tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4146056913190816228.post6106006177598518414..comments2023-06-08T09:09:26.663-04:00Comments on THE CHARLEBOIS POST - MONTREAL: Opinion: On The Training Ground and HamletUnknownnoreply@blogger.comBlogger5125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4146056913190816228.post-16787966190082427012012-11-07T13:06:12.964-05:002012-11-07T13:06:12.964-05:00There are two very important issues raised in this...There are two very important issues raised in this opinion piece: the appropriate trajectory for emerging artists and the lack of maturity in the way in which we critique the work of young theatre companies in Montreal. Both are vital to the future of the arts.<br /><br />Unfortunately Nanette's unnecessarily vitriolic and seemingly personal attack on Persephone undermined her underlying argument and she did herself a disservice here. Further, her comments on the production of Hamlet were unsupported and without a critical foundation; in this way she herself became a negative version of the type of superficial and thoughtless critic she decries in her piece.<br /><br />However, let's have a real debate on the issues raised. Why is it that there is insufficient funding for young theatre companies, so that working conditions are far from ideal if one wants to do good work? Why is there not a more developed apprenticeship program for young actors? What are the different ways in which we can provide opportunities for actors to continue their training and work on their craft so they feel less isolated? Why are we sometimes reluctant to sit together and have a real conversation about the work of these young companies instead of giving the typical Montreal standing ovations just because they manage to get a play produced? <br /><br />Let's have the debate. However, let's do it without needlessly trashing each other. <br /><br />Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4146056913190816228.post-37103867836022801262012-11-07T09:28:52.337-05:002012-11-07T09:28:52.337-05:00No, it's certainly not a review of Persephone&...No, it's certainly not a review of Persephone's "Hamlet." A review probably would have had to give some sense of balance and context to the criticisms, rather than tossing them off in the middle of an article about something else entirely. <br />It's too bad Nanette couldn't make her points about the dedication of young artists without throwing the ones involved in "Hamlet" - or their director - under the bus in the process.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4146056913190816228.post-28964778320872732712012-11-05T13:11:30.618-05:002012-11-05T13:11:30.618-05:00I think Nanette has brought up extremely important...I think Nanette has brought up extremely important points and has brought forth an opinion that is shared by many. This is a problem for emerging artists, and although some may argue this is a right of passage, the artists union does not allow these kind of working conditions for a reason. I commend you for bringing up something that is on a lot of people's minds. This is not an attack on Persephone at all, but should be seen as a catalyst for a conversation that many people should be having in the Independent Theatre Scene.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4146056913190816228.post-31714876143002846722012-11-04T18:04:20.465-05:002012-11-04T18:04:20.465-05:00I think you will see that both writer and editor c...I think you will see that both writer and editor clearly indicated that this is not a review. It is an opinion piece. THE CHARLEBOIS POSThttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08217129925286207040noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4146056913190816228.post-51321739277859270832012-11-04T15:21:00.357-05:002012-11-04T15:21:00.357-05:00If this is supposed to be a critique of the produc...If this is supposed to be a critique of the production of Hamlet by Persephone Productions it is - not to put too fine a point on it - pathetic! Gabrielle Soskin has spent 12 years preparing drama students to do some great work on the stages here in Montreal and has usually succeeded. This "review" sounds like Nanette Soucy was not there for the performance. Nowhere in the critique are there any cogent comments on the actual performance. <br /><br />We were treated to a very well disciplined and extremely well prepared team of actors that worked together with great clarity and conviction. Every word of this great work was clear and the audience seemed to hang on each one! The stage was - as is the case in all of these kinds of production - simple and spare but this only heightened the importance of the text. The costumes were actually of rather high quality and certainly not "held together with safety pins." Most of the people that were in the audience that I took part in agreed that we are lucky here in Montreal to get to see and hear Shakespeare's great work performed at such a high level. <br /><br />My advice is to ignore the Soucy review and to get out there and see one of the greatest plays in the English language - all for a mere $25. <br /><br />Dave SchurmanAnonymousnoreply@blogger.com