ahead. I want to look forward to being able to see more and better shows. I'm saving my money to invest in shows that provide incentives to western australian actors to live and work in this town.> I don't understand what gives you the right to judge omninbus
> just becasue of what they do with their financial records and how
> much they charge for ticketsErm... the same authority that gives you the right to support them?I think Omnibus is doing some great work - not earth shattering stuff, but they have worked hard to build an audience and they are regularly attracting people to live entertainment. The few shows i've seen were of a good standard. They are also providing some excellent opportunities for, particularly, younger performers to gain valuable experience. So does the rest of community and amateur theatre.Four years ago at $20-odd per ticket Omnibus claimed to be looking forward to paying at least some actors. Four years later and double the price i'm waiting to see it happen.Cheers
Grant