Oliver- Highland Theatre Group

Congratulations to all the crew and cast of the Highland Theatre Group for putting on a wonderful performance of "Oliver". The show went for 10 performances and delighted the whole Southern Highlands Community of NSW. The acting by the main principals, with the exception of "Noah Claypole" was extraordinarily good. The main principals voices were loud and clear. However, nothing is perfect as the young juvenile who played "Noah Claypole" appeared confused on stage and his acting was really substandard even for an amateur. During the performance that I attended, I noticed the audience were straining to listen to hear what he was saying. After the performance, I also found out that the other people on stage at the time had been complaining about his "odour". Apparently it was so bad, that he really was a OH&S Issue. Maybe next time this juvenile should consider others and shower before he goes on stage! It might be suggested that this juvenile does not consider a career in drama as he would be more suited to seek a career with a sewerage treatment works! Besides the above small negative, it was a really great show and I look forward to the next production by the Highlands Theatre Group.

Whoever you are, i believe you were not intending to post a review, but a personal attack on a young individual. You obviously have no backbone, as you have declined to either deal with this in a mature way (face-to-face or personally) or reveal you identity. I say "grow up". I know the individual mentioned, but would be far from a friend. The production of Oliver was fantastic and brought out the stars of the Highlands with wonderful choreography. The part of Noel was a minor one and whilst his performance was not neccessarily "award-winning", it was certainly up to standard to hold his place in the production. Take your personal problems elsewhere (and i believe you were involved in the production of Oliver) and acknowledge yet another wonderful production by HTG Ben Shephard ben@benellastudios.com.au

My we are touchy! It is the role of critics to look at the strengths and weaknesses of performances which I have done. I reiterate, the performance of Oliver was excellent despite the presence of 1 rotten apple that could have potentially spoiled the whole show. Overall, Oliver was a 99 out of 100, thats how good it was, make no mistake about that! Now that the HTG knows the facts, it would be prudent therefore to completely exclude the juvenile from any future productions and maybe the next production of the HTG might be 100 out of 100!

...and I suppose the sun shines out of your arse then? You should keep your disgusting remarks to yourself 'ebayer'. That was not a critcism but a personal attack, or can't you tell the difference!

I agree whole heartedly with this review, especially in regards to Noah Claypole. I found it especially bewildering when he ran onstage screaming "What's all this then?" during the rape scene.

it's quite obvious you have little in the way of acting skills yourself. and as for your reviewing abilitys... ahahaha, i agree with ben, grow up and stop being such a little runt. and as for "Noah Claypole" he's currently involved in other performances and in the middle of his HSC. so he cant be perfect when he's got so much to do. let's see you do two musicals and your hsc at the same time and see how well you fair! (btw: scott loves your "review" so much he's framed it. you are the perfect example of a loser) my name is victoria and you sir, suck balls.

G'day, This is Noah. I'm not going to be ashamed, my name's Scott. I won't hide it. I'd just like to say in future, if you wish to critique someone, focus on their actual talents (or apparent lack thereof). I'd also like to thank Victoria and Ban, more Ben because he didn't have to use profanities, but Victoria's made me laugh. However, I don't want to have this reviewer abused Victoria. It's true I told my mates about this review, but I did it because it made me laugh. Not because I had a vendetta against ebayer. So mr/mrs/ms/dr/whatever ebayer, have a nice day and thank you for your honesty. Scott Hammerton.

ok so i was harsh.. but i still think ebayer is full of wank.

Hi Scott, When I did the review I was in a foul mood at the time. I should not have made a personal attack on yourself but only criticize your acting. Therefore, I must offer my sincerest apologies to you. What I did was completely unfair and I am really sorry for those hurtful and disgraceful comments that I made. I didnt realise that you were in other productions at the same time. Perhaps as a kind suggestion to you, maybe concentrate on one thing at time and make that one particular performance really special. It also must be said at the same time, that you must be really keen to have a career in drama if you are going into all these productions. One of the keys to success is persistance and appears that you have a lot of persistance. No doubt in time you WILL be a success! I therefore wish your every success in the HSC and hope you get into the drama course that you want to get into. One other thing, on a positive note, maybe this review may have helped boost your publicity a bit in your local area. Im sure the next production that you do, everyone will want to come along and see Scott Hammerton perform! Cheers Ebayer

Well done ebayer. enough said. Thankyou for your honesty. I too, hope that scott can have a successful career in the arts. Ben Shephard

Well, thank you for your apology. However "He jests at wounds that never felt pain." I never took the review badly, I honestly did laugh at it when I was told. You have to take the good with the bad, don't you? No harm done in the end. The other production is just a school musical, it's nothing much. However I will take your advice and try to stick to the one thing at a time. As I mentioned in the programme, I do want to be a drama teacher in later years, so I would like to continue with a career in drama. But nothing can be predicted, so we'll see where it goes. Maybe I will end up in a sewage treatment plant. Thank you again for the apology, but no personal offence taken. I also thank you for your well-wishes and hope you will review me again someday, possibly in the near future.

Hello There, I was just wondering who this "Watler Plinge"/"Ebayer" is? I would much like to get into contact with him/her but I can't do that untill I know who they are. Please can you tell me your name I would really appreciate it! Thanks heaps! Signed, Annabelle High

Walter Plinge is the name given to someone who posts and is not a registered member (ie. they don't log in or have a profile). It's another way of calling them anonymous. For more info about it, check out the 'About' section at the top of the site. The Prompt Copy Networking emerging theatre professionals www.thepromptcopy.com Sticky Apple Legs http://stickyapplelegs.artsblogs.com

Hello Ebayer, I was wondering if you could tell me your name so as i can know who would write such a terrible comment about just one performer in such an excellent show! I went and saw this particular show aswell and I found it wonderful. I found that the young man did a fantasic job at playing the quite hard roll of Noah Claypole. I have seen many productions of Oliver and everytime I see the show it gets better and better! I commend you for saying that they did an awsome job because they did! Every performer was wonderful and played their parts well. As a theatre lover yourself I'm finding it hard to see how you can turn a congradulatory message into such a personal strike at one particular person. Could it be that you have somthing against that person or that he maybe associated with a personal feeling about that roll or something like it? I believe that you should either judge yourself rather than judge other people because that is exactly what you are doing you are showing your faults but pointing out others. I also have to wonder if you really knew this person or not for the only thing you seem to point is factors that may not have been able to help. Acting is one persons ability to perform what they interprate their character to be like. What you are seeming to opinionate is what this person may have felt what Noah Claypole is like. I enjoyed his performance and found it to be one of the best performances I have seen. I also have to wonder if you were involved in this show either on stage or off but I have a feeling I do know who you are and I also know the true meaning of why you wrote this about this young man. Could you be aiming at someone else by bringing in this person to the situation because you have found that you can't control it anymore and the fact that you are realising that YOU maybe the person in the wrong? Just Remember that when you point a finger their are three pointing back at you! I did realise that you did apologise to the young man who you offended and that must have been hard for you to do but it shows that you understand that what you said was hurtful but it was offensive and unnecceary. You can't target other innocent people to hurt someone who may have hurt you. What I think you may have to is sort out the issues with the friends you may have lost. I am sure that once you do this you would no longer have the need to post such awful nonsence about a person who doesn't deserve it! I am a trained physchologist if you have found any of what I have said to be desterbing please feel free to get into contact with me. But having said this I'm sure that you will have found this to be very insightful and maybe hit a spot which may have been the right thing to make your life better. Signed, Annabelle

Annabelle, If indeed you are a trained psychologist, the least you could do for your profession is spell it correctly. Let's not mention the rest of the post. I for one am disturbed that you are (apparently) a trained university-qualified professional with only a passing relationship with grammar, spelling, syntax... and pretty much your field of expertise... Did you get your training at a uni, or from the spiritual section of your local library? Perhaps our education system is a messed up as everyone keeps saying, or perhaps the Scientologists are right and psychologists are silly! :-) Ebayer simply demonstrated the 'joy' of the internet- you write something silly when you're in a mood, and there it is for all to see for all eternity. Well done for apologising! Regardless, it also appears the 'scarred' individual seems to be completely fine with the post. Amused even! and Mr Hammerton, if you can maintain that healthy attitude towards criticism and reviews, you will indeed have one of the best tools for succeeding in this industry. (and note- the lack of projection in your voice was the one useful thing in the initial review. Perhaps something useful to take on in future shows?) Neville It's the simple things stupid...

Hmmm.. there's a reason for the Enter button on the keyboard... and the tab key. The Prompt Copy Networking emerging theatre professionals www.thepromptcopy.com Sticky Apple Legs http://stickyapplelegs.artsblogs.com

i was sent to this page by a friend as i was told about this paticular review. i think its pretty funny and i reckon scott's atitude towards it is awesome. i disagree with the initial bitch towards him and im glad u apologized. quick question: if u r willing to do a full write up on a "crap" performance, y not do a write up on the parts u felt were portrayed up to your standard. i saw it and im curious to know what u thought of the rest of the principals, as i thought they were all fantastic best regards jono

Hey, Has anyone seen the currently running production of West Side Story? How was it? And how long is it running for? I believe it is on in Eastwood?

Having read this through... I would really like to know why this is even happening? I am currently in a small school production with Scott, and personally, I have a small role, while Scott's role is of more importance to the script. Frankly I wouldn't have it any other way. Scott is doing a mighty fine job, and to character assasinate someone like that suggests some serious issues. Enough said. If someone can get up on stage and bare part of their soul for your entertainment, it is your duty to pay your respects, not hack into the performance of a particular person. Ever. If you are six years old I will forgive you, (although you used some big words there little one) but if you are some critic, you should be stripped of your pen and have unflattering things drawn on your face. If you wish to behave like a child, then I shall treat you like one. The Biological Halfblood

Gosh Dangit. i'm still really confused by this. Does anyone know who made the attack? Don't tell me WHO. I'd just like to know what their role in the production was. I wasn't involved so I don't know the person, but it'd be nice to know why the Scott was attacked in such an unreasonable, but nonetheless hilarious manner. Neville. Kudos for bringing Scientologists into the debate. Nothing like a good cult to settle a problem.