Culture overlooked on North Shore

By Jane Salmon

An increasingly diverse area of northern Sydney is keen to demonstrate both its love of the arts and demand for a suitable community rehearsal and performance space. Any gravy trains currently seem stalled in western Sydney.

Hence a grassroots local Arts function on the Valentine’s weekend. Ku-ring-gai locals enthusiastically threw themselves behind the concept We ❤️the Arts.

Attendance in ❤️ of Ku-ring-gai

VIPs on Sunday included Davidson MLA Matt Cross (who delivered a community service award to one of Marian Street Action’s energetic supporters and former Kuringgai mayor Cheryl Szatow). Bradfield federal candidates Nicolette Boele and Giselle Kapterian were both in attendance, despite packed diaries. Councillors Barbara Ward and Indu Balachandran also graced the front row.

Locals’ passion for the Arts and the therapeutic nature of accessible performance could not be clearer. Seniors cheered speeches Babies were patted in time to music. Children watched their peers. People with disabilities happily joined in, undaunted by perfectionism.

Performers showing support for the revival of Marian Street Theatre in Killara on Sunday included the fifty-strong local Hummingsong Choir. Their vibrant clothes, well-timed gestures and body percussion enhanced the tight musicality of their set which concluded with the song “9 to 5”.

 

 

Killara Scottish Country Dance group led a crowded audience circle outside for a rough attempt at the “Penguin and the Piper” dance.

A string sextet from the Ku-ring-gai Philharmonic Orchestra (frequenting local parks to rehearse during Coronavirus lockdown) soothed the audience with the two movements of the Sextet by Alexander Borodin and the larger group played Gabriel’s Oboe, theme song from the film The Mission with music by Ennio Morricone as well as Lord of the Dance, a Irish tune made popular by Ronan Hardiman who wrote music for the Lord of the Dance.

Kathak Indian dance duo twirled to contemporary and traditional music with technical perfection in immaculate white and gold kurtas.

 

 

A beaming Sunshine Quartet of confident youngsters attempted Telemann.

A duo from a Killara’s Dance 1 School wore shimmering purple to perform Cossack moves to “Rah Rah Rasputin”.

Challis Singers led a round of “Stand By Me” after “Seasons of Love” (from “Rent” the musical). A theme of care and community connection resonated well with those who love coming together to perform or observe despite any hardship.

Apartments or Theatre – a choice

Our community once had a vibrant hub at Marian Street Theatre, alongside a large play area with gum trees, parking and Killara train station. But Ku-ring-gai Council called it curtains on the building in 2013. It has been shuttered since, despite some false hopes in 2018.

Proof that Amenity Is Needed

When Selkirk Park (near the old theatre) was deemed too soggy and uneven for the Valentines show, 130 ticket holders found their way to a hastily changed location. Another 100 performers waited patiently outside for their moment on stage.

The limits of available venues highlight the value of a dedicated facility. A church hall overflowed for this pro-Arts protest. The stage was only able to carry a load of 8 dancers or 15 singers. Loos and parking were in short supply. Entry steps were tough on elderly supporters.

What Used to Be

“The Magic Pudding” was relished as a musical performance by local children of Marian Street Theatre in 2010, not long before the venue was closed for restoration.

“The Magic Pudding musical of 2010 hugely popular, and totally sold out. Its wit and characters were enchanting to children, parents and grandparents alike. Albert the Magic Pudding puppet still lives safely with the adapters of the tale…,” said Marian Street Theatre stalwart Wendy Blaxland.

Our beloved building is home to many fond memories. Several irate residents shook their fists when hearing the sorry litany of funding failures that have left the existing building empty.

 

 

By contrast, a far smaller number of ratepayers in Willoughby LGA claim better arts facilities and resources. Tom Sweeney of Pymble Players reported that their ensemble have had to migrate some distance outside their home territory to rehearse and perform at Zenith in Chatswood. The Concourse is also useful so long as travel, shopping crowds, expensive parking and booking fees are no object. The theatre spaces in Chatswood can seem intimidating for younger performers. They are less friendly, local, accessible, connected to community.

Event Coordinator Lisa Munckton spoke of the lack of venues for folk and opera, end of year music and dance school recitals have been cancelled for lack of a venue.

Childrens’ parties, end of year recitals, music, grandparent outings, play rehearsals, drama workshops, messy set and props creation cannot be made from tiny flats.

“We’re all here for the creative energy that has been cut from the centre of our community. Our locality is large and aching for a public hall belonging to us all. The arts are alive here, but they do not have a home,” said Marian Street Action’s Tony Bates.

Demand:

Marian Street was once all of that; being where Nicole Kidman was an usher, Hollywood actress Jacki Weaver displayed her skill, David Williamson plays were performed and one of our political candidates first found her voice.

There appears to be no “Magic (funding) Pudding”. Meanwhile, local groups scramble for a family-friendly local venue of any capacity.

An inclusive meeting space bought, built and funded by locals sits locked and condemned due to political inertia.

MSTYP Classes have been scattered from St Ives to Chatswood, making it harder for young families to attend. Community connections get lost.

Nowadays a high proportion of voters in the LGA are foreign-born and this is reflected in Sunday’s performers.

Where can children and their grandparents go to take a break from screens, mingle with their new neighbours, build language, play together, stretch their creativity or have their stories told?

The politics

In summary, the dedicated building remains shuttered for want of dedicated Council, state and/or federal Arts funds.

The community’s theatre at Marian Street has remained shut … because hoped for Council funding fell through.

Jessica Blaxland Ashby and Marian Street Theatre ACTION Board member says:

“In 2018 MST was green lit and we had big celebrations. However it isn’t anymore. Why? The funding fell through. Now we’re (almost) back to square one with the one big difference now that we have an approved DA. They’ve spent a HUGE amount to get it to this point (well over a million) and now it languishes again with Councillors squabbling, and some even saying to sell it now. The more they fluff about the more it will cost. Just build it.”

 

 

Developers, tall apartments and clogged streets encircle the site purchased by previous ratepayers. A developer push to take over this site is regarded as inevitable by many. But is it?

“It’s going to be either high rise apartments or a theatre. The community would never let it be knocked down for apartments, so there’s only one option. The longer Council waits, the more it will cost. It’s time to build. Now,” said Jessica Blaxland Ashby.

Despite briefly having an incumbent LNP Minister for the Arts as local MP in the Paul Fletcher – now retiring. Sports were perhaps pork-barrelled, but never (ahem) Theatre Sports. Migrants, single parent families, students in secular public education, CALD, senior, disabled and lower income older residents seeking an accessible cultural space feel overlooked. Athletics win attention, but anything else requires long travel in private vehicles.

Northern Sydney arts are crying out for a spot of of pork barrelling. If you “cut” them, arts facilities tend not to “come again”, as Albert the Magic Pudding would say.

MC Tony Bates says, “Time is running out for a DA approved in 2021. In 2024 Council finally applied for a Federal Grant under the ‘Thriving Suburbs’ programme. Projects in Sydney marginals seem to be getting attention, but Bradfield is marginal and overlooked. Is this why Labor is behind in polling here? Bradfield produces excellent doctors, teachers, nurses, football heroes, netballers and swimmers … but fewer musical actors or Hollywood stars of late.”

Funding is Possible:

Restoring Marian Street Theatre has been overlooked by politicians at every level of Government for over a decade. No action has been taken, despite innumerable, expensive Council reports.

The Board is very confident that contributions from state, federal and local government can be matched by community and philanthropists to keep local creativity pumping.

All politicians from every level of government are invited to commit to the rebuild of Marian Street Theatre. Can funds be allocated before an election? Why is it that funding for new arts venues seem to be restricted to western Sydney?

 

 

Tony Bates concluded; “We all love the Arts and the Arts love all of us. Talk to your local state and federal representatives. Share with them about all that we are missing out on.”

 

 

Dear reader, we need your support

Independent sites such as The AIMN provide a platform for public interest journalists. From its humble beginning in January 2013, The AIMN has grown into one of the most trusted and popular independent media organisations.

One of the reasons we have succeeded has been due to the support we receive from our readers through their financial contributions.

With increasing costs to maintain The AIMN, we need this continued support.

Your donation – large or small – to help with the running costs of this site will be greatly appreciated.

You can donate through PayPal or credit card via the button below, or donate via bank transfer: BSB: 062500; A/c no: 10495969