This month Theatre Scotland turns four years old. How did that happen? The last four years have been a wild adventure, hundreds of shows have been covered, we have expanded our team, we have had many (questionable) logos and now we feel we have found where we sit in this ever changing landscape. Reviewing isn’t easy, it doesn’t fill your pocket and it isn’t something which can just be picked up as a hobby, especially with how we have developed since September 2019. Consistently we have set goals in an attempt to push our wee website further. Over time we have realised that our main strength is a balance between promoting the huge touring productions and nurturing the underdogs, supporting local theatres, companies and artists to help promote their work. And we continue to develop this balance through new initiatives that over the next year will expand further (keep an eye out for an announcement later in the year).
Whilst we are still practically babies in this industry (I tell myself that at the age of twenty-six), we recognise and understand those who have put their work in to get where they are today. There are critics out there who have been doing this for 30 plus years and the new reviewing landscape now mixes their creditability with those who have kickstarted their reviewing journey through social media and online. Whilst this is a different journey, it is still one which needs drive, understanding of the industry and above all a passion for theatre. Opinions differentiate from reviewer to reviewer, it doesn’t matter whether it’s through physical or online mediums, not every critic is going to have the same perspective of a production. No matter their experience. There is also different styles of reviewing and coverage, some casual and some more so keeping within the traditions of theatre reviewing. However, I don’t believe that is something which should cause friction or conflict between critics in our industry. I believe debate is healthy and I hope in the future to work with fellow critics from various outlets on podcasts and articles which delve into our history and passion for theatre. Our similarities should connect us rather than our differences fragmenting us.
I appreciate all within this industry and the work they put in to cover theatre in Scotland and the rest of the UK. No matter if they are a blog or national paper, they type or write away their perspective on productions, giving coverage for audiences, marketing teams and also for fellow reviewers to read. I enjoy reading various perspectives and seeing what worked for them and what didn’t. When I first started out in 2017 with OnStage Blog, I looked to other reviewers for inspiration on style and also for judging the appropriate merit of stars for each production. Through that time those I now see regularly on press evenings helped influence my practice and without them I wouldn’t be where I am today. Therefore there is a gratitude there. But that is my journey, others may have different beginnings.
I don’t believe there should be any form of gatekeeping, it’s not our position to do so. If a theatre or production feels that a site, blog, social media page will benefit their production’s marketing campaign then it is their decision. And it is unfair for fellow critics to belittle other reviewers presence or accreditation because they do not believe in their writing style or opinion. That creates discomfort and makes an inhospitable environment for those who are doing the same as you, perhaps for less or no money.
I must confess, despite seeing some disappointing interactions on social media between other reviewers, I haven’t experienced any hostility from fellow critics at press evenings. However, I don’t believe it is something which should be encouraged or brought into further debate. We all work to the same ends in this industry, sometimes that can be stressful (although not at the moment, I’m currently typing this from a sun lounger in Greece, recuperating from Fringe) and we all should respect the dedication each individual brings. Be kind to your fellow reviewers. As much as a luxury it may seem, for those who cannot afford it as a full time career, it can be a challenging part time job which involves a lot of juggling.
We all do it for the same bliss, sitting in a theatre, watching the performers, creatives and tech teams create magic, which to all ends should be our common appreciation. We shouldn’t stop someone from that experience due to their journey differentiating from our own.
Theatre Scotland 