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This is the HOME page for RAYMOND'S THEATRE.

With my reviews I will rarely reproduce the story of the show.

I pay for my own tickets. I will not be bought with my views on theatre.  Remember I bought my tickets and I know what is appropriate pricing and what is exhorbitant.  I also appreciate demographics and I remember the times when I did not have the money to see a show.

If anything I try to be positive about my experiences and apologise if I ever offend a performer or a creative artist. I will not try to belittle any performer, though I will call it as I see it.  So beware if you start mucking about on stage or chatting to the stage hand in the wings.  I will write about that too.

I love my theatre so much that I cherish the work that people put into creating memorable experiences for audiences.  My feedback is in recognition to try to achieve perfection.

I understand that not everyone will agree with what I see as good theatre.  I have seen thousands of shows and many genres and get goosebumps or tears or other emotional responses to attending a performance.  Occasionally I can feel deadened or ambivalent or have other responses.  But even if a show is awful I will find something that I can learn from that production.

My heighest emotional response is like de javu or asteral travelling and few shows have taken me there.  But some have and that is my greatest acknowledgement.  Sometimes a performer can take me to this space, or their reality due to their performancce but this accolade is rarely given by me.

I have attended many venues and appreciate that timing and bookings of theatres can restrict access to certain shows.  So sometimes a show may be booked into a theatre that may not be a perfect showcase for it.  I try to see through that and try to value the holistic experience as John Truscott would say.  I also acknowledge where I consider a show would fit into a Melbourne Theatre, most with spacious foyers (large lobbies) theatres.

I am also very grateful for the signage and conditions of entry for the use of Mobile/Cell phones, Cameras, iPADs, Tablets and other electrical devices.  These can be very distracting and I am unforgiving when they are even turned to silent from the moment of entry into the theatres.  Theatres are like my temple.  A place to be entertained, transported and to share an event with unique to that audience.

The following  theatres that deserve acknowledgement include the ASTOR Theatre (an old Art Deco Cinema) in St Kilda, a Melbourne suburb where they read out the conditions of entry and will not start the film if the see a an electrical device turned on.  The audience usually applauds.  I not only applaud them - I bow and honour them.  It is about mutual respect.

The other is the signage at the Malthouse Theatre in Southbank in Melbourne and Stage Two in 43rd Street.  Both have signs noting that mobile phones must be turned off prior to entry.  (Well the Malthouse Theatre used to have this sign!)

Most Broadway ushers do not tolerate phones or cameras on during a show.  I love the procedure whereby two ushers will surround the violator with one torch (flashlight) shone in their face and the other onto the offending electronic device.  Brilliance!  Simple, effective and showing respect for all. No Selfies.  Just WEESIES!  It is about all of us!

The other thing you may or may not like is my articles will not be limited to 25, 50, 100, 500 or 1000 words.  I will write according to my response to a show for my memory and also for my passion for theatrical history.  What you may see at one performance may not occur at another.

If you do not like my writing.  Tough titties.  I am trying to express so much of my memory to savour the experience, that sometimes we can get tongue tied.

That is the magic of theatre.

Finally I have to acknowledge some friends who have encouraged me to do this:

P.J.T, Antar A, John Fitz and Catherine H.  You know who you are.