Theatrical producers are used to the harsh words of the critics but one Australian producer is not just expecting criticism from her audience, she is encouraging it.
University of Queensland PhD student Caroline Heim is producing Anne of the Thousand Days at the Brisbane Powerhouse as part of her research into audience reception theory.
A professional actress with New York and Sydney theatre credits, Ms Heim will study not just the reaction of the audience but also the interaction between the audience and the play. Symposiums will be held after each play to critically discuss the production values.
Her PhD thesis entitled Audience Text is at the cutting edge of theatre theory.
“It’s about interaction with all of the different texts and public discourses including the play, the program and the posters,” she said.
“I’m looking at what happens on the actual night.”
It is the first time Anne of the Thousand Days has been produced in Australia in more than 50 years and it will run from June 7 to 17 at the Powerhouse. The play, which was written by Maxwell Anderson, stars some of Queensland’s leading stage performers.
It tells a story known and loved depicting the turbulent relationship between King Henry VIII and Anne Boleyn. Sparks fly in a battle of wits in this sexually charged re-telling of one of the most famous love affairs in history.
Live music and lavish costuming will combine to make this a sensual feast for Brisbane audiences. Bach preludes and original music will also be played on harpsichord and percussion.
Ms Heim chose to use Anne of the Thousand Days for her study as she wants to attract the broadest audience possible to get the broadest response possible.
“Because I’m looking at audience orientated criticism I was looking at getting a very mainstream audience,” she said.
“I also wanted a play that wasn’t very well-known even thought the story is well known.
“It’s a relationship play so it speaks to the audience.”
Ms Heim said the play had taken six months to produce through her production company, Crossbow Productions.
“Because it is part of my PhD I want to be in control of all the public discourses that I used so I designed the poster, I wrote the program notes, the only thing I’m not doing is directing it,” she said.
Associate Professor Joanne Tompkins from UQ’s School of English, Media Studies and Art History is supervising Ms Heim’s PhD. It is the first time this type of PhD study has been attempted at UQ.
“I’m looking at what happens at the theatrical event. It’s really brand new, I’m establishing a whole new way of looking at the theatre,” Ms Heim said.
“I’m either a trailblazer or I’m mad.”
Ms Heim said that in one sense she was creating an audience text.
“I’m setting up a model for future performances but meanwhile I’ll be observing audience interaction during the production and the interval and this will all be discussed in the symposium,” she said.
Ms Heim previously studied in New York at the American Academy of Dramatic Art and worked on the New York stage for six years, predominately in lead roles. It was in New York that she formed her theatre company before returning to Australia where she has produced and worked in plays and on TV shows.
For bookings contact the Powerhouse on 07 3358 8600.
Media: For more information, contact Caroline Heim (telephone 0419 469 772, email c.heim@uq.edu.au) or Chris Saxby at UQ Communications (telephone 07 3365 2479, email c.saxby@uq.edu.au).
