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We welcome your feedback and comments in this Forum. Would you like to offer an opinion on current productions? Or to respond to one of our reviews? Or express your views on any aspects of the performing arts? Please email your comments to: forum@stagediary.com. We ask that you include your name with comments, as well as your email address. If you are commenting on a production, please indicate any connection you may have with that show.

I am writing to thank Stagediary and Ron Finney for the honest and thoughtful review of Vinegar Tom (New Farm Nash Theatre, Thur-Sat 8pm till 30th June).

It inspired a more considered performance from both myself and some other members of the cast. Thoughtful and accurate criticism such as that given by Ron can only be to the benefit of us all.

Here's to the joy of (to misquote) "failing a little bit better every night". :-)

Glen Player

22 June, 2001

gplayer@zipworld.com.au

See the review

Before I start, I just want to say, that your site is fantastic!

Now, I am in the process of starting an amateur dance company here in Toowoomba and am chasing any advice or contacts that would be of help or benefit as I am doing this pretty much by myself! The main aim of the company is to allow young choreographers the opportunity to test out their choreographic ideas through classes, workshops and performance...

Anything helpful please email me at shandance@hotmail.com

Shan Parsons

26 May, 2001

Thanks for letting me know about Stagediary. Love it! It's just the site I wanted there to be. Reminds me of the British whatsonstage.com which I often browse to see what's happening in London. Anyway I liked your site so much I've put a link on my what's on page. My site (http://www.brisbanetheatre.net/) is really a playwriting site: the what's on bit was an after thought that I will probably do away with eventually, especially if there are good sites, like yours, doing the job better.

Philip Dean
brisbanetheatre.net

26 May, 2001

Len Granato from Stagewise Productions (Forum, 24 May) might be interested in entering or visiting the longest running and friendliest drama festival in Brisbane!

Information about the Yarrageh Drama Festival at Sandgate Theatre Inc can be found at: www.sandgatetheatre.com/yarrageh

Intermediate section: 22-25 August
Open section: 29 August - 1 September

The adjudicator for 2001 will be well-known Brisbane actor, director and playwright Ron Kelly.

Entry forms can be downloaded from this site.

June Tretheway
President
Sandgate Theatre Inc
info@sandgatetheatre.com

25 May, 2001

Being relatively new to the position, your site has just been brought to my attention.
It looks great and, with more content, will be a fantastic resource.

David Carr
Producer/Developer
Signal — Regional Arts
ABC Arts Online
signal@your.abc.net.au

24 May, 2001

Can anyone provide info on the 2001 Queensland theatre festivals? When, where and who to contact? Thanks.

Len Granato
Stagewise Productions
granato@powerup.com.au

24 May, 2001

Just thought you'd like to know, your web page http://www.stagediary.com/ has been added to QueenslandWeb, the State Library of Queensland's index to Queensland web sites.

We have selected your page because it meets our criteria for useful information relevant to Queensland. Now people who go to the QueenslandWeb home page at http://www.slq.qld.gov.au/qldweb.htm can find your page by looking up a subject or by using a search engine.

Welcome to QueenslandWeb!

If you know of other sites not yet included in QueenslandWeb we'd appreciate hearing from you — use our handy suggest-a-site form http://www.slq.qld.gov.au/ROADS/cgi-bin/suggest.pl

QueenslandWeb Team
Internet Services Unit, Information Systems Division
State Library of Queensland
South Brisbane
qldweb@slq.qld.gov.au

24 May, 2001

I'd be very interested to read other arts workers' views on Free Performances.

It seems they are an increasingly regular occurence, most of which are paid for by local or state government (directly or indirectly). Independent companies paying professional performance fees cannot afford to put on free or ridiculously cheap shows, thus putting themselves at a distinct disadvantage in the public's perception.

Perhaps the governments would like to start giving away free paintings, sculptures or even free dental/medical/legal consultations to anyone who just rolls up & wants one, and give the performing arts a rest. Why should the public expect to see professional performers for nothing??

Stewart Cameron
Freelance opera singer and director of ONETIX
onetix@onetix.com.au

22 May, 2001

Love your site!!! I heard about it through a fellow cast member directing me to a review of our last production.

I have been in the media business for over 20 years and believe that I can comment on content and presentation with some authority. The information is timely, informative, and most of all useful! You have managed (very well) to avoid the curse of most single-issue web sites ie: all fluff and no substance while still managing an attractive, simple user interface.

You are now a permanent member of my very exclusive bookmark list.

Well done!!!

Glen Male
gmale@smartchat.net.au

21 May, 2001

I've been watching the stagediary.com website over that last few weeks. Very impressive! Very global as well as local. I've found your site very useful for sourcing other community theatre groups in Brisbane.

June Tretheway
President
Sandgate Theatre Inc

14 May, 2001

Many thanks for the review. You're helping break the stranglehold on criticism enjoyed by the Murdoch press, as well as providing wonderful community service by filling the void in coverage of community theatre.

Len Granato
Director, Beyond Therapy

10 May, 2001

On behalf of Savoyards, I would like to commend you for your innovation in developing such a user-friendly, informative site, in which we can both view and present information regarding theatre in our area.

Terri Quinn
Planning and Development Officer,
Savoyards Musical Comedy Society

30 April, 2001

Excellent page with lots of news and views — very handy for theatre lovers! Thank you. One point — the point size on the "Latest News" panel is too small (well for those of us now passing into the sight-challenged phase).

Desley Bartlett
desley@ecn.net.au

7 April, 2001

Point size problem fixed. Thanks Desley — Ed.

Lillian Darcy inquired:
> Could anyone help me contact a theatre group called "The Power of Will"?

If you check the links at Theatre Australia, there is a current link there for this company: http://theatre.asn.au/links.php3

Grant Malcolm
theatre@theatre.asn.au
Independent Theatre Association web administrator

1 April, 2001

Could anyone help me contact a theatre group called "The Power of Will"? Apparently they focus on Shakespeare's plays — can't find them in the white or yellow pages.

Lillian Darcy

30 March, 2001

Wow, congratulations on your very comprehensive site.

Bronwyn Klepp
Publicity & Communications Coordinator,
Queensland Theatre Company

24 March, 2001

Re the critique of In Camera on your website, it as well to check your facts before accepting the written word.

A substantial segment of the adverse criticism is based on an incorrect translation of the French title of the play "Huis Clos" (incidentally spelt incorrectly in the review). I have attached my Cassell's dictionary definition ["A huis clos", with closed doors, in private, in camera]. If you reread the review, I think you will understand my concern.

Brenda White
Artistic director,
Brisbane Arts Theatre

22 March, 2001

See the review

I am writing in response to Ron Finney's review of the Arts Theatre production of In Camera. I was very disappointed in the review and do not agree with his points of view. Given the stage and available props, I believe that the director John Boyce successfully created Jean-Paul Sarte's vision.

In respect of the actors' portrayal of the characters, I feel that Tanya Schneider achieved and maintained Estelle's personality throughout the production. Sandra Harman (Inez) was excellent. Jude Eakin (Garcin) did have a few moments of character flaws, however I feel that Sandra and Tanya's performances successfully distracted from this. Susan O'Toole was successfully cast as the valet.

All of the characters are extremely complex as throughout the play, evolve and develop drastically. I believe the actors did a fine job.

It is also important to note that theatre in Brisbane is quite small, and such negative reviews do little to enhance its popularity. Considering the actors are unpaid and generously donate their time to improve our cultural position, I believe that in future more respect should be given to those attempting such challenging roles. I thoroughly enjoyed the play, (Sunday 11th March), and look forward to more Arts Theatre Productions.

Christina Schneider

22 March 2001

I think your site is one of the BEST! — really informative stuff and well put
together — particularly helpful is the list of all the theatre companies
especially the amateur groups as we never know anything at all about them
or where they are. So well done.

Rosemary Herbert
La Boite Theatre

19 March 2001

Thank you so much Stagediary and Jasmine Green for the fabulous review
you did for Sleeping Beauty and the fantastic coverage of our show.
As the children's theatre gets so little coverage in the media it was great
to see and I have printed it up so all the cast can have a copy.
Just a little note that prices for adults to our Children's Theatre are only
$9 not $12 as stated. Once again thank you very much, it is greatly appreciated.

Sally Daly
Director, Sleeping Beauty

19 March 2001