Red Stitch Actors' Theatre — Attraction in Melbourne

This company does some great plays, but I found out (through a relative who works in the industry) that they don't pay their actors properly. The actors get paid way less than the union minimum wage - In fact, I am pretty sure my relative said they get around $1,200 for an entire 7 weeks of work! Maybe it's not the fault of the company. It's no doubt due to lack of funding. However, I think the theatre company should make its patrons aware of the fact that they cannot afford to pay their actors, instead of presenting it as a major professional theatre company. That way, the audience members might get behind them and start a campaign for them, or a rich benefactor might come forward and offer them some assistance. However, rather than state the truth, their website boasts its "employment" of actors in a difficult industry! I don't know how that kind of financial remuneration constitutes...

But it depends. Wittenoom was not a good show. The night I saw them, the actors were shouty; perhaps nerves or maybe they were accustomed to larger spaces. The script was a mess. This is a great space (size, accoustic) for a detailed nuanced performance. Mainly I worried if I could tough out the chair for 65 minutes.

OK. So a lot depends on the show. For Wolf Play I didn't notice the chairs for 2 hours. This was a 6/5 production; great script, great design (lighting, set, puppetry, choreography), great performances. I was on the edge of tears for 2 hours, had to wait 10 minutes before I could leave. Would go back in...

Tonight we joined the full house for the production of the play Sweet Phoebe.. And what a most enjoyable production it was. Having only just discovered this fabulous Ensemble Theatre.. We will be most definitely coming back to see other productions. Not only was the cast just superb and you were on your seat for every word they spoke in this intimate little theatre. Also the friendliest greeting at the ticket office and bar area.. This is most definitely a theatre to be...