Critique/Review Guidelines

This handout is intended to help you write reports on the three plays you see.  During the semester, you will pick three of the nine categories to cover in each paper – for example, if acting, directing, and content are featured in your first report, the second should cover three different areas.  In each case, give your own opinion and feelings, but support them with specific examples from the show you saw.  Do not simply answer the questions with a yes or no; elaborate and illustrate your points.

VERY IMPORTANT: All papers must be typed, double spaced, in a size 12 font.  You must follow a five paragraph format with an opening, three paragraphs addressing the topics, and a conclusion.

1. Acting

            a)        Which performer did you like best and why?  Give specific examples of what they did well – gestures, movements, tones of voice.

            b)        Was there a performer you liked least?  How did they fail in the role?  Were they believable?  Awkward?  Difficult to understand?

            c)        Separate the actor or actress from the role – remember, an actor can do a  good job playing an unsympathetic character. 

            d)        Did the performers relate to each other well?  Did the relationships of the characters seem authentic?  Did they seem to listen and respond to each other?

2. Directing

            a)        Has the director helped the actors perform convincingly?

            b)        Do the actors play together as an ensemble?

            c)        Is it easy to see and hear what’s going on?

            d)        Are entrances and exits smooth?  Do the scene changes seem distracting?

            e)        Did the director use the full stage space, or are some areas ignored?  Does the blocking seem natural?

            f)         Do the pace and rhythm seem natural?  Did the show drag or move too quickly?

3. Environment

            a)        the size and shape of the theatre building.

            b)        the atmosphere – is it grand and lavish?  functional?  stark?

            c)        what type of stage is it?  how is it used?

            d)        what is the actor-audience relationship?

            e)        does the environment seem to suit the play? 

4. Scenery

            a)        Does the scenery seem appropriate to the play?  Is it too distracting or overbearing?

            b)        Does it contribute to the mood?  Is it appropriate to the style of the production?

            c)        Is there a symbolic element to the scenery?  Does there seem to be a specific colour scheme or shape?

            d)        Does it help the actors, or are they hindered from moving easily around the set?

            e)        Is it exciting and appealing?  When you saw the set, what expectations did it give you for the play?

5. Costumes

            a)        Are the costumes right for the play?  Do the period and style seem appropriate?

            b)        Do they seem right for the individual characters?  Do they help define their personalities, age, class, occupation, etc.?

            c)        Is there a particular colour scheme?  Does there seem to be a larger plan to the costumes?

            d)        Are there obvious differences in the costumes for major and minor characters, or for different factions in the play?

6. Lighting

            a)        Is the lighting realistic, symbolic, or fantastical?

            b)        What kind of mood does the lighting create?

            c)        Are all of the actors properly lit?  Can we see their faces?

            d)        How does it use direction, colour, and intensity to set the scene?

            e)        Do the lights change slowly or quickly?  Does this seem right for the play? 

            f)         How well does the lighting interact with the costumes and set?

7. Characters

            a)        Are the characters clearly defined?

            b)        Are the characters realistic, or symbolic?

            c)        Which characters are in conflict?  How do minor characters relate to major characters?  Are they: mirror images, contrasts, parallels?

            d)        Are any of the characters incomplete?  Inconsistent?  Unbelievable?

            e)        Which characters can you most closely identify with?  Why?

8. Content (substance and meaning of the play)

            a)        What is the play about?  Is it easy to understand or not?

            b)        Does the author take sides, or does he or she remain neutral?

            c)        Is the theme brought out in words?  In actions?  In symbols?

            d)        Are there multiple themes?  Are they consistent with one another?

9. Structure

            a)        Is the play serious or comic?  Realistic or fantastic?

            b)        If serious, is it tragic or more down to earth?  If comic, is it highly farcical or more subdued?

            c)        Does it simply present life, or is there an underlying message?

            d)        Is there a mixture of elements?  Serious with comic?  Realistic with fantastic?