The Anonymous
Critic
ON CRITICISM - by G.L. Horton
On the Actor's List, a critic gave several "reasons"
for keeping one's identity and address secret and never "fraternizing"
with theatre people..... (2/27/03)
A theatre critic who gives less than 5 stars on any particular
theatre review sometimes is subjected to death threats.
I've reviewed local theatre for a decade, and never had a death
threat-- or any other threat. I did get a long letter telling
me I'm full of shit about five years ago from a looney director,
and people have come up to me at intermission to tell me they
disagree about my opinion of something or other-- but no nastiness.
OTOH, I am never personally insulting, and I do try to review
as I'd wish to be reviewed. But I certainly don't give everything
5 stars! And my phone number is in the book-- anyone can call
and insult me if they want to.
While s/he wants to pick up bits of information about what
locals are doing or complaining about, s/he has to maintain his/her
objectivity as a journalist. A writer. A critic.
Why can't you be objective simply because you have a sense
of the personality of an artist, as revealed by conversations
or in person? Most of the best critics have known the artists
whose work they wrote about. If someone I dislike does good
work, I praise it. If someone I love messes up, I say how and
opine why, as kindly as possible. Although I admit that if I
suspect a close friend's show will be bad, I may pass on reviewing
it. But I also pass on reviewing an enemy's turkey, to avoid
the wicked temptation to pile on. Fortunately, I can do this--
have a colleague who will fill in for me.
S/he has chosen to protect him/herself from the many posts
from theatre or film folk who will publicly condemn a critic for
a less-than-favorable review.
Can dish it out but can't take it, huh? If criticism is legit,
and a useful positive thing to do, then reviewing the critic
is also useful and positive, and the critic should volunteer
for it or get out of the kitchen.
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