There’s no accounting for taste, they say: in reviewing as much as in the exercise of artistic policy, taste is always ultimately subjective. Someone may prefer Ray Cooney to Pinter, Lloyd Webber to Sondheim, or Hammerstein over Hart. But the exercise of that taste should, at least, be informed. Theatre is also a broad church, and it is the job of an artistic director, as it is of a critic, to serve as broad a constituency of his potential audience as it is possible to do, while still staying true to himself.
So the news that reaches me, via the Westmorland Gazette in the Lake District, of the artistic director and chief executive of the Brewery Arts Centre suppressing an amateur company’s desire to stage Rodgers and Hammerstein’s Carousel there is very alarming. “We look at the artistic quality and social value and make a judgement accordingly,” the Brewery’s Sam Mason told the paper. “It’s my judgement – that’s what I’m paid to do.” And according to him, “Carousel is too fluffy and has poor musical content.”
Fluffy? A tale of marital abuse and violent death that results from a botched robbery attempt? As for music: a score that contains some of Rodgers and Hammerstein’s most searing and heartfelt numbers, from ‘What’s the Use of Wond’rin” and “If I loved You” to “You’ll Never Walk Alone” and Billy Bigelow’s incredible Soliloquy are amongst the high points of musical theatre writing, ever.
But not according to Mr Mason. When he wrote to the Kendal Amateur Operatic Society’s to inform them of why he deemed the choice of show unacceptable, he got himself into a convoluted discussion about the merits of particular musicals and their suitability for production at the theatre. Amongst the first category he sought to exclude were shows that “nearly every other school/amateur company is producing around the country”, and gave as examples of this “canon of somewhat clichéd productions such as Hello Dolly, South Pacific, Annie, Oklahoma!, The Boyfriend etc etc” Then there’s a second category of regularly produced shows, but which (according to him) “have a somewhat higher artistic, musical or social values such as Fiddler on the Roof, Blood Brothers, Cabaret and maybe even Guys and Dolls (in terms of musical quality)”. A third category comprises musicals that are “less frequently performed which are also interesting for our audience”, like Barnum, Scrooge and Blitz.
According to his letter, “Carousel, The Sound of Music and 42nd Street fit into the first category mentioned above and would offer nothing new or interesting to our audience.” He has, he admits, allowed Kendal College to produce Guys and Dolls at the theatre later this year, but only because “they have assured me that they will do so with a contemporary and challenging interpretation”.
Mr Mason, as chief executive of the Arts Council funded Brewery Arts Centre, clearly sees his role as being guardian to the gates of the type of show that audiences there can be exposed to, as well as to give interesting lectures in his opinions on the particular merits of different musicals. But the question really is whether it’s his personal fiefdom to play with or whether the wishes of the local community, who have themselves chosen to put Carousel on, and that the theatre should serve count for nothing. Instead of changing their choice of show, the group concerned have had to change their venue.
As the chairman of Kendal Amateur Operatic Society (the unfortunately acronym’d KAOS) replied to the theatre, “If Carousel was good enough for the National Theatre in London in 1993, it should be good enough for the Brewery now.” And it’s not as if the audience for it has exactly been saturated by exposure to the show over the years: the last production in Kendal was in 1984.
But the exercise of Mr Mason’s taste to what KAOS can and can’t put on in his venue also has commercial implications for the society: suggesting that the society searches for “more challenging musicals, or musicals which have at least been written in the last 20-30 years and haven’t been seen that frequently”, he even admits the possible consequences: “I would be willing to discuss helping support such an initiative by negotiating your hire fees if you feel the type of show I’ve outlined would not attract such a large audience.”
Artistic directors may have utlimate jurisdiction over their own venues, but it seems sheer folly when they seek to extend that jurisdiction, based on misinformation, onto the choice and tastes of others.
“Carousel is too fluffy and has poor musical content.”
Can someone use a large mallet on the head of this gentleman please. How very dare he. I know there is such thing as taste but how can someone completely fail to recognise such quality of writing when they are in an employed position of artistic choice.
South Pacific was groundbreaking for tackling such a topic as racism and prejudice in a musical theatre show, particularly considering the time period in which it was written. It's fluffy too? Is this guy for real?
The Brewery Arts Centre is just that, an Arts Centre. It is not a community centre or village hall. Art galleries are allowed to decide which artists work they display, theatres are allowed to choose which productions they show; so why should it be any different for an Arts Centre with a theatre?
Dear Mr Shenton
Shall we try to get a bit of honesty and perspective into this debate?
News did not reach you through the Westmorland Gazette as you claim, as in your blog you quote from a private letter sent by me to Kendal Amateur Operatic Society which you could only have if they sent it to you direct - as part of their orchestrated and malicious attempt to cause as much trouble as possible following their failed attempts to intimidate and bully the Brewery into doing what they wanted.
You also attribute words to me that were contained in an article not written by me - and we all know how accurate journalists are with their direct "quotations" don't we?
And you include nothing from the long explanatory letter that was written by me which was also in the Gazette - I assume KAOS did not send you a copy of that.
Lets stop this outrageous pretence that Carousel is "A tale of marital abuse and violent death that results from a botched robbery attempt" as if it is a piece of gritty theatrical realism. Only the truly self -deluded can claim that.
That is the token sub plot (clumsily constructed) behind a pretty tired and extremely sexist "love" story.
But all of that is really irrelevent as you are not paid to deliver the artistic programme at the Brewery Arts centre - I am.
As audiences have doubled since my arrival at the Brewery 5 years ago I think I do the job pretty well.
Your arrogant assumption that your opinion is somehow "informed" and mine is not is pompous in the extreme.
We disagree on the artistic merits of Carousel and that is the end of the matter. As we would disagree on many different shows I'm sure. For everybody who loves Carousel you'll find someone who hates it. For everyone who thinks it is a work of genius you'll find soemone who thinks its pretty poor and uninteresting stuff. Neither of us has the last word on quality, we both have our own judgement and opinion.
Mine is based on 20 years professional theatre experience and a decade of programming venues and your credentials are I am sure equally valid.
Why do you believe your view is of greater value than mine? Or is this blog site just your own personal fiefdom to play with so you are always right.
I, unlike you, do not give lectures as you claim on the merits of musicals. You quote from a private letter that was written in reponse to a direct request from KAOS for clarification of what I did or did not think was accepatable part of the programme for the Brewery - they asked asked for examples and explanation - which i provided.
The Brewery provides an eclectic and diverse mix of the highest quality profesioanl theatre, dance, music, film and visual arts available and affordable to our local community. That is the service we provide.
We are not and never have been a venue for the local amateur dramatic societies to stage their shows. In fact the Brewery housed no amateur dramatics (apart from their own company) for the first 25 years of its existence and KAOS have only performed here for the last 9 years.
Nor do Kendal Amateur Operatic Society represent the Community as you claim - just a very small part of it. Their audience represents less than 1% of our ticket sales and 80% of their audience come and see nothing else at the venue. They could perform anywhere and their audience would still come and see the work.
Our programme also has to serve the other 99% of the community that have absolutely no interest in the work of KAOS or Carousel.
That somehwhat larger percentage are perfectly happy with the programme we choose for them (and every programmer in the country is choosing what is made avaialbale for the community to see so don't try to make that sound sinister and controlling).
You know nothing about the Brewery and our programme. You know nothing about Kendal and its community. You know very little about the facts in this matter.
Who is uninformed do you think?
And for the person that claimed South Pacific is a piece dealing with racism - please!!!
Sam Mason
Some facts for you.
Just a few more facts before the blogs start flying based on half-truths and presumption.
The Brewery is not funded by anyone to house amateur dramatic societies - and that requirement is in none of our service level agreements with funders.
No group has an automatic right to put on anything at the Brewery. We turn down hundreds of theatre companies, bands, artists every year as there is only so much we can put on (as every venue does) - so our programmers select the work (as they are paid to do).
Why so much fuss over one show out of several hundred?
We receive less than 2% of our income from the local authority and less than 6% of our income from the Arts Council - so only 2p in every pound we spend is from local tax payers and 6p from the national pot.
We generate 90% of our own income - a higher percentage than any other comparable venue in the country. We therefore have a very clear understanding of what our community wants to see in their local venue - and, thank god, a considerable amount of artistic independence.
We programme a very diverse range of work and we also a very diverse audience - not just the traditional theatre audiences that patronise many venues around the country.
Local people do not select the programme in any professional venue - why do you think a small group of self interested people should select what is put on here?
You missed out the key fact that KAOS offered me a short list of five show and I agreed they could produce one of the other five - but they refused.
You also missed out the fact that they claimed the main reason for their choice was financial not artistic - and that I offered to sibsidise another show - but they refused that offer as well.
You also missed out the fact that the Society went to the papers; to town, district and county councillors; and to NODA - BEFORE they had a meeting with me to discuss a possible compromise - having no intention of trying to find a compromise or a positive way forward but intent on causing as much fuss as possible and to try to get others to influence my decision.
In the meeting they were just personally abusive and offensive from the first second.
None of these were the actions of reasonable people who just wanted to put on a show. They were the actions of typical middle class bullies who are used to getting their own way and who are prepared to go to any lengths if anyone dares stand up to them. And woe-betide anyone who gets in their way.
I hope you are proud of the fact you have been used in this way and have launched a public personal attack on someone you know nothing about, realting to a situation you know nothing about, purely for the vindictive pleasure of a handful of bitter am drammers.
There are horror stories nationwide of amateur dramatic societies using local and national influence to intimidate professional arts venues - and to ensure the now painfully dull canon of the same handful of shows are produced over and over again to their increasingly ageing audiences. Many venue directors go on holiday just to get away from them. perhaps you should write about that. Or what will fill the hole in British theatre when the members and audiences for these shows are dead and gone.
Theatre has a massive wake up call in the next 20 years if it doesn't start trying to encourage amateur dramatic societies and audiences to produce and see something different.
The gene that makes you like R & H musicals doesn't automatically switch on when you reach the age of 60 you know. And lets face it - most (not all before the rampant R & H fan aged 21 writes in) of the audeince for that work has already reached and passed that milestone.
Sam Mason
When you're in a hole, Mr Mason, it's a good idea to stop digging!
Your attempts to justify your absurd position re: Carousel are smug and patronising in the extreme. No wonder KAOS find it impossible to deal with you and had to go to publicise their cause elsewhere, if you are reporting the situation accurately. It's hardly a show that is part of the standard, over-produced amdram repertoire. Carousel is also hardly the show you choose to put on to make a fast buck, either. That's Grease or Fame or Boogie Nights.
I personally applaud The Stage for bringing our attention to this appalling way of running a theatre and passing unwarranted slurs on the efforts of an amdram group, whom you have the nerve to patronisingly dismiss as "a handful of bitter amdrammers" and worse, a bunch of "typical middle-class bullies".... Pots and kettles come to mind.
I totally agree with Ricky Boo. If Mr Mason continues, it will not only be him falling down the hole he has been digging. As the kinpin of The Brewery, his personal rudeness and opinions are perceived to be those of the Brewery too. Has he stopped to think what damage this might cause his other productions in the future?
KAOS pay to hire their venues and if Josef Weinberger Limited were happy to license Carousel, and KAOS were happy to produce it, then Mr Mason should have been happy to stage it at his venue and not patronise them by refusing, just because their choice doesn't appeal to his own personal taste.
It must be clear now, which side of the fence most right-minded people are on -(evidence the correspondence). I think I am not the only person to be offended by Mr Mason's childish and vindictive name-calling - not only about KAOS members, but audiences too.
Like Billy Bigelow, the arrogant and confident Mr Mason cannot conceive of ever being wrong !
I read with horror M.Mason's comments about KAOS committee. I know them all personally & to call them middle calss bullies used to getting their own way is simply not true. I do not wish to stoop to the level of his appalling personal mud slinging or his way of presenting the facts in a way which suits his own ends. My concern is that he is choosing to limit access to the wonderful facilities of the Brewery Theatre to his chosen few. Last night I saw Kendal College's superb production of "Guys & Dolls" at the Brewery. Mr. Mason told Gazette readers that this production only just scraped in.Nowhere else in town could the excellent effects have been produced.All secondary schools in Kendal should have access to this wonderful theatre.All school musicals I have ever seen in Kendal have been of a very high standard.
Yes, the Brewery is an Arts & not a Community Centre, but it is a venue to which all the community should have acceess.
The two previous Directors of the Brewery fervently believed in this & make no mistake, both had very high artistic standards.
After being a cast member with Kendal College in 'Guys & Dolls', every single one of us involved were absolutely shocked when we were reading the comments made by Mr Mason, Musicals are one of the countrys favourite forms of entertainment, and just to take some information from Mr Mason's own mouth “nearly every other school/amateur company is producing around the country”, and gave as examples of this “canon of somewhat clichéd productions such as Hello Dolly, South Pacific, Annie, Oklahoma!, The Boyfriend etc etc” Mr Mason, the reason every other school, supposedly are performing these shows is because they are fantastic, enjoyable shows with terrific scores & terrific lyrics, and who are you to call 'Carousel' fluffy????. Fair enough, its a matter of opinion but you are forever going to be on the losing side of that argument, 'Guys & Dolls' was a success with audiences as would other musicals, also not to undermine how entertaining a pantomine can be, but how do you have the right to call musicals 'fluffy' when you allow pantomines on every year, i enjoy them as much as the next person but musicals deserve the same respect, people make a living off musicals Mr Mason!, and you should without getting rude get your head pulled firmly out of your own behind and give the public from personal experience what they have been enjoying for decades and that is a good,entertaining, enjoyable MUSICAL!, Best Regards . Glen Hanmer
Just to take off my 'mature' head for a minute and slip back into student mode...
“Carousel is too fluffy and has poor musical content.”
Dude, you need to watch this again with your head screwed on properly.
As another member of the cast of 'Guys and Dolls' i must agree with Glen that we were all shocked and disheartened by the news that the Brewery didnt really like the idea of us performing a musical. As it turns out our show was extremely successful! As i believe was 'Blitz' when performed by KAOS. This to me shows that musicals what ever the content are still extremely popular and liked throughtout the theatre world. I do understand the point of view at the brewery that they like contempory art and different styles of theatre to attract all types of audiences. But i have to say i have been extremely dissapointed with the standard that they are delivering. The merchant of venice performed by a certain company was DREADFULL no offence to the performers, but not one of the kendal college students knew what was happening on stage and we left during the interval along with half the audience. Not only was that dissapointing, but the way that the Brewery staff treated us was utterly disgusting. if musicals arent successful in this generation how come they're coming back? 'The Phantom of the Opera' film released earlier this year, 'Chicago' and now 'Rent'. All these films were extremely successful. with out sounding rude i think that the Brewery and Mr.Mason need to take a good long hard look at how they treat people, and maybe think about what audiences would want rather than what they want. I think at the rate they are going performers will start to look else where for places to perform, which i think we will all agree isnt a good thing. Aswell as this i agree with enid holmes, that the brewery should be more like a communtiy theatre. i know for a fact that Barrow's Forum 28 have alot of success with community productions. i have been part of them. i hope things work out for the best and that the Brewery can get over this struggle, thanks neil
Oh dear, I knew blogs would fly but facts do get lost and people dont seem to have read what I said.
Ricky Boo - it was not me that said that KAOS wanted to do Carousel for financial reasons only - it was their own committee in writing and in person.
They in fact said they would prefer to do something more contemporary but it would not sell out as Carousel would, and they had to put bums on seats to balance their books. This is why i found it confusing when they turned down my offer to subsisdise another show and why the argument has now become one about artistic integrity.
J Jordan - your view would mean that anyone can put on anything they want to if they can pay to hire a venue and get a licence to do so - and that venue has no say in what they do whatever the content or even if they hire the venue at all.
By the extension of your argument (and that of Enid Holmes) I should throw open the doors of the Brewery to all amateur dramatic companies and schools to perform whatever they want whenever they want. Or any other community group for that matter - because to be selective would be wrong it seems.
From the requests we have to hire the venue each year, that would be about 4 months of the year or more filled with amateur and school productions in the theatre, plus a few months of societies AGM's, lectures, church services etc etc.
I presume you would wish me to extend the same offer to our music venue, which would mean several months of local bands, and the galleries, which would mean all year round amateur arts exhibitions (as we have hudreds of local artists). And probably the cinemas aswell, with local film makers taking a month or so.
Or do you think this might be excessive as it would mean the end of the Brewery as a venue that delivers the highest quality professional work available all year round to a community that would have to travel many miles to see it anywhere else - and one of the most successful venues in the country at delivering exactly that.
Would you therefore maybe think there should be some criteria to select which groups could hire and which could not - and what would those criteria be, and who would implement them without very similar consequences? Which groups would you allow and which not, which schools, which artists, which bands? What a minefield you would be walking into don't you think?
Or maybe the Brewery should stick to its existing policy of creating a balanced programme of work with
some community representation in that programme.
"Right minded" does not always apply to those who agree with you.
Enid Holmes - I would welcome your interpretation of the "facts" if you would ever care to write to me directly rather than to the paper or a web site.
(It might be worth noting that I only directly received 3 very reasonable letters on this subject, to which I replied in equal measure, whereas the local paper, counsillors etc etc received many many more)
You might also be interested in the fact that it was me who invited the secondary schools and the college to perform at the Brewery in the first place and they did not in fact perform here before.
There is also the fact that the Brewery now runs 8 youth theatres and 12 youth dance groups and nearly 400 young people every week attend regular classes and produce performances at the Brewery - and this number is increasing every week. This work only started in the last few years as well.
There is also the fact that 800 young people form all over South Lakeland performed at the Brewery in our annual dance platform (another new initiative) the week before this all hit the papers and only got a couple of column inches of newspaper coverage and no letters at all.
Kendal College Students - perhaps you should talk to you tutors about why you are performing at the Brewery in the first place before you launch attacks on me, my judgement and my staff.
I saw Kendal College's "Guys and Dolls" and thoroughly enjoyed it by the way - as I enjoy many musicals - this is not about personal preference (and never is for any programmer) but about professional judgement - you disagree with mine - as it seems do many people - but that does not make you right and me wrong does it?
Many people believe Mr Webber is the greatest musical writer of all time, the critics and many others would not agree and pan his work, but his shows run for decades - who is right and who is wrong?
The argument that I am wrong to act on my own opinion, beacuse you do not share that opinion and therefore I must be in the wrong, is somewhat hypocritical don't you think?
I do not claim that my view has any greater validity than any other - though maybe more experience than some - (read first blog - so less of the personal attacks please), but I am paid for my view and implement it with integrity.
I am sorry that this has upset so many people and so many people have felt insulted by my decision.
But can we all get it clear that my communication on this matter with KAOS was both polite and private, and that I went into my meeting with the KAOS committee with an open mind (having stated this fact to my Chairman first) to be greeted by a wall of personal abuse and a total lack of willingness to compromise - and they had already gone to the papers and everyone else with liberal helpings of further personal slurs and abuse BEFORE the meeting.
They have then launched a very deliberate and orchestrated campaign aimed at me and the Brewery (did anyone note the fact that they had sent a private letter to the Stage mentioned above).
So can we not pursue the fantasy of poor helpless amateurs wanting to just stage a show and big bullying Arts Centre Director.
If I am digging it is trying to get rid of the rubbish that is being poured over me by ill-informed or mis-informed people so that people can judge on honest facts.
The argument about the quality of Carousel is irrelevent - as so many of you state, this is a matter of opinion (before you then go on to claim that your opinion is clearly the right one).
The Brewery is the extraordinary venue that it is because of the policies and control that have been implemented not only over the last five years, but the last 35 years.
No one seems to have read the fact that the Brewery was never intended to be, nor has ever been a civic venue for the use of all amateur societies and schools.
Why do you want it to change what it is and has always been?
For those of you not from the South Lakes - you don't know our venue or the purpose it serves so don't presume to tell us what it should be.
For those from the area - can't you just be proud of a venue that is not the same as so many other civic theatres around the country, tied up for months on end with shows written over 60 years ago to a declining audience and celebrate the fact you get the best theatre, bands, film and exhibitions from around the world on your doorstep.
And could people please when they accuse me of being childish and name calling and issue requests to bang me over the head with a mallet or remove my head from other places or accuse me of countless other things with lashings of personal abuse - read what you are writing first and what KAOS and their friends have written about me from the very start of this matter - and then ask yourself about who has stooped to whose level and how high is the gound you are throwing your insults from?
I do hope this is the end of the matter, but suspect that it will run and run and people will continue to be "outraged" for some time to come.
I know many of the more resonable people out there are finding this all highly amusing (as many have called me to tell me so) - I do wish one of you would write in to tell us all to get a life!
Dear Mr Mason, Thank you for your replies and before i start launching 'Personal Attacks' on you, i would like to take this opportunity to say we do not claim that you personally are making errors, we are refering to the brewery as a whole, every single time kendal college has performed there in the last few years we have been subjected to disgraceful comments behind our back about the content of our work, i.e musicals, not to mention the fact that we were spoken to like dirt for the duration of us being there, i dont wish to sound like i know your job better than you because i do not, but do you not think rather than voicing your opinions as the voice of the community, do you not think you should check with the community, who as a whole from previous experience enjoyed every single musical the brewery have put on in the last few years, if you have the evidence that supports your point of view i will gladly retract my statements but until then please do not offer your opinion as the voice of a whole community.
I, as Mr. Mason suggested, am just about to write him a personal letter. I don't expect a reply as the last time I wrote to him whilst doing some research, I didn't get a reply, nor did I ever manage to speak to him on the phone whilst doing that same research.
I wonder has he ever seen KAOS perform at the Brewery? In the years we have performed there, I have never once seen him.
I promise I will not post anything else on this subjesct. I'm just sad to see that Mr. Mason chooses to misinterpret so much of what has been said whilst he is writing his lengthy letters of self defence.
I don't mean to offend anyone that's posted here before me, but seriously people, get a little prospective.
Mr Mason has listed many reasons why he made the decission he did and also that he offered to subsidise a different performance for KAOS to produce since they didn't really want to do Carousel. I think that's pretty damn nice of him myself.
I believe someone previously posted that Blitz!, last years KAOS production did well, which it didn't. Check the facts.
I believe that as the MD of the Brewery, Mr Mason has the right to make any decision he wants, and who are we to say otherwise?!
This Whole thing is completely outragous.
So what If Mr Mason Chooses not to have someone perform in his theatre.
It is what he is paid to do.
People need to get some perception on this matter as it has clearly grown out of control.
KAOS seem to have clearly blown this out of proportion and have handled this very childishly.
Any chance of it being resolved has been blown out the window by going to press etc.
What did they expect Mr Mason to do? Back down?
They spat their dummy out, and it got them nowhere.
If he made a descion then he has to stick, which he has! Good for him.
KAOS have dug this hole themselves and need think about it.
Also Important facts are being overlooked just for the sake of sympathy
I'd also like to voice my support for Mr Mason's decision. KAOS seem to have automatically "expected" use of the Brewery Arts Centre, a professional theatrical venue, for their show as many amateur groups seem to do now. I personally can think of nothing worse than having my local theatre's programme made up entirely of amateur productions (often of questionable quality), which traditionally tend to be the rather over-done golden oldies musicals or the latest release by Josef Weinberger Ltd.....YAWN. I applaud The Brewery's efforts in being much more selective.
I thoroughly agree with Mr Mason and think him an excellent writer and director: I have heard he is contemplating a version of 'Lolita' starring some members of his own staff - excellent!
Younger readers who may, like Mr. Mason, be tempted to discount Carousel should at least have knowledge of the show. The sequence in Act 1 from "You're a queer one, Julie Jordan!" through to the reprise of "If I Loved You" is, I submit, a contender for the most effective scene in musical theatre. ("If I Loved You" is a strong candidate as the perfect lyrical audition song.) The Soliloquy has already been mentioned. Act 2 does, indeed, get rather silly. Whimsy-up-a-step-ladder (cf "The Fantasticks") may work in America, but I think not here. But the finale is classically redeeming. Whatever your taste, it isn't a show to be dismissed as "fluff".
A very interesting debate, I have full sympathy for both sides.
Firstly, Mr Mason has full autonomy as to who uses 'his' facility. That is his job and I am sure he does it with a creative balance.
Secondly, KAOS are (it seems) in the same boat as so many other amateur theatre group - in dire need of full houses in a relatively cheap show to produce.
Thirdly (and a point thathas been somewhat overlooked) KAOS are running a small company. Costs of putting on amateur shows grow year upon year. Average costs for my Society run to about £70,000 per show (wedo 2 a year) and so, yes, we need to balance different, challenging, creative but relatively badly attended shows with 'standards' that we know will put bums on seats... just to keep the company afloat.
These amateur societies (as the name suggests) are not run by theatrical professionals but by decent, hard working threatre enthusiasts. Put a challenge in front of them such as 'venue not available' and the alarm bells start to ring (as it seems they did in this case) and a show that was probably penciled in with the rightsholders and also semi-cast in the director's mind suddenly looked like a non starter...leaving the society with very little time to choose another show to fit in with their usual schedule.
Amateur theater is becoming more 'professional' with more and more productions taking place in larger professional venues. Societies therefore have to act more 'professionally' and must have systems in place to deal with knock-backs such as this one.
I will not get into the debate about Carousel being 'fluffy' as this is such a subjective matter, but it does seem (from what Mr Mason said) that he felt it harder to justify putting on 'fluffy' shows in his venue... this could have been put in a rather lessfrivolous manner and could have put a stop to a great deal of this nastiness.
All I will say is thet the National Theatre production of Carousel lifted the show to a completely different level (as did their Oklahoma) and has me in tears every time I play the CD (I am a 39 year old man for christ's sake!). The piece IS challenging, if you have watched the film 'Liliom' on which the show is based you see a deeper side to Julie and a more childish side to Billy (Liliom), but above all the show IS a fundamental social comment on one person's inability to show love and affection and his deep inner hurt and anger at knowing his own frailty which possibly stemmed from his own painful childhood... which has so much relevance to society today (but we are entering the realms of sub plot here and I could go on forever!).
Come and see Carousel by Darlington Operatic Society in 2007... we are gonna make it dark and meaningfull and only 'fluffy' where necessary to give light and shade... that is a direct invitation Mr Mason...
I have heard of the recent debate between K.A.O.S and Mr Mason.
Firstly, i suggest that Mr Mason should stop talking through his back-side as his remark about Rodgers and Hammerstein musicals is not acceptable. Since when was 'The sound of music' a 'fluffy' and a 'boring performance'. As he stated above, it is only a matter of opinion, but that is no reason to tell K.A.O.S. they are not permitted to perform 'Carousel' at the Brewery arts as what musical the society produces is COMPLETELY none of Mr Mason's business as long as it doesn't offend anybody!!!! Mr Mason has been proved to be a terrible liar, an example being: as Mr Mason says above, he went into the meeting with K.A.O.S. with an open mind, when i have heard many honest accounts that he went in with a stubborn attitude and did not say a word to K.A.O.S., then after a while many accounts say that he stormed off in a rage! I suggest that he takes into mind the fact that it is all meant to be for fun! But people like Mr Mason turn it all into a business! I have had lots of fun with K.A.O.S. and i have found that they are a kind and honest society, everyone is always smiling and they just intend the production to be for fun, but now they are being forced to perform the magical and moving 'Carousel' at the town hall in cramped conditions. I hope this blog meant something, i also hope Mr Mason produces a better frame of mind for K.A.O.S.'s next production, which has not yet been decided. I have been a junior member of K.A.O.S. for the past few years and i have thoroughlly enjoyed it.....
Jason Whittle aged 12
I would firstly be interested to find out which musicals have indeed been deemed fit for production at the Brewery. I would then like Sam to find out which of his choices are actually available for performance at this current time....
Ebeneezer
To cliche.... I am outraged. But not at the 'childish' attitude of Mr Sam Mason, but at the seemingly churlish attitude of a local amature dramatic society who appear to be very full of their own self-importance.
I hope i will be one of Mr Masons 'more resonable people', as yes, i do find this all highly amusing.
Get a Life!!!!!!
I may not be local to Kendal, but i do have experience of the work of Sam Mason, and experience in similar am-dram debates. I am a drama student, and ex-youth theatre member of the Arts Centre at which Mr Mason was Director of before moving to Kendal.
My first comment would be to the people of Kendal, and that is to trust in the vibrant variation and high quality Sam Mason both seeks as an artistic director, and produces himself. His period with us brought the highest quality and energy of live theatre we have seen in Boston, and has not yet been matched by any of his three predecessors. Therefore i believe that the decisions he takes in the content of your program are well informed, built upon experience, and really will provide for your community the best that there is in live theatre today.
To those of you from KAOS, wake up and smell the roses. There is so much more to musical theatre than Carousel, although i do not wish to be caught in the argument of its artistic merits (and yes, Mr Payne, although young, i do have experience of the show having performed in it myself.)
I feel that as a society, the publicity you are creating does not hold you in good light. The comments you have placed upon this website appear to be rude and vindictive, and against Mr Mason's lengthy, measured and explainitory replys, do not demonstrate a love of producing quality theatre, but an eagerness to get your own way at whatever cost.
It is unfortunate that many (Not all - before anyone complains) amature dramatic societies are built up of people with little or no actual professional theatrical experience, yet expect to be taken seriously and treated as a professional group.
I have found myself that such groups struggle to produce the quality of production they would like - largely due to the amount of voluntary work required, the level of self importance that is generated in its members, and the repetition of the same people in the same roles in the same plays year after year. Indeed, many am dram societies feel it essential to do the old favourites - and i do believe that these musicals have their place in modern theatre (in moderation), but you are only skimming the surface of the quantity of quality material that there is out there for you to unleash on your public.
Why not take a gamble and try something new. Mr Mason claims that you wanted to try something more contemporary, and offered financial aid to support another choice - For many am dram groups the opportunity of financial aid to perform a lesser known production is one not to be turned down. The majority of your audience is determined by your cast - friends and family will come to watch the show and support you no matter what you perform or where you perform it - and Mr Mason's comment that 80% of your audience do not go to see any other show at the Arts Centre during the year would support this theory.
For all of you in Kendal, if you want a community theatre, the community and theatre have to work together. The Theatre needs to help incorporate some community influence. But as Mr Mason explains, the idea of having every am dram and school production going would soon draw complaints as to the lack of professional theatre he is exposing you to. I support the opinions of Tom Atkins on the matter of a program full of local am dram.
Mr mason's offer to help finance another show (which i think is a very generous) demonstrates a commitment to you, but how can KAOS expect to be taken seriously, and supportively incorporated into the venue if they protagonise and start off a nationwide mud slinging competition that will only end bitterly for both parties.
Good on Mr Sam Masson for his bold stance - more people in his possition could take note of his attempt to broaden the cultural range, the diversity of live theatre, and encourage higher quality proffessional theatre to a community who would have to travel a great distance to otherwise see such work.
Dear Mr Mason,
Having read some of the comments made by myself, i would firstly like to apologise for the way i acted over this situation, i was extremely immature over the whole situation and apologise for any grief i have caused you, i acted on the spur of the moment without considering the implications of my actions, i would like you to know Mr. Mason this is not my usual self and i would also like to just make the point that whilst i will not retract my own opinions about the situation as i am antitled to my opinion, i must apologise profusely for my childish, un-justified attacks on you and your staff, i would very much like to hear from you if you get this message as i would like to apologise personally if you see it fit then please contact me on callingallgirls911@hotmail.co.uk so i can talk to you personally and attempt, at least to try and sort out the mess that i am responsible for. Finally, i would just like to add please do not hold Kendal College Students responsible for my actions, as i was only speaking for a small minority, and whilst i like to think of myself as one of the more mature, proffesional students i understand i have damaged the repuation of not only the students but also all involved at the Brewery and the College and i would very much like to help if there is anything at all i can do to help rebuild the reputation. Apologies. Glen Hanmer
Anyone following this debate would do well to look at today's (15th june 2006) Daily Telegraph theatre section, where the Chichester Festival production of Carousel is described as a 'beautiful and deeply moving musical'.
I am forwarding a copy of the review to Sam Mason. Do ivory towers have letter boxes? I ask myself.
Glen Hanmer, your sudden change of heart wouldn't have anything to do with Mr Mason and co having a meeting your department head would it ? Don't let them bully you man !
The Bulldog
I have read the above comments and have to admit my disgust at the comments left by 'adults' of the Kendal community and beyond!
If the Kendal Amateur Operatic Society wish to stage a frankly dated and uninteresting play that will surly send most of the audience into a coma induced from boredom, or alternatively alienating them for theatre altogether, at the brewery’s artistical integrities expense that’s fine !
I fully back Mr masons decision, and those that suggest a ‘mallet to his head’ or ‘ivory towers’ need to wake up and realise the venue is not the town hall, but is a serious venue, for serious and worthwhile productions.
Another thought is that this problem is part of the dwindling Kendal communities ‘insular’ view on life that the brewery is part of their ownership, and should be used accordingly, but what defines an art centre is its ability to introduce something fresh, entertaining and thought provoking to the local community ?