Comments on: Queensland’s Matilda Awards 2009: where to now? http://actorsgreenroom.net/archives/485 Professional and independent theatre in Queensland Thu, 29 Jul 2010 00:02:48 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.0.1 By: And now for the Matildas! — Greenroom http://actorsgreenroom.net/archives/485/comment-page-1#comment-2369 And now for the Matildas! — Greenroom Mon, 15 Mar 2010 22:46:29 +0000 http://actorsgreenroom.net/?p=485#comment-2369 [...] the Matildas, since 1987 Queensland’s only awards for excellence in theatre production.  That post put a few questions about the nature, scope and range of work under [...] [...] the Matildas, since 1987 Queensland’s only awards for excellence in theatre production.  That post put a few questions about the nature, scope and range of work under [...]

]]> By: Nick Backstrom http://actorsgreenroom.net/archives/485/comment-page-1#comment-440 Nick Backstrom Thu, 05 Mar 2009 04:44:36 +0000 http://actorsgreenroom.net/?p=485#comment-440 I agree that the awards should revert to the old structure. I am not sure why they have gone they way they have as I find it problematical. We don't have the sheer mass of theatre that other places have to justify splitting into categories. The more categories we have, the more people demand, to have their area of expertise fairly recognised, the more convoluted it all becomes. Not to mention, as Kate rightly points out, the more expensive becomes. I also think they should be named Brisbane awards as that is what they cover. I cannot see a way for regional theatre to be properly recognised under the current structure. I agree that the awards should revert to the old structure. I am not sure why they have gone they way they have as I find it problematical. We don’t have the sheer mass of theatre that other places have to justify splitting into categories. The more categories we have, the more people demand, to have their area of expertise fairly recognised, the more convoluted it all becomes. Not to mention, as Kate rightly points out, the more expensive becomes.

I also think they should be named Brisbane awards as that is what they cover. I cannot see a way for regional theatre to be properly recognised under the current structure.

]]> By: Lewis Jones http://actorsgreenroom.net/archives/485/comment-page-1#comment-431 Lewis Jones Wed, 04 Mar 2009 00:45:01 +0000 http://actorsgreenroom.net/?p=485#comment-431 I have put forward my opinion on a number of occasions that the Matildas would best serve the theatre community by being 5 awards for 'Outstanding Contributions to Queensland Theatre' as they originally were. It made them unique - as against following the Logies, the Oscars, and interstate awards. And I agree with Kate Foy that Brisbane does not necessarily have the critical mass - pardon the pun - to justify the awards being divided into categories. I also agree that the division on gender lines is surely pretty outdated. Do we divide the Director or Playwright Award on the basis of gender? I also think that it is not appropriate to call it a Queensland Award. It is the Melbourne Green Room Awards and the Sydney Critics' Circle Awards. And I also find it pretty ludicrous that the Helpmann Awards purport to be truly national. The current structure totally precludes the work being done by regional companies such as JUTE and a whole raft of quality work being done in other regional centres. [If ANYone has made a major contribution to Queensland theatre over MANY years it is JUTE Theatre who have worked so tirelessly for what they believe in] I do not think that Awards are ever perfect but they - on the whole - are good to recognise achievement. Thanks to those who contribute to the ongoing existence of the Awards - and it is your prerogative to keep the categories structure going - but for mine - I would love to see the Matildas return to being five non-categorised awards for Outstanding Contribution to Brisbane Theatre. I would love to hear what others think. Cheers Lewis Jones Artistic Director Empire Theatre I have put forward my opinion on a number of occasions that the Matildas would best serve the theatre community by being 5 awards for ‘Outstanding Contributions to Queensland Theatre’ as they originally were.
It made them unique – as against following the Logies, the Oscars, and interstate awards. And I agree with Kate Foy that Brisbane does not necessarily have the critical mass – pardon the pun – to justify the awards being divided into categories. I also agree that the division on gender lines is surely pretty outdated. Do we divide the Director or Playwright Award on the basis of gender?
I also think that it is not appropriate to call it a Queensland Award. It is the Melbourne Green Room Awards and the Sydney Critics’ Circle Awards. And I also find it pretty ludicrous that the Helpmann Awards purport to be truly national. The current structure totally precludes the work being done by regional companies such as JUTE and a whole raft of quality work being done in other regional centres. [If ANYone has made a major contribution to Queensland theatre over MANY years it is JUTE Theatre who have worked so tirelessly for what they believe in]
I do not think that Awards are ever perfect but they – on the whole – are good to recognise achievement. Thanks to those who contribute to the ongoing existence of the Awards – and it is your prerogative to keep the categories structure going – but for mine – I would love to see the Matildas return to being five non-categorised awards for Outstanding Contribution to Brisbane Theatre.

I would love to hear what others think.

Cheers

Lewis Jones
Artistic Director
Empire Theatre

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