SOME POINTS TO CONSIDER
By Richard Hart
One of the main values of reviews in this magazine is the exchange of knowledge and experience provided both to the reader and to the creators of the piece being critiqued.
It is important to us all that the quality of reviews is as high as we can manage.
Reviews in this magazine should not be primarily about recommending to an audience that they should or should not see a s how, but should aim to assist in the process of improving the piece by honestly describing what does and does not work in it.
In this way, our reviews could be seen as a variation of the 'post mortem' (conducted at the conclusion of a performance project), perhaps assisting in the development of new material while the show is still playing.
If you are thinking of writing a review, here are a few guidelines, many of which were inspired by an excellent article on Peer Review published in The Puppetry Journal, Spring 1998, by the Boston Area Guild of Puppetry (USA).
QUESTIONS FOR THE REVIEWER
Ask yourself:
Was there clear communication, did you understand the theme or intention?
Was there a sense of caring and love for the art of puppetry, aesthetic values. Would it inspire the audience to see more puppet theatre?
Did it inspire you? Was the story interesting, original or well constructed?
Are the characters engaging, is it their story, do you care about them, are they stereotyped or cliche, do they have depth?
Is there too much dialogue, are you interested in the puppet talking?
Does it appeal or engage the audience it is aimed at and is it suitable for the given purpose?
Is there good visual design, do the puppets/characters, stand out against their setting, is there a visual unity and appropriateness, does the set overwhelm the puppets?
Do the puppets LIVE, is the puppet the star or the puppeteer?
Do the puppets move meaningfully, do they look as though they should have been replaced by an actor, are they the right size, design?
Have the puppets personality, intelligence and consciousness, etc. of their own?
Is the show paced well, are there boring sections, does it lose you somewhere or take you with it all the way?
