Guidelines for Writing Play Reviews
-Identify the date, time and theatre where the performance you attended occurred. Also, the type of play: drama, comedy, tragedy, musical comedy, mystery thriller, farce, etc.
-Name the playwright, the director, the designers and the actors and their roles. Note: Don’t confuse the actor’s name with the character’s name.
-Give a brief synopsis of the plot, preferably in one or two paragraphs. But please avoid writing a play review that is only a plot summary.
-Explain how the play exemplifies the playwright’s theme, argument or idea. Discuss the use of language, situation, theatrical effects or conventions, etc.
-Determine whether the director and the designers realize the playwright’s intentions. Is the performance easy to follow?
-Discuss in some detail one actor’s performance, determining his or her effectiveness in his or her role. Did you believe him or her as the character?
-Conclude your review by letting your reader know whether you enjoyed the play or performance, and whether you would recommend the play for someone else to see.
