Theatre is on the decline in Australia – few audiences and fewer productions. “When they are young and starting out, writers hone their skills on the theatrical fringe. But these fringe companies are disappearing. The number of new works being staged around Australia dropped by more than a third in the past 20 years. More specifically, there has been “a jaw-dropping decrease” in theatrical activity in Melbourne in the decade to 2003 – down by 20 productions to 36.”