07 Jul Hamiltion”s Play Critique
What you are really writing about is the performance which you saw. You are writing about the work that the actors have done onstage. You are writing about the technical elements of the production. You are writing about the overall success or failure of the performance.
You are not writing about the story of the play. You are not writing about what the characters do. You are not writing about the physical location in which are seated. You are not writing about the moral of the play. You are not writing about whether you enjoyed the story or even agreed with it. You’re not writing about the playwright, interpretive analysis of the story, or presenting a metaphorical analysis of the deeper meaning of the story.
There are certain questions that every critique must answer. For those of you who have seen many plays, keep in mind other plays you have seen. These other experiences will help you to be more detailed in your observations. Dont ever disregard your previous experiences. Also, remember a review is what and a critique is what and how.
While it is not always necessary to address each and every item, your critique must be considered and well-thought out. The following pages should assist you in making sure that the most important questions are answered. Refer back to this section before writing your assigned critiques to ensure you get it right. There are no rewrites or grade adjustment just because you “didn’t understand the assignment.”
Given that–the following issues or performance elements must be addressed in ALL of your critiques:
- Actors/Acting (guideline: if 1-5 actors–you must deal with all of them; if 6 or more actors–you must deal with at least 4 actors…the leading actors should be included)
- Costuming
- Scenic Design/Props/Scenery/Lighting
