In Defence of Gordon the Optom

So let me get this straight. It’s all courtesies and thank yous when Gordon the Optom reviews your shows favourably, but on the very rare occasion he doesn’t like something (and let’s be honest, Gordon is quite generous), you start calling him a senile, short-sighted (great pun by the way) old fool. Firstly, this is a public forum and Gordon is allowed to give his opinion. If he doesn’t like something, he speaks his mind and does not hide behind a pseudonym. He’s a rather jovial man, so if he is disappointed in say, the tickets being too expensive or the organisation being poor, then something must be amiss and I suggest you listen to him. This brings me to my second point – Gordon sees at least 95 percent of all theatre that happens in Perth, so even though his reviews are sometimes inaccurate or lacklustre, he has some idea about what he is talking about. Furthermore, if you make a sound argument against one of his reviews, you may even change his mind. Thirdly, Gordon is one of the strongest supports of theatre, both amateur and professional, in Western Australia. You don’t realise how lucky we are to have him. And before you retort, know that Gordon hascriticised aspects of productions I have been involved in. Despite this, I still have immense respect for the man. All I ask is that you think about what you post in future and try not to be too dictated by emotional response (I know that is easier said than done). Thanks.