Perth Voice Interactive

A MAYLANDS actor could be playing to an empty theatre after a French-style farce involving iiNet and NBN contractors.

For three weeks the Old Mill Theatre has been unable to take phone bookings for its June 5 performance of Summer of the Seventeenth Doll, because its phone has been disconnected.

Internet service provider iiNet thought the theatre had been upgraded to the national broadband network, but NBN contractors had installed optic-fibre cable only in the building next door—forgetting all about the historic Old Mill.

Theatre chair Phil Barnett, who is also performing in the play, says the Molière balls-up could wreck opening night.

“Around 80 per cent of our bookings are taken in the last few weeks leading up to opening night, so it could hit us really hard,” he cringes. “A lot of our patrons are elderly and we still take a huge amount of bookings over the phone.

“iiNet says the NBN can’t find the theatre anywhere [on its records], despite the fact it’s had the same phone line for over 50 years! I should have spent the past few weeks learning my lines, but instead I’ve been sitting on the phone for hours talking to overseas call centres, getting nowhere.”

Shortly after the Voice contacted iiNet, it phoned Mr Barnett to say NBN contractors would be there Tuesday.

“iiNet expects the Old Mill Theatre will be able to receive incoming calls in two to three days,” an iiNet spokesperson told the Voice.

Summer of the Seventeenth Doll, written in the 1950s about seasonal workers, is said to be the first play in which Australian life and characters were authentically portrayed, and is considered a turning point towards naturalistic, gritty theatre. Maylands’ Anna Head says co-star Barnett might well channel some of his call-centre angst into his performance.

“I think it could be quite a fiery performance given all the frustration he has had to endure over the past few weeks,” she laughs. “It could make for a great opening night.”

Summer of the Seventeenth Doll is showing on certain dates from June 5 to 20. To book go to http://www.oldmilltheatre.com.au/tickets. You could try ringing, but we don’t like your chances.

by STEPHEN POLLOCK