As a theatre-goer, rather than a theatre-doer, I have no reservations in saying that I am just as excited to go and see these ‘American blockbusters’ as I am to see something new with my Laksa at the Old Fitzroy. In fact if it has an interesting look and a bit of a heartbeat, I will give it a go. Some is great, some is terrible; but all is exciting and I rarely regret spending time and money on any of it. Variety is important from an audience perspective – a spectrum of available spaces, stories and experiences, both new and well worn.

And since I wont be able to afford to travel any time soon (because I too work in an industry where the majority of the workforce is undervalued) I can only thank the STC for providing me with opportunities to view these works and these actors, which I may not otherwise have. Just as musically I would thank Quirkz, The Factory, and, periodically, The Entertainment Centre.

As an aside – as far as I can see, of the 12 Main Stage productions in the 2010 STC season – there are eight plays, of which four are by American playwrights and two by Australians. Of the further four adaptations, one is American and three are Australian – adapted from novels or plays from Russia, France and Germany. Plus a British play and a Greek tragedy. The American ring-ins, it would appear, are all involved with the American plays. Sure, it’s not global theatre and it certainly isn’t representative of all the beautiful and rich cultures stitched together to make this country – but I don’t see it as quite the American All-Star calamity that you’re suggesting.

That article also has Upton saying ”We want the day to come when all the companies in America and England say, ‘What’s being done in England and what’s being done in America – and what’s being done in Australia?”’ My response to that when I read it, looking at the STC’s season this year, and their recent history of International tours, is the answer will be “not writing.” And that makes me sad, because we are writing some brilliant work. I wish they got a larger stage.