Industrial Theatre
Introduction and view demo
Background
A few months ago, Terry Booysen, the CEO of CGF Research Institute (Pty) Ltd suggested to the IIR’s COSEC Advisory Panel, that an industrial theatre would be an interesting way to impart corporate governance messages to delegates attending the 21st Annual Company Secretary and Prescribed Officers Conference in October 2011. Terry chaired the COSEC Advisory Panel and was responsible for determining the programme of the 21st Annual Company Secretary and Prescribed Officers Conference. The panel was also represented by a number of well known Company Secretaries, including other governance, risk and compliance specialists such as Michael Judin (Director: Goldman Judin Attorneys), Annamarie van der Merwe (Director: iThemba), Michelle Krastanov (Director: Arcay Group) and Reana Rossouw (Director: Next Generation Consultants).
The COSEC Panel agreed that an intervention of this kind was innovative, and would be a South African first for such a conference.
The industrial theatre show was produced by a specialist events and theatre stage company, with impeccable local and international credentials, called don’t forget george (‘DFG’) - Events & Productions. Their website address is http://www.dontforgetgeorge.co.za/
Setting the scene
The COSEC Panel then tasked Terry to assist DFG to write the 40 minute play, to be ready for the 21st Annual Company Secretary and Prescribed Officers Conference. Developed over a period of a few months, we decided not to enact a typical Boardroom scene, but rather create two rather colourful characters (Gus & Duke), enacting the role of professional picketers (strikers). The decision to go with picketers was prompted by the idea to create characters perceived more to speak from the perspective of society rather than from that of corporate management, presenting scenarios and voicing opinions and predicting consequences resulting from hypothetical actions taken by executives of corporations and boardrooms.
The industrial theatre has a number of very ‘high’ and ‘low’ moments, lots of laughter and passion, cleverly weaving many corporate governance themes into the show. Matters such as crime, corruption, corporate greed, wars, civil warfare, crumbling economies and the like are covered by our two top rank actors.
With focus both on delivering ‘bang for the buck’ and well crafted messaging, the production has been developed around simple staging, props, sound tracks, and technical production to carry the flow and drive story line of the 35 – 40 min show.
Ratings
The delegates of the 21st Annual Company Secretary and Prescribed Officers Conference rated the show as ‘excellent’, and this sentiment was also expressed by the COSEC Panel and IIR (the conference event organisers).
CGF was congratulated on its input in making it the show the success that it was. Accordingly, DFG and CGF have now agreed to commercialise this show in South Africa, and intend producing yet further shows based on some other of CGF’s well known and popular governance reports found within CGF’s web-based Corporate Governance Body of Knowledge®. Gauging from the success of (Why Us?), we are of the opinion that future shows of this nature may anticipate as much success since the industrial theatre platform lends itself to delivering communication objectively without antagonising audiences or ‘putting them on the spot’ thereby standing a greater chance of getting messages across.
Professional fees
DFG have structured their professional fees as follows:
| No. of performances required |
|
Professional fee |
|
Cost of stage & sound equipment |
|
Total* |
| 1-3 performances |
|
R45,000.00 |
|
R5,000.00 |
|
R50,000.00 |
| 4-6 performances |
|
R40,000.00 |
|
R5,000.00 |
|
R45,000.00 |
| 7 and above |
|
Special reduced rates will be negotiated |
|
R5,000.00 |
|
Special rates to be agreed |
| * The above fees exclude 14% Vat |
| * The above fees exclude travel expenses exceeding 100 km of Johannesburg |
| * The above fees exclude overnight accommodation for the actors outside of Johannesburg |
| * Technical equipment requirements could vary depending on anticipated audience sizes |
| * Lighting not included – to be assessed based on infrastructure of space provided by Client |
What the client must arrange?
The client must provide the venue for DFG, and a flat in-door area for the stage that covers circa 7m x 6m. Electrical power points must be in close proximity for the sound system. The industrial theatre can adequately accommodate anything from 30 people up to 100 at any one session.
Bookings
All enquiries and bookings can be directed through the CGF offices, or email info@cgf.co.za or accounts@cgf.co.za