Does the world of theatre exist???

redcrew

Seriously...there is so little good work going on outside Dublin...and even that is little compared to other countries....even The Abbey is troubled and that is a desperate sign. In Ireland at the moment you have a host of small shows with one ot two actors or stage versions of films and it is so irritating! Nothing wrong with putting a film on stage but in Galway anyway it seems to be every second play is a film. If people are genuinely interested in the art...do me a favour, get a day job and act in the evening...but put on some work that is worth seeing; if I want to see Briget Jones' Diary I rent the film. PLEASE but something on that is valid and has some artistic slant to it. put your own money into it; think about all the money people waste smoking or drinking after they are already hammered and save it. put on a show or sponsor a company that will. I'm not a fool, I know it takes money but it doesn't mean that people have to sit back and do nothing...find money...anywhere! do it without costume, without a set; it can be done...don't even hire a venue, act out a sketch on your local busy street; if the audience don't find you...go to them...do it for yourself...do it for others...do it!!!

sturgo

Save your energy. Mainstream theatre in this country sucks, and has done for years.

redcrew

Please don't say that...I'm still an idealist who thinks that things can change...I'll do it myself if I have to...as you can see from my speech I think all you need is enthusiasm and a will...I have both

sturgo

The only thing worth changing is ones self. It's impossible to change anything else.

redcrew

True but I can only hope..."Hope is not a dream but a way of making dreams become a reality"

Glitter

There's loads of really great stuff going on in fringe theatre and cabaret at the moment.
If you look beyond the Abbey and the Gate there's a whole other world of underground theatrical happenings out there.

Were you at the Fringe Festival at all back in September?
That showcased some really amazing local people who are working in Dublin all the time if you know where to look for them.

Glitter

Whoops! Just noticed you're not in Dublin...
Can't speak for the theatre scene outside the city. Sorry!

redcrew

im not saying that there is nothing good going on but i just wish that there was more...Dublin is undoubtedly the place to be for theatre but being stuck down the country doesnt offer much unfortunately. i just think that if people begin to expect more that the quality will improve rather than settling for "well at least they tried". that is a start but trying and succeeding is what i want to see

Glitter

Are you involved in theatre yourself? Can you start something of the ilk you'd like to see and make it succeed?

redcrew

Ya I am involved in theatre. I'm in my last year at college so that is taking up most of my days but i do go to Galway Youth Theatre which is a fantastic youth theatre. We have classes with some amazing instructors and put on big shows and well as showcases. We have a one act festival every year and lasy year I directed 2 plays for the one act festival as well as acting in two of the big shows during the year. I also have a Masters in Drama and Theatre and during that year I wrote and directed a one act play. As soon as I finish college I want to try and get into it full time but even if I'm not successful I will definitely stay acting as well as directing probably. So that is what I'll be contributing hopefully!

musicality

Hey guys,

Great comments in here.Very constructive.Dublin can go between the doldrums at times..up and down for work.I have gone through training currently,am full time as much as possible,want to do furthering training in near future;and I have to agree that doing your own thing can actually get attention and possibly more work.It does have its benefits.Unfortunately the fishies don't bite as much as you would like them to and continuously say they are booked,even at times when word gets round there are vacancies.

More luck tends to be with the casting directors,a lot of which are very nice people indeed and really enthusiatic.

A lot of the same crew are used from top agencies in Dublin for the biggest shows,same names appearing etc and that's the chain to try and ruffle a lot! The Fringe is a super outlet for people and if only the top dogs paid more attention there because there is an abundance of abilities at the Fringe.

It can be frustrating but this is the norm is Dublin.I did a very well prepared and hard worked showcase in early 2005 and it was just one of those times were not all the agents and some other casting people did not bother to turn up.We had to really put up with that and it's a sore one I can tell you! :rolleyes:

So people,don't give up! Theatre is a fantastic form of human expression.Give it LOTS of hard work and effort cause the jobs are out there.

redcrew

There is some great work being done all around the country but it's just that there isn't enough of it. And when it is being done it is done within a ver tight group that makes it very hard to break into. There are a lot of great people working in Galway but everything is so closed here that unless you know someone there is very little you can do to break into the scene unless you do your own work. The Town Hall Theatre are very supportive to smaller groups and I know that they would prefer good quality work going in there rather than just the same old same old, Irish kitchen sink or stage versions of films that weren't that good in the first place.

I do endeavour to do something about it myself though;Druid are a perfect example of people starting small and making a success. The only problem is that they don't audition anymore, and I suppose after all the time and effort they put into it, fair enough! I just want to do some work that will feed this insatiable hunger of mine. I really begin to feel bad after I finish a show; there's something missing from me. That is why I do it now, I have to. That is also why other people should do it too. I think a lot of people hold themselves back and never try what they really want but that is crazy. I think that if there was enough good theatre that it would inspire other people not in theatre to either go more or to take part. Theatre by its very definition is live and it needs life, new life, young life!

Glitter

redcrew wrote:

I really begin to feel bad after I finish a show; there's something missing from me.

Me too! I go MAD after a couple of weeks "resting". Only happens once or twice a year thank goodness.

I think a lot of people hold themselves back and never try what they really want but that is crazy.

Very true.
I agree that you have to make it happen for yourself.

I certainly did and the last few months have made me realise that the previous six years of hard slog, creative indignities and neglible rewards were completely worth it.

You CAN get what you aim for if you work hard enough.
Which it sounds like you do redcrew!

musicality

Hey there,

Yes,the tables shall turn as the groups can only use the same performers for a certain period of time.It still goes to show though in Ireland..it's kinda not what you know..it's who you know.

Gaillimhtaibhse

Does the world of theatre exist?
I am currently on tour with a company in the States. I see my fellow cast members put their hearts and souls into their acting. We get so much into our parts, that the stage and audience disappears. It becomes so real to us. We get real tears and laughter. Does the world of threatre exist? Yes.

redcrew

Glitter, thank you for your enthusiasm and I'm glad that there are more people like me around the place. Running into walls constantly is really depressing but we must press on.

Musicality; I hope that you are right and that the tables do turn but I do not just want to see different actors on stage but I want to see actors fight it out for their roles so as to push each other forward rather than just being handed roles. I know that it is the only income most people have but I do not see that as a good enough reason to give an actor the part; he should audition and beat out everyone else.

Gaillimhtaibhse. I'm glad that you are being successful with your acting and the best of luck to you. I'm also glad that you are surrounded by people that are similar to you and that are so involved in their work; it must really be a fantastic atmosphere to be working in. On the subject of the stage and the audience disappearing, I, personally, would be a bit wary about that because at the end of the day the audience are there to be entertained and without that there would be no jobs for any actor. I'm glad that it becomes so real for you but I think you always need an awareness of the audience.