How to Write a Review of a Play

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The operation of a play is a live experience, so information technology can exist an exciting but difficult chore to review. You have to be both the spectator, taking in and enjoying the performance, and a critic, analyzing the product. But with the right preparation and construction, you tin can create a well-written play review.

Sample Play Reviews

1. 1

   Sympathize the purpose of a play review. A play review is a subjective and educated response to a slice of theater. The reviewer should take a stiff background in theatre so their opinion is informed and apparent. Though this is not a requirement for writing a good play review.^[i]

   • The review should also give potential audience members a sense of the play. Information technology should let readers know if spending their hard-earned coin on a ticket to the product will be money well spent.
   • Noting that you thought the play was "good" or "bad" will not create a strong play review. Instead, you should be specific in your critique and have a thoughtful analysis of the production. Your opinion on the play should be supported by a discussion of the production elements and how they worked together every bit a whole.
   • The review should also draw the situation or plot of the play without giving also information to the reader. Avoid spoiling whatsoever plot twists or turns for potential audience members in your review.

2. 2

   Look at the traditional structure of a play review. The standard play review contains five paragraphs. In that location are other approaches yous can use, such as comparing 2 plays in one review or writing longer reviews for one play. Just traditionally, a play review will analyze several elements of the production in v paragraphs, including:^[2]

   • Paragraph ane: Your introductory paragraph should describe what you lot saw on stage. Yous should also give context for the play, such as the playwright or composer of the play and where the play is being staged.
   • Paragraph 2: Briefly summarize the plot of the play.
   • Paragraph 3: Discuss the acting and directing. React to the performers playing the characters in the play.
   • Paragraph 4: Depict the pattern elements of the production, such as the lighting, sound, costumes, make up, and set up and props.
   • Paragraph 5: React to the play every bit a whole. Would you recommend the play to potential audience members? You can also include a recommendation, like a star rating or a thumbs up/thumbs downward.

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3. iii

   Read and analyze review examples. Practise a google search of local plays in your urban center that take reviews online. Option up a newspaper and cheque the Arts & Civilization section for play reviews. You lot can also admission case reviews online. Read the review(s) and enquire yourself:^[3]

   • How does the reviewer structure her review? Does the review follow the traditional construction, with an introduction in paragraph 1, a plot summary in paragraph 2, a give-and-take of acting and directing in paragraph 3, a word of the production elements in paragraph 4, and an overall critique in paragraph five?
   • Compare two reviews of the same play. How do the reviews compare and dissimilarity? Are they structured differently or accept different critiques of the play?
   • Is the reviewer overly critical of the play? Does their analysis seem well supported by scenes in the play, or a give-and-take of design elements of the play?
   • How does the reviewer wrap up the review? Is there a recommendation at the finish of the article, such every bit a star rating or a thumbs up/thumbs downward?

4. 4

   Read the play you are going to review, if possible. If yous are reviewing a popular play, like "Hamlet" or "The Little Shop of Horrors", y'all should be able to find a difficult re-create of the play. Newer or more obscure plays may be harder to find in hard copy. Reading the play will help you get familiar with the field of study matter and how it appears on the page before yous see the production alive.

   • Notation the stage directions, the setting notes, and the line breaks or pauses in the dialogue.
   • Selection out any problematic points in the play that you might desire to watch for during the production. For instance, if you lot're going to see Shakespeare's "Hamlet", you may brand a notation of ways the manager might stage the pivotal Ophelia drowning scene. Or if you are going to a musical like "The Petty Shop of Horrors", yous might note how the director will transition from the song numbers to the dialogue in the product.
   • Your instructor may likewise ask you lot to pay particular attention to certain elements, similar the lighting or the costumes, then brand certain you are prepared to recognize them.

5. five

   Get a sense of the context of the product. You don't want to practise too much research effectually the product equally it may influence your viewing experience. But y'all should have a sense of the context of the production; which theater company is putting it on, who is directing the play, and what liberties, if whatsoever, have they taken with the original content.^[iv]

   • For instance, you may be seeing a version of "Hamlet" that is set in gimmicky times and integrates applied science in the production. Or you may be seeing a production of "The Little Shop of Horrors" that is set in a record store, rather than a theater. This setting change will change the context of the play, and you should then note how the setting choice is used in the production in your review.

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1. 1

   Look at the play's program. Try to get to the theater or product setting 15 minutes before show fourth dimension. Flip through the play'due south programme. Look for a director'south note and the bandage biographies. You should besides cheque if there are any understudy replacements for the production, especially if the show is promoting itself based on the popularity of a sure performer.^[v]

   • Note if there are any write ups in the programme almost a directorial choice, like setting "Hamlet" in contemporary times. In that location may also be notes on the lighting or the sound design.

     Don't: approximate the premise of the play based on your personal tastes. Your readers can decide for themselves whether it appeals to them.
     Do: consider the goals behind product decisions and be prepared to evaluate whether the play achieves them.

2. 2

   Take notes during the bear witness. Its important to write downwards any hit details during the product. But endeavor not to coffin your head in your notebook during the unabridged product. You lot may miss certain details or a key moment. Use the intermission, which usually happens between acts in a play, to take more than detailed notes. Consider:^[6]

   • The prepare design. Wait at design elements similar lighting, sound, costumes, makeup, and props.
   • The acting and directing of the product. If a certain casting pick seems important, write it down. If a line of dialogue strikes yous, brand a note of it. Expect at the way the actors say their dialogue and movement around the phase. Are they serious, comedic, formal? Exercise they utilize modern slang or spoken communication, even though the play was originally set in an older fourth dimension period?
   • Whatsoever "special effects" used, such as special lighting, audio or technology. Note if the production too uses audience participation to go on the audience engaged.
   • Correct later the functioning, you should jot down any last notes, including your initial impressions of the production and how successful or unsuccessful you think the product was.

3. iii

   Write a rough typhoon of the review right after yous accept seen the production. The longer you wait, the less you'll recollect your feel of the play. Remember your role as a critic is to describe, analyze, and judge. In your review, you will demand to:^[7]

   • Depict what you saw in particular and make the reader encounter what yous see. Be specific and thorough in your descriptions.
   • Clarify what you think the director or designer was trying to accomplish. Why do yous think they designed the movements, lights, sounds furnishings, and costumes a certain way? What do yous recall they were trying to brand the audience feel or think?
   • Judge how effective the play was as a whole. Don't be afraid to give an honest opinion of the product but be certain you tin can support your critique in the trunk of your review (paragraphs 2-4).

     Don't: brand your personal stance the main feature.
     Do: state your stance honestly, grounded in specific points.

4. 4

   Create a stiff hook or line to open the review. You may first with a summary of the play if it is a re-staging of a production your audience is familiar with.^[viii]

   • For case, in this review of "The Little Shop of Horrors", the reviewer begins with the line: "This Fringe archetype pops upward nigh years, with songs such as 'Somewhere That's Greenish' and 'Don't Feed The Plants' bringing the business firm downwardly."^[9]
   • This opening line works because information technology allows the reader to dive correct in. In 1 line, the reviewer has introduced the play, noted the play is a "classic" and told the reader it is a pop musical.
   • You lot can likewise offset with a hook that challenges the audience's expectations of a familiar production. For example, in this review of "The Little Shop of Horrors", the reviewer begins with the line: "Non many musicals will consequence you with a sing-a-long book with the lyrics to chorus numbers so you tin join in, only this interactive production of The Piddling Store of Horrors has a few surprises in shop."^[ten]
   • This hook works because information technology tells you lot that the play is a unique take on a archetype product and is interactive.

     Don't: write an exciting hook that has cypher to exercise with the residuum of your review.
     Practice: have risks with assuming statements or an unusual opening.

5. 5

   Answer who, what, where, and when in paragraph 1. The introductory paragraph should comprehend bones information about the play, including:

   • The full championship of the play.
   • Where did yous come across the prove? Name the theater or setting where you saw the play.
   • When did you see the bear witness? Peradventure it was opening nighttime, or the last week of the show's run. Be specific about the exact date you saw the show.
   • Who wrote the show? Who directed the show? Proper name the playwright, the director, and the name of the production company.
   • If the testify is a restaging of an existing play, such as "The Little Shop of Horrors" or "Hamlet", you lot should annotation this in your introduction. If the show is a new or original product, yous should besides annotation this.

6. vi

   Discuss the plot in paragraph 2. Briefly summarize the plot of the play, including the setting, the primary characters, and the story arc of the characters. Try to proceed the summary to one or two lines. You should give the reader just enough information to get a general sense of the play'due south plot.^[11]

   • For example, you may summarize the plot of "The Trivial Shop of Horrors" with: "The Niggling Shop of Horrors is such an entertaining musical because of its hilarious plot involving a plant which grows to an incredible size and the romantic love story of Seymour and Audrey."^[12]

7. vii

   Talk well-nigh the acting and directing in paragraph iii. React to the performers playing the characters in the play. Utilise their real names and their grapheme names. Write about the interim based on questions such as:^[13]

   • Were the performers conceivable? Did their relationships or chemistry with the other characters seem natural and appropriate? Did the performers stay in grapheme throughout the play?
   • Did the performers take a song quality (volume and articulation) that fit the context of the play? Did their torso movements and gestures stay true to the graphic symbol they were playing?
   • Were the performers engaging and interesting to watch? If and so, why did you notice them engaging?
   • For case, in your review of "The Little Store of Horrors" yous may note: "The primary credits of this production get to the pb roles Cath Snowball (as Audrey) and Chris Rushmere York as Seymour who created a really tangible but very shy and coy chemistry."^[xiv]

     Don't: discuss an histrion's personal appearance or insult to the bespeak of cruelty.
     Do: depict misguided or failed performances honestly.

8. 8

   Clarify the pattern elements of the play in paragraph 4. The design elements are a big role of a production and should be discussed in detail in your review. Focus your analysis on:^{[15] [16]}

   • The set up and the props: Did they constitute the correct mood for the play? Did they add together to the evolution of the characters, the plot, and the setting? Were they convincing and well-made?
   • Did the blocking on stage brand sense? Blocking means how the actors are positioned on stage inside the set. Were there whatsoever awkward movements past the actors on stage? Did the set assist or hinder the performances?
   • The lighting: Did the lights convey a mood that fit with the tone of the play? Did they draw attention to characters or props that seemed important in the play?
   • The costumes and the make up: Did the costumes and the make up of the performers suit the time period of the testify? Was at that place a unique arroyo to the costumes or the make up that affected the context of the play?
   • The sound: How did the music, if any, contribute to the show'southward mood? Were there audio effects used in the show, and if so, how did they add together to the production? If you lot are reviewing a musical, y'all should notation if there was a live orchestra or if the music was pre recorded, and how that afflicted the tone of the play overall.
   • Try to be equally detailed as possible in your give-and-take of the blueprint elements. For case, in a review of "The Little Shop of Horrors", yous may annotation: "A quirky directorial decision was to have the props and bandage in grey scale. These performers were caked in greyness and blackness make up to contrast the monstrous light-green plant as it ate people alive, growing bigger and bigger as the play went on."^[17]

9. nine

   React to the play equally a whole in paragraph v. Hither is where your final critique should be in the review. Avoid clichéd phrases like "the play was bad" or "the product wasn't very entertaining." Instead state your opinion of the performance as a whole, and show why your response to the play is valid and pregnant. The rest of your review should support your overall judgment of the play.^{[18] [nineteen]}

   • Note if the audition seemed circumspect and interested throughout the performance. Likewise signal to whatever possible adjustments or changes that could have been fabricated to the production to make it stronger or more engaging.
   • For example, you lot may note: "Though the production was clearly taking some creative risks by having all the performers in greyscale, not bringing in bright dark-green plants for the show-stopping "Something Dark-green" number felt like a missed opportunity to capitalize on this contrast."
   • Leave your reader with a clear sense of your stance on the play and with more questions than answers almost the play. For example, you may wrap upwards your review of "The Little Shop of Horrors" with: "This new product takes some artistic risks and emphasizes the singing skills of the performers, who manage to pull off this tale of love and a monster institute with passion and conviction."

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Add New Question

• Question

  How long practice each of the paragraphs take to be?

  

  A paragraph is usually between v and seven sentences, but it actually depends on your content. Switch paragraphs every time you switch topics (i.due east. when you beginning talking nearly a different aspect of the play).

• Question

  Is it professional to utilise first person terms (words such as I and me) when writing a play review?

  

  If yous're writing a personal review from yourself, and so you can use start person terms. If yous're but writing an objective, generalized review, you should avoid first person terms.

• Question

  How would I form an constructive championship?

  

  Simply utilize the proper noun of the play and "review," or utilize the author'due south name, such equally "Shakespeare's greatest play even so, a review."

• Question

  What if the play was not proficient?

  

  You write that the play was non enjoyable, and you accept to justify this with evidence, emotive words, and logic.

• Question

  What should the championship of the review be?

  

  Tom De Backer

  Top Answerer

  It should be enough for people with no time to read the actual review to know what at least ane critic thought of it, and so they can form their opinion to go meet it or not. At the same time, it should invite even those busy people to read the actual review. "Beautiful twists, but ane actor slipped upwards" is a good example. They'll know the story has some nice plot twists, and exist curious equally to who slipped up and how.

• Question

  What is the purpose of writing a play review?

  

  Falsinst

  Community Answer

  By writing a play review, you are able to help the writer/producer and actors with constructive criticism. You are too able to tell other people whether they should sentinel the play or not.

• Question

  What if something was unfair, similar in a school play, can I say something?

  

  Falsinst

  Community Answer

  Of grade. It is a review and therefore it should refer to your personal opinion; however, brand sure you state why it was unfair. Give reasons for your criticism. If you remember information technology was unfair that y'all were non given in a part in the play, however, go along that to yourself. It has aught to do with whether the play was good or not.

• Question

  Does the play review talk well-nigh the interim of the bandage?

  

  Yep, that is one of the pivotal parts of the review. See step vii in the commodity. The acting would exist covered in the "performance" section of the essay.

• Question

  Is it ethical to review a staged reading?

  

  It's ethical if yous make it clear in the review that yous attended a staged reading. You'll not be able to provide your reader with equally much pertinent information as if you had attended a full product.

• Question

  I haven't seen the drama "The Ruby Orchard", I've only read the book. Volition your given instructions allow me to write a review?

  

  Every bit explained above, a play review is meant to be a word of the whole feel of viewing the play performance. It would be difficult to exercise that later simply reading the play.

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About This Article

Commodity Summary X

To write a play review, get-go by taking notes during the prove and writing a rough typhoon correct afterward to capture your strongest thoughts and impressions. Then, when y'all're prepare to write your polished essay, start with an opening sentence that makes a bold statement about the play. In the Introduction, you should too include the play's basic details, like when and where it showed, who acted and directed, and what it was virtually. And so, in the body paragraphs, choose elements of the play that you lot thought were peculiarly of import, like the lighting, set design, or acting, and talk over whether y'all thought the director fabricated a good or a bad choice. Finish with your overall impression. For more information on how to write a play review, including what to do before yous go run into the play, read on!

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