Theatre Review Paper

The process of reviewing a play consists of multiple elements that must be considered. For one, while opinions are an important aspect to any review and it is often times what a reader looks for; there are measured ways to approach it. Any average Joe is able to look at a piece and splay their likes and dislikes, but a review offers an in depth look inside a play at deeper meanings and possible aspects to look out for when viewing whichever platform or media at hand. Entering a production with an open mind exposes the viewer to a more analytic outlook. A review is a mixture of myriads of elements combined to form a finalized thought about a production. On that note, writing about theater requires careful attention; note taking, audience, scope are key to a cohesive review. Note taking is an essential step to the starting process of a review. Following Marcial Ferguson’s text, A Short Guide to Writing About Theatre, notes provides insight and allows the recollection of a past thought. It is a great way to jump back to an idea while organizing thoughts on a paper. Reading back on notes is an easier process than trying to

Theater is widely known to consist of the actor, the space, and the audience; without audience there is no theater and with writing there’s not much of a difference. With no audience to read a review, the existence of the writing will be pointless. That being the case, to a general audience who knows little of the play, the scope of the review must be wider and more general. Whereas to a group with more knowledge, a broad paper will be of little interest as they already understand the gist of it. Instead, a review that is narrowed down to specifics will be more fitting. Ideas like hidden symbolism or themes that may be lurking but not explicitly stated will be better suited for a learned audience. Ultimately, acknowledging the crowd aids in the capacity of a