Reviewing people you know

This is a tricky one. I don't think it is possible to be unbiased, because you are always going to have your own opinions of what 'theatre' or 'acting' or a particular show should be. In Perth, the theatre scene is fairly small so it's pretty likely that you will end up reviewing someone you know. If you are going in as an adjudicator or critic in a professional sense, then of course you have the right to be as harsh as you like - providing you're willing to stand the consequences when you see that person next! But if you are going in as a regular viewer, or even someone's friend, I think a little more caution is in order. I used to hate the pissing in pockets that happens in the cases of 'friendly' reviews. What good could it do, I thought, to just tell people what was good about the show, or even lie? How would that help them? But we are talking about community theatre. Not everybody's in it to be a star, not everybody wants to hear that sort of criticism when they're just out there to do their best and have a good time. Consider how you would feel if you tried something outside your comfort zone, which perhaps you were nervous about but determined to enjoy - maybe a new sport - and then after the game, someone came up to you and proceeded to tell you everything you did wrong? I think a typical response might be, "hey mate, I'm just in it for fun". I read your review and I felt that some of it could have been a bit more tactful. Comments about needing to get singing lessons and so on could easily be taken to heart by those people who are just in it for fun. Do we really want to scare away those people who bring a lot of love and energy to community theatre? On the other hand, criticism can be a really helpful thing if a show is having problems. But if you know someone in the show, why not seek them out and ask them if they want critism? If they don't, you've saved them feeling criticised. If they do, saying it to them personally can help you avoid unintended insult! They could also pass on messages - tactfully - to other members of the cast to help improve the show in general. This may sound a little naive or optimistic. But I have just spent three years in a performance course and it was only in our last semester that we really learned to give constructive criticism in a way that really is CONstructive instead of DEstructive. It's very easy to convince yourself that being harsh or critical is helpful, when often that's not the case. If all else fails, imagine you are dating that cast member... what would lie in store for you when you got home if you wrote something about them in a review?!! In a relationship you need to be tactful, and same goes for reviews! Let's try a little love. ;) Positive comments usually get better performances out of people than negative ones. That's all from me, miss sunshine and roses.