BY Danaella Wivell
Emerging talent is given a head start in
their careers after performing in Macbeth this month.
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| The Queens Gardens transformed for Macbeth. PHOTO: Ahlia Drew |
The classic Shakespearean play, produced
for Shakespeare Under the Stars as an initiative of Theatre in North Queensland
(Theatre iNQ), was performed in Queen’s Gardens. The play employed many young
performers and crew members, who were given the opportunity to test the waters
of being professional theatre-workers.
“All the children and young adults
are expected to behave as if it were their first job in the industry, because
it essentially is,” said 17-year-old James Thomasson, who portrayed Malcolm.
With performers ranging from kindergarten-goers to retirees, there were plenty
of role models for the young theatre-workers.
Crew members were also given plenty
of opportunities to explore their skills in the unusual park setting of Macbeth. “As part of the tech team, we
set up everything electrical. We rig lights and run all of the cabling required
to run the show. As lighting operator, I control the lights during the
performance,” explains 19-year-old
electrician Thomas Roach.
“As this event is in a park, instead
of a theatre, the tech team has to set up the entire venue, including lighting
and sound systems. There are many things that can go wrong… when you’re working
in a theatre, the staff take over and fix any problems, but out here it’s all
on you.”
It is agreed on by both actors and
crew that working under such challenging conditions has helped to provide
artistic inspiration for when they are producing their own shows in the future.
“I think without a doubt that we as a community are growing in both appreciation
for the performing arts and a yearning for more,” Thomasson said when asked about
the spike in artistic appreciation in Townsville. Ticket sales reflect this
spike, with Macbeth tickets selling
out in record time.
Following the first week of Macbeth performances, Theatre iNQ held
their third annual Jean-Pierre Awards, in homage to Jean-Pierre Voos, who is
known as the father of Townsville arts. Thomasson was awarded The Martin Gibson
Medal for Best Emerging Talent on the night.
The Bridge Project is another
initiative supported by Theatre iNQ, which helps to cultivate the fresh talent
in Townsville. Their next show will be The
Shape of Things, written by Neil Labute.
The
Shape of Things will be running from 6th to 9th of
November.
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