Reviewing people you know
Tue, 27 Nov 2007, 12:04 pmDazzaB30 posts in thread
Reviewing people you know
Tue, 27 Nov 2007, 12:04 pmHey Everyone,
I've got a question that I would like some opinions on. I have recently written a review of a show that I saw. Quite a few of my friends were in the show and my review has been questioned because I know some of the people involved. (My review is located in this thread if you want to read it - http://www.theatre.asn.au/theatre_reviews/paris ) My situation however is that I live in a relatively small community and therefore I know quite a few of the people invovled in theatre around here. As such, it's difficult for me to find a show in this area that doesn't have at least a couple people that I know in it.
My question is then this: Is a person incapable of writing a balanced, un-biassed, constructive review of a show that involves one or more of that person's friends?
I personally don't think this is the case. Quite often my friends ask me for my opinion because they know I will tell them honestly. I do hold to a philosphy that there is no point in being mean when giving feedback - all that does is shatter confidence. BUT I will always be honest, and if this means telling someone (including friends) that I didn't think some work they did was good, I will, however I will focus on how to improve that aspect as opposed to just saying it was bad. Is that biassed? I personally don't think so, but I would love to hear what other people have to say on the matter.
Hoping to get lots of feedback
Darren
reviews
Sun, 2 Dec 2007, 11:49 amIndeed, Torokhun's comment was meant in a positive fashion, as she would never tell someone to "stop singing - NOW". She is in fact a very talented and educated singer in her own right, but probably wont own up to that.
Are we missing the whole point here? I was under the impression that a review was for the benefit of potential audience members considering shelling out their 'hard earned' to see a show.
The production team, if they are worth their salt, will be already well aware of the shortcomings of their production (and all productions have them) and will have done all in their power to remedy the problems. I don't think directors will, nor should they, read a review and think - "gee, I better change that".
Whenever I write a review, I try to be balanced, giving both positives and negatives, to provide an overview of MY thoughts on ONE performance of a production.
I recently reviewed We Will Rock You. My brother was one of the leads in the show, he did a good job and I said as much. Others agreed with me. I also started my review with a disclaimer of the relationship. The show had it's low points. After talking to the sister of the the lead girl, I found I saw the worst performance of the run.
Cast like to read good reviews. Thats human nature. Good or bad, They all need to be taken lightly.