Help Please

KTW | 15/01/2009 - 14:36

Do you enjoy playing the piano? Are you a good piano player? Would you like to play for the musical OLIVER?

KTW are in desperate need of a pianist for their upcoming production of Oliver. We have exhausted all our avenues and was hoping that someone out there could help us or point us in another direction.

At this stage we are not able to offer payment but this could be relooked at.

Please contact the Director/MD Cat Baxter on 0409 110 704 (after 4pm) of alternatively kittycat.1@optusnet.com.au

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Um... I'd suggest you don't

Author: Walter Muso (not verified)
Date: 18/01/2009 - 12:54

Um... I'd suggest you don't do a musical then.

Why do theatre companies in this town think so lowly of musical theatre that they don't feel they deserve to get a quality musical director and appropriate musicians - even before and at the auditions? This is why so many musicals in Perth (and surrounds) are WAY below par.

If you don't have someone who knows what they're doing musically, DON'T DO A MUSICAL!!!!!!!!!!!

It is SO insulting to those who adore the genre.

And if this comment gets moderated down, it proves my point that theatre people in Perth can't deal with constructive criticism and improving the quality of the community.

Constructive or destructive

Author: Labrug
Date: 18/01/2009 - 13:18

I'll bite to this one then - do you understand the spirit of Community Theatre? It is because it is not professional. It is community and as thus allows people of all walks to have a go. Quality Musical Directors and Musicians often require payment and that is something that Community Theatre (in general) just cannot do. It lives off the back of volunteers - people doing it because they love it enough to not want to get paid or (let's be honest) they are either not interested or skilled enough for professional gigs. Does that mean that musicals are looked down upon?

I personally think not. The fact that people want to do them, see them and participate in musicals means to me that we highly regard Musicals and enjoy them. Just because we cannot afford to pay someone "professionally" is simply the nature of the scene of Community Theatre.

Those who do Musicals do so because they 'adore the genre' just as much if not than yourself.

Absit invidia (and DFT No no no )

Jeff Watkins

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Moderated down. How predictable and typical.

Author: Walter Muso2 (not verified)
Date: 18/01/2009 - 14:52

Moderated down. How predictable and typical. How DARE anyone demand an improvement of Perth Community Musical Theatre?! And you TOTALLY missed my point.

Perth Community Theatre is the epitome of mediocrity - just look at the Finley Awards (an award for 'coping with a difficult script" for god's sake!!!!!???!?).

Basically, what you are saying is that Community Theatre HAS to be crap because people aren't paid. And BECAUSE there is no money to pay people, the quality cannot be improved.

Bullshit.

My bone is with the quality of musicals and the GALL companies have in doing them, despite NOT having an MD, NOT having a vocal coach, NOT having a capable pianist, etc. And, by the way, there ARE these types of musos that will do stuff and not expect to get paid.

I repeat; unless you have someone who is CAPABLE in music, DON'T do musicals. It is INSULTING and denegrates the genre.

I (and many people I know) DEMAND that musicals in Perth improve! They don't HAVE to be crap because its Community Theatre. That excuse no longer washes...

But honestly, I don't know why I'm wasting my breath because people in the Perth Community Theatre scene have no desire to improve it and anyone who speaks up against it is criticised by the mediocrity majority, fencesitters and those who operate on quid pro quo.

So why don't you do

Author: Devil's Advocate Person (not verified)
Date: 18/01/2009 - 15:00

So why don't you do something to improve it, then?

I will bite too

Author: kh (not verified)
Date: 18/01/2009 - 16:12

Hello Mr/Mrs/Miss/Dr/ Plinge

I admit now that " coping with a difficult script" didn't really tell anyone who didn't see the show much about the award, but if you had seen the show you would know that this particular character was someone who had a language problem. That meant that most of her sentences came out backwards. She performed that role very well and it was a difficult script to learn, no it wasn't impossible , but it was difficult.

Then again, I wouldn't need to tell you that if you had seen all the shows that were nominated last year.

However, I do absolutely agree with you on one or two points you make. I am a firm believer that if you don't have a person who can perform the role of Hamlet well, then you really shouldn't direct a production of Hamlet, simply because it is your life long dream to direct the show. Wait until you have the right cast. That is of course easier said than done, but it is something to consider. It is absolutely the same with musicals and I would hope that anyone who was going to do a musical would have enough sense to make sure that they had the right people to start with before they even began the rehearsal procedure. No argument from me there at all.

I agree completely that community theatre doesn't have to be rubbish because people aren't being paid. However I will also tell you that the community theatre must and has to cater for the people who want to do it because they love it. For the ones who are in it to improve and to learn and to grow then I applaud them totally and I hope that they stay around long enough to pass their knowledge on to others. For the ones who are there to have fun , well that is their right. I don't agree that I should have to pay to see people simply having fun on stage , no matter how bad their acting is, however, if clubs wish to allow them to do so, then that is their choice too.

C-Wrap

Author: Labrug
Date: 18/01/2009 - 22:09

Did I say 'Crap'? No I did not. Did I say resource challenged? I'm pretty sure that is what I implied. Did I say that there were no musos who would do it for no pay? No I did not. Did I indicate that they were 'hard to find.' I think that was the idea.

Your point about having someone capable is in large true of ALL genres, not just Musicals. Yet if we (as in the royal 'We') were to never do any show (Drama, Musical, Shakespeare, etc) unless we had someone capable, then I think there would be very little theatre at all.

People do it because they want to, which in a way makes the whole arguement rather mute. No matter how valid your statement may or may not be, no-one will ever be able to stop others from utlimately dong what they Want to do. So we could bandy back and forth about it for years to come, I doubt that things are going to change. People will keep on doing musicals, comedies, alternate, whatever because they want to do it.

Hey, you are entitled to your opinion and (don't get me wrong) I have no desire to deny you, or anyone else that right. My personal opinion is that your point of view is perhaps a little to unforgiving for the industry your are addressing. Community Theatre is a chance for people to experience, learn and develop skills, as well as find a little enjoyment.

Absit invidia (and DFT No no no )

Jeff Watkins

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Sorry? You (and several people you know) DEMAND it?

Author: jmuzz
Date: 18/01/2009 - 15:10

Well get off your bloody soapbox and do one of these excellent musicals you wish to be seen and stop crying about it!!!
Apathetic bloody walter.
You can whinge when you DO what you DEMAND of others.
It always amuses me that those who criticise the state of Perth theatre seem to want others to raise their standards whilst providing no evidence that they've done anything of substance themselves todate. I guess thats the problem you'll face if you post anonymously genius.

From one muso to another

Author: Coffeechill
Date: 19/01/2009 - 15:41

Wow Walter Muso ummmm but of an overreaction there. I'm shocked that you responded so strongly to a mere "wanted" ad. Noone else would react the same way if the "wanted" ad was requiring a hired hand, or an apprentice.

That being said, I agree in theory to your comment. Being a bit of a music purist myself, I kinda feel that one shouldn't start rehearsals for a musical without acquiring a pianist first. In fact, in a perfect, more professional world MD's would be accomplished pianists as well as the other "bells and whistles" but this is amateur theatre. People like that don't grow on trees, even professionally, let alone amateur.

As someone who makes a professional living solely out of playing piano, I have to say that I would still be willing to do shows for free, given the right one. For the mere fact that I love the overall experience. And I'm not alone. I know of plenty of professional pianists who take the "biggest pay cut of all" simply for the thrill. But when KTW claims that they've "exhausted all avenues", I believe it. Doing shows for free is one thing, but when it starts to cost you an arm and a leg (petrol, food, having to forego other gigs) then there should be some sort of reimbursement in the form of, say, an honorarium. Something that doesn't necessarily mean you got paid, but brings you back on an even keel, rather than in the red, so to speak. Kwinana is a blessed long way away for some people so, unless you can do either one of two things: 1. Pay the pianist a small amount to cover the fuel or 2. Find someone who lives locally then maybe musicals aren't appropriate for the theatre.

And before anyone goes and complains about having to pay the musicians I'll say this. I act on stage wayyyy more than I play in the pit ('cause I prefer it) and I've seen it from both points-of-view. I believe strongly that, if you want to have a GREAT band, you have to offer something. Some talented musos will do it for the after party (I know of several, you crazy cats), some wont do it without some form of payment. You've got to accept the fact that, quite often, they're the professionals, not you.

I suggest you dont

Author: Reg Henry (not verified)
Date: 19/01/2009 - 16:03

Walter Walter Walter

One wonders if you have even met or worked with Cat Baxter. If you have then you would know that she is both a lovely and talented lady (hmmm think a show that she musically directed received a Finlay nomination this year)

Rehearsals have not started yet for this production and like all theatre productions Cat is merely in the process of trying to procure talent for the show.

I for one am a person that can deal with criticism and in know way profess to know everything about everything. I do however believe that everyone should be given a chance which clearly you are unable to do.

Hmm....I thought the idea of the classifieds was a forum to find people who may be interested. It surely is not possible to know every talented person in Perth.

I am sure you would agree that Perth has many talented people involved in the performing arts and thanks to this site one has the chance to find some of them.

So good luck Cat in finding a talented and entertaining cast.

In the mean time Walter I welcome a list of the people you think should only be allowed to perform musical theatre in Perth.

Remember the list must include more that your own name. I do believe that there is a line in Fiddler on the Roof that says a Rabbi that must praise himself has a congregation of one.

Until we next cross swords Walter

the show you are referring

Author: alias (not verified)
Date: 19/01/2009 - 20:11

the show you are referring to was Seussical, and it was nominated for best costumes, and cheoragher.

I have worked with Cat, and trust me she knows what she wants, and is an entertainer in her own field.

And yes I believe the show is not on so she is trying to get it all organised give her a break instead of whinging how about putting your thinking hat on, and try and see if you can help in any way

I dont know of any one, sorry

25/01/2009 - 19:42 Sister-in-crime (not verified) Oliver

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