This show is the standard by which all others are measured. Based on Shaw's play and Pascal's movie "Pygmalion," with book, music and lyrics by Lerner and Loewe,
MY FAIR LADY is triumphant.
With Wouldn't It Be Loverly?, With a Little Bit of Luck, The Rain in Spain,
I Could Have Danced All Night, On the Street Where You Live,
Get Me to the Church on Time and I've Grown Accustomed to Her Face
it's no wonder everyone-not just Henry Higgins-falls in love with Eliza Doolittle.
Starring Karen Oliver as Eliza Doolittle and Peter Gray as Professor Higgins.
And joined by a 36 strong ensemble of talented actors and singers. It is one performance not to be missed! Join us in July at Twin Towns Showroom Bookings 1800 014 014
James from Mercury's Wings here. I would like to say good on you Joel for setting this up! You are a champion for us all!
My comments are in no way meant to upset or offend, only to spark some useful discussion.
I would like to get us started by talking about the "Cultural Desert" comment that seems to dog us here on the GC. Where does the comment come from?
Is it from within our own community? Is it from disgruntled artists? I know I have seen a few of them around. The "what is the GCCC gonna do for me!" crowd. Are these the people that are perpetuating this comment?
Or is from outside the GC? I once had a conversation with a chap from Melbourne who was part of a Shakespeare company (name left out of course, not that important anyway...) and when asked why his company never came the GC his response was "all they want on the GC is 4X beer and dwarf throwing". Is that what they think of us? and what can we do to reverse this seeming imbalance?
Great question James! I've wondered who first bestowed this title on us as well and whether it is fact or misconception or a combination of both. Here's some stuff to season the discussion. In 2002 a Brisbane based Marketing and PR company, after researching this very issue, concluded that "it is clear that there is a strong perception in the market that the Gold Coast has minimal cultural product. This opinion is held locally, throughout the region and within the southern market in particular." This was also the findings of the Gold Coast Tourism Burea. As the saying sort of goes "truth sticks, poo doesn't!" if this perception was created by a self-sabotaging group of disgruntled artists then why can't we seem to shake it? Whether we like it or not, and we don't, the Gold Coast is not perceived as a landmark of any value in the cultural landscape of Australia, and why worry some would say when we have a physical landscape to rival any place in the world, let alone Australia. There are lots of reasons why we should worry, desperately worry, but there's not one that we can't overcome. Almost all cities, including Melbourne and Adelaide, were at one time culturally shapeless, seriously do the research, it's part of a city's development and growth towards an identity. Our problem is not that we are a wasteland but that we have stayed too long in our early stages of cultural development. Yes, there are growth spurts, like the one we're experiencing under the innovative management of Destry Puia, but until the whole body grows as one, we will remain the strangely proportioned gangly awkward cultural adolescent that we have for too long been. If anyone thinks the Gold Coast is short of talent then they obviously don't get out much but showcasing our homegrown talent is not the answer (in my humble opinon) to developing our own strong and perceivable cultural identity. I don't pretend to know the answer but I suspect it has something to do with solidarity, vision and just sheer bloody mindedness. Let's stop telling people how good we are and just be good, let's stop pushing the arts and start living them, in short, let's grow up and let's not let anyone, regardless of their opposition or arguments, tell us we can't. A Festival of the Arts would be a fantastic idea...oh wait, it's already on the planning table for 2012! Husar!
By the way Joel, you're an absolute hero and my inspiration!
James from Mercury's Wings again! Nice to see another follower of the blog! Please tell your friends! Comment on the arts on the GC.
I will be holding a weekend workshop in the Suzuki Actor Training Method and Frank Theatre Performance Aesthetics on June 26 and 27 from 10am until 2pm in Nerang. Cost $110 for the two days.
The workshops are challenging and fun. You must be 16 years or older to attend and be in good health/physically fit and up for a challenge.
This work will give you tools to increase your onstage energy, intensity and sensitivity.
This workshop will also be stage one of development of a new "Macbeth" that Mercury's Wings is looking to produce.
Great comments Amanda! I was recently exposed to the idea that the GC is place struggling to know itself. I myself, have remained silent on these issues for a long time. I prefer to "do the thing" rather than talk about it. But have decided to have a say, for the time being anyway.
One thing that I think could holding us back is that there has been no touring companies coming to the GC. No big shows, and when on the odd occasion they do come they are not here for very long. I think we are all hoping that all that changes with the new Arts Centre. I feel it will.
I also know that there has been limited investment in the GC theatre scene from place like Australia Council and Arts Qld. However if all the "data" suggests that we are a desert or "dessert" as the case may be, why would they support us.
That is changing, however, Mercury's Wings has received money from Arts Qld and is now looking towards the Australia Council for funding for a project with the ACGC in 2011.
All is looking up, but we need this debate to continue.
I just had a further thought about our culture. We have culture, there is no doubt about that, it's the type of culture we have that seems to be the issue. If you like beaches, Rugby, AFL, Nightclubs etc then this is the place for you.
I think that the cultural desert comment comes from people who are wishing that the GC was more like Sydney or Melbourne, lots of shows on etc etc. However these places are major metropolitan areas, capital cities and for the most part the GC has always been a regional holiday destination. That is changing as the GC grows.
These cities also have major professional companies that are supported by government funding and corporate sponsors. The GC has never had that. They also have vast infrastructures and many more people to draw on. (They can even put posters up for events, something very hard to do here!) If you look at a list of Australian plays you would hard pressed to find a play about the GC. Far North Qld, cane cutters and farmers but not many stories about the GC, about us.
One way for us to start to get to know who we are and develop an identity or voice that is valid and separate from the other capitals is if we tell stories about ourselves. Stories about the people that live here. We rarely get the chance see ourselves on stage here, we see our people on stage telling stories from other places and other times. I'm not saying these are not valid, Mercury's Wings does it too, but we need to see our own stories being told. Not necessarily for others to see how "valid" we are, but for us, for our community.
There must be some great stories out there waiting to be told and I know there are some great writers that live here.
Fantastic idea James and insightful points! (My, this is a friendly blog...where have all the dissenters gone? Sydney perhaps?) Stories are the keepsakes of our identity and the a legacy that time can't destroy. Oh dear, that sounded a bit grand, but anyone who's researched their family history and discovered a previously unknown truth knows the potential that stories can have to empower us, inspire us and define us. Stories that unite can be starkly diverse, the common thread in our stories is not found in the content, it's found in the telling. This is a great concept and could be developed in so many ways. Well done Mercury's Wings.
I agree that there are those who'd like us to morph into sunny versions of Sydney or Melbourne. I won't pretend I don't envy their comparative smorgasbord of events but we live in the land of inspiration. The yawning ocean at our doorstep and the coddling mountains in our backyard. I live in suburbia and literally have kangaroos in my backyard! KANGAROOS!
The Gold Coast is showing signs of growing up, perhaps not as quickly as we would like or as painlessley as we would hope, but there's a stirring of the waters, a resounding but healthy discontentment...it's either forward or backward, there is not standing still.
Throwing another potential reason into the ring to explain our delayed growth (or is it still just James, Joel and myself?), does anyone think that our highly segregated local government structure inhibits a 'whole of the Coast' approach to developing the Arts?
People talk about these things during coffee breaks at funding workshops and end of year get togethers, it's so good to put these issues out there into an open forum (well slightly ajar forum at the moment).
I leave you with perhaps the most profound car sticker I ever read "Nothing changes if nothing changes." I know...wow!
It would appear from the outside that the council finds it hard to agree on things, especially when the arts are concerned. Politicians are all for culture, they love to say how much they have "done" for culture in their region. What they do in real terms is sometimes quite different. When it comes to putting their money where their mouth is the reality is quite different.
However, Mercury's Wings has experienced some wonderful support from GCCC, through the RADF and through Councilor Susie Douglas, who is our patron.
There are always many reasons for why certain things are funded and some are not. For instance, I hate the fact that the new GC AFL side is getting so much money etc etc but at the same time realise WHY they are important to culture on the GC, along with the Titans and the Blaze, however I feel that artistic culture is just as important as our sport culture.
Let's hear from some more people!!! I am going to keep on posting my thoughts in the hope that this groundswell for the arts will grow and prosper....
Am I changing my mind about wether or not we need a 2000 seat venue on the GC? Is it the “Field of Dreams – If you build it they will come”? The argument seems sound enough, that if we want to bring the big shows to the GC then we need a venue that supports large audiences and large-scale productions.
I have often asked myself why the GC has been denied Bell Shakespeare and Sydney Theatre Company productions. Was it something to do with the near-sighted management that formerly ran the Arts Centre? Did the Arts Centre not have the facilities? Or was it us? Did we not support them? Did we not attend? We can’t complain about them not coming if we didn’t turn out in droves to see them.
If we are to build a “culture” (that word again) then I feel the onus is on us to support that culture. Not just those of us already go to things, but the wider community, spreading the word about a great show. If somebody is trying something new, pushing the boundaries of convention, then we should go along a have a look, develop a culture of inquiry, interest, a fascination with new things.
Im just going to keep on posting in the hope that something will happen!
Here I go again...
And speaking of how we are viewed by the rest of the country and the world, did anyone see the computer mock-up of the side of Tom Tate’s building in the bulletin? I was disappointed to see that a man ‘who-would-be-mayor’ thought that this would be a good idea. I think the meter maids are a fun thing that the GC happens to have, a bit of titillation for tourists, but what Tom is maybe missing is that we would have to see the ‘mural’ (I hesitate to use that word as there are many mural artists who would strongly disagree with it), everyday!! As far as tourists go, I feel it would confirm their suspicions that the GC is a shallow and vain place that has nothing to offer culturally except beaches, bars, and boobs.
I was at the GC Theatre Alliance meeting on the weekend and there was talk of a one-act play festival. Great! Great! Great! There has been talk of a theatre festival here for a long time and this may be the to get started. I would love to have a large festival here on the coast that is akin to Sydney or Melbourne, but we cannot shoot to high too fast. The logistics are enormous and then finding someone to co-ordinate the event, and trying to have them paid for their work would be a festival in itself.
My initial feeling is that it should be a local/regional festival with only local groups. This may provide incentive for local artists to become involved. Maybe there is a cutting edge group out there or a group of actors who could pool their resources to put a short play on.
Let’s start small, with the one-act play festival and then expand it to include other things. Before you know it we will have a festival, complete with corporate sponsors! Maybe the GC Bulletin or Sunland Group will support the idea with a few dollars. Sahba Abedian mentioned in the Bulletin that we needed to embrace the culture of our city more and that people should not have to travel to Brisbane or Sydney for entertainment. Right On! My thought also! It would be nice too see. Sunland obviously has the resources to make a large contribution to the support of local culture and maybe that would inspire others to get on board. However, there has to be something here for them to go and see first! I can’t wait for ‘The Space’ at the ACGC to open for shows!!
As I have said here before, this is about us coming together as a community to develop the artistic culture of the GC, for benefit of us all. No more committees that basically waste money and where nobody can ever agree on anything. The Evandale Precinct is a great idea, but the committee could not agree on anything, and in the end they had to disband. Is it because nobody has the guts to be the boss? To say “Let’s get started on stage one people!” rather trying appease other people’s self interests. Is it ever the “right” time to have a baby or get married? No! You just go for it and work out the details as you go. People who deliberate fully before stepping off, will spend their lives on one leg.
You know I was worried that I was starting to hog the blog (I'd apologise for that inexcusable pun but it seems like there's nobody reading these comments anyway) and dropped out for a bit. I very much hope this vacuous silence in cyberspace is not indicative of anything other than the fact that people haven't opened their emails to find the link.
But enough of that! I am like you James, I have my doubts about the immediate value of a 2000 seat theatre. I say "immediate" because I believe that such a thing will be essential eventually, my question is is it essential now? Is the rationale based on evidence or hope or just "hey, look at my big theatre!". I'm sure it's not the latter, I'm just being cheeky.
I've been told tours don't come here because we're all happy to drive to Brisbane...how do they know we're happy to drive to Brisbane? Was there a survey that I missed! I think in fact this is the "nice" answer, the truth is an unpleasant conglomerate of upbringing, expectation and agendas. Gosh, I sound cynical sometimes...I'm really not, really! And yes, it's our fault as well. Though I'm less a fan of BSTC than I used to be (can I say that and not be assassinated?) I would give anything to have STC or so many other touring acts drop in for just one night. The cast and crew can stay at my place, they could even visit with our kangaroos!
A One Act Play Festival is a fabulous idea. Ipswish and Noosa have been doing them for years and with growing success, especially Noosa's. Are you serious James or is this just fodder to get us talking? Is the alliance holding another meeting to discuss this possibility further?
I am convinced as you are that a large festival cannot happen without a significant amount of road breaking. A regionally based one act play festival would be just the thing to stir the waters and see how far we can swim in it. (Goodness, I'm full of it today!) Where do I sign up?
We will have a Festival of the Arts, so there's no question of that, but I agree that we have to prove faithful in the small things first. At the same time I don't think we have to address all the cultural inadequacies of our hometown before moving ahead and I wonder if some are giving too much energy to this. I agree James, let's just do it. I'd rather see us make spectacular mistakes than live in the security of mediocrity.
On an up note, doesn't his junior theatre project that the Arts Centre have running look great! A play, without music, dancing and American accents? Our young people will be in shock! At last! Was this a Destry idea?
I haven't heard about the Arts Centre junior project, i couldn't see it on the webpage.
Maybe it's just you and me because people are afraid to comment as they are afraid to have an opinion about the arts here, they don't want to be ostracised by the "group". This is a community that takes a while to to catch on...but when they do hopefully the feeling will be positive.
The hardest thing can be to stay positive, being critical is easy, and I have tried not to be critical about "people/groups" and rather focus on what I see as the essential elements for this culture to evolve. I certainly don't want to monopolise this forum, but I will until others come on board.
I would like to shift the discussion towards a different sort of culture and see what that brings.
I have been working with Frank Theatre for the last six years. Frank is a “culture”, it is a theatre company, but at its core it is a culture. Like a good football or rugby team, it functions at its best when all members are functioning at their maximum for the good of the group.
We train in the Suzuki Actor Training Method and the Frank/Suzuki Performance Aesthetics. We are all bound together by the training we receive. It is a system that trains actor’s bodies and minds. It operates to make the actor more grounded and inside their body. The process of grounding has an important benefit, inspiration. The culture of the training is such that no-one is more important than anyone else. On the training floor we are all under similar physical duress, thus the actor is in the process of eliminating habitual patterns of speaking and moving from the body and in a more open state to receive or cultivate inspiration. In this state the actor cannot be in service to their ego, they cannot be, as many actors are, more important than the thing itself. The culture at Frank is that we are all on a personal journey towards self-definition, self-definition for ourselves as individuals outside the group and also self-definition as it relates to or supports the collective of Frank Theatre.
It sounds like a cult! There are aspects that could be considered cult-like, but to label it as that would be too easy. The motto at Frank is “For Those With Spirit”, and it is something I feel very deeply, so deep in fact that I had it tattooed on my body, a physical and metaphorical commitment to the journey that I am on. “For Those With Spirit”, do you have the spirit required to come with us on this journey of self -discovery? Are you willing to search for something unknown and non-quantifiable? I have seen many come and go over the years and to be sure what do at Frank is not for everyone, it requires dedication, passion and immense internal fortitude. On the training room floor you are faced with yourself in-extremis. What will you do when you get to your terminal velocity? Implode or evolve? Evolution is the goal, however if you implode, do you have what it takes to get up, dust off and keep going? Because that too, is evolution.
Culture is not something that just ‘happens’, it must and can be cultivated. The culture at Frank, as a final note, is something that is always evolving and what we do is always being investigated, interrogated and stretched in order that we may grow as individuals inside a positive collective.
Thank you James and Amanda for getting the juices going. I think that you have nutted out a solution to contributing to a visible performing arts kulture for our region. The Nike solution - just do it!
This month, I am posting some thoughts about a short play festival of our own.
I would also like to hear from some committed performance arts thinkers such as JRO and JA (you know who you are)
I do not believe a one act or short play season would be beneficial to the coast- as it says in this blog Ipswich and Noosa already have successful festivals. Why compete? Expand the range of thinking to an Arts or Cultural festival that is unique, that would bring community interest with it. The biggest struggle of any theatrical enterprise is public awareness, and that is usually achieved by paid advertising and thusly an expensive thing- there is little support for the performing arts within the local media, and the little there is, is being slowly eroded away- Thankyou ABC? Yes they will report on dwarf throwing but leave most of the Arts scene alone. To gain the respect of other theatrical centres the media has to be involved actively &(pardon the pun) on the same page. If the members of the Alliance were truly working together it could be a formidable force- raise the community awareness and all benefit, but it seems to be the members are more focused on what they can get rather than what they can acheive. A 2000 seat auditorium shows forward planning but that will not necessarily bring shows here to the Coast, some companies (realistically with the cost of venues and touring in general) would prefer a smaller 500 - 600 seat venue. Something we do not have here. As a professional arts Industry worker I spend a lot of time away from the GC, but whenever I am here there is talk of a professional company. I think the GC can sustain a professional company but it would have to be built on a solid commercial base, prove yourself financially and then the sponsors and patrons will come- like any other business. It would have to be successful commercially first and that would mean catering to the theatregoing public taste. (Did somebody say kookaburra?) This is not an artistic sellout. Just sound business principle- establish a clientele with what they want then gradually lead them where you want to be. One question though- where would a pro company base on the coast? there are no alternate venues, though God knows there are enough unused buildings that could be used to good effect though I doubt the GCCC will make any of these available and/ or fit them out. A cultural precinct or an arts ghetto? Why should any endeavour on behalf of the arts be limited to a certain area?
Some great points here! Thank you for joining the blog! I would like to respond to some of your comments.
“anfortas21k said... I do not believe a one act or short play season would be beneficial to the coast- as it says in this blog Ipswich and Noosa already have successful festivals. Why compete? Expand the range of thinking to an Arts or Cultural festival that is unique, that would bring community interest with it. ”
Yes Ipswich and Noosa do have successful festivals, but who from the Gold Coast is going to drive there to see them. The main idea of the festival is to get local groups involved, a community building exercise if you will. Supported by the Arts Centre it could be the start of something bigger. A bigger festival takes more time and more people and of course more money, we are thinking of starting small and building from there. Why compete? It is not about competition, it is about the GC theatre community doing something for the cultural life of the GC and that being of benefit to us all, I don’t care what Ipswich does…
“If the members of the Alliance were truly working together it could be a formidable force- raise the community awareness and all benefit, but it seems to be the members are more focused on what they can get rather than what they can acheive.”
That’s a bold statement! Are you a member of the Alliance? I am, and I am not in it for what I can get, as there is nothing to get! The Alliance is run on a shoestring, a very short shoestring! They work together for the community and many of the great things that happen on the GC in regards to theatre they are involved in. Come to a meeting one day and see how it works. The reason we even had ABC coverage for 6 years was due to the Alliance.
“As a professional arts Industry worker I spend a lot of time away from the GC, but whenever I am here there is talk of a professional company. I think the GC can sustain a professional company but it would have to be built on a solid commercial base, prove yourself financially and then the sponsors and patrons will come- like any other business. It would have to be successful commercially first and that would mean catering to the theatregoing public taste.”
Your first sentence has got me worried, you're an arts worker and you spend most of your time away from the GC? Hmmmmm….Proving yourself financially? What world do you live in? That is almost impossible to do first. I don’t think Bell Shakespeare was doing big dollar profits and then the sponsors came along, they started very slowly in a tent! The theatre is not like any other business. Why do I need a sponsor if I am commercially successful? Also what is the point of putting out the same style of show in order to “please” the public? Sure, I understand “bums-on-seats” shows but what about trusting your audience and building their trust in you, and showing them something different, something challenging, something that reflects them? If I do the same old shows and then decide to hit them with a “different” show then I am more likely to alienate them, but if they know what the deal right from the start then the shock of the new is not so hard to deal with.
A cultural precinct I hear you say? Right On!!! If only the council could agree on something long enough to get it started. Instead of forming committees and sub-committees and committees for the committees etc etc. We have the Broadwater Precinct, but that is totally un-usable for theatre (bad stage, no dressing rooms, bad positioning of electrics) and it costs too much for any local group to use. For a big “event” day or bands it may be fine, but for theatre, not so good. Mercury’s Wings looked at it for our Twelfth Night at the end of the year, and it took Jennifer Flowers 10 seconds to decide it was wrong! I kid you not 10 seconds!
Thanks for your comments anfortas21k, please spend more time here on the coast! We need as many people passionate about this as we can get. We can always use someone to help plan the one-act play fest! Cheers James
Hi anfortas, Thank you for taking the time to add to the blog. I just read what you wrote and would really like to clarify a couple of things. There is a new space at the Arts Centre being developed as we speak called "The Space" and the new management are really proactive in supporting what we are doing - I'm with Mercury's Wings Theatre Company. I really really want to mention the Theatre Alliance. We are all on there as volunteers - some doing more than others clearly. The amount of time we spend trying to build the arts on the coast is immense!!!!!!!!! I have had a 10 yr career in Europe and trained at NIDA LAMDA - but wow is it hard to get things going here! I'm not sure what more is expected from volunteers, already devoting loads of time and money. Would you like to help? Sincerely: we can really do with professionals like you! Truly - there is a great spirit of cooperation in the GCTA - I don't know if it has always been that - but the valiant dedication of people like Joel Beskin, Annie Lotocki, Ian Young and many more, are the reason we can do what we do.... Um re commercial venture - gee that would be great - wonder we haven't thought of that.... no but seriously.... I'm afraid that is very unlikely. Of course of course we would love to be commercially viable, and certainly that is a definite aim - but not really possible just yet. For me - I want my kids to not have to go to Brisbane for professional theatre. It's great the arts centre is now bringing in QTC, Bell Shakespeare. i would also like a local opportunity for all the talent of our region - wouldn't that be great! Anyway - if you are interested, I would welcome further discussion. best Claudine
Interesting that there has been little response from anyone towards anything that has been said so far? Be brave and bold, have a say...!
I had a great workshop over that last 2 days. Thanks to all that came! It has reinforced in me the power of the body in acting and how it NEEDS to be connected to the voice!
Some great work done on Macbeth and I look forward to finding some actors for the ongoing training and rehearsal of the show...
Any takers? You get training and rehearsal and hopefully a show and even better might be money!!(provided there are people to witness the grand event!)
Hello from GoTweedHeads.com.au! We were poking around looking for events to add to our Noticeboard and found your site. Well done, your putting much needed culture into our region. Keep up the great work and let's exchange links!
TWEED THEATRE COMPANY INC.
ReplyDeletePresents
My Fair Lady
Directed by Tracey Kriz
When: Friday 9 July at 11.00am and 7.30pm
Saturday 10 July and Sunday 11 July at 2.00pm
Bookings Open NOW
This show is the standard by which all others are measured. Based on Shaw's play and Pascal's movie "Pygmalion," with book, music and lyrics by Lerner and Loewe,
MY FAIR LADY is triumphant.
With Wouldn't It Be Loverly?, With a Little Bit of Luck, The Rain in Spain,
I Could Have Danced All Night, On the Street Where You Live,
Get Me to the Church on Time and I've Grown Accustomed to Her Face
it's no wonder everyone-not just Henry Higgins-falls in love with Eliza Doolittle.
Starring Karen Oliver as Eliza Doolittle and Peter Gray as Professor Higgins.
And joined by a 36 strong ensemble of talented actors and singers.
It is one performance not to be missed!
Join us in July at Twin Towns Showroom
Bookings 1800 014 014
Hi All,
ReplyDeleteJames from Mercury's Wings here. I would like to say good on you Joel for setting this up! You are a champion for us all!
My comments are in no way meant to upset or offend, only to spark some useful discussion.
I would like to get us started by talking about the "Cultural Desert" comment that seems to dog us here on the GC. Where does the comment come from?
Is it from within our own community? Is it from disgruntled artists? I know I have seen a few of them around. The "what is the GCCC gonna do for me!" crowd. Are these the people that are perpetuating this comment?
Or is from outside the GC? I once had a conversation with a chap from Melbourne who was part of a Shakespeare company (name left out of course, not that important anyway...) and when asked why his company never came the GC his response was "all they want on the GC is 4X beer and dwarf throwing". Is that what they think of us? and what can we do to reverse this seeming imbalance?
Cheers for now,
James
Great question James! I've wondered who first bestowed this title on us as well and whether it is fact or misconception or a combination of both. Here's some stuff to season the discussion. In 2002 a Brisbane based Marketing and PR company, after researching this very issue, concluded that "it is clear that there is a strong perception in the market that the Gold Coast has minimal cultural product. This opinion is held locally, throughout the region and within the southern market in particular." This was also the findings of the Gold Coast Tourism Burea. As the saying sort of goes "truth sticks, poo doesn't!" if this perception was created by a self-sabotaging group of disgruntled artists then why can't we seem to shake it? Whether we like it or not, and we don't, the Gold Coast is not perceived as a landmark of any value in the cultural landscape of Australia, and why worry some would say when we have a physical landscape to rival any place in the world, let alone Australia. There are lots of reasons why we should worry, desperately worry, but there's not one that we can't overcome. Almost all cities, including Melbourne and Adelaide, were at one time culturally shapeless, seriously do the research, it's part of a city's development and growth towards an identity. Our problem is not that we are a wasteland but that we have stayed too long in our early stages of cultural development. Yes, there are growth spurts, like the one we're experiencing under the innovative management of Destry Puia, but until the whole body grows as one, we will remain the strangely proportioned gangly awkward cultural adolescent that we have for too long been. If anyone thinks the Gold Coast is short of talent then they obviously don't get out much but showcasing our homegrown talent is not the answer (in my humble opinon) to developing our own strong and perceivable cultural identity. I don't pretend to know the answer but I suspect it has something to do with solidarity, vision and just sheer bloody mindedness. Let's stop telling people how good we are and just be good, let's stop pushing the arts and start living them, in short, let's grow up and let's not let anyone, regardless of their opposition or arguments, tell us we can't. A Festival of the Arts would be a fantastic idea...oh wait, it's already on the planning table for 2012! Husar!
ReplyDeleteBy the way Joel, you're an absolute hero and my inspiration!
Cheers,
Amanda Price
Hi All,
ReplyDeleteJames from Mercury's Wings again! Nice to see another follower of the blog! Please tell your friends! Comment on the arts on the GC.
I will be holding a weekend workshop in the Suzuki Actor Training Method and Frank Theatre Performance Aesthetics on June 26 and 27 from 10am until 2pm in Nerang. Cost $110 for the two days.
The workshops are challenging and fun. You must be 16 years or older to attend and be in good health/physically fit and up for a challenge.
This work will give you tools to increase your onstage energy, intensity and sensitivity.
This workshop will also be stage one of development of a new "Macbeth" that Mercury's Wings is looking to produce.
www.mercuryswings.com.au for more details.
Cheers for now,
James
Great comments Amanda! I was recently exposed to the idea that the GC is place struggling to know itself. I myself, have remained silent on these issues for a long time. I prefer to "do the thing" rather than talk about it. But have decided to have a say, for the time being anyway.
ReplyDeleteOne thing that I think could holding us back is that there has been no touring companies coming to the GC. No big shows, and when on the odd occasion they do come they are not here for very long. I think we are all hoping that all that changes with the new Arts Centre. I feel it will.
I also know that there has been limited investment in the GC theatre scene from place like Australia Council and Arts Qld. However if all the "data" suggests that we are a desert or "dessert" as the case may be, why would they support us.
That is changing, however, Mercury's Wings has received money from Arts Qld and is now looking towards the Australia Council for funding for a project with the ACGC in 2011.
All is looking up, but we need this debate to continue.
Have to put my kids to bed, cheers for now.
I just had a further thought about our culture. We have culture, there is no doubt about that, it's the type of culture we have that seems to be the issue. If you like beaches, Rugby, AFL, Nightclubs etc then this is the place for you.
ReplyDeleteI think that the cultural desert comment comes from people who are wishing that the GC was more like Sydney or Melbourne, lots of shows on etc etc. However these places are major metropolitan areas, capital cities and for the most part the GC has always been a regional holiday destination. That is changing as the GC grows.
These cities also have major professional companies that are supported by government funding and corporate sponsors. The GC has never had that. They also have vast infrastructures and many more people to draw on. (They can even put posters up for events, something very hard to do here!) If you look at a list of Australian plays you would hard pressed to find a play about the GC. Far North Qld, cane cutters and farmers but not many stories about the GC, about us.
One way for us to start to get to know who we are and develop an identity or voice that is valid and separate from the other capitals is if we tell stories about ourselves. Stories about the people that live here. We rarely get the chance see ourselves on stage here, we see our people on stage telling stories from other places and other times. I'm not saying these are not valid, Mercury's Wings does it too, but we need to see our own stories being told. Not necessarily for others to see how "valid" we are, but for us, for our community.
There must be some great stories out there waiting to be told and I know there are some great writers that live here.
Fantastic idea James and insightful points! (My, this is a friendly blog...where have all the dissenters gone? Sydney perhaps?) Stories are the keepsakes of our identity and the a legacy that time can't destroy. Oh dear, that sounded a bit grand, but anyone who's researched their family history and discovered a previously unknown truth knows the potential that stories can have to empower us, inspire us and define us. Stories that unite can be starkly diverse, the common thread in our stories is not found in the content, it's found in the telling. This is a great concept and could be developed in so many ways. Well done Mercury's Wings.
ReplyDeleteI agree that there are those who'd like us to morph into sunny versions of Sydney or Melbourne. I won't pretend I don't envy their comparative smorgasbord of events but we live in the land of inspiration. The yawning ocean at our doorstep and the coddling mountains in our backyard. I live in suburbia and literally have kangaroos in my backyard! KANGAROOS!
The Gold Coast is showing signs of growing up, perhaps not as quickly as we would like or as painlessley as we would hope, but there's a stirring of the waters, a resounding but healthy discontentment...it's either forward or backward, there is not standing still.
Throwing another potential reason into the ring to explain our delayed growth (or is it still just James, Joel and myself?), does anyone think that our highly segregated local government structure inhibits a 'whole of the Coast' approach to developing the Arts?
People talk about these things during coffee breaks at funding workshops and end of year get togethers, it's so good to put these issues out there into an open forum (well slightly ajar forum at the moment).
I leave you with perhaps the most profound car sticker I ever read "Nothing changes if nothing changes." I know...wow!
Cheers,
Amanda
It would appear from the outside that the council finds it hard to agree on things, especially when the arts are concerned. Politicians are all for culture, they love to say how much they have "done" for culture in their region. What they do in real terms is sometimes quite different. When it comes to putting their money where their mouth is the reality is quite different.
ReplyDeleteHowever, Mercury's Wings has experienced some wonderful support from GCCC, through the RADF and through Councilor Susie Douglas, who is our patron.
There are always many reasons for why certain things are funded and some are not. For instance, I hate the fact that the new GC AFL side is getting so much money etc etc but at the same time realise WHY they are important to culture on the GC, along with the Titans and the Blaze, however I feel that artistic culture is just as important as our sport culture.
Let's hear from some more people!!! I am going to keep on posting my thoughts in the hope that this groundswell for the arts will grow and prosper....
Am I changing my mind about wether or not we need a 2000 seat venue on the GC? Is it the “Field of Dreams – If you build it they will come”? The argument seems sound enough, that if we want to bring the big shows to the GC then we need a venue that supports large audiences and large-scale productions.
ReplyDeleteI have often asked myself why the GC has been denied Bell Shakespeare and Sydney Theatre Company productions. Was it something to do with the near-sighted management that formerly ran the Arts Centre? Did the Arts Centre not have the facilities? Or was it us? Did we not support them? Did we not attend? We can’t complain about them not coming if we didn’t turn out in droves to see them.
If we are to build a “culture” (that word again) then I feel the onus is on us to support that culture. Not just those of us already go to things, but the wider community, spreading the word about a great show. If somebody is trying something new, pushing the boundaries of convention, then we should go along a have a look, develop a culture of inquiry, interest, a fascination with new things.
Im just going to keep on posting in the hope that something will happen!
ReplyDeleteHere I go again...
And speaking of how we are viewed by the rest of the country and the world, did anyone see the computer mock-up of the side of Tom Tate’s building in the bulletin?
I was disappointed to see that a man ‘who-would-be-mayor’ thought that this would be a good idea. I think the meter maids are a fun thing that the GC happens to have, a bit of titillation for tourists, but what Tom is maybe missing is that we would have to see the ‘mural’ (I hesitate to use that word as there are many mural artists who would strongly disagree with it), everyday!! As far as tourists go, I feel it would confirm their suspicions that the GC is a shallow and vain place that has nothing to offer culturally except beaches, bars, and boobs.
I was at the GC Theatre Alliance meeting on the weekend and there was talk of a one-act play festival. Great! Great! Great! There has been talk of a theatre festival here for a long time and this may be the to get started. I would love to have a large festival here on the coast that is akin to Sydney or Melbourne, but we cannot shoot to high too fast. The logistics are enormous and then finding someone to co-ordinate the event, and trying to have them paid for their work would be a festival in itself.
My initial feeling is that it should be a local/regional festival with only local groups. This may provide incentive for local artists to become involved. Maybe there is a cutting edge group out there or a group of actors who could pool their resources to put a short play on.
Let’s start small, with the one-act play festival and then expand it to include other things. Before you know it we will have a festival, complete with corporate sponsors! Maybe the GC Bulletin or Sunland Group will support the idea with a few dollars. Sahba Abedian mentioned in the Bulletin that we needed to embrace the culture of our city more and that people should not have to travel to Brisbane or Sydney for entertainment. Right On! My thought also! It would be nice too see. Sunland obviously has the resources to make a large contribution to the support of local culture and maybe that would inspire others to get on board. However, there has to be something here for them to go and see first! I can’t wait for ‘The Space’ at the ACGC to open for shows!!
As I have said here before, this is about us coming together as a community to develop the artistic culture of the GC, for benefit of us all. No more committees that basically waste money and where nobody can ever agree on anything. The Evandale Precinct is a great idea, but the committee could not agree on anything, and in the end they had to disband. Is it because nobody has the guts to be the boss? To say “Let’s get started on stage one people!” rather trying appease other people’s self interests. Is it ever the “right” time to have a baby or get married? No! You just go for it and work out the details as you go. People who deliberate fully before stepping off, will spend their lives on one leg.
You know I was worried that I was starting to hog the blog (I'd apologise for that inexcusable pun but it seems like there's nobody reading these comments anyway) and dropped out for a bit. I very much hope this vacuous silence in cyberspace is not indicative of anything other than the fact that people haven't opened their emails to find the link.
ReplyDeleteBut enough of that! I am like you James, I have my doubts about the immediate value of a 2000 seat theatre. I say "immediate" because I believe that such a thing will be essential eventually, my question is is it essential now? Is the rationale based on evidence or hope or just "hey, look at my big theatre!". I'm sure it's not the latter, I'm just being cheeky.
I've been told tours don't come here because we're all happy to drive to Brisbane...how do they know we're happy to drive to Brisbane? Was there a survey that I missed! I think in fact this is the "nice" answer, the truth is an unpleasant conglomerate of upbringing, expectation and agendas. Gosh, I sound cynical sometimes...I'm really not, really! And yes, it's our fault as well. Though I'm less a fan of BSTC than I used to be (can I say that and not be assassinated?) I would give anything to have STC or so many other touring acts drop in for just one night. The cast and crew can stay at my place, they could even visit with our kangaroos!
A One Act Play Festival is a fabulous idea. Ipswish and Noosa have been doing them for years and with growing success, especially Noosa's. Are you serious James or is this just fodder to get us talking? Is the alliance holding another meeting to discuss this possibility further?
I am convinced as you are that a large festival cannot happen without a significant amount of road breaking. A regionally based one act play festival would be just the thing to stir the waters and see how far we can swim in it. (Goodness, I'm full of it today!) Where do I sign up?
We will have a Festival of the Arts, so there's no question of that, but I agree that we have to prove faithful in the small things first. At the same time I don't think we have to address all the cultural inadequacies of our hometown before moving ahead and I wonder if some are giving too much energy to this. I agree James, let's just do it. I'd rather see us make spectacular mistakes than live in the security of mediocrity.
On an up note, doesn't his junior theatre project that the Arts Centre have running look great! A play, without music, dancing and American accents? Our young people will be in shock! At last! Was this a Destry idea?
Amanda
Hi Amanda,
ReplyDeleteI haven't heard about the Arts Centre junior project, i couldn't see it on the webpage.
Maybe it's just you and me because people are afraid to comment as they are afraid to have an opinion about the arts here, they don't want to be ostracised by the "group". This is a community that takes a while to to catch on...but when they do hopefully the feeling will be positive.
The hardest thing can be to stay positive, being critical is easy, and I have tried not to be critical about "people/groups" and rather focus on what I see as the essential elements for this culture to evolve. I certainly don't want to monopolise this forum, but I will until others come on board.
So come on GC'ers get on board and have a say.
I would like to shift the discussion towards a different sort of culture and see what that brings.
ReplyDeleteI have been working with Frank Theatre for the last six years. Frank is a “culture”, it is a theatre company, but at its core it is a culture. Like a good football or rugby team, it functions at its best when all members are functioning at their maximum for the good of the group.
We train in the Suzuki Actor Training Method and the Frank/Suzuki Performance Aesthetics. We are all bound together by the training we receive. It is a system that trains actor’s bodies and minds. It operates to make the actor more grounded and inside their body. The process of grounding has an important benefit, inspiration. The culture of the training is such that no-one is more important than anyone else. On the training floor we are all under similar physical duress, thus the actor is in the process of eliminating habitual patterns of speaking and moving from the body and in a more open state to receive or cultivate inspiration. In this state the actor cannot be in service to their ego, they cannot be, as many actors are, more important than the thing itself. The culture at Frank is that we are all on a personal journey towards self-definition, self-definition for ourselves as individuals outside the group and also self-definition as it relates to or supports the collective of Frank Theatre.
It sounds like a cult! There are aspects that could be considered cult-like, but to label it as that would be too easy. The motto at Frank is “For Those With Spirit”, and it is something I feel very deeply, so deep in fact that I had it tattooed on my body, a physical and metaphorical commitment to the journey that I am on. “For Those With Spirit”, do you have the spirit required to come with us on this journey of self -discovery? Are you willing to search for something unknown and non-quantifiable? I have seen many come and go over the years and to be sure what do at Frank is not for everyone, it requires dedication, passion and immense internal fortitude. On the training room floor you are faced with yourself in-extremis. What will you do when you get to your terminal velocity? Implode or evolve? Evolution is the goal, however if you implode, do you have what it takes to get up, dust off and keep going? Because that too, is evolution.
Culture is not something that just ‘happens’, it must and can be cultivated. The culture at Frank, as a final note, is something that is always evolving and what we do is always being investigated, interrogated and stretched in order that we may grow as individuals inside a positive collective.
Thank you James and Amanda for getting the juices going. I think that you have nutted out a solution to contributing to a visible performing arts kulture for our region. The Nike solution - just do it!
ReplyDeleteThis month, I am posting some thoughts about a short play festival of our own.
I would also like to hear from some committed performance arts thinkers such as JRO and JA (you know who you are)
I do not believe a one act or short play season would be beneficial to the coast- as it says in this blog Ipswich and Noosa already have successful festivals. Why compete? Expand the range of thinking to an Arts or Cultural festival that is unique, that would bring community interest with it.
ReplyDeleteThe biggest struggle of any theatrical enterprise is public awareness, and that is usually achieved by paid advertising and thusly an expensive thing- there is little support for the performing arts within the local media, and the little there is, is being slowly eroded away- Thankyou ABC? Yes they will report on dwarf throwing but leave most of the Arts scene alone. To gain the respect of other theatrical centres the media has to be involved actively &(pardon the pun) on the same page. If the members of the Alliance were truly working together it could be a formidable force- raise the community awareness and all benefit, but it seems to be the members are more focused on what they can get rather than what they can acheive.
A 2000 seat auditorium shows forward planning but that will not necessarily bring shows here to the Coast, some companies (realistically with the cost of venues and touring in general) would prefer a smaller 500 - 600 seat venue. Something we do not have here.
As a professional arts Industry worker I spend a lot of time away from the GC, but whenever I am here there is talk of a professional company. I think the GC can sustain a professional company but it would have to be built on a solid commercial base, prove yourself financially and then the sponsors and patrons will come- like any other business. It would have to be successful commercially first and that would mean catering to the theatregoing public taste. (Did somebody say kookaburra?) This is not an artistic sellout. Just sound business principle- establish a clientele with what they want then gradually lead them where you want to be. One question though- where would a pro company base on the coast? there are no alternate venues, though God knows there are enough unused buildings that could be used to good effect though I doubt the GCCC will make any of these available and/ or fit them out.
A cultural precinct or an arts ghetto? Why should any endeavour on behalf of the arts be limited to a certain area?
Some great points here! Thank you for joining the blog! I would like to respond to some of your comments.
ReplyDelete“anfortas21k said...
I do not believe a one act or short play season would be beneficial to the coast- as it says in this blog Ipswich and Noosa already have successful festivals. Why compete? Expand the range of thinking to an Arts or Cultural festival that is unique, that would bring community interest with it. ”
Yes Ipswich and Noosa do have successful festivals, but who from the Gold Coast is going to drive there to see them. The main idea of the festival is to get local groups involved, a community building exercise if you will. Supported by the Arts Centre it could be the start of something bigger. A bigger festival takes more time and more people and of course more money, we are thinking of starting small and building from there. Why compete? It is not about competition, it is about the GC theatre community doing something for the cultural life of the GC and that being of benefit to us all, I don’t care what Ipswich does…
“If the members of the Alliance were truly working together it could be a formidable force- raise the community awareness and all benefit, but it seems to be the members are more focused on what they can get rather than what they can acheive.”
That’s a bold statement! Are you a member of the Alliance? I am, and I am not in it for what I can get, as there is nothing to get! The Alliance is run on a shoestring, a very short shoestring! They work together for the community and many of the great things that happen on the GC in regards to theatre they are involved in. Come to a meeting one day and see how it works. The reason we even had ABC coverage for 6 years was due to the Alliance.
“As a professional arts Industry worker I spend a lot of time away from the GC, but whenever I am here there is talk of a professional company. I think the GC can sustain a professional company but it would have to be built on a solid commercial base, prove yourself financially and then the sponsors and patrons will come- like any other business. It would have to be successful commercially first and that would mean catering to the theatregoing public taste.”
Your first sentence has got me worried, you're an arts worker and you spend most of your time away from the GC? Hmmmmm….Proving yourself financially? What world do you live in? That is almost impossible to do first. I don’t think Bell Shakespeare was doing big dollar profits and then the sponsors came along, they started very slowly in a tent! The theatre is not like any other business. Why do I need a sponsor if I am commercially successful? Also what is the point of putting out the same style of show in order to “please” the public? Sure, I understand “bums-on-seats” shows but what about trusting your audience and building their trust in you, and showing them something different, something challenging, something that reflects them? If I do the same old shows and then decide to hit them with a “different” show then I am more likely to alienate them, but if they know what the deal right from the start then the shock of the new is not so hard to deal with.
A cultural precinct I hear you say? Right On!!! If only the council could agree on something long enough to get it started. Instead of forming committees and sub-committees and committees for the committees etc etc. We have the Broadwater Precinct, but that is totally un-usable for theatre (bad stage, no dressing rooms, bad positioning of electrics) and it costs too much for any local group to use. For a big “event” day or bands it may be fine, but for theatre, not so good. Mercury’s Wings looked at it for our Twelfth Night at the end of the year, and it took Jennifer Flowers 10 seconds to decide it was wrong! I kid you not 10 seconds!
Thanks for your comments anfortas21k, please spend more time here on the coast! We need as many people passionate about this as we can get. We can always use someone to help plan the one-act play fest!
Cheers
James
Hi anfortas,
ReplyDeleteThank you for taking the time to add to the blog. I just read what you wrote and would really like to clarify a couple of things.
There is a new space at the Arts Centre being developed as we speak called "The Space" and the new management are really proactive in supporting what we are doing - I'm with Mercury's Wings Theatre Company.
I really really want to mention the Theatre Alliance. We are all on there as volunteers - some doing more than others clearly. The amount of time we spend trying to build the arts on the coast is immense!!!!!!!!!
I have had a 10 yr career in Europe and trained at NIDA LAMDA - but wow is it hard to get things going here! I'm not sure what more is expected from volunteers, already devoting loads of time and money. Would you like to help? Sincerely: we can really do with professionals like you!
Truly - there is a great spirit of cooperation in the GCTA - I don't know if it has always been that - but the valiant dedication of people like Joel Beskin, Annie Lotocki, Ian Young and many more, are the reason we can do what we do....
Um re commercial venture - gee that would be great - wonder we haven't thought of that.... no but seriously.... I'm afraid that is very unlikely. Of course of course we would love to be commercially viable, and certainly that is a definite aim - but not really possible just yet.
For me - I want my kids to not have to go to Brisbane for professional theatre. It's great the arts centre is now bringing in QTC, Bell Shakespeare. i would also like a local opportunity for all the talent of our region - wouldn't that be great!
Anyway - if you are interested, I would welcome further discussion.
best
Claudine
Interesting that there has been little response from anyone towards anything that has been said so far? Be brave and bold, have a say...!
ReplyDeleteI had a great workshop over that last 2 days. Thanks to all that came! It has reinforced in me the power of the body in acting and how it NEEDS to be connected to the voice!
Some great work done on Macbeth and I look forward to finding some actors for the ongoing training and rehearsal of the show...
Any takers? You get training and rehearsal and hopefully a show and even better might be money!!(provided there are people to witness the grand event!)
info@mercuryswings.com.au if you brave enough!
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ReplyDeleteHello from GoTweedHeads.com.au! We were poking around looking for events to add to our Noticeboard and found your site. Well done, your putting much needed culture into our region. Keep up the great work and let's exchange links!
ReplyDelete