I used to work in the Roundhouse in London, way back in the ’60’s of the last century (boy that makes me sound ancient!!!), and upon arriving in Brisbane I found work as a volunteer at the Brisbane Roundhouse, as an usher, rather than as a Production Manager (which was what I did at the Roundhouse in London (see other posts in this blog and my other blog, https://28061942.blogspot.com/).
It was amazing being back in another Roundhouse, and it was a great relief not to have the responsibility of being in charge, as I had been all my life – in the various things I did in my life – but simply just to turn up for work at the beginning of my shift, and then to stay until the end of my shift…… Easy really.
And not to have to rebuild the theatre when a new show came in, as we did in the London Roundhouse, simply think if it was in the round, or in a classical theatre thrust configuration. Actually, we ushers didn’t bother about that, we simply found it when we had our first shift – Stage hands built the scenery and configured the theatre each time…. We simply turned up and discovered what was what.
What was amazing about La Boite was that it was an experimental theatre, so shows that we put on there were more or less experimental, some more than others. Also, they held the annual Student Theatre shows there, which were interesting, but not necessarily good…… Student theatre is a big thing in Australian universities and much encouraged, but not necessarily good.
I worked in La Boite for about 6 years, and saw many interesting shows there, and then one day, we were all invited to a show, and we were fired! It seemed that they were in difficulties over the insurance which had to be paid for us all and so they had decided to get shot of us all……… Sad, but realistic.
OZTHOUGHTS 