This Golden Age

There has been much debate on the Guardian blog over the weekend about the 'Golden Age' of British Theatre - a sign that all British theatre is beating the recession, attracting audiences and generating, good new work. I do however find myself falling ever deeper into this concept of the golden age and what use it brings to discussion of the success of contemporary performance today.

Lyn Gardner wisely moves through a response that states, the British theatre is like an iceberg with much greater, exciting(?!) stuff happening at the base, all supporting the pinnacle - (lets say the NT, RSC, Donmar.....). Gardner makes special note of the regions and combats Rupert Goold's comment on the moribund regions, referencing Contact in Manchester and many others as proof of the lifeblood of our British non-London theatres. However, how does this impact upon me as I take the daily commute to Central, an institution committed to generating the performance of the future but an institution all the same, with its sense of security and safe perimeter?!

I think the notion of a Golden Age is essentially useless as a concept, it has little bearing outside of critical circles (and perhaps political, cultural currency). However, reading such an article, I spot BAC, Fuel, Arts Admin....all companies and individuals that have inspired me this past term, all people I would like to work with. What is reassuring is the wealth of opportunities (Forest Fringe par example) for performance makers to showcase their work. I am already thinking of 2010 - the projects (many already) that I wish to start and the final work on the MA which I want to have an impact beyond the battlements of CSSD.

Reading this article then and the passionate replies and comments that follow is reassuring, as a theatre maker I want to hear that the British theatre is still alive. However, the notes to funding (and imminent lack of) is something to combat. I need to start actioning plans to make productions for little money and still have an impact, I need to find opportunities to situate my work without having to stop eating, sleeping, paying rent....this is perhaps the real challenge?! How do we as young theatre makers broaden our horizons, lay foundations for a career without toppling those commitments which like all, we must keep?

There is no easy answer - of course!

However, as I start the final week of this, the first term, I am pondering several projects, laying the groundwork for next term and trying to situate myself in a landscape here in Britain, specifically in London.