”Who would have thought that the critics group itself contributed to the decline”

I’ve always thought it. As soon as you start to introduce “‘rules’ and ‘standards’, and try to impose them on others by ‘criticism of performers/performances’, and ‘training’, you remove much of the spontaneity and inclusivity that has been the trademark of the clubs.

Not everyone can be, or even wants to be, a star - most of us just want to enjoy what we do in whatever way we do it. We’re not all frustrated superstar-wannabes.