Woman on a mission

October 16: Out of nowhere, a new theatrical force has emerged and the woman behind it is determined to prove there's room for another subscription season in Sydney, writes TROY DODDS...

Last Thursday, Julie Mullins stood before some of Sydney theatre’s most respected producers, actors, directors and writers and launched the Seymour Centre’s first ever subscription season.

Mullins, who many would remember from the television show Neighbours, is the General Manager of the Seymour and the architect behind the subscription season, which includes 12 productions including the world premiere of the highly anticipated musical The Hatpin.

What was most exciting about last Thursday’s announcement wasn’t the array of plays and musicals announced, but watching the bubbly and sociable Mullins in action. Clearly humble, she defies the typical stereotype of a theatrical artistic director or general manager and it was refreshing to say the least.

There’s several things that need to be pointed out in relation to the Seymour’s first ever subscription season.

Firstly, the entire concept is commercially funded – there is no Federal or State Government assistance, nor has there been cries for any.

“We are not funded at all and I guess that is what is most rare about it,” Mullins said.

“We function commercially to recoup our costs, including my wage, the cleaner’s wage and other costs associated with running the company.”

Ms Mullins is also aware that the company will not necessarily become a major theatrical force overnight and she is more than willing to wait.

“We don’t have any big expectations for subscribers in our first year,” she said.

“We will measure our success not on our initial subscriber base, but on the audience response to our first 12 productions. We’re certainly not going to become the Sydney Theatre Company overnight, with thousands and thousands of subscribers.”

Producing such high levels of theatre at one of Sydney’s most iconic venues is a long way from the western Sydney suburb of Penrith, where Mullins grew up. She is the daughter of Allan Mullins, the first specialist surgeon to base himself in Penrith. One of the Joan Sutherland Performing Arts Centre’s theatres carries his name as tribute to his contribution to the area.

She admits she faces a mammoth task next year, given the decision to present 12 shows straight off the bat.

“We actually didn’t expect to get 12 in our first year – I thought we would get six or eight if we were lucky,” she said.

“We’re really happy with the season and its variety. The Seymour has been known for its variety and we’ve decided to talk it up and celebrate it.

“We’ve passed phase one which was to negotiate all the deals and work out our subscription partners. Now we have to shift into the implementation stage.”

For details on the company’s subscription season, call 9351 7940.