Snail - I think Jim's quite specifically said that he doesn't think that what you do results in crap standards.

What he's also said - and I tend to agree with him - is that your expressed policy seems likely to create quality problems, and that it's surprising that it doesn't in your case. In my experience, evenings with a completely open policy almost invariably feature at least one performance from somebody who's either not giving their utmost or doesn't have much utmost to give.

Where I disagree with Jim is that I don't think the occasional substandard performer is a big deal; I certainly don't think that less able performers are doing the scene much harm.

But I don't know what stops amateurish performers turning up at your club. I mean, something must be stopping them - there are plenty of amateurish performers out there.