Thoughts on the Role of the Theatre Critic-Mark Douglass
As we close up shop, DITH reminds theater companies, and their audiences, that honest critics and reviewers are vital to live theater. When a company offered, and DITH accepted, so-called complimentary seats to a show, what was expected from the review?
The public expects that the review be an reflection of what the reviewer experienced. This styles the reviewer as a type of journalist. Local reviewer Gemma Wilson expressed it well in her “But Did You Like It” column in City Arts:
“Thoughtful, honest criticism can spread the word of the great work being made here to theatre-makers and consumers beyond our city limits. Inadequate criticism—whether it champions boring work, coddles subpar work or is just poorly written—hinders Seattle from becoming a top-tier theatre city.”
There are many performers, directors, and companies who welcomed our reviewers honest notes on their work. To the many companies, who always offered tickets and welcomed our reviewers—thank you for “grokking” the purpose and mission of DITH. And to our many readers, both in this trade and ticket-buyers, we hope our reviews shed light on the gems that twinkled and sparkled in theaters in a “hood” near you.
Mark Douglass, former reviewer, assistant Editor and Consiglieri