I'm fascinated by our relationship with the critics. When I hear members of the theatre community talk about them, it's always with an amazing degree of passion, one way or the other. Nobody, it seems, is ever indifferent to them. I think it's great, and a good indication that they hold some position of importance… Continue reading This one goes to eleven: Peter Birnie
Category: theatre criticism
Remember that thing I said about inviting bloggers to your show?
If you're very lucky, you get something like this... Theatre review - "The 21st Floor" at PAL theatre - by Hummingbird 604
On the Difference Between a Critic and a Reviewer
Terrific article by Chris Dupuis over at his newly re-christened site Time and Space, in which he offers a modest proposal for a new model of responsibility for our critics. It's a great contexualization of the actual job, and the post itself follows the very guidelines that he propounds within it. Chris puts some responsibility… Continue reading On the Difference Between a Critic and a Reviewer
Canadian Critical Culture Called into Question
Now first off, I know a lot of you are thinking: "we have a culture of criticism?". Well, apparently we in fact do, and the UK Guardian's Andrew Haydon offers as proof the web site of the Canadian Theatre Critics Association. Now I know a lot of you are thinking: "we have a Canadian Theatre… Continue reading Canadian Critical Culture Called into Question
What do You Want From Your Critics?
There's been a lot of discussion about critics and their place in our theatre scene around here lately. Established critics are reaching out, new critics are popping up, and so I think the time is ripe to hear from you about what exactly it is that you expect when you take in a review. I'll… Continue reading What do You Want From Your Critics?
The Facade of Objectivity
Further to my last post on critics and criticism, here's a necessary post by San Fran theatre critic Chloe Veltman (HT to Tony, who virtually invented inviting the critics into the party), on the relationship between artists and critics, and the myth of objectivity. I like any discussion that forces us into an awareness of… Continue reading The Facade of Objectivity
Critics are your friends. Meet your new friends.
I'm a theatre nerd with a blog. It's something I do simply because I want people to talk more about this thing that I'm in love with, so that more people make and see theatre. So the fact that a new Vancouver theatre magazine has just emerged online has made me a very happy little… Continue reading Critics are your friends. Meet your new friends.
This One Goes to Eleven: Colin Thomas
I feel fairly confident in stating that no one in Vancouver experiences more of its theatre than Colin. The long-time contributing theatre editor at the Georgia Straight, his is the thumbs-up review every company publicist in town hopes for, and the thumbs-down we all fear. With a hard-earned reputation for candor tempered with an abiding… Continue reading This One Goes to Eleven: Colin Thomas
Must-Read Theatre Blogging…
This is great, great, great...Ian at Theatre is Territory has published a simply wonderful interview with University of Minnesota theatre prof and Broadway alum Charles Nolte, who grandly holds court on the state of theatre, reminisces about the heyday of Broadway, and dishes hilariously on working with the likes of Henry Fonda, Jack Palance, and… Continue reading Must-Read Theatre Blogging…
Windy City Wisdom
"Art is not a victim. An eighteen month old diagnosed with a rare form of leukemia is a victim. A family losing their homes because of war are victims. Artists are not victims. Non-profit organizations are not victims; though, if you read many fundraising letters, you'd think they were. Many believe the arts are dying,… Continue reading Windy City Wisdom
Simon Ogden 