ITA Finley Award Winners - 2009

Well I don't think his whole world stopped because of the Finley's, I figure he wouldn't give two knobs of goat shit if he won or not. More to the point, his show was apparently was very poorly attended, and I wonder how many people apart from the judges saw all the entries last year. Probably no-one, even if you take into account that 4 shows Perth people wouldn't have gone to see because they were in Kalgoorlie,I doubt if they would have seen 10% of them. This is the big problem with the eventual winners, people have no yardstick to compare except the panel. But every year those who haven't seen everything that is entered suddenly become an expert on who or what "should" have won. I mean, do you really want the Finley's to be like a childrens pet show, where everyone has to win a prize? There is no other event in Perth Community Theatre where we all come together as a group, some people end up filling their next years schedules by chatting to people about what they are doing for the following year, I love the fact that I get to see so many people that I don't get to see much of during the year....its not like they have an annual ball or anything...I also think its great to see people dress up for the event too, most of us only see each other in costumes or our slob around rehearsal clothes. So if it makes you feel better to bitch about John Milson, go ahead, because seriously if you asked people in community theatre to tell you who won the Best Play and Musical at the Finley's off the top of their head from ten years ago, I doubt anyone would remember, much less care. It is a subjective, peer assessed Award, the shows were seen, the shows were marked, and Awards given...it is over for another year, Ive already moved on, as most others have. I don't begrudge the award to John, as I said I think he would be happy to have been awarded it, but I doubt he would have given losing a second thought. I myself wonder why John would bother working in community theatre with all the ridiculous nonsense that goes with the territory, but he has worked, and does work, and will more than likely continue to work in Community theatre....regardless of whether you agree with him being eligible to receive the award or not. Regards R.