Dutch Treats
It has become very obvious, even after only a few dates in Holland, that the Dutch attitude to the technical side of theatre is very different from our own, it is seen very much as an artisanal (albeit skilled) occupation, but still it is just a job. There is no engagement between the technicians and the task of putting the show on; in the UK, we put up with meagre pay and begrudging and dishonest managements because, in so many cases we do it because it matters to us. In my case I do it because I can’t think of anything else to do anymore. over here they, turn up, work for a specified period, and then go away. There can be as many as three different shifts of technicians in a day, and of course, there are lots of them. We are constantly asked; 'when do the rest of your crew turn up?' as there are only two of us. It's a different world.We’re in the last Dutch theatre now, in Utrecht, each theatre so far has been special in it’s own way; Groningen because it is very well equipped and the crew are fast and friendly, Rotterdam because the city is cool, the theatre very well equipped and the crew friendly, Amsterdam because the theatre is well equipped (spotting a theme?) although the crew was rubbish and lazy. Utrecht is definitely the poshest so far, the theatre itself is built around a 1940’s shell, but had a major refit very recently. The stage is immaculate, with more of everything than seems feasible. I was very amused when they informed me that they were changing the auditorium; the front half of the stalls can be raised up to meet the balcony, reducing the capacity, but making a more intimate space, this operation takes about five minutes and one button press. It is slightly eerie to watch the seating rise up slowly, with much sound of off-stage machinery.
Tomorrow we are off to Budapest, a long drive at EU regulated speeds, still, we’ll have some time off in Hungary, and we’re doing a different show, which will be nice.
posted by Lampy @ 2/18/2007 03:51:00 pm
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