I am pleased that you have no quarrel with the substance of my reviews, that in fact the only quibble you have is with the derogatory comments I have to make about the typical efete Downstage: audience.

By typical I mean the people, ubiquitous at the Hannah Playhouse, who pay $12 a double ticket, and whose sole interest in being there is to disport themselves, in your expensive nightclub atmosphere. You are kidding yourself if you think their interest in theatre is genuine.

To argue that your anticipated Maori audience, the gambling public, factory workers, and "various prisoners, school children and pensioner groups" are typical audiences is pure sophistry. You haven't played to them yet!

I have reviewed several of the other productions you mention, and I have commented on the audience before. Perhaps you did not write then because the reviews were favourable.

I am puzzled by your postscript. I was reviewing two productions, not your entire "Come Together" programme. Nor, I believe was there any onus upon me to do so. I might say however that two friends of mine, a woman and a child, were mightily annoyed at being forced to pay $12 for compulsory dinner and show to see the Aboriginal dancers, who subsequently performed for free at various venues about the city.

Might I suggest, Mr Thompson, that instead of flailing ridiculously at your critics up and down the country, you do something to ensure that your work does indeed reach the imaginary audiences you refer to.