Reviews round-up

Add a Comment

Comment by guy odonnell on March 13, 2010 at 7:12pm

Spot on Adele, and I think that is the point of discussion.
How do we develop their level of maturity and understanding of process, in order to engage with the criticism to hone their skills.

Comment by Adele Thomas on March 13, 2010 at 5:43pm

Guy, my point about the fun runner was that to apply the same level of professional scrutiny in criticsm of a youth theatre show is to judge something unduly harshly and with a set of criteria that don't fit. Of course critical feedback is important to young people developing their skills, but this is the constructive criticism of people like yourself, not the voice of the critic. As Ben himself said, his job isn't to nuture youth theatre. However good or professional the young people are (and I have been told BYT are fab, so I'm sure they are) there's the whole level of psychological maturity and professional awareness (i.e. you are allowed to take critics with a pinch of salt) that they won't have.

Comment by guy odonnell on March 13, 2010 at 4:50pm

Hi I think this is a really interesting discussion. I think Youth Theatre should be reviewed in the same way as adult theatre . I am one of the Arts Officers in Bridgend and support Bridgend Youth Theatre , which is funded by the local authority and supported in turn by the members parents.
We strive with all BYT members to produce work of the highest standards and to be as professional as possible. I think it is important to give the young members critical feedback on their work in order for them to develop.
Obviously not all members will go onto a career in the creative industries and as we know benefit from the soft skills, team work , confidence. etc.
I think some of the Youth Theatre members would be unhappy to be described as 'fun runners' I think the real issue is how this type of work is actually reviewed, one of the reasons the new critics scheme was established was to promote theatrical criticism in Wales and I think its important for all work be reviewed be it , professional , script in hand , youth theatre or amateur to get access to a review makes a real difference to how individuals , companies and the work they create actually develop.
It would be interesting to hear what the other critics think and, as the work created by NTW during the next year may well involve young people who may be Welsh Youth members how an approach to criticsm/feedback develops.

Comment by Mike Smith on March 13, 2010 at 4:15pm

My review of A Good Night Out In The Valleys will be in Monday's Western Mail.

Comment by Ben Bryant on March 12, 2010 at 1:44pm

Hi Adele,

I get asked to review youth theatre sometimes, and this was the first time I've been and felt that it hasn't worked, so I wasn't sure how to respond. I would like to point out that I gave it an overall score 3/5, which is actually pretty good; however, I'm aware that the review itself wasn't particuarly sympathetic.

I think you misread a few parts of it, though. The 'gratuitous' comment wasn't so much a criticism of the actors as the direction. It was the blood and the screaming I took issue with. I liked a lot of the little scenes that were played out backstage.

But yes, looking back, I did lay into Oedipus, and I wish I hadn't. I thought he looked a bit older and I was frustrated by his performance.

I wouldn't usually do this in the face of criticism, but I loathe the idea that what I've written is putting kids off, so I've pulled the review. I'm sorry and I regret it.

I don't think it's my job to nurture youth theatre, exactly, and I'm not sure if I agree that youth theatre is beyond criticism. But I do agree that it was an error of judgement on my part not to be more sympathetic towards this play.

Comment by Adele Thomas on March 12, 2010 at 12:49pm

I don't want to sound hypocritical, because I know that you're on a learning curve yourself, Ben, but your review of Oedipus/ Antigone has left a funny taste in my mouth. In fact, reviewing youth theatre AT ALL kind of leaves a funny taste in my mouth. One girl responds to your review on Buzz with the argument (paraphrased) 'I can't believe you didn't like my show. I had an amazing time'. Surely she's absolutely right - youth theatre is a combination of skill learning and confidence building and having a laugh? Is it really the place for criticism that parts of the show were 'gratuitous' and that Oedipus was 'affable' rather than impassioned and looked 'uncomfortable'. Maybe he was uncomfortable on stage because he is a child not a professional actor? Just a thought. Maybe it was gratuitous because part of the nature of youth theatre is that everyone gets a role?

I know that Phil's work is fab and that it raises youth theatre to a level where we feel it should be reviewed, bringing a kind of directorial vision that isn't seen anywhere else in Wales. But even so, I would like to know if my gut feeling is a bit over the top or whether reviewing youth theatre is like criticising a charity fun runner for not having made Olympic time?

Comment by Julie Barclay on March 12, 2010 at 12:02pm

Thanks Ben, for the Blog plug... 'Blog Plug' - that sounds oddly like a blocked drain.Hopefully the blog doesnt read that way.