Brown's Mart Theatre

32˚ – Brown’s Mart Production House and the Darwin Theatre Company have a huge library of plays that all need to be cataloged. Close to 1000 titles are eager for readers to read through them, catalogue and provide short synopses. We want to make this play database available for online viewing for theatre makers, writers and directors across the Territory, our own version of an Alexandrian play library! It will be searchable by cast numbers, plot synopsis, playwright, title, and lots of other details to make finding that perfect play that much easier.

We are seeking volunteers to help us set up this incredibly useful resource.

Chipping away at the bookshelves whenever we get a spare moment, we have already catalogued over 200 plays, but there are still gems waiting to be unearthed. If you can spare a few hours out of a day, or wouldn’t mind curling up of an evening with an arm full of theatrical sheaves, please contact 32˚ on 8981 6876 or email admin@brownsmart.com.au

This exciting project has erupted with a core group of committed, interesting and enthusiastic young artists who are developing their skills on a weekly basis. The program has benefited participants by allowing full immersion in theatre over a whole day, unlike other shorter classes available in the Top End.

Since starting, tutors Daniel Cunningham and Ella Watson-Russell have focussed on warm-up and preparation techniques, the speaking voice, script analysis, the use of self as a dramatic source, Theatre craft, Greek theatre, working in the abstract, Commedia del’ Arte, Theatre of the Middle Ages, Clowning and Buffon.

Miranda Tapsell’s out-of-depth clown

In weeks to come, the group will work on generating original material for performance as well as approaching Shakespeare.
Feedback from participants has highlighted the lack of intensive training of this kind for actors in Darwin. “It’s so great to actually have the time to sink your teeth into this stuff” said one participant.
“As the weeks progress it has become clear that the skills base of the participants has grown hugely” says tutor Daniel Cunningham. “They have a remarkable ability to work as an ensemble for a group who have been together for such a short time. They support each other wonderfully and some of the work they are producing is not only hilarious, but touching and sophisticated as well.”

Tutor's respond to Buffon work of Company1