ASTOR THEATRE CLOSING

Being a Town of Vincent resident, and an audience member at the Astor, I have followed with interest and dismay the thread about this wonderful building, because it seems to me that the usual rush of grand ideas and suggestions of "how to save it" and "what would be great if only it could happen" have become all to prevalent yet again.

What I have not noticed (all bar one - thankyou Andrew G.) is anyone willing to put their hand up and say "Hey! Count me in! Let's try to make something happen!"

Other than that lone voice in the wilderness, almost all the other posts suggest that either "Aunty ITA" (sorry Joe) or "someone" lobby the councils or the government to keep the building as a live or dual purpose venue. Not one has said, "Maybe I could ...."

One member at least had the gumption to go to the heart of the situation, contact the owners and find out what they intended, and duly reported back to us all that it would not be sold at this stage, and we would have to play a waiting game. (Thankyou Mel.)

SUGGESTION:

Mel: As you have personal contact with the Zimmermans, and hopefully a greater insight to their situation than most of us, do you feel would it be plausible/possible to approach them with a synopsis that a volunteer group assist with the refurbishment and running of the venue so that it COULD operate in a dual capacity?

To the rest of the Perth "Community" theatre and "Professional" theatre scenes: Are you sufficiently caring to get behind this idea and volunteer to assist in whatever way you can? Set builders, Electricians, Riggers, Lighting Technicians and Audio Techs would obviously be invaluable, but we would also need the costumiers, the FOH people, the publicists, the general backstage hands and yes, even a projectionist or three. In short, everyone from every genre. If you can't help build it, can you at least push a broom and help clean up behind those who can?

To use a very common advertising adage "There IS something here for everyone!"

IF the owners are willing to let us assist them, who among you is willing? Is anyone prepared to help me co-ordinate the people needed to make it happen?

Maybe I am delusional and I'm hoping for a miracle here.... but, every now and again - they happen! 

"Gone crazy, Back later."