Sally D & Others....

Interesting... so we're only supposed to be reading one section? Damn, and here's me browsing through all the sections, not just the ones I have previous first-hand experience of. Sorry, I'll try to confine myself to... er... one of them.... once I figure out which one I'm supposed to be in....

Okay, sarcasm aside, personally I think that ALL sections of this forum have the potential to be both interesting and relevant to the majority of visitors of this website. For example, I've never done backstage work, but I find it really interesting to know what goes on back there, and knowing such makes me far more respectful of the demands on those who do.

And whilst the majority of people on this forum have very likely had more theatrical training and experience than I, and I have no intention of telling them how to suck eggs, I do object to the idea that I'm not allowed to read what they've written, and maybe even learn something. At the very least, it's an exercise in "putting yourself in the other man's shoes" - surely a valuable skill for every actor...?

To be honest, I do think the original "WAAPA students should get off this forum" comments seemed inappropriate, but then again I hadn't read the "personal" and/or "wanky" posts (nb: others' adjectives, not mine) that preceded it, so I can't comment on them, and I have no intention of doing so.

What I am saying is this: No, I don't think you can have exclusivity on a (by definition) PUBLIC forum, and neither do I think you should want it. If exclusivity is what you're after, you're welcome to start your own password-protected forum elsewhere. If a free and lively exchange of ideas (and criticism, and yes, smart comments) from all sectors of the theatrical community is what you're after, then you're in the right place - and you're welcome - and it's happening as we type - so what exactly is the question being argued...?