What I was trying to say was that this is a highly designed demonstration of popular culture: It is popular performance… it has the rudiments of what should make a crowd pleaser – energy, coloured light, TV stars, youthful enthusiasm, easy to follow story, spectacle, big sets… all that stuff. And it does, have all that stuff. it’s just a shame that, “that stuff” is just not my bag.

It made me feel really uncomfortable. I didn’t like it at all. Aesthetics aside, I really worry about the subtextual message being sent out: American cultural imperialism… the Australians distorting their voices into American drawls, the cringe worthy demonstrations gender politics were nothing short of disturbing. The “heavy dancer” resigning herself to a life of being a character actress- devastating. I just resign myself to the fact that this show, has nothing to do with me. It does not reflect what I believe, or like. It doesn’t inspire me to pursue my dreams. It made me feel old, lazy and unattractive and generally uncomfortable.

This is a celebration of pop culture. And it’s something that is as artful and valuable as gossip magazines. And it has nothing to do with me.

I completely agree with your sentiments. Completely. And compounding these technical problems with the derivative drivel, is the complete and utter awareness that this piece of entertainment was not made for me. I am not it’s audience. But that’s not to say that children under 10 won’t enjoy it… the inexperienced theatregoer or that it doesn’t have it’s place as a piece of spectacle for those who don’t want, expect or need their theatre to be no more artful, than Zoo Weekly is journalism.

Then why review it? And Why try and focus on the good things? i reviewed it because I wanted to see if I could appreciate it as a piece of entertainment. I encourage people to go to the theatre – to involve themselves in the liveness of life as demonstrated via live performance – and this is what many punters think of when they think of theatre – expensive, American spectacle.

I choose to think is that perhaps for those who are used to digesting all that sugar and light and hot pants- that the noble message of “you can make it if you try” will reach them despite the sow’s ear. I hope so.

Just as GB Shaw didn’t like As you Like it… I didn’t like FAME, but I’m sure someone will like it.

‘Shame, it’s theatre never-never!’