A play is a live experience, so reviewing it can be challenging but difficult. You have to assume both the role of spectator, who follows the thread of the show and enjoys it, and of critic, who analyzes the production. With the right preparation and structure, you can write a great review.
Steps
Part 1 of 2: Preparing to Write the Review
Step 1. Understand the purpose of a theatrical review
It is the subjective evaluation of a theatrical performance made from the top of a certain culture. The reviewer should have solid knowledge of the world of theater, so that his opinion is informed and credible. Either way, it's not an absolute requirement to write a good review.
- The review should also allow potential viewers to get a feel for the show. Readers should figure out if it's worth spending your hard-earned money to buy a ticket.
- Saying that the work seemed "good" or "bad" will not allow you to write a solid review. Instead, you should be specific in your critique and thoroughly analyze the production. Your opinion should be supported by an assessment of the elements of the production and how they worked as a whole.
- The review should also describe the context or plot of the work without giving too much information to the reader. Don't reveal plot twists or twists - remember that people who haven't seen the show yet will read it too.
Step 2. Consider the traditional structure of a theatrical review
A standard text is divided into five paragraphs. You can elaborate it in other ways, for example by comparing two works in a review or by writing a longer review for just one show. However, a theatrical review generally analyzes several elements of the production within five paragraphs, as illustrated below.
- Paragraph 1: The introductory paragraph should describe what you saw on stage. You should also contextualize the work by giving information such as the name of the playwright or composer and the setting.
- Paragraph 2: Summarize the story concisely.
- Paragraph 3: talk about acting and directing. Review the actors hired to play the characters in the opera.
- Paragraph 4: Describe the scenic elements of the production, such as lighting, sound, costumes, make-up, set design and other equipment.
- Paragraph 5: express a general opinion on the work. Would you recommend it to readers? You can also rate it using stars or a thumbs up / down.
Step 3. Read and analyze review examples
Do a research on theatrical plays staged in your city that have been reviewed. Grab a newspaper and take a look at the Costume and Society section to find them. You can also find examples online. Read the reviews and ask yourself:
- How did the author structure the review? Does the traditional structure follow (introduction in the first paragraph, plot summary in the second, review of the acting and directing in the third, opinions on production elements in the fourth and general criticism in the fifth)?
- Compare two reviews of the same work. What do they have in common and how do they differ? Are they structured differently or do they express different criticisms of the show?
- Is the reviewer overly critical? Is your analysis accurate and does it describe detailed scenes from the opera or scenic elements?
- How do you close the review? At the end of the article can you find a recommendation and a rating, such as a star rating or a thumbs up / down?
Step 4. If possible, read the work you will review
If you have to write about a famous work, such as Hamlet or The Little Shop of Horrors, you should be able to find a copy. It will be more difficult in the case of newer or lesser known works. Reading the text will help you become familiar with the subject and understand how the work looks in print before seeing it live.
- Mark captions, scene notes, and line breaks or pauses in dialogue.
- Choose emblematic points of the work that you would like to observe in detail during the show. For example, if you are going to see Shakespeare's Hamlet, take notes on how the director plays a crucial scene like the one in which Ophelia drowns. If you go to see a musical like Little Shop of Horrors, you might observe the tricks with which the director switches from a musical number to a dialogue during the performance.
- The person assigning you this job may also ask you to pay particular attention to certain elements, such as lights or costumes, to make sure you are able to recognize them.
Step 5. Try to get an idea of the context of the production
Doing too much research on the show could affect your experience as a viewer. However, you should roughly understand the context: theater company, director, any liberties that the production has taken with respect to the original text.
For example, you could see a version of Hamlet set in the contemporary era, with an integration of technology. Or you might see a production of The Little Shop of Horrors set in a record store rather than a theater. Changes regarding the setting will affect the context of the work, so in the review you should explain how this stylistic choice is used within the production
Part 2 of 2: Writing the Review
Step 1. Take a look at the play program
Go to the theater or venue 15 minutes before the show starts. Browse the program. Look for the director's written note or cast biographies. You should also check if there are alternate actors for the production, especially if the show is getting publicity due to the popularity of a certain artist.
See if in the program there are comments on the choices of direction, how to set Hamlet in today's world. There may also be notes on lighting or sound design
Step 2. Take notes during the show
It is important to write down all the relevant details of the work. But try not to keep your head bowed over the notebook for the duration of the performance. You may be missing out on certain elements or a key moment. Take advantage of the interval, which is usually placed between one act and another, to take more precise notes. Consider:
- The stage design. Observe elements such as lights, sounds, costumes, makeup and props.
- Acting and directing. If a certain cast choice seems important to you, write it down. If a line of dialogue strikes you, write it down. Analyze how actors act out their dialogue and move around the stage. Are they serious, comical or formal? Do they use a slang or a modern way of expressing themselves even though the original work was set in a different historical period?
- Look for any "special effects" used, such as lights, sounds, or particular technologies. Consider whether audience participation is also used to engage them.
- Immediately after the show, you should write down some final notes, including your hot impressions of the production and its overall success.
Step 3. Write a draft of the review immediately after seeing the show
The longer you wait, the less you will remember the experience. Remember that, as a critic, your role is to describe, analyze and judge. In the review you will need to do the following:
- Describe in detail what you saw and let the reader relive the experience through your words. Descriptions must be specific and accurate.
- Analyze what you think was the intent of the director or screenwriter. Why do you think he conceived the movements, the lights, the sound effects and the costumes in a certain way? What emotions or thoughts do you think he was trying to arouse in the viewer?
- Evaluate the overall effectiveness of the work. Don't be afraid to give an honest opinion on the production, but make sure you can defend your criticism in the body of the review (paragraphs two and four).
Step 4. Write a convincing attack or opening sentence
If it's a re-reading of a work your audience knows about, you might want to start with a summary:
- For example, in this review of The Little Shop of Horrors, the author begins as follows: "This Fringe classic makes an appearance almost every year, with songs like Somewhere That's Green and Don't Feed the Plants unleashing a shower of applause ".
- This opening sentence is efficient because it allows the reader to immediately immerse themselves in the right atmosphere. In two lines, the reviewer presented the play, claimed that it is a classic, and told the reader that it is a popular musical.
- If it's a work that audiences are familiar with, you might as well start with an attack that upsets their expectations. For example, in this review of The Little Shop of Horrors, the author begins as follows: "Not many musicals provide a booklet with the lyrics of the choir's performances to allow the public to participate, but this interactive reworking of La little shop of horrors hides more than something up its sleeve.
- This attack is effective because it explains that the work is a unique reinterpretation of a classical representation and is interactive.
Step 5. In the first paragraph, answer the questions "Who?
"," What? "," Where? "And" When? "The introductory paragraph should cover basic information about the work, including:
- Complete title of the work.
- Where did you see the show? Write the name of the theater or setting in which you attended the opera.
- When did you see the show? Maybe it was the opening night or the last week of the show. Please indicate the exact date you attended.
- Who wrote the show? Who directed it? Indicates the name of the playwright, director and theater company.
- If the show is a reinterpretation of an already existing work, such as The Little Shop of Horrors or Hamlet, you should state this in the introduction. You should also indicate whether it is a new or original production instead.
Step 6. Talk about the plot in the second paragraph
Summarize it briefly, including the setting, the main characters, and their story arc. The summary should be one or two lines long. You should provide enough information to allow the reader to get a general idea of the plot.
For example, you could summarize the plot of The Little Shop of Horrors like this: "Little Shop of Horrors is a compelling musical thanks to its hilarious plot (a plant grows to unprecedented size) and the romantic love story between Seymour and Audrey"
Step 7. Talk about acting and directing in the third paragraph
Give your opinion about the actors who play the characters in the opera. Use their real names as well as those of the corresponding roles. Guided by answering the following questions:
- Were the actors credible? Did their relationships or chemistry with the other characters seem natural and appropriate? Did they stay in character for the duration of the play?
- Did the actors have a vocal quality (volume and articulation) appropriate to the context of the work? Were the body movements and gestures in line with those of the portrayed character?
- Did the actors engage the audience and were they interesting to watch? If so, why did you find them good in this respect?
- For example, in the review of The Little Shop of Horrors you could write: "The credit for this production goes first of all to the leading actors, Cath Snowball (aka Audrey) and Chris Rushmere York (aka Seymour), who have created a truly palpable chemistry, but at the same time shy and shy ".
Step 8. Review the elements of the scene in the fourth paragraph
The props are essential for a production and should be discussed in detail in the review. Focus your analysis on the following details.
- Stage and props: did they create the right atmosphere for the opera? Were they in keeping with the character development, plot and setting? Were they convincing and of quality?
- Did the arrangement of the actors on stage make sense? Have you noticed any strange movements? Did the scenography favor or hinder the interpretations?
- Lights: did they convey an atmosphere in line with the tone of the work? Did they draw attention to the characters or props in a manner relevant to the work?
- Costumes and makeup: did they fit the show era? Was a unique approach to the costumes or makeup used that affected the context of the work?
- Sounds: if present, how has music contributed to the atmosphere of the show? Were sound effects used? If so, what have they added to the production? If you have to review a musical, you should state if there was an orchestra playing live or if the music was pre-recorded. It also explains how it affected the overall tone of the work.
- When describing the elements of the scenography, try to be as precise as possible. For example, in the review of The Little Shop of Horrors, you might write: "Having props, make-up and costumes in various shades of gray was a rather eccentric stylistic choice. The actors were painted in gray and black to contrast the monstrous green plant, which ate people alive and grew bigger and bigger in the course of the work ".
Step 9. In the fifth paragraph, express what you think about the work as a whole
This is where you should enter your final critique. Avoid stereotypical phrases like "The work was bad" or "The production was not very engaging". Instead, express your views on the work as a whole. Show why your ideas about it are valid and meaningful. The rest of the review should support the overall judgment you made on the show.
- Explain if the audience seemed attentive and interested throughout the performance. It also illustrates any changes that the production could have made to the work to make it more incisive or engaging.
- For example, you could write: "The production undoubtedly made bold creative decisions, such as wearing makeup and dressing all the actors using only shades of gray. However, the fact that they did not stage green plants for the sensational issue of Something Green it seemed like a wasted opportunity to make the most of this contrast."
- At the end of the review, the reader must have a clear idea of your opinion on the show and should have more questions than answers about it. For example, you could end the review on The Little Shop of Horrors like this: "The new production takes creative risks and highlights the singing skills of the actors, who managed to interpret this tale about love and a monstrous plant. with passion and conviction ".
