tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7202906.post4567047634757997630..comments2024-02-18T19:36:43.844+11:00Comments on theatre notes: MTC TheatreAlison Croggonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08398213223487458758noreply@blogger.comBlogger13125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7202906.post-2229267301850792872009-09-15T22:14:21.741+10:002009-09-15T22:14:21.741+10:00It's embarrassingly long - there's still a...It's embarrassingly long - there's still a margin to be cut for the purposes of generalisation!<br /><br />STC is not as uniformly excellent as we Melburnians may think from the touring shows. The company produces its fair share of theatre to go with a dinner in town. However, it's indisputable it has also produced some of the best theatre the country has seen recently: War of the Janahttp://guerrillasemiotics.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7202906.post-6846815862897552212009-09-14T22:38:49.601+10:002009-09-14T22:38:49.601+10:00That's a really good brisk summary, Jana, and ...That's a really good brisk summary, Jana, and certainly chimes with my notions of what goes on in the two cities. I am wondering if the STC is heading more to MTC-style mainstream, tho.Alison Croggonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08398213223487458758noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7202906.post-44667699330346333272009-09-14T20:22:59.760+10:002009-09-14T20:22:59.760+10:00I'll add a note to this discussion, since gene...I'll add a note to this discussion, since generalisation is my forte.<br /><br />Melbourne has a robust independent theatre community, and is very good at hybrid form, at liminal, mongrel theatre. Hayloft Project (cut-up classics), Suitcase Royale (music/stand-up/theatre), Chunky Move (technology eats the dancer), playwrights such as Lally Katz (suburban surrealism). Melbourne excels at Janahttp://www.sparkonline.com.aunoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7202906.post-16923620029368895682009-09-11T15:26:04.152+10:002009-09-11T15:26:04.152+10:00I'm happy to admit to being spoilt. And even h...I'm happy to admit to being spoilt. And even happier to hear voices from Brisbane here.Alison Croggonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08398213223487458758noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7202906.post-50486822393121323912009-09-11T13:20:32.460+10:002009-09-11T13:20:32.460+10:00Oh, but I AM from Brisbane. Hence the comment abou...Oh, but I AM from Brisbane. Hence the comment about them all being spoilt.<br /><br />Certainly agree with your comments. Have been to everything QTC has put on and the only really impressive stuff has been imported works.<br /><br />We'll have to catch up and bemoan together. :-)Jasonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07426164442182655675noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7202906.post-25048522821308427782009-09-11T12:57:59.960+10:002009-09-11T12:57:59.960+10:00Hey guys, just be glad you don't live in Brisb...Hey guys, just be glad you don't live in Brisbane, where the state theatre company's home (The Bille Brown Studio) sits below a rail-bridge and will soon be made completely redundant by the Hale St link (cue massive traffic noises). And don't talk to me about artistic innovation and risk on the main stages - biggest risk QTC has taken this year is programming plays with more than fourAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7202906.post-65136426668204719862009-09-10T22:16:27.257+10:002009-09-10T22:16:27.257+10:00I agree, it's terribly difficult to generalise...I agree, it's terribly difficult to generalise between cities. However, a direct comparison between the STC and the MTC does lead you to conclude that there is (or at least, there has been) more space for mainstage experimentation there that there hasn't been here. (SOS, WOT and WOR - sorry for the acronyms - were all programmed on Robyn Nevin's watch, maybe modelling the STC more on Alison Croggonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08398213223487458758noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7202906.post-24002902803413651042009-09-10T18:35:33.428+10:002009-09-10T18:35:33.428+10:00Risks are fine, but not for the sake of it perhaps...Risks are fine, but not for the sake of it perhaps. Always a balance between being innovative artistically but still accessible.<br /><br />The wonderful thing about Melbourne theatre, and perhaps this is the real advantage over Sydney, is that arguably more people embrace it. There is more of a 'theatre culture' in the town. You don't want to alienate people with terribly earnest Jasonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07426164442182655675noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7202906.post-21383987636594758672009-09-10T18:11:06.215+10:002009-09-10T18:11:06.215+10:00Rebecca- I'm aware of the origin of both those...Rebecca- I'm aware of the origin of both those shows. And although Blanchett and Nevin were in those shows, they would have sold well regardless, as they were both incredible pieces of theatre, and directed by Andrews and Koksy. I'm not saying they shouldn't tour here, or our shows there, but Sarsparilla and Women of Troy were widely considered the best mainstage shows programmed in Gilligannoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7202906.post-77887926104479478322009-09-10T17:01:42.618+10:002009-09-10T17:01:42.618+10:00Gillian - Malthouse did Women of Troy and MTC boug...Gillian - Malthouse did Women of Troy and MTC bought Sarsaparilla - so we did see those down this way. And i reckon if War of the Roses sold it would be in part because STC has Cate Blanchett, superstar AD who can perform in whatever she likes and people will purchase. Mukinupin was also a sydney (belvoir) show. Poor Boy also went to sydney. I seem to constantly hear sydneysiders bitching about Rebeccanoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7202906.post-86146178141199081752009-09-10T16:42:28.016+10:002009-09-10T16:42:28.016+10:00Thanks Jason and Gilligan. Aside from our differen...Thanks Jason and Gilligan. Aside from our differences - AOC doesn't get my vote for great theatre, although it certainly had some great performances - I too hope that artistic gap will start closing. I guess it's worth remembering that War of the Roses and Sarsaparilla came about because Robyn Nevin kept programming Benedict Andrews even though his earlier work did very bad box office Alison Croggonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08398213223487458758noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7202906.post-21714995001886749022009-09-10T15:00:22.055+10:002009-09-10T15:00:22.055+10:00Great story Alison,
Yes, both theatre's are a...Great story Alison,<br /><br />Yes, both theatre's are amazing, but it's a shame all four plays in the Sumner have been duds (I know you will disagree on this). I understand that the MTC is going through a period of change crucial to its future, and you have to congratulate Simon Phillips on his guidance. But it's a bit painful when you go and sit in what is certainly the best theatreGilligannoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7202906.post-11808684691023730862009-09-10T10:01:57.141+10:002009-09-10T10:01:57.141+10:00Nice piece, Alison.
Agree the Sumner Theatre is a...Nice piece, Alison.<br /><br />Agree the Sumner Theatre is a wonderful space. Saw Poor Boy there and the design was immersing.<br /><br />Certainly beats the dark and dingy Drama Theatre at the Opera House, which I visited for the first time recently. Melbourne really is completely spoilt.<br /><br />Jason Whittaker<br /><a href="mailto:jasonawhittaker@gmail.com" rel="nofollow">jasonawhittaker@Jasonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07426164442182655675noreply@blogger.com