An industry hurting itself
I have written about this topic before, so I know I’m going to sound like a broken record, but I think it is a serious issue that the theatre industry still doesn’t seem to notice nor care about.
I have written about this topic before, so I know I’m going to sound like a broken record, but I think it is a serious issue that the theatre industry still doesn’t seem to notice nor care about.
And no, it’s not ticket sales, lack of theatres or the types of shows coming out here. After all, those issues are, on the large, quite trivial.
On Friday, I received a phone call from an agent in Sydney demanding the removal of a line in a story about one of their clients. The line was not incorrect, they simply didn’t want it published. It wasn’t a negative line, nor a story to be frowned upon – in fact if anything, it was a positive piece.
It was yet another example of a theatre industry that constantly complains about not being talked about, and yet does nothing but whinge when it is.
I have never and will never understand the over-controlled attitude most in the theatre industry have, so keen to not have information released to the public – even if it is positive.
As a journalist I can understand embargoed content. I can understand the need to sometimes control the release of content. However, like in any industry, publicists, producers and agents need to be more understanding that when stories do break, it needs to be accepted and handled. After all, most of it tends to be good news.
The constant argument about the lack of theatre coverage in newspapers etc is that sport gets so much coverage, and the arts coverage should match that. Well let me tell you right now, as a sports journalist for many years I can tell you nobody has ever demanded the removal or changing of a story just because I broke information that was not in the public domain yet.
Until theatre accepts that rumours, ‘drama’ and revelations of castings, upcoming productions etc should be part of the fabric of the industry, the media coverage won’t improve nor becoming more interesting. Coverage as it stands is rather mundane – we need to encourage a more ‘news’ style in coverage from all angles.
Let me take you into another world: the world of harness racing.
On Sunday, the very famous Miracle Mile race was held. It has been taken to Menangle this year, moving from the city-based Harold Park venue that was its home for so many years. The move is an effort to save the event and indeed the industry, which has become a victim of progress and is dwindling in popularity.
The harness racing industry’s near-extinction is an example that if you take your eye off the ball, things can and will change.
Theatre and live entertainment face very tough competition, and we need to boost the industry’s recognition. It means a major change is needed in the future, particularly regarding the way we as an industry release information.
Earlier this year, we broke the story that Suzie Mathers had been cast in Mamma Mia. Angrily, we were told to remove the story. It wasn’t true, we were told. Of course, it was true. But the mundane way we act in this industry meant that despite the multiple sources confirming the story, we were unable to continue to publish it. I don’t neccessarily blame the publicists – I am sure the issue goes much higher at times – but everyone needs to play the game fairly and balanced.
It is an example that is constantly repeated on a very regular basis.
This industry needs to wake up to itself, and allow websites like this and other media outlets to break stories if they happen to land in our laps.
All we’re doing at the moment is becoming more and more insular, and that is getting us nowhere.