Ten Quid cancelled

Not at all. We have had our fair share of turkeys. My point is that quality doesn't necessarily equate to public praise. A playwright's reasons for creating a work is a whole other issue, and not one that I have considered here. I'm talking purely from my view as an actor, and also as a committee member of a club. As an actor, I've been in some below average shows that were well attended. I've also, as stated earlier, done some good stuff that no one came to see. As an actor, I know which I prefer. You are suggesting that if a show isn't well attended, then it is a failure. That may be so in the professional ranks, where the bottom line is the yard stick by which all productions are invariably measured. For an amateur theatre company, as long as the club can continue to operate, any individual show not breaking even is neither here nor there. Having said that, I would whole heartedly agree that a show which is critically well received, as well as well attended is certainly what we all strive for. I only speak of Melville, as it is the club with which I mostly associate. A well reasoned debate is never pointless, until it descends into name calling. I do think you are spot on in saying that you and I have different criteria when it comes to measuring the success of a production. I guess your point of view depends on whether you are a playwright, actor, administrator or audient. www.meltheco.org.au