January 17, 2014

WHY THEATREVIEW AVOIDS THE STAR SYSTEM IN RATING REVIEWS

John Smythe      posted 17 Jan 2014, 09:40 AM

Lyn Garner’s Theatre Blog in The Guardian explores the vexed question of star ratings and confirms for Theatreview’s managing editor why we should not go there.

GREAT EXPECTATIONS: DOES A THREE-STAR THEATRE REVIEW PUT YOU OFF?

When critics give a show three stars, it may not be great for sales, but nor should it deter audiences from buying a ticket.

Before the arrival of star ratings, regular theatregoers would read a review and become expert at reading between the lines. If the show sounded interesting, then perhaps they would turn a blind eye to the more negative comments. Indeed, those who read any critic regularly will know that negatives from that particular voice may well be real positives from their point of view.

The role of the critic comes with many responsibilities, but while inevitably our reviews function as a consumer guide to some extent, I certainly don’t see it as my role to sell tickets. That’s what marketing departments are for. I’ve written about that before in some detail here

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