‘Whatshisname’ Garrett says something

Somebody called Garrett has slammed the Prime Minister and his two right-hand men for being “philistines”, whose obsession with sport comes at the expense of the nation’s art and culture.

Mr Garrett said the country lacked national debate about the health of its creative arts industries where key areas including dance, film and medium-sized theatre were struggling.

Ask yourself why. If dance, film and theatre are struggling then it’s because the public aren’t interested in the offerings. Every time I flick past the ABC or SBS I only stay long enough to witness another ‘struggling’ artist rediculing Howard, religion, America, the military, patriotism, married couples with children or couples wanting to own a house.

Small theatre seldom has a kind word to say about our society. Still fuming at the ignorance of the Australia voter for re-electing Howard they rush to tell us, potential seat warmers at theatres, just how ignorant we are.

MELBOURNE Theatre Company director Simon Phillips finds these disturbing times. “You have to question how far we have come and how low can we go,” he says.

He is too diplomatic to be specific, but the war on terror has seen civil liberties crumble and David Hicks remains detained without rights in Guantanamo Bay.

I see your civil liberties and raise you civil responsibilty…..a winning hand but Garrett, Phillips and that doyen of ‘Putting down Australians, David Williamson just don’t see it.

Up yours, Garrett. Produce something that dwells on the good points of our society and the public will flock to the theatres, maybe even Howard and his ministers might venture forth as well.