making theatre "mainstream"...

It is indeed a great question. I think to be in the mainstream- you must feel comfortable to the masses you must be safe and for the main part not challenge a person's status quo. amongst other things. a reason perhaps that theatre is not mainstream is found in the areas you refer to as being mainstream- cinema (hollywood blockbusters), pubs, rock concerts etc. In all of these experiences, one is able to 'disengage' from the performer/performance ongoingly, and still enjoy it. You can talk to your friends and generally hang (again- not be challenged). Maybe theatre doesn't allow this freedom of disengagement and distraction. Logos, I think you got close when you said that it requires an intellectual involvement. The masses don't want to be involved, don't want to think, don't want to engage actively with other human beings. They want to sit, drink, watch tele, and be entertained. In fact the mounting evidence in the west is that people don't even want to engage with their own spouses and families, let alone a stranger on a stage. and good theatre does just that- it engages you. An important question to me is actually- do we really want theatre to be 'in the mainstream'? I don't really have the answer, but think it is also an important thing to ponder. In the current paradigm of mainstream, I for one am happy that theatre is often not. but I also would love to see good theatre making real money too. How to make the two meet...? Neville It's the simple things stupid...