Tim, lighting the way

The name ‘Munro’ translates as ‘the red haired tonsured one’, deriving from ‘maol’ meaning bald, and ‘ruadh’, red or auburn. It’s conjours an image of a very theatrical character but has nothing at all to do with a present day Munro, the one I’m writing about … Tim, the Chief Executive of the Theatre Royal who recently chatted to me about the exciting upcoming 2014 season.

It’s an extensive process that goes into preparing a theatre season and 2014 is expected to be a big season with an estimated 60 000 patrons visiting the theatre. There will be some big name guests and more than a 3rd of the works presented will be local.

The planning for next season and future seasons starts early says Tim, with the theatre planning 18 months and even 2 years ahead sometimes so that productions for 2015 are already being discussed.

The process starts with Tim attending market places around the country looking for congenial and affordable possibilities that fit into the theatres calendar. As well as shows actively pursued there are also shows that hire out the theatre as a venue.

Among next year’s attractions are the popular opera identity David Hobson and musical theatres Rachael Beck in their show called ‘Both Sides’ a mixture of both their disciplines with songs from ‘Les Mis’, ‘My Fair Lady’ and ‘Chitty Chitty Bang Bang’ among others, ‘Chitty Chitty Bang Bang’ being a recent theatre outing for both of them.

Not moving far away from musical theatre,Australia’s Ten Tenors will be at the Theatre Royal to perform a series of Broadway hits and the Tasmanian contingent will be there including a production from Tassie favourites ‘X and Wellington’.

A more serious but equally original Tasmanian production will be ‘Born from animals’ plays by acclaimed Tasmanian writers Tom Holloway, Finegan Kruckemeyer and Sean Monro.

2014 will also see the return of some favourite performers like the annual Bell Shakespeare offering, next year they will be performing Henry V and there will also be the tri-annual visit from Circus Oz which will feature its regular aerialists and jugglers performing with a vaudeville and cabaret feel. Tim says they would love to have the circus every year if it were feasible.

Some more highlights will include ‘Lake’ a dance production by Lisa Wilson which creates an analogy between the fear of water and the sometimes treading water of relationships. in an original presentation and a new experience for the Theatre Royal the dance will be performed on a watery stage with a tree presiding over all the action!

Next year will also see a return of the extremely popular Baroque with ‘Orlando’ a production from the US of Handel ‘s 1733 opera.

Theatrical and entertainment royalty will be treading our theatres boards with Patricia Routledge and John Cleese. Patricia Routledge will perform in ‘Admission One Shilling’ which tells the story of the lunchtime concerts that Dame Myra Hess halted her career to perform at London’s National Gallery during WWII.

Another international visitor delighting the children will be the popular Pepper Pig.

I ask Tim what has been his favourite production at the theatre and he nominated ‘Mr McGee and the Biting Flea’ from the book by Pamela Allen which will be returning to the theatre next year. The play is performed with props including mops and ladders. Tim also has praise for this years ‘Elevator’ and ‘Sundowners’ but admits he has eclectic taste and enjoys any performance that is done really well.

Tim wants to see the theatre not be an exclusive place but a place for everyone. As CEO he tries to get along to most presentations in a season and enjoys the experience of sitting in the audience and spending time in the foyer with a critical eye. He is alert to the audience reactions and what they enjoy and how satisfactory their theatre experience is, all the time looking for ways that experience can be improved. Tim’s professional background in lighting informs his observation, pardon the pun, but be assured that the 2014 season will lighten up Hobart next year.

The Theatre Royal program is out now and available from Centertainment and other venues.