The postwar musical, focusing on an Aboriginal soldier, was so successful it may be presented in Britain next year as part of the National Theatre's international festival. Nevin is a little heartened by the Federal Government's Nugent Inquiry. If the inquiry's recommendations go through, the Sydney Theatre Company will be able to accrue reserves and still maintain its funding, something it hasn't been able to do in the past. But, while the government talk of a vibrant theatre culture is encouraging, it is also bemusing, says Nevin. A vibrant theatre culture is a kind of paradox, because it suggests renewal and refreshing of the art form, but that requires risk taking and risk taking must be funded.
Risk taking in the mainstream companies mostly incurs deficit.
If you run at a deficit, you fold, so you have to manage the risk and one way of managing the risk is to become more and more commercial and more and more popular. I'm creating a fine and vibrant drama company. I've learnt to give enormously risky opportunities to other artists - that's my way of running a theatre company because, in a sense, I've had my career as an individual artist. I don't need to be supported by the company I'm running. I'm giving back.