To Review, Or Not To Review

The comments on reviews have been interesting. I find myself in total agreement with Stinger, in that there is NO place for an anonymous review – if you can’t put your name to what you’ve written, it ain’t worth the screen it appears on.

I believe anonymous reviews should be banned from the Theatre Australia website – if it’s good enough for writers, directors and actors to put themselves out in the public arena for comment (good or bad), then the same MUST apply to any critics, or there is no credibility.

A point made a few days back, was the question of reviews being necessary. Absolutely, a critique of one’s work, whatever field of endeavour one pursues, can be a major and instructive force in the learning curve. Of course, it can also be destructive, if one has trouble accepting criticism (personal attacks are another thing altogether).

It is important for theatre companies and directors to consider the now substantial cost of a night out at any of our community theatres. Admittedly one doesn’t have to order a meal at a nearby café or pub, however many of us do and a number of community theatres recommend establishments, indeed often they have arrangements with the restaurants / hotels. Consequently, I am finding that a night out at community theatre costs around $115.00, made up as follows:

Tickets x 2: $40.00

Fuel: $5.00

Café meal x 2: $60.00

Drinks at theatre: $5.00

Raffle Tickets” $5.00

Total cost: $115.00

Once you start talking those sorts of figures, amateur theatre is in competition with all sorts of entertainment, it’s therefore vital for the long term survival of any theatre group to ensure they put on as good a production as possible.

All Good Things

Greg Ross