' Over the past few weeks, like spawning salmon, theatres all over Australia have been launching their seasons for the year to come. In a barrage of brochures, back slapping, rodomontade and sparkling wine, proposed productions for 2012 have been put up for advanced sale.

Melbourne Theatre Company and the Malthouse, but also smaller companies such as La Mama, Red Stitch and Ilbijerri plan and market their work in this way. In an age of real-time communication and right-now delivery, why do theatres commit so far in advance? What is the meaning of this strange annual rite? ' Source: Julian Meyrick.