Mister Brisbane: Reasons to be cheerful
As the lockdown loosens up, let's remain cautiously optimistic about the future.
Many people are saying that the coronavirus has changed the world forever. While it’s natural that the focus is on the bad news (and I’ll be doing some of that later), perhaps it’s worth remembering that the lockdown has brought out the best in many of us. Many have rallied to help their neighbours and to support the essential workforce, and entertain people online. Let’s continue to be good to each other, folks. And let’s be patient as we anticipate the better days to come. Oh, and here’s an idea inspired by an arrangement I saw being made over Twitter: why not issue you friends with personalised “rainchecks” for future socialising? That’s something tangible to look forward to.
WHEN’S SHOWTIME?
In this video, a West End venue owner says London’s famous theatre district may not survive intact, noting that even a staged reopening under social distancing rules would be uneconomic. This is a concern for large theatres and arenas worldwide, including our own QPAC (above). They are all keen to reopen but being at the centre of a “second wave” outbreak could be even more damaging than being closed. Some experts have noted that it would be nearly impossible to keep audience members apart. Even if some seats or entire rows were left empty, people would come in contact as they enter and exit the space and mingle in the foyer. One suggestion is to “board” the venue like an aircraft, with those in the middle of the rows entering first. However, it would still be impossible to stop audience members coming into physical contact with each other. It could well be that theatres won’t properly reopen until a vaccine is found and is widely adopted. And, by then, many may have closed for good. Or, then, there’s this idea:
VIEW FROM AFAR
New tech called At Yours has been developed to allow for paid ticketing to streamed music events. “We hope it’ll help fill the gap while lockdowns prevent live gigs,” says developer Hew Sandison. “Beyond social distancing, however, we hope At Yours will open up new audiences and reliable revenue for people working in the live arts.” Details here.
My thoughts: When things do get back to normal, is it possible that many people will still opt to stay at home rather than attend music and theatre events in person? I guess the developers of this app hope this is the case. If it happens — and there are rights and other issues to sort out before it can — it may well mean that no event is ever sold out again. Certainly you’ll lose something by not being there in person, but it’s better than not being able to get a seat at all.
ZOOM READING
The second in Queensland Theatre’s Play Club series of live readings will be held tonight, May 12. The play is Mr Bailey’s Minder by Debra Oswald, one of the writers of the TV series Offspring. QT artistic director Lee Lewis (above) said: “We believe theatre should be open, even when it’s closed, and so Queensland Theatre is going digital. Through our ‘Quality Time with QT’ program we are inviting our supporters to join us behind the curtain for play readings with some of your favourite actors, conversations with creatives, practical production tutorials and a celebration of 50 seasons of stories. Together, let’s share our love of theatre by shifting our conversations from crowded foyers into our homes.” It’s a free live-streamed event using Zoom, but bookings are essential and limited. Register here.
RADIO ON TOAST
Who doesn’t love an all-day breakfast? Well, here’s one with a difference, thanks to Brisbane comedian Matt Okine (above) and Alex Dyson, formerly of Triple J, are serving up the laughs on demand via Southern Cross Austereo’s Podcast One service. Okine says in a media release: “I’m so excited about reconnecting with everyone who used to listen to us in the morning and even more excited about connecting with new fans who can't stand waking up before 9am! In a time when the nation is spending all day in their pyjamas, it’s only fitting that we offer them an all-day breakfast show to match.” Dyson adds: “As someone who ate a cold hash brown at 3:15pm yesterday, All Day Breakfast is the show I was born to do. Instead of spreading out a breakfast show thinly over a number of hours, this will be a daily shot of the best content, ready when you want it. Like eating a glob of Vegemite directly from the knife, instead of having it wiped sparsely over toast.”
MEANWHILE …
Tiger King: What Really Went Down is a TMZ/Harvey Levin update on the incredible story of Joe Exotic (above), his friends and rivals as told in the extremely bingeable Netflix documentary, Tiger King. I’ve no allusions that it’s anything more than an opportunistic quickie, but it’s on Channel 7 tonight (May 12) at 7.30pm and I’ll probably watch it.
QPAC has a list of online performances here. Its latest At Home video features The Book of Mormon star Billy Bourchier singing some of his favourite show tunes including Music of the Night from Phantom of the Opera, accompanied on piano by Luke Volker.
Opera Queensland is presenting an aria a day on its YouTube channel.
Brisbane playwright Eric Scott is allowing royalty-free performances of his work. Details are here.
Act/React theatre company is selling digital downloads of its hit festival show, Love/Hate Actually, recorded live at the Brisbane Powerhouse. The price of $15 will support writer-performers Amy Currie and Natalie Bochenski, with $2 per purchase going to Best Friends Felines, a Brisbane-based animal rescue charity. Details here.