University of Wollongong Research Online Theatre Australia Historical & Cultural Collections 6-1977 Theatre Australia: Australia's magazine of the performing arts 2(2) June 1977 Robert Page Editor Lucy Wagner Editor Bruce Knappett Associate Editor Follow this and additional works at: https://ro.uow.edu.au/theatreaustralia Recommended Citation Page, Robert; Wagner, Lucy; and Knappett, Bruce, (1977), Theatre Australia: Australia's magazine of the performing arts 2(2) June 1977, Theatre Publications Ltd., New Lambton Heights, 82p. https://ro.uow.edu.au/theatreaustralia/10 Research Online is the open access institutional repository for the University of Wollongong. For further information contact the UOW Library: [email protected] Theatre Australia: Australia's magazine of the performing arts 2(2) June 1977 Description Contents: Departments 2 Comment 3 Quotes and Queries 76 Guide: Theatre, Opera, Dance 5 Letters 74 Whispers, Rumours and Facts 69 International Theatre Institute Features 8 Chorus Line A photoessay of the Sydney production by Peter Holderness with a preview by William Shoubridge 13 Cover story: Thring interviewed by Raymond Stanley 32 Floating Parachute Wilton Morley, entrepreneur, talks to Robert Page 22 Fred Schepisi Australia Focus on Tasmania 16 Hobart's Historic Theatre Royal Ross Thorne 20 The Tasmanian Theatre Company Karl Hubert 20 Small State, Big Plans John Unicomb talks to Stan Marks 30 They tell it like it was Axel Kruse Playscript 35 The Fall Guy: Act One 36 Playwright, Linda Aronson, on the drama behind the play Opera 65 Lingwood’s Crisis of Identity David Gyger International 24 New Zealand Theatre Reviews 47 Queensland The Merchant of Venice Something’s Afoot Three Queensland Plays Queensland Playwright’s Conference 50 A.C.T. Chidley 51 South Australia The Cherry Orchard Jack the Ripper 53 New South Wales Diamond Studs Double Edge The Alchemist Caesar and Cleopatra Medal of Honour Rag Alison Mary Fagan Twelfth Night 58 Western Australia Crossing Niagara Ashes Absent Friends 62 Victoria Juno and the Paycock The Painted Devil and Peter Pan Film 64 Pure Shit and Don’s Party Barry Lowe Records 73 The Real Rachmaninov? Roger Coveil Books 75 Drag Show Helen van der Poorten Publisher Theatre Publications Ltd., New Lambton Heights, 82p This serial is available at Research Online: https://ro.uow.edu.au/theatreaustralia/10 P . 099k/ THE / AChorus Line: Photoessay Australia’s magazine Playscript: The Fall Guy, Act 1 of the performing arts Frank Thring/DrawingFrank AlexbyTA for Stitt caORFEO^Enjoy the glorious music of Monteverdi’s With Ian Cousins / Halina Nieckarz. Full supporting cast, and chorus of the Victoria State Opera. THE CONCENTUS MUSICUS OF MELBOURNE Conducted by Richard Divall Director Robin Lovejoy Designer Maree Menzel * Saturday July 2 / Friday July 8 / Saturday July 9 THE PRINCESS THEATRE, 8pm. Don’t miss one of the highlights of the Victoria State Opera’s season: a super re-creation of Monteverdi’s work of genius. First performed in 1607, it remains today as eloquent, as powerful, as moving as any opera ever composed. The music itself is presented by the Concentus Musicus of Melbourne on authentic instruments of the time — completing a sublime musical experience. CAPACITY HOUSES ARE EXPECTED - DON’T MISS OUT BOOK NOW at the Princess Theatre, Telephone 662 2911 Seats: S 10.50 / S 8.50 / $ 6.50 / S 4.50 for students and pensioners. Victoria State Opera * By courtesy o f the Melbourne Theatre Company Departments 2 Comment Theatre 3 Quotes and Queries A ustralia 76 Guide: Theatre, Opera, Dance 5 Letters 74 Whispers, Rumours and Facts 69 International Theatre Institute June 1977 Volume 2. Number 2 Features 8 Chorus Line A photoessay of the Sydney production by Peter Holderness with a preview by William Shoubridge 13 Cover story: Thring interviewed by Raymond Stanley 32 Floating Parachute Wilton Morley, entrepreneur, talks to Robert Page 22 Fred Schepisi Focus on Tasmania 16 Hobart's Historic Theatre Royal Ross Thorne 20 The Tasmanian Theatre Company Karl Hubert 20 Small State, Big Plans John Unicomb talks to Stan Marks 30 They tell it like it was Axel Kruse Playscript 35 The Fall Guy: Act One 36 Playwright, Linda Aronson, on the drama behind the play Opera 65 Lingwood’s Crisis o f Identity David Gyger International 24 New Zealand Theatre Reviews 47 Queensland The Merchant o f Venice Something’s Afoot Three Queensland Plays Queensland Playwright’s Conference 50 A.C.T. Chidley 51 South Australia The Cherry Orchard Jack the Ripper 53 New South Wales Diamond Studs Double Edge The Alchemist Caesar and Cleopatra Medal of Honour Rag Alison Mary Fagan Twelfth Night 58 Western Australia Crossing Niagara Ashes Absent Friends 62 Victoria" Juno and the Paycock The Painted Devil and Peter Pan Film 64 Pure Shit and Don’s Party Barry Lowe Records 73 The Real Rachmaninov? ra tio n a l Roger Coveil Theatre Opera Dance Books 75 Drag Show Helen van der Poorten G u id e i76 way traffic, is needed for Australian Theatre Australia culture to be enriched and, as importantly, for our contribution to enrich the whole COMMENT English-speaking tradition. Other coun­ Editor: Robert Page tries obviously feel this need. The British Executive Editor: Lucy Wagner Council has offices all over the world, in­ Associate Editor: Bruce Knappett cluding Australia, with the task of Assistant: Jayne Farrell It has often been noted that the fare here promoting all aspects of British perfor­ bears a strong resemblance to that of the ming arts through bringing out companies Advisory Board: West End 18 months or two years before. and circulating publications and scripts, John Bell, Graeme Blundell, Ellen Braye, Alongside it last year, there were plenty of and each year pays for someone — a Katherine Brisbane, Vivian Chalwyn, Gordon designer, actor or director — to come out Chater, John Clarke, W.A. Enright, Lynda our own plays — Hibberd’s A Toast to Gray, Jack Hibberd, Ken Horler, Garrie Melba, Williamson’s The Department and and work with an Australian company. Hutchinson, Robert Jordan, Philip Mason, A Handful o f Friends, Power’s Last o f the The Australia Council, which could Stan Marks, Jake Newby, Phil Noyce, Ray­ Knucklemen, Cove’s The Gift and others. perhaps act as a central body for overseas mond Omodei, Philip Parsons, Diana Sharp, promotion, as the Film Commission or the Ken Southgate, Raymond Stanley, Elizabeth But the traffic is one way. These Aus­ Sweeting, John Timlin, Tony Trench, Guthrie tralian plays are unlikely to be in the British Council does, has little money for Worby, Richard Wherrett West End seasons of two years hence. overseas fieldwork. And, despite a foun­ Don’s Party and What I f You Died ding principle “to promote Australian art Tomorrow did make it — and there was in other countries” , it appears to view this Publisher: John Curtain The Doll and now Steve Spears: these as a low priority. Theatre companies can Art Director: Alex Stitt successes are few and at best sporadic. We use the council’s grant-funding to tour Production Editor: Forbes Miller began to ask why. productions overseas if they wish, and, The Australian Film Commission is do­ more directly, the Australia Council does fund individuals to attend international Correspondents: ing somewhat better. Let The Balloon Go Sydney, Sue Manger (02) 456 2068 is on release in the United States, Picnic at theatre conferences and seminars. The Melbourne, Raymond Stanley (03) 419 1204 Hanging Rock there and in Britain, Dot money the council has is restricted, it is Brisbane, Don Batchelor (07) 269 3018 and the Kangaroo (an animated full-length true, but then comes the question of Perth, Joan Ambrose (092) 94 6639 feature film) has been sold to Germany, priorities. Adelaide, Michael Morley (08) 275 2204 and Caddie is soon to be released in Bri­ The Association of Australian Artists was founded in London at the end of 1975 tain. These, along with numerous shorts Theatre Australia gratefully acknowledges the dubbed in many languages, have been sold with the intention of presenting new financial assistance of the Australia Council, abroad: a good record, consistent and Australian drama, showing Australian the Literature Board of the Australia Council, developing. The reason seems to be solid talent at its best, and actively promoting the New South Wales Cultural Grants Board, the creative theatrical image of Australia the Arts Grants Advisory Committee of South marketing; the Film Commission has Australia, the Queensland Cultural Activities agents in countries throughout the world abroad. So far, it has managed to get Department, the Victorian Ministry of the Arts, — Britain, America and Europe — and at Mates and The Christian Brother on at the the University of New South Wales Drama present is particularly interested in break­ Mermaid, and McNeil’s The Old Familiar Foundation and the Assistance of the Univer­ ing into the Latin American market. A Juice — to excellent reviews — at the sity of Newcastle. delegation is off to Cannes, not for the Roundhouse. McNeil’s play was spon­ prizes but for the sales platform it provides sored by the Jim Hunt, the chairman, per­ Manuscripts: for such new films as Raw Deal, The sonally. At the moment the association is Manuscripts and editorial correspondence Singer and the Dancer and Fantasm 2. The negotiating for a three-month season of should be forwarded to the editorial office, 7 lunchtime theatre at the King's Head President Place, New Lambton Heights, New international market provides the profit South Wales 2305, telephone (049) 52 5976. where the home market covers basic costs. Theatre Pub. It also puts on rehearsed Whilst every care is taken of manuscripts and The ABC, often conservative, has a readings in odd rooms in Australia House visual material supplied for this magazine, the similar dynamic approach to overseas (rent-free) in the hope that a full-scale publishers and their agents accept no liability West End production may result.