How to Write a Play Review

We’ve all seen those reviews. The ones that rip the theatre production up one side and down the other. They criticize the scenery and the script. They suggest that the leads take up basket weaving, since acting isn’t their thing. It’s enjoyable because we’re not the one being criticized. But it can also make you feel queasy, like you ate too much fried food. It’s not that nice to read about the total destruction of others.

When it comes to writing a theatrical review, that kind of lambasting isn’t necessary. Cruelty is not something we want to teach students when it comes to analyzing a piece of theatre. There is a difference between being critical and being cruel.

How To Write a Play Review

Follow these steps with your students.

Step One
Start by discussing the definition, purpose, and objective of a review in a professional theatre context.

• What is a review? A review is a subjective but educated response to a piece of theatre. The professional reviewer should have a strong background in theatre so that their opinion is informed, objective, and credible.
• What is the purpose of a review? A review gives a potential audience member context for a production. Most people want to know if they should spend their hard-earned money on a ticket. Is this show any good? If it is, what makes it good? If it’s not, what makes it falter?
• What should we learn from a review? A review should describe the situation of a play without giving too much information about the plot. It should address the production elements individually and how they work together as a whole. It should express an opinion supported by thoughtful analysis.

Step Two
Ask students: What’s the difference between a well-written review and a poorly-written one? Highlight the following:

• Is the reviewer able to discern the vision of the production and the execution of that vision?
• Is the reviewer able to analyze the production in terms other than like/dislike?
• Is the reviewer able to see the production’s value and/or appeal despite their subjective response?
• Does the reviewer support their views with examples? If they don’t like an actress’ performance do they explain why? Do they offer evidence to support their opinions?
• Does the reviewer let their personal opinion of a play colour their review?
• Does the reviewer acknowledge the audience’s reaction, particularly if it differs from their own?

Step Three
Have students compare and contrast three reviews of the same show by different reviewers. A Broadway production would give you a wide variety. Look for different types of reviews as well (e.g., YouTube video, longstanding newspaper review, blog post). Decide if you’ll have students research and choose their own reviews (if devices are allowed or you have access to computers) or if you’ll choose the reviews and share them on a screen.

Note: If you have a class with little theatre experience and want more buy-in, use a movie as your source material.

Go through the reviews and have students reflect on the following in their journals or on a separate piece of paper:

• Is the review positive or negative? How do you know?
• Is the reviewer objective or subjective with their review? How do you know?
• How did this reviewer use (or not use) their expertise to share their experience of the play?
• Did they explain why they liked or didn’t like something?
• Do you like when a review is overly critical? Why or why not?
• What does each review tell you about the reviewer?

Step Four
Now it’s time to practice! Have students use a specific play review formula like this one. Click below for a Play Review Worksheet with the same categories.

• Introduction: Set up the play. Who is the playwright? What company is putting on this play? What is the context of the production (school show, community theatre, touring show, Broadway)?
• Execution: How is the play executed? What is the director’s vision? What is unique about the interpretation? What’s the style? How do the individual parts fit together to make a whole?
• Specifics: Is there anything unique about this production? Who is the director? What else have they done? Who are the leads? Is this a premiere or a remount?
• Opinion: Is the production successful in its execution? Why or why not? Is there something out of place within the individual parts (lighting, sound, set, costuming, vision, acting)? What stands out? Does the acting bring the play to life? Does the vision suit the intention of the play?
• Recommendation: Is this play worth seeing? Why or why not?

What about when you’re going to see a show? How do you approach a show knowing you’re going to write a review?

You can have students practice with school shows, shows from other schools, recorded versions of professional plays. The more they practice, the more comfortable they will be with expressing criticism in a constructive manner.

How should students prepare before, during, and after the show?