Montreal English Critics Circle Awards I'm getting asked about it by many in the theatre community, so I'm putting on record why I have withdrawn my name and support from the MECCAs. I co-founded the live version of the awards in 2006. We were a small group of writers who thought the little theatre awards were ready for a stage version, and through four successive MECCAs, I enjoyed  it immensely. To pick winners in the past, we writers would get together a few times at a coffee house and argue it out (still the best way to solve a problem). I once wrote about my participation in the MECCAs like this: "... it is an honest debate and votes are counted with a straightforward show of hands." Of course, the results would delight as many people in the theatre community as it would infuriate others, but it was simply what we always said it was - our opinion. Just the opinions of a group who see a lot of theatre and wrote down each season what struck their fancy. The decision we made last year to attract more members - from blogs, from online sites, from anyone who sees theatre and wants to write about it - was a good one. Through newspaper closings and changing jobs, the number of participants in the MECCAs had shrunk in the past two years to near-extinction level. But this year marks the first time, ever, that the people who were sought out to cast a vote and give an opinion had no say in determining the final winners. Instead, a kind of "elite inner circle" (and these were the very words employed) made their picks and set policy. Ballots were secret and discussion was to be limited to a single conference call, where final choices would made. It ran counter to everything we worked for in putting the show together - indeed, contrary to the most basic concept of what we tried to do in creating the event - and I will not be a part of it. In the past, ours was an egalitarian and transparent project. One that relied on the volunteer efforts of its members and the ongoing, endless generosity of the directors of Theatre Ste-Catherine. I know that for the large majority of the theatre community, the positive response we get each year far outweighs the criticism (some of which is entirely justified, but as we used to always say: anyone who wanted to take part was welcome). And despite this recent turn of events, we still need a yearly gathering where the actors, directors, designers, and theatre companies can socialize, have a drink, and find out each season what the writers and reviewers who see the shows liked, in a spirit of openness and camaraderie. But, sadly this year, that isn't the MECCAs. So, onwards and upwards to newer and brighter horizons. And here's hoping the MECCAs find their way back someday to the spirit of our early live events. all the best, Neil Boyce