News, analysis and comment - performing arts 

Getting Into Bed With the Environment

artsHub | Friday, July 27, 2007

Rebecca Rocheford Davies (right) is also getting into bed with the environment [Image credit: Sensory Creative]   

Sydney’s theatre scene is starting to take notice of the carbon emissions it is releasing as a result of its day-to-day activity. Some within the industry are now trying to set an example for the rest and are now putting their money where their mouth is. Arts Hub speaks to one producer who is already in on the act – Rebecca Rocheford Davies.


What made you aware of the carbon off-set system?
Over the last couple of years, I have become increasingly aware of how much energy I was using and because of that my attention turned to Fishy Productions. I wondered what we could do to make less of an environmental impact. There were lots of things we could do, but some things like computers, stage lights, transport and air conditioners were unavoidable. So I did some research on-line and found a company that could off-set our unavoidable energy usage by creating wind and solar projects as well as planting trees.

What have you done to reduce and offset the environmental impact of the show?
For now, in addition to off-setting our carbon, we are doing everything we can think of and we are finding a lot of support in the Sydney business community. Whole Foods House has supplied all of our groceries and the floor was provided by Style Planation. Lexus took an ad in our program to promote their hybrids and we are finding there is a lot of interest in going green, not only from businesses but from people in general.

Our return season of Dinner With Friends was a bit of an experiment to see what we could do to lessen our environmental impact even further. We are an independant theatre company with a small budget, and we found that what we did was really easy and affordable. All of our promotional printing (fliers, posters, and programs) is produced on recycled paper. It only costs 20% more to use recycled paper. The floor of our set is bamboo. Bamboo floor looks like a hardwood, but because it is a type of grass, it grows quickly and is renewable. As well it is considered eco-friendly, especially when it replaces other timbers. All of our food props are organic and biodynamic when possible. We changed all the light bulbs in our rehearsal space to eco-friendly bulbs and we are composting and recycling our props every night.


Do you think that theatre and the performing arts are doing enough environmentally?
At this stage, I would say that we could all do more to think of ways to lessen our impact on the environment. I think most performing arts companies and individuals want to do something, they are just not sure where to start. All we have done at this point is to do what we can think of doing. The most surprising thing for us has been that it really isn't that hard to make a few small changes an all it takes is a little planning and forethought.


What are your environmental plans for your next show?
Our next show, This Is How It Goes by Neil LaBute, will be on at the Darlinghurst Theatre Company early next year. We plan on continuing what we have implemented so far and continue to look for new ways to conserve in the future.

Related news

Jane Austen is Dead

Jane Austen is Dead

Liza Dezfouli 22 May 2012

THE OWL & THE PUSSYCAT: This one-woman show is a nicely rounded piece of theatre that contrasts modern dating dilemmas with the portrayals of love in the novels of Jane Austen.

Wheyface

Wheyface

Nicole Eckersley 22 May 2012

NEXT WAVE: Daniel Santangeli’s post-apocalyptic museum of civilisation ropes in its audience to create a melancholy, humorous and thoroughly enjoyable live art work.

A Return to the Trees

A Return to the Trees

Lynne Lancaster 22 May 2012

CARRIAGEWORKS: An astonishing piece of physical theatre about the preservation of our fragile planet.

Crushed

Crushed

Chard Core 22 May 2012

THE NEW THEATRE: Sydney playwright Melita Rowston takes us on a fast-paced, acerbic Gen X ride that drags the ‘lost child’ of Australian myth into the 21st century.

Uncle Vanya

Uncle Vanya

Aleksia Barron 22 May 2012

FORTYFIVEDOWNSTAIRS: Laurence Strangio’s interpretation of Chekhov aspires to sweeping grandeur but doesn’t quite make the distance, with its mismatched cast and logistical failings taking a toll on the production.

Sammy J and Randy – The Inheritance

Sammy J and Randy – The Inheritance

Nerida Dickinson 22 May 2012

PERTH INTERNATIONAL COMEDY FESTIVAL: All singing, all dancing puppets for grownups fill the stage as well as the heart, with genuine laughs throughout.

Henry IV Part One

Henry IV Part One

Rebecca Butterworth 22 May 2012

THE AUSTRALIAN SHAKESPEARE COMPANY: Directed by Glenn Elston, this new production is set in a filmic style and uses live cameras, visuals and AV.

Liberate Yourself From My Vice-Like Grip!!!

Liberate Yourself From My Vice-Like Grip!!!

Richard Watts 22 May 2012

NEXT WAVE: A cross between Wall Street and Lord of the Flies, this intense work explores the consequences of power turned in on itself in an uncivilised world.

Melbourne Chamber Orchestra: Aria

Melbourne Chamber Orchestra: Aria

Suzanne Yanko 21 May 2012

MELBOURNE RECITAL CENTRE: A memorable concert featuring Australian soprano and rising star, Greta Bradman.

120 Birds

120 Birds

Nicole Murphy 21 May 2012

STREET THEATRE: Created by Canberra producer/choreographer Liz Lea, this dance narrative blends live performance with vintage film footage to elegant effect.

Haven

Haven

Nerissa Rowan 21 May 2012

ANYWHERE THEATRE FESTIVAL: This violent, gritty and confronting cabaret is thoroughly enjoyable, but not for the faint of heart.

This is Kansas City

This is Kansas City

Nerissa Rowan 21 May 2012

ANYWHERE THEATRE FESTIVAL: Enter an augmented reality where a series of phone calls to your mobile phone direct your body, gaze, and imagination around Brisbane’s public spaces to unravel the story of a criminal only known as ...

Dave Callan

Dave Callan

Chloe Papas 21 May 2012

PERTH INTERNATIONAL COMEDY FESTIVAL: Five years of graveyard shifts at Triple J provided this Irish-Australian comedian with a wealth of material for his latest stand-up show.

The Laramie Project – 10 Years Later

The Laramie Project – 10 Years Later

Melanie Burge 21 May 2012

ARTS CENTRE MELBOURNE: Ten years after the murder of Matthew Shepard, the Tectonic Theater Project returned to Wyoming to explore the aftermath of his brutal death.

The Magic Hour

The Magic Hour

Astrid Francis 21 May 2012

DECKCHAIR THEATRE: Ursula Yovich stars in this one-woman show about the forgotten women in fairytales; the neglected figures of mythology and folklore whose voices have been lost until now.

I (Honestly) Love You

I (Honestly) Love You

Chloe Papas 21 May 2012

BLUE ROOM THEATRE: A satirical comedy about two people who meet and discover that neither of them can lie – and then proceed to fall in love.

Demain L’Aurore

Demain L’Aurore

Flloyd Kennedy 21 May 2012

ANYWHERE THEATRE FESTIVAL: This year's festival extended its reach well beyond Brisbane to France, and youthful company La Petite Famille, thanks to live streaming.

John Robertson – The Old Whore

John Robertson – The Old Whore

Nerida Dickinson 20 May 2012

PERTH INTERNATIONAL COMEDY FESTIVAL: A stimulating hour of repartee from a rapid-fire raconteur.

Jennifer Wong - Ouch & other words

Jennifer Wong - Ouch & other words

Nerida Dickinson 20 May 2012

PERTH INTERNATIONAL COMEDY FESTIVAL: Sweetly told tales of everyday dramas, with attempts to discuss some Important Issues.

Werzel Montague – The Mental-est

Werzel Montague – The Mental-est

Nerida Dickinson 20 May 2012

PERTH INERNATIONAL COMEDY FESTIVAL: A tightly scripted exploration of ideas, navigating deep waters with a most jovial pilot at the helm.