THEY were optimistic one day, offended the next. Lieder Theatre artistic director Chrisjohn Hancock and playwright Jennifer Lamb suspect state government snobbery is at the heart of a rejected funding application.
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Neither Mr Hancock nor Ms Lamb were surprised the Theatre’s request for Arts NSW funding to back a 2015 production was denied this month.
They were, however, bemused by one of the reasons.
An Arts NSW representative told Ms Lamb the Lieder was ineligible for a grant because it was an amateur group – not professional.
The feedback prompted a meeting with Goulburn MP Pru Goward and sparked criticism of those charged with deciding which regional theatre groups were amateur and which weren’t.
“How do you define amateur?” Mr Hancock asked on Wednesday.
“The Lieder Theatre Company has been paying people since the 1970s… We’ve been paying people with industry cards, musical artists, directors and sometimes actors.
“The fact that we didn’t get the funding is not the issue. The fact that we missed out because our company is not professional enough – that’s insulting.”
Mr Hancock this month returned to Australia having overseen the Theatre’s rendition of The Servant of Two Masters – performed before international audiences in Florida.
“We believe we create work that is diverse and celebrated,” he continued.
“This was funding directly for regional theatre companies. How many theatres are there outside of Sydney that are fully professional?
I’d have thought none.” The Lieder still hopes to bring the story of inspiring district Aboriginal man and orphan William Punch to life on stage next year. Mr Punch died on the battlegrounds of World War One.
The yet-to-be titled play, written by Ms Lamb in consultation with the Indigenous community and local historians, will tie-in with the 100th anniversary of the Anzacs landing at Gallipoli.
Without any of the $41,000 applied for, the Theatre won’t be able to tour the production.
“My first reaction to being told we weren’t professional was: ‘how do you know? You’ve never really seen us’,” Ms Lamb said, recalling her follow-up phone conversation with an Arts NSW employee.
“The way the Lieder runs is certainly not amateur. We put on at least five main-stage productions a year. It beggars belief that they could see us amateur.”
Despite rejection, the Lieder won’t abandon its quest for funding.
Mr Hancock and Ms Lamb last Saturdayweek met with Pru Goward to plead their case.
The Goulburn MP is a regular in the Lieder Theatre audience and promised to raise the matter with Arts Minister, Troy Grant.
“I have already spoken directly with Troy Grant and have asked for a meeting with him and the Lieder,” Ms Goward explained.
“The Minister assured me he was very keen to support regional arts groups like the Lieder.
“I am a very strong supporter of the Lieder and its great contribution to the cultural life of Goulburn, as well as the importance of providing opportunities for our young people to develop the skills they need to become part of performing arts of NSW.
“We have many gifted students who deserve the same chances as city children to follow their dream.”