Cynical Ledging on New Arts Centre - Perth

Labrug | 02/07/2008 - 13:36

A recent decision to name the New Theatre Complex currently under construction on Roe Street Perth, after the late Heath Ledger has been labelled as 'Cynical' by Perth Theatre Company's General Manger Tony Bonney. The reasoning behind this statement is the relevance of naming a Theatrical building after a performer who had not been on stage since his school days. He also states that he is not alone with his opposition to the decision claiming to have 'received a flood of emails' with similar complaints.

"You can name them after people to get attention for them but ultimately do they represent what the facility is for?" He likened the concept to 'naming a venue for the WA Symphony Orchestra after AC/DC front man Bon Scott.' "I see it as being a little bit more of a short-term, dare I say, cynical exercise."

Alan Carpenter along with Kim Ledge and the Arts Minister stated "We wanted to pay tribute to Heath Ledger's brilliance as an actor, we want to let the world know what we're doing here in the arts, of the talent we are able to produce." The decision to name the theatre after the actor is supported by his family.

According to statements from the director of Batman: Dark Knight, Heath claimed to be nervous about performing on stage, admitting he did not have the training or technique for theatre. So the question remains, is it appropriate to name a Theatrical establishment after a famous Perth Actor who rarely appeared and admitted to a fear of stage?

In my opinion, Heath Ledge has become iconic and an inspiration for young WA hopefuls. Yes he may have not been a Theatrical regular and may have had concerns about appearing on-stage, but how many of us, even the acting regular, do not have our doubts? Heath was a powerful actor and people looked up to him. His name will continue to inspire so why not place it in the middle of what is hoped to be the cultural centre of Perth? Is it really 'wrong' to name a theatre after a film star?

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Ledger Theatre

Author: Stalwart (not verified)
Date: 02/07/2008 - 16:02

It would seem to me that a more appropriate thing to do would be a picture, or a rehearsal room, or something of the like within the venue - and NOT to name our new theatrical home after someone who has never performed professionally on any Perth stage.

Unbeleiveable !!!

Squaring The Ledger.

Author: Bass Guy
Date: 02/07/2008 - 16:26

It might not be "wrong" per se to name the venue after Our Fair Heath (who, let us not forget, earned the ire of Cottesloe residents after some ill-judged talk-show comment about a recent local shark attack...), but one cannot help but be cynical about the motives.

Most importantly, would naming the venue in his honour actually get people INTO the venue to see shows, or would Perth be lumbered with yet another White Elephant (with a famous name attached) that no-one would go near because Perth at night-time can be hostile?

My feelings are that it would be a drawcard for Hollywood hopefuls to have their photo taken in front of, and nothing of any benefit to theatre in WA.

"It ain't braggin' if you can back it up."- Jaco Pastorius

Perhaps the state

Author: Grant Watson (not verified)
Date: 02/07/2008 - 19:06

Perhaps the state government should either build a state-owned cinema and name it after him, or perhaps give much-needed funding to the Film & Television Institute and rename their cinema after him.

Just an idea - I'm not against honouring Heath Ledger but I am against honouring him inappropriately.

Well its better he's

Author: Walter Planchette (not verified)
Date: 03/07/2008 - 03:59

Well its better he's remembered in his home town than on the hollywood walk of fame, at least he isnt going to have chewies stuck to his name in a foreign country

I don't know about that -

Author: Na
Date: 03/07/2008 - 08:43

I don't know about that - ever felt underneath the seat in a theatre?

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Actually, news of the

Author: Melissa Merchant
Date: 03/07/2008 - 10:14

Actually, news of the Ledger naming has made it all the way to Washington DC. I was just reading about this in the newspaper, this afternoon. I too feel that it is probably an inappropriate forum to pay our respects to Heath Ledger. I agree with Grant, let's find a more fitting tribute for the man.

Melissa

They could always re-name

Author: Fairy Queen (not verified)
Date: 03/07/2008 - 10:39

They could always re-name the Steamworks gay brothel in Highgate "Heath Ledger's Brokeback Mountain".

Community Divided

Author: Labrug
Date: 03/07/2008 - 15:50

Well, as one might expect, the naming of the new Perth Theatre after Heath Ledger has caused a bit of a split. By many of the comments already posted here, there is a strong opposition to the proposal. Yet, when reading from others sources, there is strong support. Comments in today's paper for example claim Heath deserves the recognition and that the opposition is 'parochial' in nature.

However, it is clear that the nays have a stronger voice than the yays. There is also strong international opposition from what I have read/heard.

What I find particularly interesting is some of the comments that focus on the Drug aspect of Heath Ledger. One Perth resident even asking if we should name the new stadium after Ben Cousins.

Maybe a name that rolls off the tongue, or has a cool initial that is catchy, like Perth Arts Performance Studio ... umm ... perhaps not. Eye-wink

Absit invidia

Jeff Watkins

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Nay-sayers

Author: Gloria Monday (not verified)
Date: 03/07/2008 - 16:10

Of course the nays have a stronger voice
Nays always have a stronger voice!
Even when greatly outnumbered by yays, people tend to yell nay at the top of their voice.

I'd rather it be named after someone the average joe bloggs recognises rather than "The someone-I've-never-heard-of Theatre" or "The some-really-cool-sounding-phrase-that-is-totally-meaningless Theatre"

HLT

Author: mbp
Date: 03/07/2008 - 17:47

Discussion about the new theatre name has been ongoing and also neccessary. What galls me is Carpenter's assumption that he has the right to just call it what ever he wants, without any community or industry consultation.
What also get's my goat, now that I'm on a roll, is the morning talkback jocks on 720am and 6PR spouting off about how people in the art's think they are higher and mightier than the rest. All we are trying to do is voice our opinions and we get called all sorts of ridiculous names. Beaumont and Hutchinson both insinuated that people in the arts plead, cajole and beg for tax payers money (with, I might add, a hint that we are ripping the public off) and that we then then whinge when something doesn't go their way.
Get over it and start listening to a general consensus.

That's all.

I really liked Heath Ledger

Author: Trouble maker (not verified)
Date: 04/07/2008 - 07:42

I really liked Heath Ledger as an actor and was a big fan. However, I must play devil's advocate here and mention: would Heath Ledger be considered the 'legend' (or ledg-end) he is today if he hadn't died? Would we consider naming anything after him if he were alive?? Something to think about....

Good point TM!Why not Rolf

Author: JoeMc
Date: 04/07/2008 - 09:28

Good point TM!

Why not Rolf Harris, the Boy from Basendean! I think he has done slightly more in putting WA or even Basso on the world map.

Frankly I have never seen Heath ledger & but for his accident, would not even know him from a bar of soap!

At least Rolf has done stage shows & TV. Also as an aside, supposedly it was a Scenic stage artist here Jimmy Punch, who taught him how to paint on stage, in the style he uses during his act. Jimmy I was told years ago, burnt to death on stage. While cleaning his brushes & gear in turps. Apparently as he always had a rolled smoke hanging fdrom his mouth, he went up in flames, when he tried to relight it! At least that's how the story goes?

TOI TOI CHOOKAS

[May you always play to a full house] Hear the lights & see the sounds.

Generational

Author: Na
Date: 04/07/2008 - 09:42

I doubt the younger generation (of the general public) knows who Rolf is, compared to Heath.

Moppet eyes now on sale at
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I don't know Na, but I

Author: JoeMc
Date: 04/07/2008 - 11:50

I don't know Na, but I would think here locally they would, specially in Bassendean!
Come to think of it each time I have done a Rolf show, the demographics of the punters, has been with a fair smattering of younger punters.
Lately I suppose he would be recognised by the younger Pohms, because of hos regurgitation of 'Stairway to the stars' & his TV show about animals. But nearly every generation remember a one of his popular songs.
But you are possibly right.
TOI TOI CHOOKAS
[May you always play to a full house] Hear the lights & see the sounds.

Locally?

Author: Na
Date: 04/07/2008 - 11:53

I didn't know who Rolf was until a few years ago. Bit before my time I'm afraid.

Moppet eyes now on sale at
Puppets in Melbourne

Rolf Harris:

Author: Andrew Denton (not verified)
Date: 04/07/2008 - 12:07

Rolf Harris: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rolf_Harris

Rolf at least he help

Author: JoeMc
Date: 04/07/2008 - 12:34

Rolf at least helped raise the money to build a swimming pool in Bassendean. He packed out the Beaty park Swimming Pool, for a show & donated the gate to the Basso Council, to build a pool.
This was something he never had as kid & wanted for future generations for kids to enjoy.
[His hit song at that time was "Two little boys"]
Along with a few of us, I did the Lighting at no cost, in conjunction with the CDC [ACTA]. I Think they raised over 20 000 quid. Pity though by the time the Council got around to thinking about building the Swimming pool, some 10 or so years later. They could only afford a concrete kiddies paddling pool.

Some Support

Author: Labrug
Date: 05/07/2008 - 21:43

Well, the debate continues. In this weekends West, there is a massive article (page 18) about Perth Based, international comedian, Tim Minchin strongly supporting the Ledger Theatre.
His feeling is that film and stage actors 'are not two distinct greoups of people.' While there are certainly different technical aspects to either media, (as Tim puts it) there are not too many stage actors who would pass up the opportunity to do some film work, or at least aspires to.
"I sincerely hope no Perth actor would be so tall-poppy-cropping as to exclude him from our coveted ranks because he didn't do a Shakespeare in the Park or a Williamson at the Perth Theatre Company." Tim says.
As alternative namin options, he lists Jill Perryman but she is not a 'native' West Aussie; Edgar Metcalfe but he was born in Britain; Michael Loney, Jenny Davis, Iain Grandage are also suggested but Tim feels these suggestions would not be taken seriously.
At the end, Tim is pleased that Perth is getting a flash new theatre and reckons 'it is just fine' the it will be named after Heath who is, in Tim's opinion, 'an extremely talented, hard-working, much-loved and greatly missed Perth born and bred actor.'
Absit invidia
Jeff Watkins
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Heath Ledger Theatre

Author: Norma
Date: 06/07/2008 - 14:16

I am uncomfortable with the naming as I suspect that no consultation with anyone was undertaken.(I'm sure someone will soon correct me if I am wrong) Our Premier appears to have suddenly woken up one morning and thought 'what a good idea' and hey presto the deed was done.

not a problem with the name

Author: Neville Talbot
Date: 06/07/2008 - 19:41

I don't have a problem with the name as such, and was greatly swayed by Tim's intelligent and well-written article yesterday.

However, I do think the real issue for many of the theatre crew I have spoken to is simply that noone who will be using the space was asked. At all. Surely this is something we should have had some input into, or at least someone in the industry?

As a previously die hard labor supporter, I am horrified by the continuous demonstrations of arrogance from this current government, very reminiscent of a recent federal govt actually...

It really isn't hard to have a chat with a few people.

Nev

It's the simple things stupid...

HEATH LEDGER THEATRE

Author: PHILLIP MACKENZIE
Date: 07/07/2008 - 12:41

FLIPMAC

Whether we like the name or not, the over-riding issue is the autocratic manner in which it was promulgated/decreed. Clearly there is little possibility that the Premier's decision, apparently at the suggestion of, or with the backing of, Heath Ledger's family, will now be reveresed. Politician's don't often do that sort of thing.

Perhaps the theatre community should immediately take action to nominate naming rights for other bits of the complex : foyers, bars, greenrooms, lavatories, carparks, waste-paper bins, etc. Minchin's lists in Saturday's Worst Australian might be a start – certainly my preference is to honour people in this way while they are alive to enjoy it.

Reversal

Author: Labrug
Date: 08/07/2008 - 11:50

Where'd you hear that? I have been looking around for anything along that line and haven't found a thing.
Absit invidia
Jeff Watkins
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Hmmm

Author: Tari-Xalyr
Date: 08/07/2008 - 20:31

I think we need to find a more fitting way to honour Heath.

Have people considered that to people who are not involved (in any way) with theatre/arts being onstage in a theatre and on a film screen is all the same sort of thing? Its all acting to them? They do not understand the different skills and techniques required.

So all up it could come down to our "acting" pecking order. Theatre - Film - TV - Reality TV. . . . Are we just being snobby? lol.

~ Tari

The Writer is a child forever listening at the keyhole of the adult world.

Regardless of whether or

Author: Walter Planchette (not verified)
Date: 08/07/2008 - 22:09

Regardless of whether or not you agree with it being named after Heath Ledger, at the end of the day it will go the way of all venues and memorials and statues, in years to come (especially in todays 15-minutes-of-fame-McDonalds-mentality) it will be a case of "Who?"

There is a statue on the corner of St Georges Terrace and Barrack Street at the entrance to the park of a man on a horse.....I defy anyone to tell me who it is, without looking it up, I suspect noone would be able to.

Regardless of who it is named after, eventually it will become meaningless anyway.QED!

That guy on the horse is

Author: Walter Pungent (not verified)
Date: 09/07/2008 - 12:57

That guy on the horse is most definately Major Dad.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Major_Dad

Cynical Ledging on New Arts Centre - Perth

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