Tuesday, 11 December 2007

Today's Prize for stating the Bleeding Obvious

An interesting article on page three of today's Sydney Morning Herald by 'no-prisoners' Joyce Morgan about the National Institute of Dramatic Art.

Apparently the contract of Aubrey Mellor, the current head of NIDA, has not been renewed.

From Morgan's article, Mellor has found himself in the oh-so-common situation of not getting along with members of the NIDA board. (What is it about General Managers and Boards??)

Morgan then speculates that "Robyn Nevin may parachute from the Sydney Theatre Company into the school where she trained".

It's all conjecture, but the best bit of the article is when she quotes NIDA's chairman, Malcolm Long, who said it was "'highly likely' the new head would have a theatre background".

Imagine that? The head of the National Institute of Dramatic Art having a 'theatre background'.

Whatever will we do?!

Anyone out there have any suggestions for NIDA about the type of background their new head should have?

15 comments:

Anonymous said...

They should certainly have a background in drama schools maintaining their accreditation.

Anonymous said...

Centrelink?

Anonymous said...

If there ever is a Walkley for the worst article in a newspaper this chick would surely win it. How about the line that now it has "rekindled speculation" about Nevin, when no one had a clue Aubrey Mellor was being given the elbow? What speculation? By whom? Does Morgan not read the STC media releases? Was she unaware that Nevin has been widely reported as being under contract for most of 2008 to two productions? How is she supposed to do that and run a drama school?

Anonymous said...

Maybe Cate and Andrew could do it on their days off?

Anonymous said...

But, Anonymous, the chair of NIDA said in the article that they are looking for "a person" to run the organisation... not a husband and wife couple!

Anonymous said...

To be fair to Joyce Morgan, there WAS speculation about Nevin becoming Director of NIDA at the time of the last appointment, just over three years ago. And, yes, it is now rekindled and not just in the pages of the SMH. There is also, naturally and rightly, speculation about other possible candidates. Nor is it uncommon for appointees to large jobs like this to need to fulfill previous obligations. ANYONE who gets the job will have surely some other commitments in 2008. I doubt it's an insurmountable impediment, for anyone.

Anonymous said...

Those fella's that run Australian Idol would be a good catch!

Nicholas Pickard said...

That's very interesting anonymous. It will be interesting to see who they appoint, if what you say is true.

At least we can all breath a deep sigh of relief that they plan to appoint someone with a theatre background... although centrelink isn't such a bad suggestion.

Anonymous said...

I just pray that whoever it is hires a voice coach and teaches them how to speak. That would make a refreshing change.

Anonymous said...

Me! Me! Me! Pick me!

Anonymous said...

Peter Cousens????

Geoffrey said...

Lindy Davies did such a magnificent job at the VCA. If I had anything to do with making the choice, it would be easy.

Geoffrey said...

Ladies and gentlemen, we have a tie for this award. In Melbourne's Herald Sun today there was an article (with no byline, but I have my suspicions) about Jodie Foster coming out as ... wait for it ... GAY! Wow! Now that's really stating the bleeding obvious.

Anonymous said...

Jodie Foster and Ellen De Generis to run NIDA I say. After the generous number of gay male faculty, time for a few lesbians to take charge and whip that place into shape.

Anonymous said...

Reg Grundy to run NIDA.

Better still, sell it off to The Grundy Organisation.

Perfect fit!