A theater criticism article is itself a small piece of fiction with a beginning, culmination and denouement. A successful theatrical review reflects the main features of the production, while remaining short and captivating: retaining the reader's attention is often no less difficult than the audience's in the theater.
Instructions
Step 1
Do some preliminary work. Read the play based on which the play is directed. Find out when and where it was already installed. It is better to visit the performance itself several times to check your first impressions. Notify the main director of your arrival. Most theaters have a service row for theater friends and critics from where the stage is clearly visible. At the end of the play, talk to the director and the leading actors. It will be useful to compare your impression with the opinion of the director. This way you can assess what the director wanted to achieve and which of the tasks he was able to accomplish. In addition, behind the scenes, they will surely share with you vivid theatrical stories that can bring a future article to life.
Step 2
Bring a notebook and pen on your way to the show. Taking notes in the dark is not very convenient, but it is a necessary part of the job. Sketch how the scene looks like, write down the lines you like and all your impressions that arose during the performance and may later be forgotten. Returning home, it is better to immediately "decipher" all the notes made hastily.
Step 3
Take your time writing a review. Within a few days, return mentally to the performance, compare the first impressions with the aftertaste. After that, you can start working on the text itself. In the first part of the article, it is necessary to provide brief information about the theater, the main director and its past performances. Mention the play. It is necessary to talk about the tradition of its production.
Step 4
Write a breakdown of the ideological content. Think about what the director wanted to convey to the audience, what the atmosphere was at the performance. Analyze several important episodes, note the original directorial decisions and acting findings. Give your arguments whether you praise or scold. It is very important to maintain objectivity, even if you do not like the production as a whole. Positive aspects can be found in any performance. When it comes to staging classic plays by Ostrovsky or Shakespeare, focus on what was new in this interpretation.
Step 5
Appreciate the acting. When naming the heroes of the play by name, do not forget to indicate the names of the actors who played the roles in brackets. It is not necessary to list all the actors in detail. Suffice it to mention those whose performance really amazed you.
Step 6
Write about the set design of the play. Tell us about color schemes, lighting scenarios and how the form helped to reveal the content. A few words should be given to the work of choreographers, costume designers and make-up artists.
