I have been meaning to post about an article I read during my last months trip to Sydney in the Sydney Morning Herald about the STC’s (Sydney Theatre Company) decision to designate Cate Blanchett and Andrew Upton as co-artistic directors of the STC, starting next month. Cate will direct David Harrower‘s play “Blackbird” while her husband Andrew Upton has written “Riflemind”, which will be directed by American Academy Award winner Philip Seymour Hoffman.
While the STC’s decision is certainly a good strategic move, many recognized Aussie actors that I know are rather disgruntled that there was no discussion among the board members or people in the community. They were anointed as opposed to appointed, without any discussion. And with such a high profile public company and recognized member of the arts community, it sets a bad precedence that money and celebrity prevails.