What are Reviews for? And do we have the right to complain?

The debate that occurs on this site a lot when bad reviews are posted has of course raised its ugly head again. It is interesting because I have just read a complaint about a review in a local community theatre paper published here in Adelaide. Craig Williams recently posted on the thread about the Grads production "I don't know what reviews are for?" Its an interesting question, even for someone who has been knocking about in this business for about 40 odd years amateur and pro. The media who write reviews see it one way and we see it another. Newspapers will tell you that they only publish material, whatever it is, that they see as newsworthy and before you all dissolve into loud guffaws give that some thought. You may, as I do, perceive the massive amounts of column inches spent each week on the various codes of football a complete waste of paper. There are some people however who cannot survive without all that c**p. I tend to avidly read all the material that I can find on various topics including but not limited to performing arts. But realistically how many people share those interests? The major media find that not many do. And of course one of the ways that they judge that is by the amount of paid advertising that the pages attract. Film companies buy advertising ergo they believe that people who want to watch films read papers ergo papers print film reviews. How much money is spent in daily print media to advertise plays? We see reviews as part of our publicity machine that doesn't cost anything. Wrong. In what way is a review newsworthy? How many people actually go to the play? They don't write reviews for us but for the public who generally don't care so they don't write reviews. Its a tough world out there. Do you think that printing a review of your play will sell enough papers to pay the wages of the writer alone? I doubt it. Now the problem of a bad review. If you get one, suck it up. I've had some real beauties over the years. It's one persons opinion, it's not libel, it's not a personal attack (or if it is it becomes pretty obvious pretty quickly.) Does it cause anyone who might have come to see the show to change their minds and stay home? Not sure. I do however reckon a good review brings people in who might not have come to see the show otherwise. There isn't a clash there really. I don't think it will keep away anyone who was seriously considering coming if its bad. But I think it will attract people who weren't seriously coming if its good. There are some actions that I will always criticise reviewers for. Ad Hominem attacks on individuals are not good. If you don't like someone personally don't say so in a review. If you don't like their performance well that's different. Not staying to the end and then publishing a review as though you did is unforgivable, regardless of whether its a good review or a bad one. I guess if you don't stay till the end, say you didn't and say why then you can write a review of the first half. Anyway. I guess maybe my point is that we all of us tend to be a bit thin skinned. We need to step back take a deep breath and accept reviews be they good or bad.