Last of three reposts on TheaTAH

Some insightful points again from an opposing point of view. If you would like to follow this thread or any of the others at rec.arts.theatre.plays i recommend visiting DejaNews at the address below or using your favourite newsreader.****David Hatunen (hatunen@bolt.sonic.net) wrote:: and understand all these things? As theater people you and I want: all these things to be noticed and commented on. But the reviews: are not necessarily for theater people, and a large segment of the: populace doesn't care about all these subtleties. In effect, the: less noticable these things are the less they detract from their: willing suspension of the disbelief and therefore their enjoyment.I snipped a line I didn't mean to, about begging the question.I honestly don't see how I could be any more clear. I havemade analogies tofigure skating, to books on medieval history-- what more do you want?The average person watching the Olympics doesn't know the subtletiesof an axel vs. a lutz. Does that mean we don't benefit from havingthem pointed out to us?UII'm not a chef, but I enjoy reading a literate restaurantreview written by someone whose palate can discern the subtletiesof the ingredients I would never know were there. This *adds*to my enjoyment.I don't understand-- well yes I do, actually, DJ Kaiserexpressed it perfectly, I was going to say I don't understand the anti-intellectualismassociated with theater audiences that seems to make it all rightto speak in generalities and wrong to add information. *I* ammin theatre, but my family are not. And they definitely enjoylearning about the different aspects that make up that wholeIn fact, "learning" in itself is somewhat too strong, I'd say theyenjoy hearing what an "insider" can see.I used to read reviews in Rolling Stone. Never picked up a guitaror a drumstick, but these guys knew how to tell a reallygood musician from a bad one. I learned from reading how to tellwhen something was "Beautifully produced."You seem to think the "average theatre-goer" is about 10 points below youin IQ. Shame on you."We get the audiences we deserve.": But the average audience member won't know much aobut theater but: will know what he/she likes.And....? I said *relate* to. I can *relate* tothe ordinary person, meaning someone not in theatre.Heck, most the people I know are not. Just as a goodsportscaster can make the sport exciting even for the confirmed couchpotato.: >But I expect him/her to have more background and knowledge and: >more expertise to help explain the basis for the reaction.: But the audience member will read the review *before* seeing the: show. How can the reaction be explained he/she has had one?"The" meaning the critic's.: >Gwen A critic's job is to persuade. In order to do that, he has: >to be able to make an argument. And I want something more for the: >basis of that argument than "well, I liked it and I've seen a lot: >of plays so I ought to know." A really well-written reviewe should: >give you enough info so you can extrapolate what your own opinion: >*might* be.: But for the average theater goer that might be "the farcical: slamming of doors scene had me in stitches."Why? Do slamming doors always make you laugh? Or what?You seem to think a review should be nothing but summary.Any good review has three parts:1)Description2) Analysis3) evaluationDesxcription: sex farce set in British country-house2) analysis: sharp gags, trite situation, beautifullyacted, etc.evaluation: don't miss.Got it? There's more to a good review than evaluation.Analysis is terribly important, if a critic is to gain my trust.Just as I want more from a restaurant review than "buy it!"Or a music review: it's beautiful, it's soothing.What does tha mean to you? Beats me.Now if you say, dulcimer, breathy vocals, I think "Enya>' Got it?For all I know from the "beautiful and soothing" you mighthave been thinking of Duke Ellington or Chopin.Describe it. Analyze it. Evaluate it. Usually, butnnot always, in that order.Gwen--"Live as one already dead." --Japanese sayingIf one tells the truth one is sure, sooner or later, to be found out.--Oscar Wilde