Comments on: To Read Or Not To Read

By: Work in the theatre? A poll: Do you read reviews of your work? — Greenroom

Work in the theatre? A poll: Do you read reviews of your work? — Greenroom — Thu, 05 Nov 2009 00:22:17 +0000

[...] She was rehearsing and appearing in 33 Variations on Broadway at the time. She wrote a post To Read or Not to Read – the reviews, that is – and it emerged that she was advised be her friend, fellow [...]

By: John B

John B — Sun, 08 Mar 2009 16:59:38 +0000

Here’s why I don’t read them until the play comes down: I once received a rave review for a performance of a particularly difficult character I was interpreting. I heard about the review and read it. It was, indeed, quite favorable BUT: the imagery the critic used to describe what I was doing absolutely did not jibe with what I had going on in my head…and I felt very strange every night after that, wondering if I was communicating my intent…wondering, wondering, wondering. I say wait.

By: Layanna Maiara

Layanna Maiara — Sun, 08 Mar 2009 03:56:20 +0000

Just keep posting! Your blog is Awesome!

By: Silba

Silba — Fri, 06 Mar 2009 04:56:24 +0000

Tuck them under the bed. Not all theater criticism is constructive and you are bound to be more affected by a review that missed the point then an insightful one.

By: rich

rich — Thu, 05 Mar 2009 06:55:44 +0000

DO. NOT. READ.

By: SusanKay

SusanKay — Thu, 05 Mar 2009 01:29:44 +0000

I’ve never wanted to go to New York, because of traffic and crowds.

But, I’m now thinking about it, just to see your play.

By: Diane

Diane — Thu, 05 Mar 2009 01:19:27 +0000

If you can take the review and use it to make your self better than all means, But my thoughts are you can’t please everyone and if you know you did thre best you are able to then there is no one else to worry about. Really aren’t we our own worst critic. If you sleep well at night then all is good.

By: Eric

Eric — Thu, 05 Mar 2009 00:28:17 +0000

A review is like applause. Theatre is an interactive event.
An actor wants the give and take that theatre provides, as does the audience and critics. Theatre is alive and living. Film may catch a single moment and memorialize it forever. But no two moments in life are precisley the same. Only those present in the moment that theatre provides can expereince life as it is lived. A reviewer is just another participant in the event. The actor offers the life the audience and critic wants to experience. Lke everywhere else in life, those who like, will follow. Those who don’t, won’t. Count the critics in the house. The odds remain in favor of the one who creates life. Go, girl!

By: Laura

Laura — Thu, 05 Mar 2009 00:15:03 +0000

That is a tough decision about the reviews. I agree with Zach that people will tell you anyway though.
I hope the Sardi’s benefit went well. Take care. Thanks so much for blogging!
Love, Laura

By: Brian Campbell & Brian McAlister

Brian Campbell & Brian McAlister — Wed, 04 Mar 2009 23:14:26 +0000

Hello from Scotland, Jane! Really interesting blogs, we suppose the advantage of reading your reviews would be findng out where or where not to change your performance, but then again should select opinions affect what you do?

Looking forward to the next blog, if we can get to New York before the end of the shows run, we’ll definitely be there! The Two Brians xx