[Jan Brock]

Billington has a piece today ( http://www.guardian.co.uk/stage/theatreblo...r-theatre-stage )pointing out the absurdity of The Stage's list of the 100 "most influential" people in UK theatre today (he politely doesn't mention that he himself is not in it whereas a host of nonentities who no-one has heard of make the list). Just scanning the top 20 that they have published on-line amply supports his view:

http://www.thestage.co.uk/news/newsstory.p...top-20-of-stage

Judi Dench is not even in the top 100 - odd as she was apparently able to remove the previous RSC Director from his job, albeit indirectly by expressing her disapproval of his works.

Oh, and the most influential classical actor (not associated with a specific theatre) in the UK ? Ian McKellen ? Patrick Stewart ? Judi Dench ? Vanessa Redgrave ? Michael Gambon ? Derek Jacobi ? David Tennant ? Simon Russell-Beale ? No - good old Mark Rylance - must be a friend of The Stage's editor (who rightly isn't in the list either).

[Jan Brock]

It's not today, it's from the 31st December!

There is a theory (proposed by one of our national theatre critics actually) that all internet pedants are male. Can you confirm ?

[Alexandra]

Even if he's male, he can't confirm that theory.

And I am a woman, so QED, it's nonsense.

[Orchestrator]

There is a theory (proposed by one of our national theatre critics actually) that all internet pedants are male. Can you confirm ?

One of the most vicious pedants on the old Usenet group rec.arts.theatre.musicals was a woman called Karen.

[Jan Brock]

Even if he's male, he can't confirm that theory.

You are wrong - he might have done independent research into the topic.

[Weez]

I thought it was beautifully phrased, Jan. Although definitely not true, 'cos I'm a lady and can pick with the best of 'em.

[Alexandra]

OK Jan, he/she might have done conclusive independent research, though I don't think that was the thrust of your question. Anyway, it ain't true.

[Weez]

"Traumatically"? I guess the finer points of the phrasing went straight over your head then.