A tale of a company
A long time ago, before the rise and fall of Y2K, approximately in 1998, a wee theatre company called Platform Youth Theatre was born in the valleys of Darebin. It began as a one-off project initiated by the Darebin Council to create a youth theatre production titled Platform.
After the success and excitement of creating this play, the company continued to make theatre for and by the youth of Darebin, and call itself Platform! However, the company soon outgrew its nest at the Darebin Council and in 2000, the company decided to live out life as an independent beast. Platform became its own incorporated association in 2001. And in 2006, Platform moved into the refurbished Northcote Town Hall.
Since that first production in 1998, Platform has created a very special niche within the youth and theatre sectors of Victoria. The company has truly become a respectable citizen in the arts community, well-known for its inclusive cultural development process and sometimes known to boast about the awards it has collected for its productions.
Reviews and feedback
Many who have come to witness the company grow have also said things like:
“Thanks very much for ENOUGH. I was quite affected by the production. Afterwards, as I was walking to the tram, a young bloke asked me for some change so he could find a place to sleep. He was obviously down on his luck so I handed him a $50 note, largely due to issues raised in your production – clearly I had more than enough and he didn’t have enough (not that that has changed by merely handing over some money, it’s more about an attempt to convey a sense of compassion). Thought I should share that with you. Keep up the good work.” Audience member
“Both pieces are superior examples of dramatic writing, with streetwise dialogue underpinned by acute observations of adolescent psychology.” The Age in response to Tenderness
“So much of what good theatre is all about is giving everything you’ve got to a performance, passionately and without self-censorship. Shimmer…is the embodiment of these ideals. It is community theatre at it’s most enriching, both for the performers and the audience.” Melbourne Times in response to Shimmer
“It is a privilege to work with a company who not only believes in but practises opportunity for all, and at the same time demands quality for all- because of, never in spite of, this diverse participation.” Ben Ellis, Platform artist, Writer, Faith, hope and surveillance
“Unlike many other companies (youth or adult) Platform workshops all its productions from scratch by having the cast work directly with the writer. This guarantees that each production is a new, fresh and genuine reflection of the issues confronting today’s youth as opposed to some arty-farty interpretation of what some over-rated writer thinks we’re thinking or feeling. Platform isn’t a representation of our voice. It is our voice.” Participant, 21
“No, it wasn’t the MTC. But it was much, much better than any preconceptions of community would have had you believe. At shows end the packed audience gave rousing appreciation to all for delivering a night of heartfelt, engaging, but above all, entertaining – theatre.” The Age in response Hogs, Hairs and Leeches