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A motion so contentious that one of the leading actors in the company has resigned, the appointment of Cate Blanchett, along with her playwright husband Andrew Upton, as joint artistic directors of the Sydney-based Australia theatre company has caused much ado in the creative community. Many have said that an acting Oscar is no qualification for directing and running a whole company.

There are obvious parallels with Kevin Spacey’s tenure in the same position at London’s Old Vic, a selection that some had serious qualms about. Arguably the doubters have been proved right, as many of Spacey’s productions have not reached the standard that was expected of him, at least according to critics, and the fear is that Team Blanchett will direct the Australia company towards a similar brink. Only time will tell, and ArtsWom is going to keep a weather eye on the situation and keep you avid readers on top of the goings on down under.