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Reviewers or Critics?Dateline: 30th May, 2004This week we have yet another review of Sheridan's The Rivals. In this case it's the Bristol Old Vic production. Our reviewers have been seeing quite a bit of this particular play for some time, having watched the Compass Theatre Company's production at venues all over the country, the most recent being me at Durham's Gala Theatre (review). A colleague from the local press also reviewed it and I was horrified to realise that, not only was it clear that he know nothing about the play itself, but he also knew nothing of its background or of comedy of manners in general. I suppose I shouldn't have been surprised: local press reviewers tend to be just that - reviewers, not critics. Although they may have an interest in theatre, they frequently don't have a great deal of knowledge and, in this case, we had a situation in which the vast majority of the audience understood what the play was all about better than this particular reviewer. I hasten to add that this is not always the case: I had a fascinating interval discussion recently with the critic (I choose the word advisedly) of another local paper (although it might more properly be called regional), who was bemoaning the fact that he is finding it increasingly difficult to find someone willing to cover those productions which he has to miss. All of this occurred at a time when a certain publication which covers the Edinburgh Fringe announced that it has now got its full complement of reviewers for this year's event. They are all students and they are to be given a couple of hours' training before being unleashed on this year's Fringe shows. BTG reviewers, on the other hand, are critics. They know what they are talking about and have a wide knowledge of theatre. What's more, they love theatre. Many are professionally involved as actors, directors, producers, playwrights or even academics. Some us of have even been known to climb the odd ladder and focus a lantern or two in our time! Articles Indices:
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