The Push to Review Oz Theatre

Labrug | 21/12/2006 - 11:46

Joyce Morgan in the West Australian recently wrote an article which made little bubbles of happiness well up inside me. It was titled "Backing for theatre review" which in itself caught my eye and complete attention.

'Australian Council chairman James Strong has lent his support to an inquiry into the troubled theatre sector.' It was the first paragraph and it spoke volumes. The "Troubled" theatre sector. You mean someone in Federal Government actually realised this? GREAT! I read on... "I think it probably would be a very worthwhile exercise," Strong said. "These major reviews have been a very successful look at particular arts segments."

'Strong said the council would seek an extra $14 million for this sector in next year's budget.' That's a nice little piggy bank, but will it be enough for national application?

The statement was made in association with the appointment of Kathy Keele as the council's Chief Executive. You can read the Offical Media Release here.

There does certainly appear to be growing support at the government level for the theatrical community. With new entertianment venues, funding reviews and swelling numbers, the future for theatre is not looking as bleak as it once was.

The Australian Council for the Arts is the federal body supervising arts funding. It provides support for young, emerging and established artists, as well as new and established organisations.

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Speak for yourself!

Author: Logos
Date: 21/12/2006 - 12:02

Or at least for your state. I have just heard that yet another theatre in SA will almost certainly be closing by the middle of the year unless it's financial situation can be resolved.

Is that all there is? Well if that's all there is my friend, then let's keep dancing.
www.tonymoore.id.au

Another theatre?

Author: Kirilee
Date: 21/12/2006 - 16:22

Another theatre closing down? That is insane, not to mention sad.

Alas, what is the future for theatre?

I've just heard .

Author: Logos
Date: 25/01/2007 - 11:47

That the theatre I was talking about up there will certainly stay open for another year. Hooray.

Is that all there is? Well if that's all there is my friend, then let's keep dancing.
www.tonymoore.id.au

what's a girl to do?

Author: sare3010
Date: 21/12/2006 - 12:17

gawd i suck! got a callback for waapa musical theatre cert for the 3rd year running and still no success!! what am i doing wrong?!

Whats Wrong

Author: Labrug
Date: 21/12/2006 - 12:27

Firstly, I think you posted to the wrong group/thread. On the other hand, I auditioned three time myself and after the third I actually arranged to speak with the Panel Chairperson and find out the deal. I would suggest that to you also. You may not like what you hear, but at least then you would know.

In my case, they felt that I had already learnt more than they could teach me. There was no room for anything further. No if that is a good or bad thing I don't know, but at least I knew that I had actually done a good audition (very good actually), they just felt they couldn't assist me further.

Absit invidia

Jeff Watkins
Perth based Actor/Performer
who can also sing and dance
Fight/Sword Choreographer
Virgin Director
UPstageWA Rep

Home Page

Looking Forwards

Author: Labrug
Date: 21/12/2006 - 12:18

Very little of these initiatives and projects are helping theatre in the short term, and I for one would like to see something more immediate occur. Perth has had (and is having) its fair share of closing down sales if you like. howeve, I also have the attitude that you take what you can and if there is support for FUTURE Review and support, then that will at the very least make me more positive about the future, if not the present.

Absit invidia

Jeff Watkins
Perth based Actor/Performer
who can also sing and dance
Fight/Sword Choreographer
Virgin Director
UPstageWA Rep

Home Page

In that case

Author: Tari-Xalyr
Date: 22/12/2006 - 06:22

In that case then as long as we can keep theatre going n the short term we can help it along in the long term.

Remember for any longer termed project the short term section must remain to an extent successful otherwise they have little or nothing to base the long term on.

~ Tari

P.S. Logos if you're talkin literal rain. . .send it this way!!! I hate hot weather!

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

Thunderstorms

Author: Logos
Date: 22/12/2006 - 07:16

We had the most amazing weather yesterday. Thunder, torrential rain maginificant lightning. I smoke very rarely and only cigars but I sat on my front porch last night with a drink and a cigar (first for about 8 weeks) and just revelled in the weather. I'm afraid its moving East though. Hopefully if it rains in Victoria it might help put out the fires.

Is that all there is? Well if that's all there is my friend, then let's keep dancing.
www.tonymoore.id.au

Sorry

Author: Logos
Date: 22/12/2006 - 07:17

"Magnificent" not whatever I typed up there.

Is that all there is? Well if that's all there is my friend, then let's keep dancing.
www.tonymoore.id.au

My bad

Author: Tari-Xalyr
Date: 22/12/2006 - 09:07

Double post . . . *grumbles at computer* My bad.

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

Ah Lightning!

Author: Tari-Xalyr
Date: 22/12/2006 - 09:08

In that case then allow it to move east when it's finished with SA. I shall survive the dreaful summer once again.

I can just picture that lightning. We had some on leavers and my friend and I just laid in the back paddock and watched the whole lightning storm on the ocean. It was amazing. Never seen anything like it.

~ Tari

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

True

Author: Logos
Date: 21/12/2006 - 12:29

I'm just a bit grumpy at the moment. But loving the rain.

Is that all there is? Well if that's all there is my friend, then let's keep dancing.
www.tonymoore.id.au

This is not news. About

Author: Na
Date: 21/12/2006 - 17:40

This is not news. About five months ago, you may remember the Aus Council called for comments from the theatre sector - they wanted to know whether they should make more efforts for theatre on a national level, or whether smaller support (ie. statewide and local efforts) should be given.

Then about a month ago, they announced the new national playwrights scheme - pretty much what ANPC does now.

It should be noted that these nomination media releases are routinely made, and really don't affect any news/new initiatives made by the Council.

I'm extremely skeptic.

The Prompt Copy
Networking emerging theatre professionals
www.thepromptcopy.com

Sticky Apple Legs
Emerging puppetry company
http://stickyapplelegs.artsblogs.com

Puppets in Melbourne
www.freewebs.com/puppetsinmelbourne

Hey, I just find it and

Author: Labrug
Date: 22/12/2006 - 07:17

Hey, I just find it and post it. I can't help the fact that our local state paper happens to be several months behind things.

Besides, the statement was made at the appointment of the new CEO K.K. which was more the focus of the article.

While it may not be news to yourself Na Eye-wink it certainly was to me and I don't doubt a few others. Heh he I claim messenger protection...

Absit invidia

Jeff Watkins
Perth based Actor/Performer
who can also sing and dance
Fight/Sword Choreographer
Virgin Director
UPstageWA Rep

Home Page

I wasn't dissing your post

Author: Na
Date: 22/12/2006 - 10:16

I wasn't dissing your post Labrug. Just pointing out that there won't be changes for some time; if any.

The Prompt Copy
Networking emerging theatre professionals
www.thepromptcopy.com

Sticky Apple Legs
Emerging puppetry company
http://stickyapplelegs.artsblogs.com

Puppets in Melbourne
www.freewebs.com/puppetsinmelbourne

Nuthin New

Author: Labrug
Date: 22/12/2006 - 11:11

Thanks for the clarification, and as for the changes, nuthin' new there. I'm just glad that is has been acknowledged. ACotA are notoriously slow, but their announcements can sometimes cause a few ripples in the pond. Let's hope that this has caused a few ripples as well.

Absit invidia

Jeff Watkins
Perth based Actor/Performer
who can also sing and dance
Fight/Sword Choreographer
Virgin Director
UPstageWA Rep

Home Page

I too am sceptical but

Author: Logos
Date: 21/12/2006 - 21:09

I too am sceptical but that's because i'm a grumpy old man. Why is someone so young so cynical?
Oh that's right you work in the theatre industry.

Is that all there is? Well if that's all there is my friend, then let's keep dancing.
www.tonymoore.id.au

Yeah, cynicism hits early

Author: Na
Date: 22/12/2006 - 10:18

Yeah, cynicism hits early once you start working the industry. I also started off being cynical, knowing that it would be a difficult career ahead of me.

The Prompt Copy
Networking emerging theatre professionals
www.thepromptcopy.com

Sticky Apple Legs
Emerging puppetry company
http://stickyapplelegs.artsblogs.com

Puppets in Melbourne
www.freewebs.com/puppetsinmelbourne

crisis point

Author: Sydney Actor (not verified)
Date: 25/01/2007 - 08:46

Happened upon this website..where is everyone?

Arts in Oz, including the theatre sector is in major crisis. Funding has not increased relatively or at all since 1998.
Funding bodies fund for survival only instead of aiming to cultivate and export projects.

My big question for you guys is..
HOW DO WE GET MORE PEOPLE TO ATTEND THE THEATRE?

Aussies are crazy about the movies, sporting events. We spend a fortune on attending these cultural events every year but the Theatre community struggles and struggles. Culture is vital to our society, and it is only through the Arts that we can find a stronger, more globally acknowledged Australian voice.

But the vicious circle of high ticket prices of large theatre companies or small marketing budgets for alternative theatre companies are somehow preventing people from flocking to the theatre. Sure there are success stories but relatively speaking, the number of theatre companies is not in proportion to our population.

Why should we have 98% unemployment for Actors? I long for a theatre community in every state equivalent to the West End or even off-off Broadway!! If Aussies could see through their lack of understanding to the enjoyment of attending theatre they would come in droves. Only then would funding bodies and sponsorship increase to a more vital level.

Mentality

Author: Labrug
Date: 28/01/2007 - 18:59

It's the battle against mentality. There is a solid group of theatrical enthusiasts both as participants and audience, but our numbers are somewhat lacking. In Perth and WA we have somewhere between 1 to 2 million spread across one of the largest States in the world. Other cities around the world have that and more within a few hundred square miles.

Popluation density is but one factor. Obviously if theatre could provide the type of entertainment that people wanted then more would come regardless of density. So what is it that we do not provide?

Let's face it, the average male Ozzie would rather watch two teams of men (or women) in some form of gladitorial combat rather than watch the less violent scenes of Shakespeare or Ayckbourne. With sport there is a clear winner and loser, the one with the most points. There is less need to think also which suits most just fine.

What can be done? Well making theatre more attractive is one thing. How that is to be achieved I think will be the real struggle. How do you make theatre an attractive alternative to everyone?

Food for thought...

Jeff - in the UK

Absit invidia

Jeff Watkins
Perth based Actor/Performer
who can also sing and dance
Fight/Sword Choreographer
Virgin Director
UPstageWA Rep

Home Page

Yes Well.

Author: Logos
Date: 25/01/2007 - 11:42

We live in a country of less than 20,000,000 people with an enormous acreage. To support one West End requires a country of 55,000,000 with the capability of driving from one end to the other in about a day and a half. Broadway is established in a country of over 250,000,000 in a city with a population at least as large as Australia. Alright distances in the US are almost as great as here but it is more densely populated. We don't have the base of an Arts world because of the tyranny of distance and the size of our population. Small touring companies cannot survive in this country. Professional Theatre outside of Sydney and Brisbane requires huge amounts of subsidy to survive. I am not saying i agree with the funding policies of either the Federal or State Governments I don't. They give too much money to people who do too little.
But: Whats the solution? Huge numbers of people do go to perfroming arts events each year so there is an interest. Local amateur theatre does well in most places. Has any effort been made to figure out what they do right?
Money is a problem. In SA you can go to the SANFL football for $8 on a Saturday afternoon. You can't go to the theatre for that even most amatuer companies charge more and that's because theatre is incredibly expensive to do. Theatres cost a fortune to run and maintain, playwrights wish to make a return from their efforts and everything pretty much has to be hand made.
We are living in a time when to quote Tom Lehrer the world feels like a Christian Scientist with appendicitis. What do we want when we go to the theatre. Laughs and colour and songs and dancing boys and girls and the time to forget that tomorrow we may be blown up by some idiot with a bomb and a grudge.
Maybe we are doing the wrong plays for the wrong times.
Look much of this is discussed regularly here on various threads and while I'm sure that not every one agrees with me I'm pretty sure this is why.
There is also no political mileage in the Arts. Oh we get tossed a bone every now and then but largely we are starving to death.
Oh and I forgot. The West End and Broadway also survive because a huge number of tourists from countries all over the world will go there on holiday and pay prices they would absolutely not pay at home to go to the theatre. And there is no Government funding available in the fully professional West End or Broadway.

Is that all there is? Well if that's all there is my friend, then let's keep dancing.
www.tonymoore.id.au

re West End

Author: Neville Talbot
Date: 31/01/2007 - 09:24

Hi guys,
Have just returned from UK having spent a chunk of time over xmas/ny. My thoughts-
Large populations help first
Dense populations help second
A long history and culture of theatre helps (we don't have this)
and it's true- the West End and Broadway only survive on the tourist market. Very few Londoners actually go to the theatre, and they certainly haven't watched Les Mis monthly for the last 20 years...

I know myself, I just read Miss Saigon was going to be around $100- I won't pay it (saw it in London in the 90's and was very disappointed). However, I just spent around 170 pounds ($430 ish) taking my wife and mum to two shows in the west end (Wicked and Avenue Q- massive recommendations to anyone remotely near NY or London to get your butt into these shows!). These were cheap tickets, and if I hadn't spent well over $5000 just getting there in the first place, I would have gone for better tix again.

I won't spend that kind of money here for a show- particularly if I see that yet again a soapie 'star' is singing a major role.

I don't know that there is a solution, certainly not an easy one. I think more needs to be done by the major companies, governments need to put more into the industry, and we just have to keep producing high-quality product.
Maintaining our personal and professional integrity as artists/performers is the most important thing I think.

Nev

It's the simple things stupid...

The Push to Review Oz Theatre

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