Date: Sun, 16 Aug 1998 22:26:21 -0400 (EDT)
From: Nettieee@AOL.COM
Subject: This Play
To: mspt@asu.edu
MIME-version: 1.0
Dear Mr. Turvin,
I just want to let you know that I feel your review of this play to be rather harsh. Yes there are problems with the play and opening night is certainly an example, but to review so harshly....
I think if anything you should note that the actors were never given the opportunity to rehearse in the theatre until opening night, so there in itself is a problem. So that would explain your "under rehearsed feel".
These men and women worked hard on this play and the director as well. I think they deserve a little bit of credit for having pulled this off under the conditions that they were forced to work.
Now do take note, I am far from being a critic, but to read your words ......they were just too harsh.
Thank you in advance for your time in reading this.
Date: Sun, 16 Aug 1998 22:31:42 -0400 (EDT)
From: Nettieee@AOL.COM
Subject: This Play
To: mspt@asu.edu
MIME-version: 1.0
The Play I was referring too (sic) was directed by Robert King, i do believe.
Date: Mon, 17 Aug 1998 08:56:18 -0400 (EDT)
Dear Sir/Madame,
I can only assume that "This Play" refers to the Mesa Little Theatre production of No Sex Please, We're British. I want to warn you in advance, your comments will be posted on my website, and linked to the review, similar to a "Letter to the Editor." Any additional comments you have to make will be added to this. I have several points to make in defense of my review.
First, I appreciate the feedback, but I prefer to know the name of the person that I am being critiqued by. I tend to take more stock in the comments.
Second, the person who attended the show with me, another theatre professional, thought I was too LENIENT, believe it or not. She felt that I was trying too hard to not upset the people involved with or producing the show, and that I wasn't honest about just how bad it was. And I'm sorry, but if you're going to charge full price for a dress rehearsal, which this evening had the feel of, then this must be noted to paying ticketholders beforehand.
Third, I did know about there being only two rehearsals on the stage before opening night (not "never given the opportunity to rehearse in the theatre until opening night," as you insist) thanks to two friends involved with the show, and the fact remains, it is not my job to know and acknowledge the problems of a production prior to the evening I'm reviewing, (though I did this tacitly with the "under-rehearsed feel" comment) but to judge the final product that has been put before the public. If a show is not ready to go up, the company is doing a disservice to their audience as well as those involved with the production.
Fourth, I have had three of the lead actors (one of them a friend of mine who was afraid of my being in the audience), call me up and remark about how fair they thought my criticism was. They, too, realized that they weren't ready, and felt that my observations were correct, and applauded me on not truly "ripping them to shreds," as even they felt was an acceptable choice for me, considering the problems of the production that evening.
Finally, I have learned one thing about reviewing some of the smaller community theatres. I will attend on the second weekend (assuming that they're performing for three weekends). That will give the show a chance to come together more. Although this goes against my beliefs as a theatre professional (paying audiences should not have to pay to see rehearsals), it is one of the kindnesses and leniencies I will grant to community theatres, since this is where I originally discovered my love of theatre.
Rebuttals welcomed,
Mark S.P. Turvin, Theatre Critic for:
1) Aisle Say--The Internet Magazine of Stage Reviews and Opinions
2) AARO--Arizona Art Review Online
3) Backstage Newspapers
Member of the American Theatre Critics Association®