What Should I Write About in a Theatrical Performance Review

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The performance of a play is a live experience, so it can exist an exciting but difficult task to review. You have to be both the spectator, taking in and enjoying the functioning, and a critic, analyzing the production. Just with the right training and structure, y'all tin can create a well-written play review.

Sample Play Reviews

1. ane

   Empathize the purpose of a play review. A play review is a subjective and educated response to a piece of theater. The reviewer should have a strong background in theatre then their opinion is informed and apparent. Though this is not a requirement for writing a skilful play review.^[1]

   • The review should too requite potential audition members a sense of the play. It should allow readers know if spending their hard-earned money on a ticket to the production will be money well spent.
   • Noting that you idea the play was "proficient" or "bad" volition not create a strong play review. Instead, you should exist specific in your critique and accept a thoughtful analysis of the production. Your stance on the play should exist supported by a discussion of the product elements and how they worked together as a whole.
   • The review should as well draw the situation or plot of the play without giving too information to the reader. Avert spoiling whatsoever plot twists or turns for potential audition members in your review.

2. two

   Look at the traditional construction of a play review. The standard play review contains five paragraphs. There are other approaches you can utilise, such equally comparison 2 plays in one review or writing longer reviews for ane play. Just traditionally, a play review volition clarify several elements of the production in v paragraphs, including:^[2]

   • Paragraph 1: Your introductory paragraph should depict what you saw on stage. You should also give context for the play, such every bit the playwright or composer of the play and where the play is existence staged.
   • Paragraph ii: Briefly summarize the plot of the play.
   • Paragraph 3: Discuss the acting and directing. React to the performers playing the characters in the play.
   • Paragraph 4: Describe the blueprint elements of the production, such equally the lighting, audio, costumes, make up, and fix and props.
   • Paragraph 5: React to the play every bit a whole. Would you recommend the play to potential audience members? You tin too include a recommendation, similar a star rating or a thumbs upward/thumbs down.

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3. 3

   Read and analyze review examples. Do a google search of local plays in your metropolis that have reviews online. Choice upward a newspaper and cheque the Arts & Civilisation section for play reviews. You can also access example reviews online. Read the review(due south) and inquire yourself:^[3]

   • How does the reviewer construction her review? Does the review follow the traditional construction, with an introduction in paragraph 1, a plot summary in paragraph 2, a discussion of interim and directing in paragraph three, a word of the production elements in paragraph 4, and an overall critique in paragraph 5?
   • Compare two reviews of the same play. How practise the reviews compare and contrast? Are they structured differently or have dissimilar critiques of the play?
   • Is the reviewer overly disquisitional of the play? Does their analysis seem well supported by scenes in the play, or a discussion of design elements of the play?
   • How does the reviewer wrap up the review? Is in that location a recommendation at the end of the article, such equally a star rating or a thumbs up/thumbs downwardly?

4. 4

   Read the play you are going to review, if possible. If y'all are reviewing a popular play, like "Hamlet" or "The Piddling Shop of Horrors", you should exist able to find a hard copy of the play. Newer or more obscure plays may be harder to find in hard re-create. Reading the play volition help you go familiar with the discipline matter and how it appears on the folio before you lot run into the production live.

   • Notation the stage directions, the setting notes, and the line breaks or pauses in the dialogue.
   • Choice out whatsoever problematic points in the play that you might want to watch for during the production. For example, if yous're going to see Shakespeare's "Village", you may make a annotation of ways the manager might stage the pivotal Ophelia drowning scene. Or if you are going to a musical like "The Fiddling Store of Horrors", you might note how the director will transition from the vocal numbers to the dialogue in the production.
   • Your teacher may also ask y'all to pay item attention to sure elements, like the lighting or the costumes, so make sure you are prepared to recognize them.

5. 5

   Get a sense of the context of the production. Y'all don't want to practise likewise much inquiry around the production as it may influence your viewing experience. But you should have a sense of the context of the product; which theater company is putting information technology on, who is directing the play, and what liberties, if any, have they taken with the original content.^[four]

   • For case, yous may be seeing a version of "Hamlet" that is set in contemporary times and integrates engineering science in the product. Or you may be seeing a production of "The Little Shop of Horrors" that is set in a tape store, rather than a theater. This setting change will change the context of the play, and you should and then note how the setting choice is used in the production in your review.

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1. i

   Wait at the play'due south program. Try to get to the theater or production setting 15 minutes before prove time. Flip through the play'southward plan. Await for a director'southward notation and the cast biographies. You should also check if in that location are whatever understudy replacements for the product, especially if the show is promoting itself based on the popularity of a certain performer.^[five]

   • Note if at that place are any write ups in the program most a directorial pick, like setting "Hamlet" in gimmicky times. There may likewise be notes on the lighting or the sound design.

     Don't: judge the premise of the play based on your personal tastes. Your readers can determine for themselves whether it appeals to them.
     Exercise: consider the goals behind production decisions and be prepared to evaluate whether the play achieves them.

2. ii

   Take notes during the evidence. Its important to write downward whatever hit details during the product. But endeavor non to bury your head in your notebook during the entire product. You may miss certain details or a key moment. Use the intermission, which usually happens between acts in a play, to take more detailed notes. Consider:^[six]

   • The set design. Look at design elements like lighting, sound, costumes, makeup, and props.
   • The acting and directing of the production. If a certain casting choice seems important, write it downward. If a line of dialogue strikes you, make a note of it. Expect at the way the actors say their dialogue and move around the stage. Are they serious, comedic, formal? Do they use modern slang or speech, even though the play was originally set up in an older time period?
   • Any "special effects" used, such equally special lighting, sound or engineering. Note if the production also uses audience participation to continue the audience engaged.
   • Correct later on the performance, you should jot downwards any concluding notes, including your initial impressions of the production and how successful or unsuccessful you think the production was.

3. 3

   Write a crude draft of the review right later y'all take seen the product. The longer yous expect, the less you lot'll remember your feel of the play. Remember your part equally a critic is to describe, analyze, and judge. In your review, you will need to:^[7]

   • Describe what you saw in item and make the reader see what yous see. Be specific and thorough in your descriptions.
   • Analyze what you retrieve the director or designer was trying to achieve. Why practice y'all think they designed the movements, lights, sounds effects, and costumes a certain fashion? What do you lot call back they were trying to make the audience feel or think?
   • Judge how effective the play was as a whole. Don't be afraid to give an honest opinion of the production simply be sure you can support your critique in the trunk of your review (paragraphs 2-4).

     Don't: make your personal stance the main feature.
     Practice: state your stance honestly, grounded in specific points.

4. 4

   Create a potent hook or line to open the review. You may kickoff with a summary of the play if information technology is a re-staging of a production your audience is familiar with.^[viii]

   • For example, in this review of "The Little Shop of Horrors", the reviewer begins with the line: "This Fringe classic pops up about years, with songs such as 'Somewhere That's Greenish' and 'Don't Feed The Plants' bringing the house downwardly."^[9]
   • This opening line works considering information technology allows the reader to dive right in. In 1 line, the reviewer has introduced the play, noted the play is a "archetype" and told the reader it is a popular musical.
   • You can as well start with a hook that challenges the audience's expectations of a familiar production. For case, in this review of "The Little Shop of Horrors", the reviewer begins with the line: "Not many musicals will result you with a sing-a-long book with the lyrics to chorus numbers and so yous can join in, only this interactive product of The Little Shop of Horrors has a few surprises in store."^[10]
   • This hook works because it tells you lot that the play is a unique accept on a classic production and is interactive.

     Don't: write an exciting hook that has nothing to do with the rest of your review.
     Practise: take risks with assuming statements or an unusual opening.

5. 5

   Answer who, what, where, and when in paragraph 1. The introductory paragraph should cover basic information about the play, including:

   • The full championship of the play.
   • Where did you see the testify? Name the theater or setting where you lot saw the play.
   • When did you see the show? Maybe it was opening dark, or the last week of the testify's run. Be specific about the exact date you saw the show.
   • Who wrote the show? Who directed the show? Name the playwright, the director, and the name of the production company.
   • If the show is a restaging of an existing play, such every bit "The Little Store of Horrors" or "Village", yous should note this in your introduction. If the show is a new or original product, you lot should also note this.

6. vi

   Discuss the plot in paragraph ii. Briefly summarize the plot of the play, including the setting, the main characters, and the story arc of the characters. Endeavour to go along the summary to 1 or two lines. You lot should give the reader only plenty information to get a general sense of the play'southward plot.^[11]

   • For example, you may summarize the plot of "The Piffling Shop of Horrors" with: "The Trivial Shop of Horrors is such an entertaining musical because of its hilarious plot involving a plant which grows to an incredible size and the romantic beloved story of Seymour and Audrey."^[12]

7. 7

   Talk near the acting and directing in paragraph iii. React to the performers playing the characters in the play. Use their real names and their grapheme names. Write about the acting based on questions such equally:^[xiii]

   • Were the performers believable? Did their relationships or chemistry with the other characters seem natural and appropriate? Did the performers stay in character throughout the play?
   • Did the performers have a song quality (book and joint) that fit the context of the play? Did their body movements and gestures stay true to the character they were playing?
   • Were the performers engaging and interesting to lookout man? If and so, why did yous detect them engaging?
   • For instance, in your review of "The Little Shop of Horrors" you may note: "The primary credits of this production go to the lead roles Cath Snowball (equally Audrey) and Chris Rushmere York as Seymour who created a actually tangible simply very shy and coy chemical science."^[14]

     Don't: hash out an actor'due south personal advent or insult to the point of cruelty.
     Practise: describe misguided or failed performances honestly.

8. 8

   Analyze the design elements of the play in paragraph 4. The design elements are a big part of a production and should be discussed in detail in your review. Focus your analysis on:^{[fifteen] [xvi]}

   • The set and the props: Did they plant the correct mood for the play? Did they add to the evolution of the characters, the plot, and the setting? Were they convincing and well-made?
   • Did the blocking on stage make sense? Blocking means how the actors are positioned on stage within the set. Were there whatsoever awkward movements past the actors on stage? Did the set help or hinder the performances?
   • The lighting: Did the lights convey a mood that fit with the tone of the play? Did they draw attention to characters or props that seemed of import in the play?
   • The costumes and the make up: Did the costumes and the make upwardly of the performers arrange the time menstruum of the show? Was there a unique approach to the costumes or the make up that affected the context of the play?
   • The sound: How did the music, if any, contribute to the testify'southward mood? Were there audio effects used in the evidence, and if then, how did they add to the production? If you are reviewing a musical, you should note if at that place was a live orchestra or if the music was pre recorded, and how that affected the tone of the play overall.
   • Try to exist as detailed as possible in your give-and-take of the design elements. For example, in a review of "The Little Shop of Horrors", you may note: "A quirky directorial decision was to accept the props and bandage in grey scale. These performers were caked in grey and blackness brand up to dissimilarity the monstrous green establish equally information technology ate people alive, growing bigger and bigger as the play went on."^[17]

9. 9

   React to the play as a whole in paragraph five. Here is where your final critique should be in the review. Avoid clichéd phrases like "the play was bad" or "the production wasn't very entertaining." Instead land your opinion of the performance as a whole, and show why your response to the play is valid and significant. The residuum of your review should support your overall judgment of the play.^{[18] [19]}

   • Annotation if the audience seemed circumspect and interested throughout the performance. Also indicate to whatsoever possible adjustments or changes that could take been made to the product to make information technology stronger or more engaging.
   • For example, you may note: "Though the product was clearly taking some creative risks by having all the performers in greyscale, not bringing in brilliant dark-green plants for the show-stopping "Something Green" number felt like a missed opportunity to capitalize on this contrast."
   • Leave your reader with a articulate sense of your opinion on the play and with more than questions than answers about the play. For example, you may wrap upward your review of "The Footling Shop of Horrors" with: "This new production takes some creative risks and emphasizes the singing skills of the performers, who manage to pull off this tale of honey and a monster plant with passion and confidence."

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Add New Question

• Question

  How long do each of the paragraphs accept to exist?

  

  A paragraph is ordinarily between five and seven sentences, but it really depends on your content. Switch paragraphs every time you lot switch topics (i.e. when you start talking well-nigh a dissimilar aspect of the play).

• Question

  Is it professional person to use first person terms (words such as I and me) when writing a play review?

  

  If you're writing a personal review from yourself, then yous tin use showtime person terms. If you're only writing an objective, generalized review, you should avoid kickoff person terms.

• Question

  How would I grade an effective title?

  

  But apply the name of the play and "review," or employ the writer's name, such as "Shakespeare's greatest play notwithstanding, a review."

• Question

  What if the play was non adept?

  

  Yous write that the play was not enjoyable, and you have to justify this with bear witness, emotive words, and logic.

• Question

  What should the title of the review be?

  

  Tom De Capitalist

  Top Answerer

  It should be plenty for people with no time to read the actual review to know what at least one critic thought of it, and then they tin course their opinion to go see information technology or not. At the same time, it should invite even those decorated people to read the actual review. "Beautiful twists, but ane actor slipped up" is a skillful case. They'll know the story has some nice plot twists, and be curious as to who slipped upwardly and how.

• Question

  What is the purpose of writing a play review?

  

  Falsinst

  Customs Answer

  By writing a play review, y'all are able to help the author/producer and actors with effective criticism. You are too able to tell other people whether they should sentry the play or not.

• Question

  What if something was unfair, like in a school play, can I say something?

  

  Falsinst

  Customs Reply

  Of form. It is a review and therefore it should refer to your personal opinion; however, brand sure you lot land why information technology was unfair. Give reasons for your criticism. If you lot think it was unfair that yous were not given in a role in the play, nonetheless, keep that to yourself. It has naught to do with whether the play was practiced or not.

• Question

  Does the play review talk about the acting of the cast?

  

  Yes, that is one of the pivotal parts of the review. See step 7 in the article. The interim would be covered in the "performance" section of the essay.

• Question

  Is it ethical to review a staged reading?

  

  It'due south ethical if y'all make it clear in the review that you attended a staged reading. You lot'll non be able to provide your reader with as much pertinent information as if you had attended a total product.

• Question

  I haven't seen the drama "The Cherry Orchard", I've only read the book. Volition your given instructions permit me to write a review?

  

  Every bit explained higher up, a play review is meant to exist a discussion of the whole experience of viewing the play performance. It would be hard to do that after merely reading the play.

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Article Summary Ten

To write a play review, start past taking notes during the show and writing a crude typhoon right afterward to capture your strongest thoughts and impressions. So, when y'all're set up to write your polished essay, start with an opening sentence that makes a bold statement near the play. In the Introduction, you should also include the play'southward basic details, like when and where information technology showed, who acted and directed, and what it was near. And then, in the trunk paragraphs, choose elements of the play that you idea were particularly of import, similar the lighting, set blueprint, or interim, and discuss whether you lot idea the manager fabricated a good or a bad choice. Finish with your overall impression. For more information on how to write a play review, including what to do before you lot become see the play, read on!

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