Comments for Augusta Supple

Comment on Shit on your Blog? No I’d rather not. by Katie Pollock

Katie Pollock — Tue, 07 Feb 2012 06:19:55 +0000

Sorry, I mean worth reading (need your typo police).

Comment on Shit on your Blog? No I’d rather not. by Katie Pollock

Katie Pollock — Tue, 07 Feb 2012 06:18:38 +0000

Thanks for this post Gus. I appreciate that your comments are always honest, despite the potential that you “may never be employed in theatre” because of them (which I certainly hope is not the case). This is what makes your site with reading. I’m not suggesting that other reviewers are not honest of course, simply that I know you don’t just roll with fashion or friendship out of fear or laziness. This is why you have so many friends.

Comment on Shit on your Blog? No I’d rather not. by Augusta Supple

Augusta Supple — Mon, 06 Feb 2012 23:30:42 +0000

Yes indeed, blogs are wonderful like that Mark – that we can have a conversation, we can clarify, re-word (and sometimes re-think) our positions.
But I think that can only really, genuinely happen when the identity of the blogger is out there. Otherwise it’s like trying to have a meaningful conversation with a person in a cloak and a mask.
I am lucky because I have such amazing conversations with artists and critics and punters – not all conversations are easy, but all are respectful.
And that’s the tone I choose to prioritise and favour.

But it takes time and care to blog – it’s not like print whereby you write/it’s printed and then you’re done – it’s a living document – and will change with responses over time.

Comment on Shit on your Blog? No I’d rather not. by Mark Dessaix

Mark Dessaix — Mon, 06 Feb 2012 23:07:49 +0000

You’re welcome Gus,

But don’t take my love/hate too seriously, it’s the only saying i could find..and it’s more economical to write than “sometimes like/and sometimes not like” I don’t hate what they say at all. I think my “love” part comes from reading a sharp and insightful review, going to the play whether it’s been given a good or bad rap, and making up my own mind, a la Kate Revz. I remember seeing her posters for Orestes 2.0 with the different types of review blurbs and thinking “that’s a pretty damn smart move”. The “hate” part probably comes from not being able to discuss it with the critic if I agree or disagree. henceforth, enter the Blog!

I enjoy reading blog responses as they are readily available for discussion. And working with KJ at the moment has been very educational in that regard.

Anyway, whether they be a theatre critic/reviewer/blogger, it all goes in to making up the whole of our impressively diverse arts community. We can’t always be nice and like everything that’s out there, but we can encourage, like you say, through healthy and honest creative discussion.

Comment on The Bedroom | SUDS by Augusta Supple

Augusta Supple — Mon, 06 Feb 2012 20:58:46 +0000

Hi Niall,
I agree – the play itself isn’t with out its problems – and that particular premise point is one of them.
Another has to do with clarity about signposting plot points… how much dramatic irony needs to be employed (that is when we the audience knows/realises more than the characters do).
The great thing about SUDS is the opportunity to try things out in front of an audience at low financial risk – and it’s also a great place to develop.
When I consider that all involved in this production are between the ages of 20-25, I am utterly impressed at their vivacity, courage and sensitivity. I’m looking forward to seeing more.

Comment on Shit on your Blog? No I’d rather not. by Augusta Supple

Augusta Supple — Mon, 06 Feb 2012 20:41:04 +0000

Thanks for writing Mark,
lovely to read your perspective, as always…

I suspect that you just might love critics – after all you have been produced by one (me) and you are currently being directed by one (Kevin Jackson). I suspect you just might hate what they say sometimes. And I think that is good because it might provoke a further thinking on why you don’t agree – and in doing so you may strengthen your own artistic conviction.

As far as critics impacting “the make or break” of the show – I don’t really think that’s true. In the case of one of Kate Revz’s show’s she used the wildly contrasting opinions of reviewers to spruik to the public/potenital punter “come make up your own mind.” I think the producer makes or breaks a show – as does the quality of the performances and the text.

My “reviews” are not often not for audiences’ “pre-show” reading, but often they are what I refer to as a “response” to encourage an audience’s “post-show” rumination.

Thank you for your encouragement – it is very appreciated. More than you might realise.

Comment on The Bedroom | SUDS by Niall Tangney

Niall Tangney — Mon, 06 Feb 2012 16:54:42 +0000

I saw this SUDS production and enjoyed it also. The two actors did a great job The one point i would make is a minor point about the writing. The character with the gambling problem said he had been gambling for 40 years since he was 12 years old and had only been in debt twice. I thought this would be highly unlikely. Unless it was meant to be the character telling a lie, in which case, that would work too, but i wasn’t sure if it was meant to be a lie or if he was meant to be telling the truth.

Comment on Shit on your Blog? No I’d rather not. by Mark Dessaix

Mark Dessaix — Mon, 06 Feb 2012 13:01:33 +0000

Gus, I have always had a bit of love/hate thing for critics…to a degree, that one persons opinion can have the potential to make or break a show. No matter how bad or good it is, that critic could have many reasons why they gave a thumbs up or down – creatively, artistically…or they could just be having a shit day at work like all of us do, and no matter what, they just can’t shake the shit day feeling. I never take a review personally. ever. I take a review creatively, constructively. It’s a response to my work, or work I am part of, and in the end that is one of the jobs artists and creatives are mean’t to do. elicit a response. What I love about blogging, is that it offers up so much more of an opinion in a much more vast and less obliging way. What’s the point of making art if no one talks about it, dissects it and discusses it? Keep it up…it’s good shit (pun intended).

Comment on Shit on your Blog? No I’d rather not. by Kate Foy

Kate Foy — Mon, 06 Feb 2012 12:47:15 +0000

Good for you, Augusta! Keep on.

Comment on A History of Everything | Sydney Theatre Company & Ontroerend Goed & Sydney Festival by Melita

Melita — Wed, 01 Feb 2012 10:45:20 +0000

I have made a note to see Adaptation again at the soonest possible juncture.

I have also made a note of this comment in the context of my work: ‘I can’t get what those unique artists wish/dream/worry/understand/value of the history of everything according to them At THIS time. At THIS moment. As they understand it.’

I think this is important stuff.