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00:01My name is Margie Argyle and I've been the Artistic Director of the Argyle Theatre for six years.
00:05The theatre we make is uncompromising, it's urgent, it's visceral.
00:11I think humourless is a bit unfair.
00:14Money is the death of creativity.
00:16Actually, I remember once I was like freestyle monologuing about death and decay
00:20and someone goes, oh Margie, there's a man out the front who says you haven't paid for your Uber Eats.
00:24And I just immediately lost my train of thought.
00:27It's like, oh great, now I'm just sitting here with a bar me.
00:30You know, thanks a lot.
00:31I think our next season launching tomorrow night is probably our most challenging year.
00:36Margie, sorry.
00:38Sorry everyone.
00:40Looks cool though.
00:41I am so sorry, could you just give me a minute?
00:43We'll probably leave it there, let's cut.
00:44Oh no, no, don't cut.
00:46No, we've got it, let's pack up.
00:47Thank God that's over.
00:48Thanks a lot Christian, I had a lot more to say to them.
00:51We just, we need you in a meeting with the CEO about half an hour ago.
00:54Oh God, what does he want?
00:55He wants you to sign off on the program for tomorrow night's launch.
00:58Yeah, this has strong admin energy.
01:01Sorry about that.
01:01Okay, all right, come on.
01:02Let's go, let's feed the capitalist machine then.
01:04Benetta!
01:08I didn't know you had an interview, it's not in the diary.
01:10It's in my diary.
01:11I've worked for three hours, is that normal?
01:13Daniel, I'm so sorry.
01:16I've just been sitting in a really creative space this morning.
01:19Well, I've been sitting here for about half an hour.
01:21Okay, sorry.
01:22All right, let's have a look.
01:23Give me the program.
01:25Best program yet, I reckon.
01:29Great pick.
01:31Remember, this launch is tomorrow, Margie.
01:34Yeah, look, I'm still not happy about Grease being the big show next season.
01:38Like, really, Australia's premiere avant-garde theatre and we're doing Grease.
01:42It's trash.
01:43Papa would be turning in his grave.
01:45No, Margie, we agreed on this weeks ago.
01:47Carmel says the board needs a commercial hit with a big name.
01:50Okay, so why are you letting the chair of the board tell the artistic director what to do?
01:55There's a lot of your experimental stuff in here, Margie.
01:58Look, three plays with full frontal nudity.
02:00It loses subscribers.
02:02Says you.
02:03No, I'm here to push boundaries and I am unapologetic about that.
02:06I don't think you understand the seriousness of our financial situation.
02:09And I'll be honest, a lot of the mismanagement leads back to you.
02:13Okay.
02:14Do you think when my father started this place...
02:16Ah, here we go.
02:16No, no, no, when he was doing work like this, okay, do you think he was thinking about money?
02:21We lived and breathed theatre.
02:23I basically lived under this desk when I was a child and I would listen to my father downstairs ploughing
02:28the craft all night.
02:32We're doing Grease.
02:34No, I'm sorry, Daniel.
02:35I've made a decision this morning.
02:37We're not doing Grease.
02:38I've got a bigger idea.
02:39I think I'm having a panic attack.
02:40We're not redesigning the guide.
02:42The discussion is over.
02:43Excuse me if I'm not inclined to listen to someone who eats Nando's for breakfast and scrolls realestate.com on
02:48the toilet.
02:49Okay.
02:51I'm out.
02:55Out of the meeting or...
02:57What do you mean out of this meeting?
02:58Actually, I'm allowed to change my mind.
03:01You don't understand the artistic process, Daniel.
03:03And by the way, no one wants to see you news, okay?
03:07Well, let's not generalise.
03:08We've all seen it from every angle, back and front and bent over.
03:11I've seen more of you than my own wife.
03:13Toxic.
03:14Toxic masculinity.
03:16Good luck finding anyone else who can deal with the great Margie Argyle.
03:22Okay, Mary.
03:24Unfortunately, due to a series of strategic realignments, your position at this organisation no longer exists.
03:31Full details of your redundancy are in this information pack.
03:35Julia, please.
03:36I'm 65.
03:37I know.
03:38I'm your mentor.
03:40So you must know what I'm about to say next, which is no further discussion will be entered into.
03:45That's right.
03:46That is one of mine.
03:48Yeah, classic Mary.
03:49All right, that's the awkwardness over.
03:51So how's things at home?
03:52How's Graham?
03:53Roger?
03:54Your husband, yes.
03:55He died.
03:57Are you sure that's not in my notes?
04:01Carmel.
04:01Quick word in your office, Julia.
04:03Now?
04:03Yes.
04:04Now.
04:04Might be a moment.
04:05How are you, Mary?
04:07She's fine.
04:08Husband died, so she's a bit sad.
04:09Take a moment.
04:10But out by the end of the day.
04:13It's all lies, Mum.
04:14Can't believe the CEO of a bank just, like, literally lies.
04:17Just literally lie and, like...
04:18Just let me handle it.
04:20Fine.
04:20It seems that Ryan, in his capacity in the lending centre, has wiped a customer's personal
04:25loans.
04:26Tom McNamara.
04:28Is that your ex-husband, Julia?
04:30Ex-husband, yes.
04:32What have you done?
04:33What?
04:33He's got a new start-up.
04:35Get this, though.
04:35Edible coffee cup.
04:36So you finish the coffee...
04:38Oh, just edible coffee cups already exist.
04:39You can't start that up.
04:41Well, I'm glad I did it anyway.
04:42It was a legend move, so...
04:44Obviously, the police will have to be called.
04:47Police?
04:47Mum?
04:48That's like prison.
04:49Oh, stop it.
04:50No-one's going to prison.
04:52Are they?
04:52What do you think of theatre, Julia?
04:55Theatre?
04:56Didn't realise they were still doing it.
04:58Don't we all just watch Netflix now?
05:00I am the chair of a fantastic little theatre, the Argyle.
05:03You will have heard of it.
05:04No.
05:04And we just lost our CEO.
05:06He was so sad to go.
05:08Mm-hmm.
05:08But I think that you would be perfect to take over.
05:12Oh, I'm sorry.
05:13Is this a joke?
05:14Am I on Candid Camera?
05:16No.
05:17What's Candid Camera?
05:18Just come over and fill in until the new CEO starts,
05:21and then we can forget all about this.
05:23Seriously, Mum, what is Candid Camera?
05:24Shut up.
05:26Let's just talk outside.
05:28Don't touch any of those computers, Ryan.
05:32Theatre?
05:33Oliver.
05:34Oh, come on, come on.
05:36I tripled profit last quarter.
05:38Yes, we're all aware of your bulging trophy cabinet.
05:40And I got rid of family leave.
05:42Look, the Argyle is having a few tiny financial issues,
05:46but you'll iron them out in no time.
05:48And when I do iron out these tiny financial issues,
05:50I get my job back, yes?
05:51Yes, yes, yes.
05:52And Ryan does too?
05:53You will love it.
05:55And they have a really dynamic artistic director.
05:59Bring out your invoices!
06:03Approved, approved, approved.
06:05Good news, everyone, I'm in charge.
06:07OK, so we're not going to have someone telling us
06:09there's no money for the things we need to make our art.
06:11There actually is no money, though, so have your fun.
06:14Good to have fun.
06:15Oh, she's off.
06:16Jacob.
06:16Jacob, Jacob, Jacob.
06:17Yeah.
06:18I've cancelled Greece.
06:20Thank God.
06:20Guess what we're going to do instead?
06:21What?
06:25Sorry, what?
06:26Yep, starring me, directed by me.
06:28Um, you'll be stunning.
06:29Yeah.
06:29Are you saying you're going to do the half-buried peasant?
06:31Yes, Christian.
06:32First person to attempt it since Papa, first woman.
06:35But it's an obscure 18th century French play.
06:38Yeah.
06:38And it goes for four hours.
06:40And it involves dumping two tons of sand on stage.
06:42Eight tons.
06:44I need eight tons.
06:45Well, you'll never get the board to sign off on.
06:47Oh, Christian.
06:49I feel like you're just still struggling with the fact that nothing blossomed between us.
06:54Sure.
06:55You know, we had fun.
06:56It was one night.
06:58I might leave you to it, guys.
07:00Yeah.
07:01Excuse me.
07:02Who's that?
07:03I don't know.
07:03Okay.
07:04You know, this is bigger than us.
07:06Can you just support me, please?
07:09I have to do my job.
07:11I'm sorry.
07:11No, no.
07:12Yeah, great.
07:12I have to do my job.
07:13Do your little job.
07:14No, good decision.
07:15It's not personal.
07:16No, I'll bring Donna in on it instead.
07:18Donna!
07:20Donna!
07:21I have lost my job, you absolute moron.
07:24How could you ask Ryan to do that?
07:26I did it.
07:26I just said it was something someone could do if they worked at a bank.
07:29Oh, please.
07:30You know how insecure and gullible he is.
07:32Hey.
07:32I'm talking about someone else.
07:34Oh, sweet.
07:34I don't have time for this.
07:37Now he's hung up on me.
07:38Wonderful.
07:39Are you even going to apologise for committing fraud?
07:41Oh, sorry for committing fraud.
07:44This is serious, Ryan.
07:45After all the expensive schools and the tutors.
07:48Yeah, and this is all stuff that you wanted.
07:50I'm really disappointed.
07:52You know what the worst thing is?
07:53I now have to go and work at a theatre.
07:55A bunch of lefties moaning into their chakras and talking about their feelings.
08:01I actually feel sick.
08:07The work we make is uncompromising, it's urgent, it's visceral.
08:13I think our next season is probably our most challenging yet.
08:18Don't miss it.
08:19Launch day!
08:21That's looking good, guys.
08:22Does she know?
08:23I don't think so.
08:24Shit's going to hit the fan.
08:25Morning, everyone.
08:26Come on.
08:28Christian!
08:30Margie!
08:31Who's this?
08:32Look, I only just found out the new CEO's starting at 10.
08:35The board were trying to call you last night.
08:37Yeah, I stayed at a friend's house.
08:39Which friend was that?
08:40I've got heaps of friends.
08:41I don't know.
08:41Sure.
08:42Yeah.
08:43Boy or girl.
08:44Hello, you've reached Carmel Martin.
08:46Leave a message.
08:47Carmel, it's Margie.
08:48We need to have a serious conversation.
08:50God, never here, never available.
08:52You know what?
08:54Let's get everyone in the rehearsal space and loosen up.
08:56You know, everything's feeling really tight and congested.
09:00What's that?
09:00Who's with me?
09:01I'm with you.
09:02Let's get in there.
09:04Donna, Jacob, let's go.
09:06I'll be mother.
09:08Ooh, like coral in the ocean.
09:11Whoa!
09:15Ah!
09:19Jesus Christ.
09:21Woo!
09:23Hello?
09:25Hello?
09:30Ah!
09:36Ah!
09:51Hello.
09:53Oh, here she is.
09:55Welcome, Julian McMuller.
09:56Come on, bring it in.
09:58I don't know that that's appropriate in the workplace.
10:00Okay, first time in the theatre.
10:02Taking it all in.
10:03Mmm.
10:06Everyone, this is our new CEO, Julia McNamara.
10:09Good morning.
10:10Let's form a circle, guys.
10:11Oh, I won't hold hands.
10:12I've not had COVID, so feel free.
10:15All right.
10:15Close it up.
10:16All right, Julia, do you want to tell the group a bit about yourself?
10:18Then we'll go round in a circle.
10:19Now?
10:20Yeah, jump on in.
10:21Uh, all right.
10:23What defines Julia McNamara?
10:25I know what it is.
10:26It's a grind set, which is like a mindset, but I'm grinding.
10:3024-7.
10:31Do not stop the grind until I get results.
10:33And that's how I have expanded the operational bandwidth of billion-dollar companies while
10:37keeping price-to-earnings ratios through the roof.
10:41What does that mean?
10:42Don't know.
10:42I just got the bit about grinding.
10:43But hey, there's also a fun side to JMAC.
10:46I enjoy working out, so if anyone wants to chat, chin up PBs, down for that.
10:52And my guilty pleasure is Dancing with the Stars.
10:56Oh.
10:56Great show.
10:57So that's me in a nutshell.
10:59Work hard, play.
11:00Not quite as hard as I work.
11:02Okay.
11:04Um, thank you, Julia.
11:05Obviously, I'm Maggie Argyle.
11:08I've been the artistic director here for six years, and I'm in charge of absolutely everything
11:12except the boring financial stuff.
11:15But I'm also a storyteller.
11:17I'm a truth custodian.
11:19I'm a disruptor.
11:20I'm a witch.
11:20I'm a feminist.
11:21I'm a mother.
11:22Yes.
11:23My work is constantly grappling with the universality of our biological makeup,
11:28combined with a collective sense of the sublime.
11:32Yeah.
11:32So what does that mean?
11:33Welcome to the arts, basically.
11:35So that's me.
11:37I'll go next.
11:38Christian Miller, marketing.
11:39Yeah, look, we probably don't have time to go around, everyone.
11:42Keep it moving.
11:42So tonight is the VIP launch of our new season program.
11:47Woo!
11:48Yeah!
11:49Yes, we're going to have champagne.
11:51There'll be roving performances.
11:53We've got copious totes.
11:55Copious totes.
11:56There's some fun stuff in there.
11:57Drink bottles, fidget spinner, do-it-yourself moon cup.
12:00All grease themed, by the way.
12:01Let's not forget.
12:02It is, yeah.
12:03Anyway, this is where we come together as a group, and we start to be the beat of
12:12the same drum.
12:14Eh-oh, eh-oh.
12:16Eh-oh, eh-oh.
12:17Eh-oh, eh-oh.
12:18Eh-oh, eh-oh.
12:19Eh-oh, eh-oh.
12:21Eh-oh, eh-oh.
12:22Maggie, oh.
12:23Eh-oh, eh-oh.
12:23Eh-oh, eh-oh.
12:24I'm sorry.
12:25How long does this usually go for?
12:2620 minutes, usually.
12:28Eh-oh, eh-oh.
12:29Eh-oh, eh-oh.
12:30Eh-oh, eh-oh.
12:31I can't stand any other.
12:32Eh-oh, eh-oh, eh-oh.
12:37so how often does the clapping and chanting oh every morning every morning
12:43it's a fantastic way to get into the body interesting use of staff time well I'm
12:48looking forward to working with you I've heard great things Maggie oh my real name
12:52is Marguerite how would you prefer I call you that no I just think it's
12:55interesting do you mm-hmm okay well I would like to hit the ground running so
13:00a couple of things I need to get across next year's program ASAP I'll grab a
13:04tote no I don't go mm-hmm thank you and Carmel mentioned the place is under
13:08financial pressure did she how do you know Carmel I was her 2IC at Novacorp Bank
13:13okay you were nipping at her heels no wonder you're here mm-hmm I also need
13:20profit and loss statements who can I get those from me and only me well could you
13:24email those across please thank you so what is the Julia McNamara story
13:30girl talk come on married single let's have it
13:33single mother of one really a mother it's interesting I wasn't picking up on
13:38that energy I got single though I guess like recognises like anyway thank you so
13:47much for coming past I have a huge meeting about our launch yes not yes we do I am
13:52coming to that don't think you're required okay so let's talk launch okay the lights
13:59are gonna come down there's gonna be the silence in the space the anticipation the
14:03build and then back music and here she comes Margie Argyle or a version of Margie
14:08we're never truly ourselves on stage and then obviously I'll go to press the launch
14:11button Margie sorry I should have said this earlier Carmel emailed just a little change no biggie she she
14:17wants Julia to launch the program and press the button what what Margie always launches the program
14:23that's an Argyle tradition no makes sense I can see the strategy means I can present my financial plan
14:28oh do you have a performance background well I've given presentations in front of the CEOs of the four
14:34major banks so you tell me do I yeah well I guess if Ibsen were alive today be giving PowerPoint
14:41presentations all over the shop who's Ibsen hey interesting no one knows keep references relatable
14:51that's a good tip for everybody now the big show I'm launching is Greece yes yes yes great great movie
14:58high profit yield and Carmel said something about getting a big name in undecided thanks yep okay
15:04well here's a thought did you know Sonia Kruger can sing I know I didn't realize either I saw a
15:12clip
15:12yeah so um casting's actually the artistic director's job you wait till you see this she's doing that
15:17Chumbawamba song does the Wi-Fi work here I've been having trouble I switched it off again Donna no one
15:23was
15:24using it Donna we've been through this someone's always using the Wi-Fi but we're all in here and it's
15:28out there
15:28that's not how Wi-Fi works so what's this I'll just I'll restart the router shall I
15:33add that to my list yeah as well yep and my lunch and what just my lunch on your list
15:39as
15:39well put my lunch on thank you mmm fish bowl yes indeed extra fish thank you all right okay well
15:46let's get on with it I guess that's it yeah that's it oh there she is the boss
15:54who's absent honestly I nearly died like the day of the launch and they send in some corporate
15:59robot to snoop around our finances no one's to tell her anything keep her out of it waste 42 inches
16:05it's up a bit marks what does that mean oh nothing I think I need a new tape measure actually
16:09yeah I
16:10think you do Donna there's no budget for that Donna why is this on here what's that it's the router
16:14she's
16:15yarn bombed it Donna it buzzes and it looks ugly well it's a major fire hazard sorry it's coming off
16:20hey pick it don't snip it all right guys let's focus let's talk about the launch tonight so you're
16:27just gonna sneak a new plane to the program and hide that from Julia yeah exactly but everything's
16:33grease themed all right what about all the totes just reload the totes um there's copious totes
16:38Margie you said it yourself yeah I know there's copious totes Christian I ordered them but can
16:42you help me out here and reload the totes it's not that hard to reload the totes I'm going to
16:46reload
16:46the totes Margie not a yelling in the workplace Julia how are you going come in come in welcome
16:51to the wardrobe department where dreams come to life gosh so do you make all this yep yes of course
16:58you can buy costumes do you know spotlight I can't bear this yes I know spotlight okay well maybe check
17:05that out Margie mmm still don't have any profit and loss statements okay that's working now guys hey
17:11you know what our donors really love when the CEO gets into party mode on launch night don't they yeah
17:19worry about that because I can party with the best of them really yes you know what you should do
17:24something grease themed what about a sexy sandy I'd love to do a sandy I'm good with vinyl yeah I'm
17:31not
17:31doing that go on it'll be fun no that's a shame Julia Carmel is going to be really disappointed
17:38just FYI I went to last year's office Christmas party as Michelle Bullock who's that the head of
17:44the reserve banker was hilarious okay I'm needed in wigs it was a relatable reference it's very funny
17:52because her glasses are completely different to mine Donna I'll think about the sandy thing come and see me
18:00Martha's let's try this one okay let's have a look let's have a look oh no I don't think that
18:09that's not it it's not you it's not it is it okay here's the updated run sheet for tonight oh
18:15well
18:15what's this I'm on last that was Carmel's calls from my call oh yeah but I bet you're loving it
18:20oh my
18:20god yes I'm in love with Carmel now all right I'm in love with everyone I'm in love with Jacob
18:24I'm in
18:24love with everyone come on Margie how hard is it to send an email
18:36Margie oh trying to give her a dose of the craft I think a little bit of acting I still
18:42need those
18:42reports oh wow what is this do you look like the altar boy from St. Cecilia's Julia I've just had
18:48a
18:48phone call okay from my son little cherry oh you have a son sorry what's his name little cherry cherry
18:56he's named after his grandfather Jerry but he couldn't say Jerry so he said cherry cherry cherry
19:02cherry cherry cherry named himself anyway he's just found out he's dyslexic what just now yeah how old is
19:09he eight okay did he call you from school sorry it's 4 30 yeah but the point is I need
19:15to rush home
19:16tonight you know the poor little boy needs his mother so okay I just need to change the running
19:22order for the launch tonight sure yeah whatever gets me those reports okay thanks Jules oh Jules
19:32mums get it I don't get any of it is this where you thought your life would end up oh
19:40one thousand
19:41percent yeah oh finally reloading the totes I'll see you guys tonight at the launch I'm going for a drink
19:46I'm exhausted uh I'll go get us some more totes thanks Kat is that Margie did she just leave
19:55yes she still hasn't given me those reports uh well I could show you the reports if you wanted
20:02yes please just between us though okay fine all right thank you so how long have you been at the
20:10Argyle 20 years 20 years yep from usher all the way to the top oh wow I actually used to
20:17tread the
20:17boards myself but um no admin's my real passion and I know that now oh my god what okay this
20:24place
20:25is a disaster no wonder she didn't want me to see these well maybe maybe you shouldn't be saying
20:29oh no okay how has she been allowed to spend like this well if you want to turn things around
20:35she has
20:36got to go and I'm more than happy to pull the trigger oh well you can't because the board's the
20:40only one who can fire Margie uh Carmel would never fire a woman to be very off-brand for her
20:45oh god I
20:46think you're right I am I'm gonna be stuck here forever yeah it's a dream
21:04thank you so much thank you so much thank you so much hello how are you thank you for your
21:09donation hi how are you oh I love that I nearly bought it but I didn't because I in the
21:16end I
21:16thought no see the tea Carmel we've been trying to get in touch with you all day yes and I
21:22have
21:22been frantically trying to call you back but you know we should have brunch let's have brunch let's
21:26sort out brunch this is brunch I love brunch talk about bye ladies and gentlemen thanks for coming
21:33and of course a very big thank you to Darren Henderson from the Westport City Council he has
21:38his demons but he's always been very supportive of us so without any further ado to announce our major
21:44production for this season I'll bring on the brilliant the talented the effervescent Margie Agua
21:54thank you everybody and before I get started just a little reminder um please grab a tote
21:58we have copious totes so grab one grab two grab eight take one home for your loved ones
22:06you know what I'm going to throw out the script tonight because I was asked to come up here
22:10and compromise everything they wanted me to rip out my artistic soul and feed it to the capitalist
22:17machine but I am a storyteller okay I tell stories
22:31you know my late great father Jeremy Argyle used to stare mediocrity down and say no thank you
22:39get on a bus and get out of here so for the first time in 20 years I will be
22:48performing the play
22:49that put this theatre on the map ladies and gentlemen our major production this season
22:56the piece on the map ladies and gentlemen what's supposed to be great
23:02farewell Grace
23:27I am a peasant very half alive but by God I will prevail
23:38and now I'd like to introduce our new CEO Julia McNamara
23:51what in the name of God is she wearing rubber grease lightning
23:57childish so unprofessional a lot of you
24:03good evening ladies and gentlemen
24:05well in keeping with tonight's theme
24:08I'm here to say you better shape up
24:13because you need a plan
24:15and I can keep you strategised
24:21there we go always good to
24:24have a laugh before discussing serious business
24:29unfortunately the Argyle Theatre is experiencing extreme financial difficulty
24:35and if something isn't done this may be the last season you ever have
24:39and the person single-handedly responsible for running this place into the ground
24:44thank you Julia and now I would like to launch this season's program
24:49I will do one thing I will launch this season
24:52I will launch it
24:53I'm launching it
25:19this organization is not financially viable
25:23oh so not going to acknowledge country or anything
25:25Christian will assist me in conducting performance reviews starting today
25:29are we not more than human resources
25:31oh don't clap that
25:33now that feels like a version of workplace harassment
25:35you will not be cutting my staff
25:37Ryan Christian this is my son Ryan
25:40Margie Julia's fired Jacob
25:42what are you doing what he's not going anyway
25:45okay Julia this is all so easy
25:48why don't you do it
25:53let's me back here
25:55Mike
25:55I'm a bad, mad, mad, mad...
25:57Mike! hurt my dad
25:58Mike! baddest
26:00you
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