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Tony Page
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Posted: Sat Dec 22nd, 2007 09:42 am |
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Back in 1981, a play of mine was professionally workshopped in Sydney by Nimrod Theatre (with mixed results - but, no production). Since then, I've had 3 books of poetry published by Australian presses - They're Knocking at my Door in 1986, Satellite Link 1992 and Gateway to the Sphinx in 2004. However, I've always wanted to extend myself by writing for the theatre. Over the past 18 mths, I've written 2 drafts of a full length play about Caravaggio, the 17th cent Italian painter. I paid to have this manuscript read by the Australian National Playwrights' Assessment Service, and received a very positive response with a number of detailed suggestions about re-writes and improvements. At that point, I must confess to seizing up and going no further.
Four months ago, I was able to stop teaching full-time, so am now in a position (at least, theoretically) to begin serious work on these re-writes. That's why I've entered this forum: hoping to share comments and ideas with other writers from similar backgrounds.
Thanks,
Tony
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Luana Krause
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| Joined: | Tue Jan 2nd, 2007 |
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Posted: Thu Dec 27th, 2007 02:44 pm |
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Hello, Tony
I, too, am pursuing this gig full-time. At least for now. I started after I was laid off from my job earlier this year as a copy editor at a small corporation. Riches to Rags, you might say. I'd been writing plays while working, but my dream is to make a living at playwriting.
Luana
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nic
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Posted: Fri Dec 28th, 2007 01:12 am |
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Hi Tony,
I live and work in Aus too and in the past have used the National Playwrights Service on a number of occassions. Without wanting to butt in, what stage have you reached with the play and where do you see it being produced?
The best nic
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Tony Page
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Posted: Fri Dec 28th, 2007 03:32 am |
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Hi Nic,
Nice to hear someone from Wagga. I'm originally from Melbourne, but have made my home in Thailand for the past 10 yrs.
Don't know what to do next with my script. It needs a lot of re-writing, has been sitting on my desk for 2 yrs now, since I completed the 3rd draft. That's why I joined this forum, to try & get motivated to work on it again. Of course, there's no chance of it being performed here in SE Asia & I don't have any theatre contacts in Australia; which is a real disadvantage.
What about yr work? What kind of performances/productions have you had? Have you ever been a member of a theatre group? I'd certainly be interested to share experiences.
I've posted the first 2 scenes of this play in the CRITIQUE THIS PLAY section of this Forum, if you'd like to have a look at it.
All the best for the New Year,
Tony
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nic
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Posted: Fri Dec 28th, 2007 10:55 pm |
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Thanks Tony, I'll check out the scenes and get back to you. The reason for my questioning is, as you probably know, the chances of getting a professional production with any show where the cast is six or more in Australia is slim to say the least. But some of the Universities which have a performing arts degree are looking for plays with larg cast numbers. I'm seventy and have just finished a guest appearance with CSU's graduating class who wanted a grandfather for their production of Little Women so, if it's a large cast uni may be the way to go.
I moved here to Wagga from Melbourne to supposedly retire but have been working as a freelance ever since. In Melbourne I was associated with the Melbourne Writer's Theatre which I found to be more stimulatinmg and useful than the National Playwrights Conference... not to mention less expensive. I'm currently wortking with a community group in Wagga which has high standards and with a small professional company that works from project to project and hopefully will have a production with them this year.
I'll make contact as soon as I've had the chance to read your scenes but from my own experience I'd suggest that the reasonably long break from your original draft could be very useful. I struggled with my last full length play over a period of three years and eventually, after it had a stay in the bottom draw, completely rewrote it this time with success.
The best nic
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Tony Page
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Posted: Sat Dec 29th, 2007 03:40 am |
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Great to hear more about you & yr projects, Nick. Thanks also for yr encouragement re re-writing my Caravaggio play.
I'll look up Melb Writers Theatre on the web; haven't heard of them before. Been out of Australia for so long. I am 55 yo, also "retired".
The past 10 yrs, I was Head of Performing Arts Dept at an intl school in Bangkok; where I mounted/directed lots of productions (incl Beckett, Brecht & Shakep), plus writing original material for my senior students.
However, my real background is poetry: 3 books published in Aust between 1986 and 2004.
I'm fascinated by yr involvement with the community group & prof theatre; wish you all the best for yr upcoming production. I'd be interested to read any of you work, if you feel inclined to send some.
Wishing you a creative 2008, Tony
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