The need for a manifesto

The Melbourne Dramatists was started some time ago. I am a founding member.

When we began there was a distinct change in the way that Playwrights were being treated in Melbourne. Opportunities for work were evaporating and there was no advocacy group in Melbourne at the time. Since that first meeting we have changed, morphed and grown into a tight knit unit. We are not just angry folk, we have solid commitments and solutions to offer.

We regularly present an Award in the Melbourne Fringe for Best Emerging Writing. The first recipient was Adam Cass and the most recent was Alison Mann. We advocate and enthuse for Melbourne writing and argue that there is a market for good stories that are well written (as well as devised) for the Australian stage. We also present Playwright Wresting - otherwise known as Smackdowns. These are events that show new work in formative stages. They are fun and frequently loud - which is a reflection of who we are. This blog is not just for ads about our work, most of it is a forum for discussion about the Australian theatre industry. Melbourne used to be the capital of new Australian writing. Where does Melbourne see Melbourne writing now?... mostly in Sydney.

We started this journey at that first meeting saying - "we need a manifesto!" ... Now we have written one... Stay tuned.

RM.

PS - the photo above is of Terry Serio... from Concussion premiered by STC/Griffin.