There was an interesting discussion at Club Night this week when opening salvos were invited as to what the next play should be.
Now at this point bear in mind this is a successful group and has been in existance since 1949 when many others have bitten the dust.
OK right, now often it is suggested we put on something radical, a play that will challenge the audience and stretch the cast. (There are several members of the group over the years I would happily have stretched but I digress.)The meeting was quite good tempered but obviously people feel passionate about such things.
Although I subscribe to the theory of 'If it ain't broke don't fix it' I am also aware that some younger members of the group wish to put on more contemporary productions perhaps mirroring the traumas of modern life.
So where do we go from here? It is muted that new dynamic gritty plays will bring in a new audience. Having been in the group 35 years I reckon any audience that hasn't been yet isn't coming!-I digress again)
It is a fact that members of our core audience often say to me what they want is a good night out and to be entertained as invariably there is nothing suitable on the TV especially if you are not into reality shows and anything with 'celebrity' in the title.
The dilemma is then do we perhaps risk upsetting our core audience with a radical groundbreaking play possibly using ripe language and graphic scenes or do we put on same with the hope it brings in a whole new generation of audiences. Do we put on plays so the cast can develop their skills or do we put on productions for the audience to enjoy or present something that perhaps makes them ask themselves questions. The answer is I guess partly all of these. Or not? The debate continues, watch this space.