As a member of the general public new to the theatre scene, I have been inspired by your blog to set out my thoughts on theatre to help inform others but also myself. I have enjoyed reading your blog for many years and am sad to see you stop, but also appreciate the effort you have made and the ideas you have contributed to theatre. I wish you every success with your new ventures and look forward to following them on here. Best of luck and thank you again.

You walked that wobbly line between critical observer and hopeful maker very elegantly. Most wouldn’t have the bottle.

See you IRL as they say,

Putting your own work first can be a real struggle of will when you’re running a blog – don’t I know it! Blogs are monsters. But it’s a necessary thing to do.

But for the record, I will not ever be a part of the team you propose – because I want to be a part of a team that has faith that their industry and the people in it. A team that knows it is strong enough to handle discussion with names and identities attached – where ever they come from. I have great faith in my colleagues and peers – and even when I disagree with them – I have always respected the fact that to put your name to something shows courage in your convictions.

I also don’t believe in the dichotomy you seem to believe in – I simply don’t believe in an “us” and “them” – we are all a part of the one community and the one conversation. The portrait you paint of discussing over wine and huddling together to me cuts out a healthy dialogue from those who don’t have a “make work with me” agenda.

Also – just so you know – most opening night lists, list me as a “blogger” – which is different to “reviewer” – but as blogger isn’t as old as the notion of “critic” or “reviewer” – I understand why so many struggle with it.

As far as I am concerned the anonymous writer is a coward. And you prove the point that writing under my own name, my own thoughts has been a big and risky thing to do. But in order to create healthy and transparent dialogue – that is, in my opinion, a non-negotiable aspect of conversation.

I also have confidence in the theatre community – especially those that know me and my work as a director, producer and dramaturg that they know when I attend opening nights under whatever title that I am there to celebrate their work, their vision, their passion. And I always go in expecting to support and delight in what I see.

But my decision is not about this either/or identity ultimatum – it is about my life. It is about my time and where I need to focus my energies. Had all what you say about rubbing people the wrong way/being seen as an all-knowing underling was true – I doubt I’d be in the position of having the quantity of work that I currently have for the next 12 months. This decision is about being able to have a lifestyle – and get my laundry done – and not having to deal with the nasty threats and intimidation tactics from cowards and bullies – which I still believe are in the minority in our industry.

Thank you for seeing what I’ve been working on – and for appreciating it’s place in the wild rambling scheme of things.

You are a wonderful asset to SA, and Australian theatre blogging on the whole – it is a difficult terrain and you have the personal courage and intellect to make a difference – and I believe you are.

I will of course continue to read and be a fan of your writing and thinking and look forward to our next cup of tea – in whichever state or context it may be.

Thank you.
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