Cate Blanchett extends stay at Sydney Theatre Company
(AFP) – 6 hours ago

SYDNEY — Oscar-winning actress Cate Blanchett will extend her term as artistic director of one of Australia's biggest theatre companies until 2013, reports said Friday.

Blanchett and writer husband Andrew Upton began their three-year term as joint artistic directors of the Sydney Theatre Company in early 2008. They will now remain in those roles until late 2013, The Australian said.

"It is a really great privilege to lead Sydney Theatre Company," the newspaper reported the pair as saying in a statement.

"We hope more and more people, especially those in Sydney, will find their way to the company and join us on this incredible ride."

Blanchett and her husband have been credited with bringing international film and theatre directors into STC productions, including Oscar-winning director Steven Soderbergh, whose films include "Ocean's Eleven" and "Erin Brockovich", and actor Philip Seymour Hoffman.

They also secured the patronage of Italian fashion icon Giorgio Armani.

Sydney Theatre Company chair Ian Darling told the newspaper he was delighted Blanchett and Upton would continue as artistic directors for a second term.

"In their first two years they've transformed the company and the way many people feel about it," he said.

"I'm pleased they will stay to build on what they have already achieved in terms of quality and diversity of productions, artform development and education."

Blanchett won an Oscar for her portrayal of Katharine Hepburn in the 2004 film "The Aviator."

The Sydney Theatre Company could not be reached for comment Friday

Here's to hoping they'll bring one of their new performances to Europe this time!!!

Here's to hoping they'll bring one of their new performances to Europe this time!!!

Amen!

Good for Cate and Andrew, I'm glad that they are successful in their endeavours!

I'm almost (& the key word is ALMOST) more elated to hear & learn of the Uptons' success than I am in Cate's film projects.  

I'm almost (& the key word is ALMOST) more elated to hear & learn of the Uptons' success than I am in Cate's film projects.    

PATRICK McINTYRE, a driving force behind Australian Ballet, will succeed Rob Brookman as the Sydney Theatre Company's general manager.

Mr McIntyre, Australian Ballet's associate executive director and a former general manager of the Sydney Film Festival, is credited with having brought financial stability to the ballet troupe under its artistic director, David McAllister. He will take up his post in March.

"McIntyre helped turn the ballet around," an industry observer said. "He is ambitious, focused and an ideal choice to run Australia's biggest theatre organisation."

Contrary to a report in The Australian yesterday, the long-serving executive producer Jo Dyer will not be a co-manager with Mr McIntyre. She will assume the expanded role of producer, leading the delivery of the Sydney Theatre Company's overall program of productions and presentations.

The STC's artistic directors, Cate Blanchett and Andrew Upton, welcomed Mr McIntyre's appointment. ''We are delighted with the prospect of working with Patrick, who brings a fantastic energy and breadth of strategic vision to the role of general manager. Along with the arrival of new chairman David Gonski in February … we have a wonderful team in place for the next four years of our time here at the STC."

A former marketing director at the STC and the Sydney Dance Company, Mr McIntyre said yesterday that he always envisaged returning to theatre.

"I really love text-based theatre, and when Rob announced his resignation [last October] I knew that this was my chance." he said.

Mr McIntyre is a firm believer in showcasing Australian talent overseas. He said the worlds of film, opera and dance had long had an international vision while the theatre was just beginning to catch up.

Rob Brookman's replacement named       
Written by Troy Dodds     
Monday, 11 January 2010 19:16 

The Sydney Theatre Company has today confirmed that Patrick McIntyre will succeed Rob Brookman as its General Manager.

McIntyre, who is currently Associate Executive Director of the Australian Ballet, will join STC in March.

The announcement follows recent news that Cate Blanchett and Andrew Upton have extended their tenure as Artistic Directors until the end of  2013 and that David Gonski will succeed Ian Darling as STC Chairman in February.

Ian Darling said: "The STC Board conducted an extensive search for the crucial position of General Manager and Patrick McIntyre was unanimously agreed upon as the outstanding candidate from a very strong field indeed. Patrick comes to us with almost 20 years of management experience and distinguished service in the Australian arts sector. His role as Associate Executive Director of the Australian Ballet, which included an extended period as Acting Executive Director, positions him perfectly for the challenges at STC."

Artistic Directors Andrew Upton and Cate Blanchett said: "We could not be happier with this announcement. We are really delighted with the prospect of working with Patrick who brings a fantastic energy and breadth of strategic vision to the role of General Manager. Along with the arrival of new Chairman David Gonski in February, a terrific Board and a brilliant staff, we feel that we have a wonderful team in place for the next four years of our time here at STC."

Patrick McIntyre said: "I'm very excited to be coming back to Sydney Theatre Company where my arts management career began. It's an exciting time to be joining the company, artistically and in terms of Cate and Andrew's vision for Sydney Theatre Company as a flagship organisation encouraging more diverse collaborations within the local industry, while also becoming an internationally significant theatrical force. STC's location at the centre of the dynamic and growing Walsh Bay precinct also presents opportunities in terms of stepping up the company's contribution to the cultural life of the city."

It was also announced that STC’s long-serving Executive Producer Jo Dyer will assume the expanded role of Producer, leading the delivery of the STC’s overall program of productions and presentations.
 

I AM more elated to hear and learn of the Upton's success than I am in Cate's film projects. Their work in the theatre seems more "flesh and blood" than cinema. It doesn't mean that I don't like watching her movies, though.  

No, you're right.  And I guess I only make that statement for selfish reasons.  I don't get to see these productions unless they tour so to see her in film means I have access to her talent.  I couldn't be happier for Cate & Andrew with what remarkable changes they seem to be bringing to their community.  They are both obviously in their element. 

Director’s focus on trial by media

WHERE do you go next when your last production starred Cate Blanchett, travelled to New York and received rave reviews?

If you’re Sydney Theatre Company, you bring in a hotshot Hollywood director, entice him to write a brand-new play and cast an award-winning actress and a host of other faces to be its stars.

That’s the premise of Tot Mom, directed by Steven Soderbergh and starring award-winning actress Essie Davis.

Based on actual events following the 2008 disappearance and murder of Florida toddler Caylee Anthony, the “tot mom” of the title is her mother Casey Anthony, chief suspect in her murder.

In Tot Mom, she is also the subject of much media speculation, presided over by pop-justice show host Nancy Grace (Davis), whose flawless presence is projected on large TV screens.

It’s engrossing stuff, not the least of which is because it’s true, word-for-word from television shows, court documents and police reports of Caylee’s disappearance.

Soderbergh chose to focus on how media interest took it from a simple murder investigation to a news spectacle and contrasts Caylee’s case with other deaths and disappearances.

The performances of actors, including Wayne Blair, Zoe Carides and Rhys Muldoon, are faultless but the star of the show is Davis.

It’s over-the-top and unmistakably American but it’s unlike anything you’ve seen before and that’s not necessarily a bad thing.

Tot Mom is at Wharf 1 until February 7.

THE WENTWORTH TALKS @ SYDNEY THEATRE COMPANY

In 2010, we are joining with the Wentworth Group of Concerned Scientists to present The Wentworth Talks, a series of free bi-monthly presentations and panel discussions addressing climate change and the environment.

The Wentworth Talks #1: Peter Cosier
The planet is capable of managing carbon, but are we?

Monday 8 February, 7.30pm

Wharf 1
with introduction by Cate Blanchett

The international Copenhagen conference was supposed to be the great defining moment when the world leaders were to agree on how to solve the world's climate change problem. Peter Cosier, Executive Director of the Wentworth Group of Concerned Scientists, asks why can't we agree to take action that is so patently in our own self interest?

Tickets are free for The Wentworth Talks, but we recommend booking in advance by calling the STC Box Office on (02) 9250 1777 or clicking below.
http://www.sydneytheatre.com.au/back-stage/the-wentworth-talks-peter-cosier

The international Copenhagen conference was supposed to be the great defining moment when the world leaders were to agree on how to solve the world’s climate change problem. They failed.

STC back on top       
Written by Troy Dodds     
Sunday, 24 January 2010 20:03 

Whether or not the Sydney Theatre Awards are a relevant or important part of the industry remains a largely unanswered question, but in the very least they give us an indication of where things stand in the theatre world, perhaps best exemplified by the roller-coaster ride that is the Sydney Theatre Company (STC).

At last Monday’s Sydney Theatre Awards, the Sydney Theatre Company took home no less than nine awards, with its productions of The War Of The Roses and A Streetcar Named Desire leading the way.

Go back a few years and the Sydney Theatre Company was struggling for any serious recognition at this event, with Company B very much taking over as Sydney’s leading theatre company, leaving the STC in artistic wilderness.

At the same time, much was being said about the STC’s artistic direction, with questions over whether Cate Blanchett and Andrew Upton were the right duo to take over from Robyn Nevin and take the company into the future.

A few years on, and Blanchett and Upton have proved their worth as artistic directors. They have taken the STC back to the number one spot, and with Neil Armfield moving on from Company B, the time is now ripe for the STC to reclaim the title as the premier theatre organisation in the country.

The 2010 season created by Blanchett and Upton is superb, highlighted by new age productions such as Spring Awakening, star-studded line-ups for works such as Uncle Vanya and a collection of classics including Our Town. In these three plays, the STC shows its wide and varied scheduling and answers the critics of recent years.

But there will certainly be changes at the STC. Whilst Blanchett and Upton have now settled in as Artistic Directors, Rob Brookman has moved on from the role of General Manager. Blanchett and Upton may be the face of the company, but Brookman has been an important glue for the company for so long and the day-to-day operations will certainly be altered a little.

Patrick McIntyre is the man to replace Brookman. McIntyre started his arts management career at the company, and his return after a successful time with the Australian Ballet is well deserved and justified.

Theatre faces a very intriguing few years, with ageing audiences and the very real fight to attract younger fans to the theatre. The STC needs to be the flagship company that leads the challenge against those factors and a glance at the 2010 schedule, combined with the artistic vision and current leadership, would suggest that it will be.

As for the Sydney Theatre Awards, where this column began, one wonders what future it holds. Whilst it does provide something of a gauge as to where the theatre world stands, they cannot be held in regard as a serious theatre concept.

Perhaps the strangest decision of all last week was the move to completely snub the hit musical Wicked in favour of a revival of Chicago, which took home the three major musical awards. Fine as the production of Chicago may be, one must question how the panel of reviewers possibly rated it above Wicked.

Still, the Sydney Theatre Awards can be as relevant as those behind it want them to be. It is fair to say that it is not up to us to dictate how the concept should and shouldn’t be run, and those behind the awards deserve to run them in whatever way they see fit.