FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: 15 OCTOBER 2009
BANNED IN TASMANIA!
CENSORSHIP RETURNS TO THEATRE ROYAL.
The management of Hobart’s Theatre Royal today banned the critically acclaimed theatre
show, Busting Out! from performing at Hobart’s Theatre Royal.
Producer, Simon Bryce said “Here we have a show that has been seen by over 200,000
people around the country in more than 40 theatres, that has been applauded by critics and
audiences both here and overseas, and has raised more than $50,000 for breast cancer
research and is now banned from showing in Hobart. Given the number of Tasmanians who
have asked us to bring the show to Tasmania, this decision is dumbfounding.”
The Theatre Royal’s reasons for the ban indicate an objection to topless female nudity.
Writer of Busting Out! Emma Powell said, “Showing not telling is at the heart of what we
do. Women live in a world surrounded by the surgically modified, silcone enhanced
airbrushed “breast of perfection.” Busting Out!, with its real women and real breasts
provides an empowering statement to women of all shapes, sizes and ages to feel good about
themselves and their own body image.”
The Theatre Royal has not discussed their reasons for the ban but in a written statement to
the producers said, “It is a decision based on whether or not this show aligns with our
board’s artistic policy and the majority of the management team believe it is not a good
alignment.”
Simon Bryce added, “This is very worrying position. The Theatre Royal Management is
funded to present shows for all Tasmanians but instead is acting as an unaccountable judge
on what adults can and cannot see. It allows shows with full frontal male nudity to be
performed at the venue, but absurdly, shows featuring topless females cannot.
“
Given the discriminatory nature of this position based solely on gender, we have
instructed our solicitors the raise the matter of the board’s conduct with the Equal
Opportunities Commissioner of Tasmania.”
Jenny Ringland of Sydney’s Daily Telegraph, described “Busting Out! as “tasteful, clever,
liberating and laugh out loud funny”, The Brisbane Courier Mail said Busting Out!
“celebrates the strength, beauty and resilience of women.”
Economically, a Tasmanian tour becomes financially unviable without Hobart so the
decision to ban the show at the Theatre Royal, effectively bans the show for all Tasmanians.
Dates have also been held for the show in Launceston, Burnie and Devonport, but without
Hobart these would not be able to proceed.
Over 40 theatres have welcomed Busting Out including the Subiaco Arts Centre, Adelaide
Festival Centre Trust, Geelong Performing Arts Centre, Melbourne’s Athenaeum Theatre,
and Brisbane’s Twelfth Night Theatre.
PAGE 2: CENSORSHIP RETURNS TO THEATRE ROYAL.
Director of Brisbane’s Twelfth Night Theatre, Mrs Gail Wiltshire said, “Busting Out!
was the most successful new Australian work to play in Brisbane this century. Our
audiences loved this show. As a survivor of Breast Cancer, it is appalling that the Hobart
Theatre Royal has banned a show that has so much to positively say about women’s issues.
Has anyone from the theatre actually bothered to see the show?”
Over the last 18 months, Busting Out! has raised over $50,000 for breast cancer research and
care.
Busting Out! is currently playing to sold out houses in New Zealand. Following a successful
nine week season in Melbourne earlier this year, the show returns to Melbourne’s
Athenaeum Theatre from December 8.
Busting Out! is produced by Andrew Guild and Simon Bryce and written by Emma Powell.
The show is directed by Terence O’Connell and is performed by Emma Powell and Bev
Killick.
In 2010, Busting Out! will return to New Zealand, Perth, Adelaide and Brisbane,
before undertaking a European tour of Belgium and the United Kingdom.
For producer comment please contact Kath Rose on 0416 291 493
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