Don't Miss Ed - Opens Tonight

> I was not suggesting a review entertain rather than inform (although> it has to have some quality to make the reader want to read it) -> I meant Joe Public wants to be entertained *by any production* and> they want to know whether it's worth shelling out their hard-earned> dough.> Dare someone to go out in the Hay Street Mall in the lunch hour> and ask 100 people what they want to see in a theatre review. Those> that are interested will most likely say "whether it's worth> seeing or not".I think that you are correct in saying that a review should have "some quality to make the reader want to read it". This is precisely my point - that reviews should be of "quality", and what constitutes quality is intelligent, informed criticism. The 'Joe Public' of 'Hay Street Mall in the lunch hour' to which you refer is probably not going to go to an Artrage show anyway, regardless of the review, and is unlikely to read reviews.The people that tend to read reviews are discerning (or potentially so) theatre goers who are selective about how they commit their time, as well as their money, and who want to gain a clear, 'relatively' objective picture of the show they will (potentially) be wanting to see in terms of its theatrical style, presentation (context) and content.I think it's especially important for young adults to have access to reviews in local rags that do convey an understanding of the mechanics of theatre and performance. Journalists could do with the injection of credibility in the eyes of the young.I think that you will also find that a lot of people who would be attending theatre productions, such as those included in the Artrage festival, would be community artists themselves, and would therefore want to read a critique of what's on offer as opposed to an unsubstantiated slamming that is poorly edited and incorrectly captioned.The word "entertaining" is problematic, I think and has become a bit meaningless. Do you mean "entertaining" in terms of mainstream, big musical/ dance shows at somewhere like the Entertainment Centre? Eg GREASE & HAPPY DAYS?I think you'll find that many theatre goers actually regard theatre as a vehicle for other things, in addition to entertainment.I would also reiterate my earlier point that people who tend to go exclusively to shows that primarily just 'entertain' would probably not be reading reviews anyway. They would be relying on the hyper-positive, economically-driven advertising that is splashed about in the media and on the street, rather than critiques in the Arts section of newspapers.> If acoustics affect the quality of the show, then surely it must> best mentioned? Where else would you mention this fact? The lead on> page one?> It may not have been the final comment, you know. Sub-editors> usually cut stories from the bottom up.Whether the sub-editor or reviewer is to blame I would still stand by my original summation about the "mean-spirited" nature of the closing comment, in the light of the review's overall negativity. A review can STILL be critical without being oppressive, and there is no excuse for poor structure and inappropriate editing.> Re: "Sometimes they are even supported by well-informed,> well-structured> newspaper reviews and other associated media..." - as I> said before, if you have such a problem with the review, why not take> it up with arts editor Ron Banks or managing editor Paul Murray? Has> anyone even thought to call Cooke and take up the issue with him?>The ITA Green Room section is an adequate forum for my commentary. It's a local concern and the ITA website is an excellent vehicle for expressing local concerns. My intention is to have people think about issues and open an opportunity for some debate on a localised level, not to start an epic quest for justice.> Or if you think the quality of reviewing is that bad in Perth,> why not stop whinging about it and take some action.Surely my tone does not suggest "whinging"...Come on George.It's a robust Aussie colloquialism that I don't think is relevant here."Action"...hmmm...storming the West Australian building in the nude perhaps with DOWN WITH BOB COOK in pigs blood on my naked chest? Not my style. Placing this discussion point on the ITA website is action enough for me Peter (I mean George - glad I fixed that before this went to print).Why not contact> Richard Ackland and his Media Watch team. You'd be surprised what> they may or may not look into:> If you have an item from a newspaper or magazine that you would> like Media Watch (http://www.abc.net.au/mediawatch/contact.htm) to> consider, please send us:> The masthead of the publication> The full item (original not a copy) unmarked> The date of publication of the story> A brief note of the point you think should be made about the> item.> Address your contribution to:> Media Watch> ABC TV> GPO Box 9994> Sydney> NSW 2001> You can send your suggestion to the above address, fax it to> us on (02) 9950 4313 or send us an email to mediawatch@your.abc.net.auGood idea George. I may well contact Media Watch and suggest that they do a programme on theatre reviews in Australia generally, and draw some conclusions about consistency, quality and structure across the states. Thank you for the address and details.Lousy acoustics here George.Take care,JC