Peter J. Hill explains why no one will review Theater Works' Under Milk Wood
Mark S.P. Turvin
(home office) (602) 912-0117
I can be reached for comment via e-mail at: mspt@goldfishpublishers.com
Received 9/3/00. Responded to 9/5/00.

To: mspt@goldfishpublishers.com
Date: Sun, 3 Sep 2000 21:16:08 -0700
Subject: Reviews
From: Fountain_Hills_Community_Theater

Mark;

Just ran across your website. I know you believe that you are being open and brave by inviting criticism of your performance in 'Under Milkwood', but apparently you haven't thought this through. You're surprised that you haven't received any signed reviews of your show? Let's see... You regularly review local actors and now you expect them to attach their names to what might be an unkind or negative review? They can review you once but you can take revenge on them many times after they've given their opinion. Perhaps you wouldn't, but what actor in his right mind would risk that? And you don't understand why no one is reponding?

I haven't seen 'Under Milkwood', but I've heard good things and you might be great, but how can you expect any kind of honest evaluation out of people who believe they may be your target afterwards?

Good luck on the rest of the run.

Peter Hill

Peter,

Thank you for taking the time both to visit my website, and to offer a view of why no one had reviewed the show up to the final weekend. The tally to this point is one review, by a local actress who offered solid constructive criticism after I had given a balanced review of her in a prior production at Theater Works. That review, as well as this letter and response, will be posted on Wednesday.

I would like to counter one of your points by saying I did spend quite a bit of time thinking this through, and always suspected that this would be the outcome. I completely understand local actors' reticence and fears of retribution, though I hope most people who read my reviews consistently know that I cling to the standard of "fairness" almost to obsession. It was for this reason that I felt I should give the community an opportunity to offer the same type of criticism that I offer them.

I chose to act in a legitimate stage production, after a decade away from performing in anything other than interactive dinner theatre, so that I could broaden my perspective as a critic, and hopefully give even more legitimacy to my critiques. I would have been remiss to not offer the opportunity to the theatre community (producers, directors, playwrights, and designers, as well as actors) their chance to be heard. I'm just sorry that more people did not take the risks that I did in returning to the stage.

I wish you a successful season, and please give my best to Noël.

Cheers,
Mark S.P. Turvin

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