Presentation
AIMS PRESENTATION A unique Australian theatre company Une troupe de théâtre australienne unique MFT is a Victorian Incorporated Association Melbourne French Theatre Inc. [MFT] was presenting plays in French, organising qui présente des pièces en langue française, Income Tax Exempt Charity and Tax Deductible founded on 23 March 1977 at the University of events and serving as an agency organise des événements et ofgre un service Gift Recipient and registered charitable institution Melbourne by lawyers Michael Bula and A. David for French actors for all multimedia d’agence pour les comédiens de langue promoting cross-fertilisation and bridging Gorrie and continues to have its home based in applications. Founded in 1977 by Michael française pour tout objet multimédiatique Australian and French-speaking cultures through Carlton. MFT has produced over 80 productions Bula and A. David Gorrie under the Fondé en 1977 par Michael Bula et A. David theatrical means. It is a uniquely Australian all in Melbourne, with tours to country Victoria, patronage of His Excellency the French Gorrie sous le patronage de Son Excellence theatre company presenting plays entirely in interstate and the South Pacifjc and Victorian Ambassador to Australia. l’Ambassadeur de France en Australie. the French language with its aim to present and schools. MFT is the only and longest-running promote French drama and theatre in whatever French Theatre company under the patronage of form and by whatever medium (professional/ the French Ambassador to Australia. semi-professional/amateur) through whatever means (consultancy/promotion/presentation/ Plays are presented entirely in French with video- agency/adaptation/workshop/theatre classes) projected PowerPoint English dialogue-driven whether monolingual (French alone) or bilingual surtitles. Audiences are French and non-French (French and English or French and another speaking, comprising francophone community language) providing the opportunity for actors groups, primary, secondary and tertiary students, and actresses, directors, administrative stafg, tourists to Melbourne and the general theatre- designers, technicians and any and all other going public. participants to participate and partake therein and thereof. MFT comprises professionals and volunteers from youth, community, technical and professional backgrounds, with paid professional directors and other theatre and artistic stafg - a uniquely Victorian resource, celebrating Victoria’s cultural and linguistic excellence both for import and export of services, presenting full theatre productions, otherwise never performed in this country. mftinc.org
ENGLISH SURTITLES MFT BENCHMARKS English surtitles represents not only accessibility It is not easy to measure an intangible asset Primary [on occasion] and secondary school Nature of the surtitles of all our plays in French as for French fjlms but or outcome, especially as a cultural product students make up 30 % to 35 % of audience The surtitles are an original creation for and also caters for the deaf. or service, perhaps this can be presented in numbers with strong support from the education dependent upon the constraints of each show. benchmarks, fjrst in summary and then in years: and language sectors. Increase in audience numbers Language access – French and English In Summary Rising volunteer numbers from professionals such In order to increase its audiences and guarantee The theatre is constantly battling to keep as set designers, costume designers, technical the survival of the theatre, MFT ofgers community MFT was founded in 1977 – its longevity is a up audience numbers in the face of heavy and graphic artist stafg [not seeking their just activities in the form of presentations, training testimony to its unequalled success. competition, diffjculties with language and could professional fee] demonstrate on-going success and workshops to secure its economic future. cease to exist if this “language access” system of MFT as a company providing valuable work MFT has devised a surtitle system, which was In that time it has received regular and infrequent does not continue. experience in a French-language and literature fjrst put in place in 1999 with great success private company support, funding from the environment. with the increase in audience numbers and Victorian Multicultural Commission and the has been used and perfected in three (3) very French Embassy, the latter very hard to obtain, as In 2006 Michael Bula received a reward for difgerent productions. The concept is to make a measure of the encouragement, support and service delivery to Multi-cultural Victoria – Arts our performances accessible to non-French recognition the company has forged its niche in for excellence in multicultural afgairs from speakers by projecting, like at the opera, surtitles the competitive and fjckle cultural services sector. the Chairman of the Victorian Multicultural in English allowing a general understanding Commission and the Premier of Victoria. of the play on a principal or “key” dialogue or MFT was placed in its formative years in 1986 alternatively on a scene by scene basis, allowing under the patronage of His Excellency the French In 1998 a decoration from the French government efgortless understanding of the play. Ambassador to Australia. MFT is the only theatre was conferred upon Michael Bula in recognition company in this country to have ever received of the promotion of the French culture through and continue to receive such an accolade and theatre - Chevalier de l’Ordre National du Mérite. honour. MFT continues to be included in numerous online Collaboration agreements were executed and hardcopy directories as sole French theatre between MFT and The University of Melbourne company recognised in this state and in Australia and the Australian Catholic University for mutual inclusion on the Commonwealth Register of assistance and collaboration for joint ventures. Cultural Organisations. Audience numbers are increasing – productions can attract anywhere between 800 and 1,500 spectators for seven shows only [fjve evenings and two matinees – one being a school’s or students’ matinee and the other a family/retiree one].
Recommend
More recommend
