News and What’s On: this Week in Queensland Theatre November 15-21

From today, Greenroom will also report in its regular This Week in Queensland Theatre Monday post on theatre news from round the ridges and beyond. Contact us if you have a story or an angle you’d like to promote – in addition to productions you’d like to see featured on Greenroom’s front page calendar.

What’s On:

Check company websites for further details

Continuing:

• Grimm Tales adapted by Carol Ann Duffy and dramatised by Tim Supple, Dir Michael Futcher, Queensland Theatre Company at Cremorne Theatre, QPAC
• Prydon Pairs a new Australian musical based on Jane Austen’s Pride and Prejudice by Vicki Millar, Dir Tim O’Connor, Harvest Rain Theatre (Interns) at Mina Parade Warehouse, Alderley
• Furious Angels by David Burton Dir Travis Dowling: !Metro Arts Independents at Sue Benner Theatre
  

In the News:

Thinking globally, acting locally This weekend and, from the international #2amt Twitter and website group of theatre-makers, came a Modest Proposal to create readings for the finalists of the Wendy Wasserstein Prize. Now, although most will have heard of US playwright Wendy Wasserstein (1950-2006), we’d venture to suggest that most Australian playwrights won’t have heard of the Wasserstein Prize, which is open to female writers from the US and UK – and that is probably why it’s not known well here. However, this year, the TDF (Theatre Development Fund) jury, in its wisdom, decided that no play was worthy of the prize. Does this sound spookily family to the response in May this year from the panel deciding the NSW Premier’s Literary Prize for Drama? No play was deemed worthy then; that kicked up a flurry too, and rightly so. Here’s Performance Anxiety from The Australian at the time if you missed it. But, back to #2amt, who’ve responded creatively to the TDF Wasserstein Prize jury’s decision, and it’s very exciting.

2amt are suggesting that the 19 finalists for the Wasserstein receive a live-streamed reading of their works, and are calling on companies anywhere to assist. Already groups from the US, UK and Australia are committed. What about you and yours? Interested? If so, check out the post (hotlinked above) and playwright Michael Lew’s terrific response to the TDF Selection Panel on their decision.

Now, there may be some here who would fly the parochial flag and kick about none of the play’s being by an Australian writer. Balance that against thinking of this ‘modest proposal’ as the chance for an international production, as well as a great opportunity to link up with colleagues and share with audiences around the world. Providing support for female playwrights is a fine gesture too. And, bye the bye, live-streaming is perfect for play-readings, in our humble opinion.

… and in other news

You know about ATF (Anywhere Theatre Festival) right?  Headed by Paul Osuch, ATF is the first theatre festival to get around the lack of theatre venues in Brisbane by only allowing shows that don’t use them. Whilst it’s not coming to a recognised venue near you between 5-14 May 2011, look out for theatre anywhere at that time. Seen the look of their new website?

This week ATF have been working away steadily on the social networks investigating the idea of a local producers’ forum as an exchange of ideas. One response suggested Brisbane theatre-makers don’t like sharing their ideas. Really?

Finally, if you’re a Brisbane theatre-maker and haven’t got your application in to BITS yet – do it today!