Australia Council finds women lose out in 'feudal' theatre system

Women are losing ground in the struggle to claim a greater share of creative leadership in Australian theatre, according to an Australia Council study that shows Australia's biggest theatre companies are among the least likely to hire female writers and directors.

A news item in today's Sydney Morning Herald reports that while women represent about two-thirds of theatre general managers and have a strong presence on theatre boards, more than 30 years after concerted efforts began to level the playing field, there are fewer female artistic directors and writers in the theatre than ever before.

Women interviewed for the report said they were being held back by an almost "feudal system of patronage" where artistic directors acted "like the monarch at the centre of their court".

The authors of the Australia Council study, Associate Professor Elaine Lally from the University of Technology, Sydney and Professor Sarah Miller from the University of Wollongong stated "it appears that there has, at best, been no progress over the decade since 2001, and there is evidence that the situation for women in creative leadership - in theatre - deteriorated over that time."

The study, released today, was commissioned by the Australia Council after discontent broke over a Belvoir St Theatre season program overwhelmingly dominated by male talent.

Professor Lally and Miller add "(artistic directors) say 'I only choose what's best'. So why is there a predominance of white, middle-class men?" was a typical response from the 44 people surveyed for the study.

"It's embarrassing and protectionist and reeks of elitism."

The report found that between 2001 and last year, only 21% of the productions staged by Australia's eight biggest theatre companies had female writers, with last year the worst year since 2003. Only 25% of productions had a female director over the same 11 years.

The researchers noted the number of female directors and writers hired by the major theatre companies had risen this year but the overall trend was negative.

Women had a better chance of rising to the top in smaller companies. Between 2001 and 2011, there were female playwrights in 37% of productions, and a similar percentage of directors.

Click here to read the full Sydney Morning Herald story.

16th March 2011 - CATE BLANCHETT AND ANDREW UPTON CALL FOR A BOLD, CREATIVE SYDNEY