Rent @Campbelltown

let me preface with- I didn't see the show, don't really know rent (probably enough to get me lynched on this forum in itself), and am in a completely different and far more western state of Oz.

Burdon....
?????

Having been a professional in the music industry for more than a decade with my own business (a percussion ensemble) I am at best astounded, and worst horrified at your attitude.
I too have sunk literally tens of thousands into my percussion group to set it up, and create one of Oz's top groups, with several international and national tours etc. behind us in the last decade. At every point I remembered one thing-
the audience are IT. it is the 'performing' arts. without an audience it's the rehearsing arts.
audience pay your bills, they provide your company with purpose, and they can- when properly looked after- be your strongest partners (including sponsors etc.)
if you want (at minimum) a return of your initial investment it would be wise to listen to the fact that the 'cast in the auditorium talking before the show and selling tickets' issue was a fairly consistent one amongst these reviews.

you tried something, and it sounds like it didn't work for many. I certainly would have been pissed at spending 25 of my hard-earned for a 'raffle ticket' and/or no program. If programs cost too much to print (and believe me you are not the only person in Australia putting his own money into the black hole called the arts industry) sell a program for 1 buck to cover printing costs on your home computer or local library or something.
It disrespects not only your audience, but worse, your cast/crew to not take the effort to make the entire show experience special.

a note to everyone in community theatre-
the performance experience begins with the the advertising/booking, and continues from entering the venue, through the show, and into the post-show experience (including things like this forum) it's not just from the opening note to the curtain call.
Audiences expect a good show, but a mediocre show can be saved or destroyed by the audience member's overall experience of the night, irrespective of the performance itself. a s'''ty night magnifies any shortcomings in the performance.
whether we're in it for fun, experience, or to create great theatre etc., the reality is once you ask someone to pay to see it, you're responsible for delivering something.

Burdon-
If you are too tight with your dough to trust a cast member's mum, or a arts management student, or anyone with the ticket money (there are systems to track income/sales- like tickets!), then you will never make a cent in this or any industry. I presume by reading previous postings that making money must be one of your aims...
and there is good money to be made- even from pro-am- if you like (take the MS society's six-figure profit from last year's Les Mis here in Perth)
and if you're not too keen on meeting people or doing the small-talk, get a partner on who is- I did! it is necessary to at least be polite to people, and at best make them feel like stars. you will be stunned how many of them will go out of their way to help you next time.

On reading your last post I can't help but feel frustrated that someone obviously passionate about theatre has by the looks of things burnt themselves out so early in their ventures. moreso when much of the stress may have been eleviated through getting support that may have been given willingly.

I was glad to read the director's reply, he is obviously someone willing to learn and grow. and passionate- good luck with the future, and listen to your critics, they will often provide you with the only useful feedback.

and to all- before you get upset with a review/opinion/comment, remember- it's a bunch of zeros and ones put up on a screen- they can't hurt you!

Nev

and a little ps for those who think that I should have a theatre background to post, I sing with the WA Opera, and have MD'd and performed in several pro-am/community productions for the last few years. so I'm not just a drummer!

and sorry for the length everyone