Comments on: We’re ready for a Bun fight! | NOT the NSW Premier’s Literary Awards

By: epistemysics

epistemysics — Sun, 23 May 2010 15:23:43 +0000

Sounds like it was a great night, and what a wonderful thing to have so many playwrights in a room at once! Indeed, one well-placed bomb and I could’ve wiped out half of my competition. (I’m joking, of course.) (Or am I? (Queue dramatic music.))

But yes, I was there in spirit. So a general “Hear, Hear!” to it all.

And in case you’re interested, as far as I know, the collective noun for a group of playwrights is a ‘caste’. At least that’s what my Usage & Abusage says.

By: Alison Croggon

Alison Croggon — Sat, 22 May 2010 01:05:10 +0000

I can tell you right now from direct firsthand experience that poetry is a lot less lucrative than writing plays. And it’s probably less lucrative than blogging. But I think you’re right, playwrights are better looking.

Sounds like a fabulous night, and I am sorry I couldn’t have been there.

By: Rebecca Clarke

Rebecca Clarke — Fri, 21 May 2010 06:25:30 +0000

Beautifully said!

By: Vanessa Bates

Vanessa Bates — Fri, 21 May 2010 05:00:07 +0000

Thanks Gus. And yes to all those things. It was a great celebration. It was a great cluster. It’s easy to be cynical and bitter about being a playwright in this country, so I’ll be very positive here and say this was not a one off get-together. This will not have gone unheard and unnoticed by the gatekeepers and literary judges of our culture.
Surely.

By: Caleb

Caleb — Fri, 21 May 2010 03:55:33 +0000

Hi Gus,

I had a similar response. See my comments below as posted on Jo Erskine’s blog last night:

Great stuff guys. It was a fantastic night and one which left me feeling charged and part of a talented, passionate group of people. Congrats to all those who organised. For me, the only stain on the evening was the absence of so many of our so-called ‘representatives’. Heartfelt thanks to Katharine Brisbane (and all at Currency Press), John McCallum and a very busy Leland Kean for their impassioned speeches and to those like Sam Strong who showed their support on the night – but where was everyone else? Where were the literary managers and artistic directors from all of the major companies? Some I know were genuinely unable to make it – but what about the others? This is an issue affecting every playwright in the country so I have to ask are you interested in Australian stories or not? Thank you to all those passionate artists, supporters and commentators who were involved. Good writing is the bedrock of theatre – we need to recognise it, celebrate it and defend it. I felt proud to be part of this dynamic community and to gather with so many terrific writers demanding to be heard. If we don’t speak up nothing changes – the words die on our lips.

Best regards and thanks again for a terrific night,

Caleb

By: Sarah Doyle

Sarah Doyle — Fri, 21 May 2010 01:39:46 +0000

There in spirit my darling. Congratulations on the event, may it be a clear footprint on the road to respect.