Water Rats

[timidly]

Here's something off topic - how popular is/was Water Rats? I'm in the US, and I stumbled onto it a year ago on a local UHF station I can barely pull in. I think it's one of the best shows I've seen in a long time - it can be absolutely rivetting. I tell my friends it's Bay Watch meets Hill Street Blues, which may be why none of them will watch it. But I'm bummed - they're now broadcasting the final (6th?) season and I'm afraid it'll disappear - I'm praying they'll start over. (Especially because the writing/directing seems to have slipped a little). I joined the silly station because of it...

Abby, do you think you could arrange a shoot with Alex St Clare?

[Abby]

Hiya

Funny you should say that, actually. A good friend of mine, Felicity (VD knows her as well, actually!) just finished working on the last series of Water Rats. It's not going any longer, cos it did not rate well. When it started a few years back, it was quite popular, but each year saw lower and lower ratings, unfortunately. The two main actors who started left (Catherine McCormack, and Colin Friels), and it went down hill from there, IMO.

There's a stack of new Aussie drama stuf come out since then. if you have a penchant for them, try to find "Seachange", "Life of Us", "Always Greener", to name a few. Quality drama. http://www.abbywinters.com/discus/clipart/happy.gif *proud*

a

[timidly]

6 years is a long time for TV - I can only imagine how good it must have been in the first few seasons, given how much I liked it last season. I'll have to keep my eyes open for the other programs. I really thought Water Rats had a lot of different things going for it.

I'm supposed to see Gale Edwards make her directorial debut with the National Shakespeare Theatre in a production of "Hamlet" next month. I understand she's Australian, and her background includes musicals - do you know her?

That's enough performing arts - back to Cami's photos!

- Tim

[Abby]

Ah, Gale Edwards, huh?

Another weird coincidence, she just directed an Opera Australia production of "Sweeny Todd", that my GF was stage manager on! Weird! I have never met her, but apparently she's AWFUL to work with. She's universaly hated, conductor, tech crew, actors and orchy all hated her with a pasion, but all acknowledge that she directs excellent shows.

I'd like to hear what you think of the "Hamlet" you see.

a

[Vid Dude]

Oh, don't get Abby started on Theatre productions - it's her day job (well, it was until last week) so I'm sure she has tons of stories!

Mostly, I'm sure, about how the tech crew are downtrodden slaves http://www.abbywinters.com/discus/clipart/wink.gif

[timidly]

The promotional material mentions "Sweeney Todd." I'm really looking forward to it, and glad I'll be on my side of the footlights...