I’m inclined to putting my foot in my mouth! 

When I was Dean of Music at the Victorian College of the Arts there were three visitors from The Royal Northern College of Music. I had once visited the RNCM on a British Council Tour and had lunch with the RNCM’s Director. Very much integral to the British establishment I found him rude and patronising about Australians which made me bristle. 

Back to my bad moment. I was having a fun chat with the visitors one of whom was the Head of Keyboard. I told her I thought that the Director – won’t name him – was bad mannered.

‘Yes. You’re right. I’m married to him.’

I could go on, but I want to recap on the Hollywood actor Timothée Chalamet’s unfortunate mouthy incident when the words, ‘Nobody cares about opera and ballet anymore,’ popped out of his mouth.

Wow! Hasn’t he copped a mammoth backlash over that loose tongue gloop. I admit I’ve enjoyed the payback coming from opera and ballet companies all over the world in firm defence of their artforms. Those involved in the arts must get even more vocal in proclaiming the value of music, dance, literature and the arts. I reckon this much maligned actor has done the sector a favour.