Reviews - Yes or No?
Thu, 9 Aug 2001, 06:39 pmGillian Binks28 posts in thread
Reviews - Yes or No?
Thu, 9 Aug 2001, 06:39 pmI enjoy reading intelligent reviews BUT it seems to have gotten to a stage where those who dare to give an opinion that is less-than-glowing get torched. I used to write exactly what I thought but I now refrain from reviewing shows if it would contain more constructive criticism than compliments. Instead I simply compliment those who (or that which) I felt were stand-outs or keep my mouth shut. I'm sure that I am not the only one who does this as many of the reviews read like hyped-up press releases. I don't believe that all these shows being reviewed can be that flawless.
So my question for discussion is this: Do you want to be reviewed by your peers or do you think "If I wanted his/her opinion I'd have asked for it"?
I personally think that as long as the reviewer isn't just being cruel and spiteful (and preferably is not anonymous) that reviews are good for us. After all, if we don't agree with what someone says about us or our show we can always dismiss the review/reviewer (but then again we may just learn something)!
So my question for discussion is this: Do you want to be reviewed by your peers or do you think "If I wanted his/her opinion I'd have asked for it"?
I personally think that as long as the reviewer isn't just being cruel and spiteful (and preferably is not anonymous) that reviews are good for us. After all, if we don't agree with what someone says about us or our show we can always dismiss the review/reviewer (but then again we may just learn something)!
RE: Reviews - Yes or No?
Thu, 9 Aug 2001, 10:52 pmWhen writing reviews I try to give a bit of both - if I'm going to 'constructively criticise' someone, I always try to point out something good in their performance that they should work on to overcome any difficulties I saw in their characterisation. As a performer, it's great to be complimented, but I feel it's almost better to be told what you can improve. Reviews that are abusive are stupid, but I find reviews that just say how wonderful the show was are equally annoying and, as Gill said, press releases.
If you don't like someone's criticism, then say what you felt and what, specifically, you disagreed with in their review. Case in point: Leah Maher recently gave an intelligent review of Shrew, and constructively challenged something I didn't like about the show. I wasn't offended, it gave people different viewpoints, and changed my thinking on the subject. On the other hand, someone recently called another reviewer 'deaf dumb and blind'. That just disintegrated into a grudge match and completely detracted from what people would be reading the reviews for - an honest opinion of the show.
Acting is something so personal that it is hard to separate a review from a personal slight. An ego is a crappy thing to have as an actor - it just gets kicked to pieces most of the time anyway, so you may as well get over it and use the criticism to improve your performance.
Amanda Chesterton
If you don't like someone's criticism, then say what you felt and what, specifically, you disagreed with in their review. Case in point: Leah Maher recently gave an intelligent review of Shrew, and constructively challenged something I didn't like about the show. I wasn't offended, it gave people different viewpoints, and changed my thinking on the subject. On the other hand, someone recently called another reviewer 'deaf dumb and blind'. That just disintegrated into a grudge match and completely detracted from what people would be reading the reviews for - an honest opinion of the show.
Acting is something so personal that it is hard to separate a review from a personal slight. An ego is a crappy thing to have as an actor - it just gets kicked to pieces most of the time anyway, so you may as well get over it and use the criticism to improve your performance.
Amanda Chesterton
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