Writing a play.

Tom Camp | 02/08/2010 - 12:02

I would love to write plays that are produced in theatre and one day be recognised as Australia's next Lawler or Williams or realistically be known more as myself. but how to achieve this, I wondered to myself as I wrote a play whilst I was on a plane to America, (one must occupy themselves somehow on these long haul flights) what sets a good play apart from a bad one? Of course character, relationships, tension, subtext etc will all play a significant part, but is there an easier way to know how to captivate your audience? Surely many thoroughly thought out plays can fail whilst some others that have been knocked up and become surprise successes with the playwright never being able to recreate that success for the simple reason he can't identify the wining formula. Shakespeare and Checkov wrote very different plays. Both are held in very high esteem . Shakespeare is timeless and connects with audiences of all ages. One would struggle to convince me that Checkov is the same. Perhaps this example would be better served by two examples more similar in style but a playwright should really write for the ages. After all is there that much pride to be taken by being a one hit wonder?
Your thoughts, Ladies and Gentleman.

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Well ...

Author: Logos
Date: 03/08/2010 - 16:19

Oh that we all had an answer to the question.
Frankly Tom if you wish to become famous then write for film nowadays.
However, all you can do at the moment is write and write again until you find your voice.
Lawler (I assume you are speaking of Ray) and Williamson (in his early days) both locked firmly in to the zeitgeist of their era. They wrote plays which spoke clearly and readily to their generations.
So did Shakespeare and Chekov (sp, there's an h in there somewhere and I can never remember where.) I tend to agree with you about Chekhov (?) although in the Frayn translations the plays have received a new lease of life.
It could be argued that Williamson was the Shakespeare of Australia, he write populist theatre about the world surrounding him and inhabited it with people that we all recognised.
There is no real disgrace to being a one hit wonder. In the late 50's teenager Shelagh Delaney wrote a play "A Taste of Honey" which played in London then Broadway and so on with it's most recent revival in London in 2008. She did write other work but nothing ever achieved what that play did.
You need to find your passion and although it's a truism start by writing about what you know. It's easier.
Look around you in Perth. Talk to local companies. Is there one that would help you with a reading of your play? Is there a playwright support group or a writers centre?
Don't give up. Keep trying.

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

Featured event

WA Youth Theatre Company (WAYTCo) (Perth) presents
MINE by Jane Bodie

Playwright:
Jane Bodie

Director:
Renato Fabretti

Details:

Big Brother heads Battle Royale and The Hunger Games in a sexy, tough and compelling new play by WAYTCo
The Western Australian Youth Theatre Company is putting 16 of Perth’s hottest young talent on stage in a remarkable play by Jane Bodie. Her play ‘This Years Ashes’ by Griffin Theatre Company won acclaim in 2011.
Set in a world of the near future these young people find themselves thrown together by forces beyond their control. Struggling to come to terms with their new situation, their captors encourage them to relax and socialise, but what are the reasons behind this most comfortable of prisons? Slowly they come to realise what they are meant to become – a revelation that tests them morally and ideologically.
WAYTCo welcomes back emerging director Renato Fabretti (DNA, October, Lord of the Flies) to work with the youth theatre ensemble and creative team to make this production unmissable. Fabretti, a WAAPA acting graduate and NIDA directing graduate has performed with many major theatre companies, and in Underbelly as the young gangster Chopper Read. His last production for WAYTCo, DNA, attracted big audiences and great reviews:
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MINE by Jane Bodie will be at the Subiaco Arts Centre from June 2nd previewing with a ‘pay-what-you-can’ night on June 5th before officially opening on June 6th. The production is on Wednesday to Saturday nights at 7:30pm until June 16th.
Tickets available from BOCS or donate $20 to our crowdfunding drive at http://mine.pozible.com and claim a ticket as a reward.

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