Australian Theatre Live

In a time where lockdowns and extended restrictions are threatening our live theatre industry’s survival, we have the opportunity to capture the critically acclaimed independent production of ‘Norm and Ahmed’, presented by the Alex Buzo Company and featuring Laurence Coy and William Koutsoukis.

But we need your help!

“a revelatory production...a fine revival of a great classic” - The Australian

“this is an incredible play.” - Australian Stage

You’re walking home around midnight. It’s cold and dark and the streets are deserted. You’re in a foreign country and your senses are on high alert. Suddenly, from nowhere, a stranger lurches from the shadows. “Got a light?”

Do you stop?

This is the situation that young Pakistani student Ahmed, (William Koutsoukis), finds himself in when confronted by the unpredictable and ambiguous ‘great white’ Norm, (Laurence Coy), in this performance of Alex Buzo’s sharp, entertaining and satirical 1960’s classic, Norm and Ahmed.

53 years since its first premiere in Melbourne, Alex Buzo’s tense two hander is alarmingly still relevant, confronting issues of racism, xenophobia, cultural difference and assimilation in a country that has perhaps changed little, perhaps a lot.

Now is the perfect time to discover, or rediscover, this pioneering piece of Australian theatre. 

Norm and Ahmed has been an HSC Drama text for over a decade, further recognising its important place in our Australian dramatic canon. Despite this, most Australians will never have the opportunity to consume the story as Alex Buzo intended – on the stage.

We at ATLive are passionate about making this critically acclaimed production of Alex Buzo Company’s Norm and Ahmed available to all Australians, regardless of distance, availability or affordability. Our distribution priorities will be those in regional and rural Australia, and for young Australians undertaking HSC Drama.

Why Now?

Globally, creative industries have been one of the hardest hit by the COVID-19 pandemic. The Australian Arts sector saw a 12% job loss during the 2020 shutdowns, with the independent artists and companies left without Jobkeeper, government-induced cashflow or recovery loans.

Now with lockdowns impacting Sydney again, we see these threats return - with the list of productions cancelled due to lockdown lengthened daily.

Digital recording is more important than ever in this time, allowing audiences to stay connected to arts and culture from their homes, while also supporting companies and artists involved. While many large arts companies have invested in going digital over the past year, these transitions have been impossible for most independent, unfunded companies. 

This is why now, more than ever, is the time to invest in digital products of independent productions.

About Australian Theatre Live

We are a Not-For-Profit arts organisation, dedicated to utilising advances in digital technology to film live performance theatre with distribution across the country and around the world, regardless of distance, availability or affordability.

We believe it is absolutely vital that we record and preserve our playwriting, performing and stage production heritage. We invite all people to enjoy, criticise and participate in the development of our artistic heritage.

By supporting ATLive, you will be contributing to one of the most exciting and innovative ventures in this country’s live performance industry.

THANK YOU for considering supporting ATLive in our Alex Buzo’s Norm and Ahmed live capture. 

Don’t forget to check out the awesome rewards on offer, as our way of saying thank you!

Help Us Green Light This Project!

Some of the major costs associated with producing a digital production of Norm and Ahmed include:

• Hiring of 5 x cameras plus associated gear (cabling, lenses, etc) – $3,000

• Crew fees for live capture (including DOP, camera operators, camera assistants and data wrangler) – $6,500

• Post-production fees (including editing, colour grade and sound mix) – $18,000

We’re putting our own money where our mouth is on this project, and personally committed $20,000. 

This leaves us with just $7,500 remaining to green light this goal – something we can only reach with your help!

Any contribution, no matter how big or small, will take us closer to our target. Thank you for your support.

This project has been made possible with the assistance of the Restart Investment to Sustain and Expand (RISE) Fund – an Australian Government initiative.