Tonight I'm just wondering where the arts, or the Yartz as Sir Les Patterson called them, are heading. Whilst I applaud the women taking a stance and speaking out about sexual abuse in the entertainment industry, I do worry about the sundering from the blessed adage of ars gratia artis. Those are the words you see around the MGM lion, and if you're not too big on Latin, it's art for art's sake. It can be interpreted as art having no obligation to conform to societal norms, and there need be no didacticism in a work. A work of art must be judged on the merit of the art alone, not the artist nor the subject matter. What's got me thinking this is what I've been reading about the Golden Globes, and the let's-all-wear-black-ladies protest. Personally, I'm glad I didn't see my childhood dream of becoming an actress fulfilled because if I was attending, I wouldn't be wearing black. I frigging loathe that colour (or lack of colour if you want to be nitpicky), and it makes me look like I've gone for a blood transfusion, only they put milk in the IV instead. Some narks have said it's all very well for the women to protest against sexual predators, but some of those women still make movies with Woody Allen, and gave Roman Polanski standing ovation a few years ago. Okay, Satan's probably got a legal team, but I'm going to give them a break and take on the role of Devil's Advocate. Woody Allen has never been charged with anything (yeah, I know; neither has Harvey Weinsten). Woody Allen happens to make - to my understanding - good movies (I haven't seen all that many of them so I'm not sure I can judge, but I did think 'Mighty Aphrodite' and 'Annie Hall' pretty good). His movies have good female characters, and good scripts. I cannot blame an actress for wanting to be involved in a production that would have a commendable movie at its end. Also, the actresses are entitled to work with which ever director they so choose, if given the opportunity. It's nobody else's damned business. As for Roman Polanski, someone recently pointed out to me the standing ovation he received was for his oeuvre, not the man himself. Yes, I'm actually happy for him to receive an award for his work. He makes good movies. It's dishonest to not award someone who's produced the best work on the basis he or she happens to be a sleazoid prick, or she-prick. I would happily hand Roman Polanski his own testicles on a platter, but I still think his movie 'Rosemary's Baby' is one of the best novel-to-screen adaptations I have ever seen. Unless you've been on the moon for the past few days (welcome back, and congratulations on not burning up on re-entry; hope you're not finding the adjustment to gravity too strenuous), you'll be aware of the allegations being made against Craig MacLachlan. I'm not going to comment on them TOO much because (1) I've no idea if they're true, having not been there at the salient times; and (2) trial by social media is simply offensive; and (3) even if true, he is entitled to due process. He has been removed from the current production of 'The Rocky Horror Show'. I am planning to take Master 13 to see the show if and when it gets to Sydney. Yesterday, I explained whatever night we go, there will be a different actor doing Dr Frank'n'Furter. Years ago, his dad and I saw Craig playing Dr Frank'n'Furter. Whilst part of me thinks it's a shame he's stood aside because it goes against my belief in the long standing legal principle of one being presumed innocent until proven otherwise, it is probably for the 'greater good' that this has occurred. The show would likely lose money because of the boycotts from the public, and this is not fair on the investors, the crew, the cast, nor the band. So, for the time being the understudy will take on the role. Whether another 'big name' actor will take the role remains to be seen. But the stupidity of some people has me shaking my head. I saw on the news tonight there are people demanding refunds of their tickets because they refuse to see it now Craig's no longer playing the extra-terrestrial, cross-dressing, sexually ambiguous and rapacious scientist. They wanted to see Craig do the role. Fine. But here's the thing: purchase a theatre ticket, and there is a chance one of the billed cast will not be taking the boards. This can be due to anything: illness, illness in the family, a prior commitment, accident. This is why shows have understudies. Folks, you're seeing a SHOW, not a concert from that one performer. Who remembers the original Australian production of 'Les Miserables'? Those who do will recall Normie Rowe played Jean Valjean. Anyway, my mother was visiting Sydney one weekend, and staying with my aunt. My sister suggested to them she organise theatre tickets for the matinee, with a view to my mother, my aunt, and myself attending. We sat in the stalls, and just before curtain up came the announcement that for that particular performance, the role of Valjean would be done by the understudy. It didn't matter. We enjoyed the show. Some time later, a production of 'Hair' was staged at the Footbridge. I got myself a ticket, moseyed along, and bought a program. I sat in my seat studying the program, and was delighted to see the role of Claude was to be played by an actor upon whom I was then harbouring a bit of a crush. 'Oh good,' I thought to myself, 'it's that hot bloke from the Cherry Ripe ad. Can't wait for the nude scene!' And you guessed it: as the lights dimmed, a stentorian voice boomed that for the evening's performance, the role of Claude was to be played by ... someone whose name I cannot recall. I thought to myself, 'Oh, bugger!' I then watched and enjoyed the show, and had a nice chat during intermission with the man in the next seat, who told me he'd seen the original 1969 production. What I did not do was storm off in a huff and demand my money back. You see, I knew to enjoy the show, because I was seeing a show in its entirety, not ONE PERSON. Purchase of a ticket is likely a legal contract, but there is no contractual nuances if one of the cast members changes. Don't like it? Suck it up, or sell the ticket to someone who isn't such a buffoon. Bye for now!