THIS column has often faulted the amateur movement for its failure to recognise the need to establish a sound press and public relations policy. There are welcome signs of improvement in this respect, however. Karen Carleton, PRO for the Drama League of Ireland, has made a noticeable impact since her appointment. Good press releases arrive in time and they are concise and free from padding.
The league took a survey of the amateur drama movement during the One Act Finals in Kilkenny last December and the results make interesting reading. From 500 questionnaires distributed to audiences, 314 were completed and returned. Some 78 per cent of those who answered were involved with an amateur group and 89.3 per cent were connected, through family or friends, with amateur theatre.
To deduce from this that attendances at performances will be "loyal, friendly and supportive" is not necessarily as good as it sounds. More imaginative marketing could bring the "non attached" audience well above 10.7 per cent. Of those surveyed, 86 per cent attended an amateur production over four times a year and 64.4 per cent attended a professional production over four times a year. Considering the Arts Council's figure for theatre audiences, 400,000, the movement makes a considerable contribution to the professional box office.
Audiences were asked to make a choice between comedy, tragedy, farce, drama and other genres. Perhaps the finer distinctions intended ought to have been explained. The returns showed that 59 per cent opted for drama as first choice, 29 per cent for comedy, four per cent for tragedy and three per cent for farce. Within groups, 64 per cent had more than two people involved in direction and 42 per cent had their own venue. On the financial side, 42 per cent of productions broke even, 36 per cent made a small profit, 10 per cent a good profit and only four per cent suffered a loss. These are figures of which many producers would be proud. Three days is the normal production run (45 per cent) but 40 per cent of plays run for a week.
One of the most heartening revelations of this survey was that 68.42 per cent of those questioned saw plays in a theatre. The parish hall clocked a mere 19 per cent, so eat your arts out, you derisive broadcasters, satirists and critics of life beyond Lucan Two plays per year were performed by 38 per cent of the surveyed groups, three by 35 per cent, one by 26 per cent, and more than one was the answer of ten per cent. Of these, most preferred full length plays.
The Association of Drama Adjudicators will hold an Entry Conference on April 20th and 21st. Details from Biddy White Lennon at Cromleach House.
Shanganagh Road, Ballybrack, Co Dublin.
The National Playwrights' Conference will be held at Garter Lane Arts Centre, Waterford during June 1996. A comprehensive information sheet is available from Annette Clancy (051 55038 or FAX 71570). Robert McKee's "Story Structure" course at the Scientific Society Lecture Theatre off Saville Row in London from March 23rd to 25th should also be of interest to playwrights.
