Colombo Critic.com

First of all, thanks for all the recent comments, really appreciated.

That said let me clear up a few points:

About Me (and this site)

1. I am not a professional critic, nor have I ever said/pretended to be. I don’t get paid for this.
2. These reviews are not published outside this site (unless clearly stated on the review itself so if you see something reprinted, then it’s stolen, mmkay?).
3. I walk in through the front doors like any other theater patron and pay for my own ticket just like everyone else.
4. I write about what I see. If it was better on another night, too bad. The audience that attended with me got the same deal.
5. I do my best to ensure that a review is out as early as possible so that there exists an opinion that is not paid for or endorsed by the production/sponsors or associated fans. If a biased opinion can have it’s outlet then why not my own?
6. I name names because a performance should be associated with the names of the people involved.
7. My only responsibility is to put my own opinion down here in whatever way I choose. I am not responsible for the productions, the people, their feelings or their actions in much the same way that they are not responsible for mine.
8. If anyone feels that I have been too harsh or feel that they have a different opinion that should be heard alongside mine then they are welcome to join and write their own. I’m sure you’ll find that it will be much more productive than trying to air your views in the comments. All registrations and reviews are handled and posted automatically without my intervention. I do not edit other peoples reviews and I will only intervene if I find that a review is overly abusive.

Theater in Sri Lanka and Other Stuff

1. All English theater in this country is amateur, therefore everyone has to be held to the same standards.
2. Charitable actions of the production do not have anything to do with the quality of the production, nor should it have an impact of any critique of that production. If I give my money to a theater company it is reasonable to expect entertainment in return.
3. Past productions are in the past. When I walk into a theater I don’t walk in there expecting to see or hear about an excellent performance from two years ago. It’s fine to be proud of it but I want a good performance on the night my butt is in the seat.
4. I didn’t criticize the souvenir. I just pointed out that it was full of the very thing of which I was being accused (i.e. Talking about past performances). But I paid for it so I don’t see why it should be exempt from criticism. And I’ve done it before so the precedent’s already set.
5. If information that would influence my choice of which day I should attend a production exists then it should be posted in an easily accessible place like the theater company’s website, newspaper, souvenir etc. Being posted on the site of an un-credited member of the cast does not count
   (sorry Shehal)

Think of this as part FAQ in the making/part response to some of the things that came up in the last post. Please feel free to comment and point out anything I may have missed. Also, would anyone see the need for me to install a forum for discussions?