[Max Von Mayerling]

Well, it seems fun this 'sounding off at other people's work' business. If it ruins people's work and jobs....well, hell that doesn't matter either. Now, I'm not against reasoned criticism (even condemnatory words) but Scott Matthewman's pathetic tweet about Love Never Dies ("Shit never flushes") was really the nadir of professional critiques.

It's now been quoted in the Daily Mail. This is extremely damaging to the production, and whatever merits or de-merits the production may have it is appalling to find someone from The Stage behaving in such an unprofessional and irresponsible way. Can you believe that the Daily Mail says he's from the "renowned" publication 'The Stage'?

Sack him.

Get rid.

Devil take the hindmost.

Truly this time, the shit hit the Phan. Time for someone to hit back - preferably his bosses. The guy clearly has no professional ethics, or sense of judgement at all.

The campaign starts here.

[opinionated_but_right]

It wasn't meant as a "professional critique". It was a tweet he posted and subsequently explained.

As it happens, as a regular reader of The Stage, I never waste my time reading their reviews. They are generally poor and often written as if the person has never actually seen the show.

Please do read his blog after the event.

[Max Von Mayerling]

Yes, have read it this evening. He is rather feeble as he tries to wriggle out of it unconvincingly.

[opinionated_but_right]

Are you a fan of Love Never Dies?

[Allie]

Is this Twitter his own personal one or one attached to his work with the Stage?

[opinionated_but_right]

Personal.

[fairycake]

OP

Why pick on Scott Matthewman? He is entitled to tweet whatever he likes. Also wasn't the 'offending' tweet sent a number of days ago now? But today, tonight even, the opening night of LND, when the crits are due, someone decides to start a campaign against him.

Methinks this is some who is trying to deflect attention to SM, just in case the shit that didn't flush hits the reviews.

[Max Von Mayerling]

No not a fan, I've only heard the short clips on Amazon so can't judge yet. I'm a fan of the idea of something having a chance of success. Yes I know it's RUG/ALW, so what? Making a successful musical is incredibly difficult.

Everyone has the right to use all digital technology to express themselves, and producers will have to live with that from now on. However, it is of course the case that virtually nobody would attract the interest to 'get bashed/praised' other than ALW and this project. So, I don't think this is really part of a new trend - most times nobody will be bothered to email, blog, post or tweet about any piece of theatre at all!

The problem: however much Scott Matthewman thought he was expressing his private view on his Twitter page (which will lead people to his blog), his 'personal view' is now having authority conferred on it in national newspapers due to the fact his day job is at The Stage. The Daily Mail feel that his crudely expressed view is all the more quotable because he's from The Stage. If I were his bosses I wouldn't be pleased! Sorry, but he's stitched himself up here - you can't divide the professional and private like this when the activity (critique) is so similar.

Okay LND/RUG/ALW may feel like some huge monolith that can take a battering, but break it down and these are people's jobs/hopes/talents/creative endeavours at stake.

[Max Von Mayerling]

Thanks for the moron comment by the way.