A response to the Editorial, ITA Link
Sun, 14 Nov 1999, 04:49 pmWalter Plinge19 posts in thread
A response to the Editorial, ITA Link
Sun, 14 Nov 1999, 04:49 pmHaving just perused the Link, I have been moved to make a few comments on
some topics raised in David's editorial.
Firstly, let me clear up a slight misapprehension that a number of people
have about "Riders to the Sea". The very intense twenty minutes that we
performed at the festival was NOT an excerpt. That's the play, just that
twenty minutes and no more! That was the script that Synge wrote, that was
the script that I got hold of, that was the script that Ralph
Vaughan-Williams set to music (in about twenty years I may have the guts to
do the opera at Dramafest). The fact that such a short piece can gain its
reputation as one of the seminal classics of Irish Theatre is a testament
to the genius of Synge.
That aside, let me add my weight to David's cry to encourage more of the
classics. David and I may be part of a biased and exclusive club. I can't
remember any other time a 'classic' has won either the Finley or the
Dorothy Barber. An understanding, or at least appreciation, of the past is
vital to any art form. How can we be expected to create new and vibrant
work if we cannot learn from the successes, and failures, of the past. It
may perhaps just be a side effect of living in a society that has no
history.
In fact, I may go even one step further than David, not only would I like
to see a few more of the 'classics', I would heartily welcome more of the
'foreign' classics. Apart from the odd Moliere or even Chekhov's 'The
Bear', when was the last time anyone in Perth did one of the European
'classics'?
What is it about the Perth scene that we are so damned Anglocentric?
Why will no one even try something in translation?
As far as I can see, the Perth Amateur repertoire consists entirely of
plays written:
a, in the last fifty years,
b. in the English language,
c. by authors who are either English, American or Australian.
The very occassional Shakespeare and Moliere are exceptions that tend to
prove the rule.
Why us this so?
This is my challenge to everyone out there who reads this, tell me, why is
it so?
Paul Treasure
some topics raised in David's editorial.
Firstly, let me clear up a slight misapprehension that a number of people
have about "Riders to the Sea". The very intense twenty minutes that we
performed at the festival was NOT an excerpt. That's the play, just that
twenty minutes and no more! That was the script that Synge wrote, that was
the script that I got hold of, that was the script that Ralph
Vaughan-Williams set to music (in about twenty years I may have the guts to
do the opera at Dramafest). The fact that such a short piece can gain its
reputation as one of the seminal classics of Irish Theatre is a testament
to the genius of Synge.
That aside, let me add my weight to David's cry to encourage more of the
classics. David and I may be part of a biased and exclusive club. I can't
remember any other time a 'classic' has won either the Finley or the
Dorothy Barber. An understanding, or at least appreciation, of the past is
vital to any art form. How can we be expected to create new and vibrant
work if we cannot learn from the successes, and failures, of the past. It
may perhaps just be a side effect of living in a society that has no
history.
In fact, I may go even one step further than David, not only would I like
to see a few more of the 'classics', I would heartily welcome more of the
'foreign' classics. Apart from the odd Moliere or even Chekhov's 'The
Bear', when was the last time anyone in Perth did one of the European
'classics'?
What is it about the Perth scene that we are so damned Anglocentric?
Why will no one even try something in translation?
As far as I can see, the Perth Amateur repertoire consists entirely of
plays written:
a, in the last fifty years,
b. in the English language,
c. by authors who are either English, American or Australian.
The very occassional Shakespeare and Moliere are exceptions that tend to
prove the rule.
Why us this so?
This is my challenge to everyone out there who reads this, tell me, why is
it so?
Paul Treasure
Also a response to the responses
Mon, 15 Nov 1999, 10:48 amWalter Plinge
Josephine,
Earnest is the exception that proves the rule.
How many other plays do you know that were written last century and are
ever performed in Perth.
No, rephrase that, how many other plays written last century do you even
KNOW!!!
Michael,
I thought that we were supposed to be living in one of the world's most
multicultural societies!
Why is it we aren't reflecting that?
And as to audiences not willing to go to Non-Anglo plays, well that is just
a load of absolute tripe!
Roleystone had a decent turnout for Mary Stuart when they did that, and you
don't get much more German than Schiller!
Have you ever been involved in a non-Anglo play?
If not, how do you know they are "Box Office Death"?
This is my point exactly, how do we KNOW that European plays are BOD when
no-one ever does them?
It's like the old myth that 1Act play seasons are BOD.
And anyone who is involved at Marloo knows exactly how WRONG that
particular myth is.
One last bit,
Yay, something to get our teeth into rather than Omnibus!!!
Paul Treasure
PS Don't forget to come and see Blak Yak's 'Give A Dog A Bad Name' at the
Don Russell Performing Arts Centre.
November 17, 19, 20. Bookings 9493 4577.
Those there on opening night would have seen noth Leah Maher and Catherine
McStravick (among others) in their beautiful frocks.
Thanks to everyone who frocked up for the night.
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