Will - Absolutely with you re Lloyd Webber. I had occasionally, in the days I was an active theatre critic and not just a v occasional one as now, to sit thru some of his tedious one-tune works, and am greatly relieved not to have to do so any more. BTW, I found Les Mis on stage had the same single-tune format, apart from the one obvious funny song, and hated it in just the same way.

I am not sure that "what matters is whether you think the composer sincerely believes in what he's doing". It's a vital starting-point, to be sure; but certainly not all, or even the main thing, that matters. I am sure Reich believes in the value of what he is doing: so did McGonagall! But... You take my point, I am confident.

Yes; I used to review Jill Freud's Southwold Summer Theatre for The Guardian & Plays&Players year after year from 70s-90s; and that was back in the days I used to drink a bit, and have happy memories of the Lord Nelson ~~ and another pub in the High Street, not far back from the sea-front, whose name eludes me. Used to visit Clement & Jill's house at Walberswick occasionally also, where most of the actors were based; but we avoided becoming too close because it was agreed that it doesn't do for a critic to be, or appear, too close to the company. I do tho remember once beating their 16-y-o son, who was at the time London Schools Judo Champion, at table tennis. I know that judo & table tennis are not the same sport, but still, the's glory for you... These days I wouldn't have the pint in front of me, but would gladly sit and converse with you over mineral water or whatever; but, alas, not so mobile as I was and Southwold rather further than I generally venture these days! Still, who knows, perhaps when summer comes & if Emma were to drive mostly...

~M~