Panel Beating

One of the blogs I pop into regularly is Histriomastix. It's an excellent way of keeping up with the news, events and gossip of the theatre industry in New York.

Hosted by David Cote, a critic and magazine editor for all the good publications in that end of town, the blog often talks of the theatre forums that he takes part in and reports on.

In fact, they have a series of them coming up which tackle a range of issues including: Next Generation Critics; Theatre, the Media and Blogs; Why Theatre Still Matters; and The subscriber and the season (How audiences are killing the theatre).

My mind boggles at the opportunity. Imagine a Woody Allen street scape, a winter wind blows, you grab your duffel coat and scarf and catch the subway to some little theatre on the edge of 42nd street. You have a good, healthy and passionate discussion, then walk to the nearest bar and de-brief.

The closest thing that we have to forums are the occasional ones put on by Currency House. Company B also hosts the Philip Parsons Memorial Lecture and the Sydney Festival has talks with international guests at the Mint in January. And each of the events is always packed out.

What is needed in Sydney is the opportunity for these discussion to happen regularly. The rarity of the events means that when they do happen, issues get washed over and the amount that needs to be said gets pushed aside. The topic area is often too broad and discussion gets lost.

Coming face-to-face with your comrades, the critics, the managers, the financiers and the columnists and having regular discussions reflecting on the industry and where the issues surrounding its existence would have a positive effect that would open up the passion and honesty of its members.

People would become more accustomed to being constructive, critical and considerate and not so precious of their opinions. It would open the industry up and make it more accessible on so many different levels.

Just for a moment imagine. The call is put out - we are going to have a chat about - let's say - The subscriber and the season. It's a Monday night. Belvoir Street is dark and agree to host the event. We put the call out and get the heads of a couple of theatre companies together. Throw in some writer from a newspaper and maybe some accountant who works behind the theatre scene. Add some visiting director or producer that has flown in from Auckland or Singapore or Berlin and set the watch.

And like a good episode of Donahue, get someone to run around with a microphone in their hand and get people to put forward their point in an atmosphere of universal goodwill.

I agree that it is better to act than talk, but in an environment where everyone is a little scared and a little intimidated, it could be inspired and open up a world of possibility and healthier industry overall.





Image (top): Nataliedee
Image (bottom): Phil Donahue, courtesy Wikipedia