What is a review?

A review is a subjective but educated response to a piece of theatre. The reviewer should have a
strong background in theatre so that their opinion is informed and credible.

What is the purpose of a review?

A review gives a potential audience member context for a production. Most people want to know
if they should spend their hard-earned money on a ticket. Is this show any good? If it is, what
makes it good? If it’s not, what makes the show falter?

What should we learn from a review?

A review should describe the situation of a play without giving too much information about the
plot. It should address the production elements individually and how they work together as a
whole. It should express an opinion supported by thoughtful analysis.

What are the parts of a review?

Consider this formula when setting up your review. You can also download this Review
Worksheet. The next time you have to write a review, use this worksheet as a guide.

Introduction: Sets up the play. Who is the playwright? What company is putting on this play?
What is the context of the production (school show, community theatre, touring show, Broadway)?

Execution: How is the play executed? What is the director’s vision? What is unique about the
interpretation? What’s the style? How do the individual parts fit together to make a whole?

Specifics: Is there anything unique about this production? Who is the director? What else have
they done? Who are the leads? Is this a premiere or a remount?

Opinion: Is the production successful in its execution? Why or why not? Is there something out of
place within the individual parts (lights, sound, set, costuming, vision, acting)? What stands out?
Does the acting bring the play to life? Does the vision suit the intention of the play?

Recommendation: Is this play worth seeing? Why or why not

Play Review Definition

A play review is one of the genres that is used for theatrical critique. The basis of any review is a
critical analysis of a performance, movie, or art. The play review is more about evaluation of
production than the text of the play. The reviewer should use acumen and balanced reflection to be
able to give valuable feedback as a part of the audience. To write a good review, the author should
watch the play and try to understand the director’s main idea that was transferred through staging,
the actors, and musical accompaniment.

The Purpose of a Play Review

A review is aimed to make an objective analysis of the performance and provide an opinion about
the quality of the performancE

November 2015 // At Oakland University

'Hamlet' Play Review
William Shakespeare's masterpiece, starring Benedict Cumberbatch

Nicole Diroff
William Shakespeare's Hamlet has certainly stood the test of time. It tells the tale about a young
prince attempting to avenge his father’s murder. It has been around for centuries and it is still
considered one of the greatest works of literature of all time. It was recently performed in London
and thanks to National Theatre Live, I was able to view a broadcast of it at the Michigan Theater.

The play was directed by Lindsey Turner and starred Benedict Cumberbatch as Prince Hamlet. It
was a fascinating production that featured some modern interpretations and phenomenal acting
from all of the players.

The lines were, of course, true to Shakespeare’s original. Turner, however, added some modern
adaptions through the props and costumes displayed. The play opens with Hamlet looking through
a photo album, while listening to a vinyl record. These two things reoccur often throughout the
play, especially with Ophelia, who seems to have picked up photography as a hobby. I am
normally not a huge fan of modernizing classics, however, these adaptions were quite tasteful
because there weren't too many modern objects in the play. The adaptations were also quite subtle
and blended very nicely into the production. The costumes were very modern as well. Take this
one, for example:
This is quite wonderful, actually. In the process of modernizing this classic, Turner was able to
insert something humorous. Everyone watching was able to laugh at Prince Hamlet wearing
something that so blatantly said ‘king’ on the back. Other fun costumes included Ophelia in
trousers and pants, and a hipster Horatio, who never took off his backpack. The costumes were
clearly chosen carefully, and they complemented each character greatly.

However, nothing formed each character into the masterpieces that they were, as greatly as the
actors were able to. This play had admirable acting from both the minor and major players. Siân
Brooke, who played Ophelia, was successfully able to transform her character from a beautiful,
young woman to a woman who has lost her sanity. Brooke perfectly embodied the visual
representation of Ophelia’s declining mind.

All of the actors were marvelous, but Benedict Cumberbatch was certainly the man of the hour.
From the very beginning when he began to cry over the memory of his father, it was clear that he
was ready to become Prince Hamlet for three hours. Cumberbatch delivered powerful lines and
powerful monologues with such passion that it made me happier than this play had ever made me,
and it reminded me that it will never be forgotten. He was also extremely capable of making the
audience laugh because, above all, Hamlet is one of the wittiest characters in all of literature.

This production of Hamlet is one that should not be missed. It is certainly something a
Shakespeare lover should see. If you were unable to see it, you’re not out of luck because the
Michigan Theater has announced that they will be showing it again in January.

thoughtful analysis of the production. Your opinion on the play should be supported by a
discussion of the production elements and how they worked together as a whole.
The review should also describe the situation or plot of the play without giving too information to
the reader. Avoid spoiling any plot twists or turns for potential audience members in your review.
Image titled Write a Play Review Step 2
2
Look at the traditional structure of a play review. The standard play review contains five
paragraphs. There are other approaches you can use, such as comparing two plays in one review or
writing longer reviews for one play. But traditionally, a play review will analyze several elements
of the production in five paragraphs, including:[2]
Paragraph 1: Your introductory paragraph should describe what you saw on stage. You should also
give context for the play, such as the playwright or composer of the play and where the play is
being staged.
Paragraph 2: Briefly summarize the plot of the play.
Paragraph 3: Discuss the acting and directing. React to the performers playing the characters in the
play.
Paragraph 4: Describe the design elements of the production, such as the lighting, sound,
costumes, make up, and set and props.
Paragraph 5: React to the play as a whole. Would you recommend the play to potential audience
members? You can also include a recommendation, like a star rating or a thumbs up/thumbs down.
Image titled Write a Play Review Step 3
3
Read and analyze review examples. Do a google search of local plays in your city that have
reviews online. Pick up a newspaper and check the Arts & Culture section for play reviews. You
can also access example reviews online.[3][4] Read the review(s) and ask yourself:[5]
How does the reviewer structure her review? Does the review follow the traditional structure, with
an introduction in paragraph 1, a plot summary in paragraph 2, a discussion of acting and directing
in paragraph 3, a discussion of the production elements in paragraph 4, and an overall critique in
paragraph 5?
Compare two reviews of the same play. How do the reviews compare and contrast? Are they
structured differently or have different critiques of the play?
Is the reviewer overly critical of the play? Does their analysis seem well supported by scenes in
the play, or a discussion of design elements of the play?
How does the reviewer wrap up the review? Is there a recommendation at the end of the article,
such as a star rating or a thumbs up/thumbs down?
4
Read the play you are going to review, if possible. If you are reviewing a popular play, like
“Hamlet” or “The Little Shop of Horrors”, you should be able to find a hard copy of the play.
Newer or more obscure plays may be harder to find in hard copy. Reading the play will help you
get familiar with the subject matter and how it appears on the page before you see the production
live.
Note the stage directions, the setting notes, and the line breaks or pauses in the dialogue.
Pick out any problematic points in the play that you might want to watch for during the
production. For example, if you’re going to see Shakespeare’s “Hamlet”, you may make a note of
ways the director might stage the pivotal Ophelia drowning scene. Or if you are going to a musical
like “The Little Shop of Horrors”, you might note how the director will transition from the song
numbers to the dialogue in the production.
Your instructor may also ask you to pay particular attention to certain elements, like the lighting or
the costumes, so make sure you are prepared to recognize them.
5
Get a sense of the context of the production. You don’t want to do too much research around the
production as it may influence your viewing experience. But you should have a sense of the
context of the production; which theater company is putting it on, who is directing the play, and
what liberties, if any, have they taken with the original content.[6]
For example, you may be seeing a version of “Hamlet” that is set in contemporary times and
integrates technology in the production. Or you may be seeing a production of “The Little Shop of
Horrors” that is set in a record store, rather than a theater. This setting change will change the
context of the play, and you should then note how the setting choice is used in the production in
your review.

1
Look at the play’s program. Try to get to the theater or production setting 15 minutes before show
time. Flip through the play’s program. Look for a director’s note and the cast biographies. You
should also check if there are any understudy replacements for the production, especially if the
show is promoting itself based on the popularity of a certain performer.[7]
Note if there are any write ups in the program about a directorial choice, like setting “Hamlet” in
contemporary times. There may also be notes on the lighting or the sound design. Don't: judge the
premise of the play based on your personal tastes. Your readers can decide for themselves whether
it appeals to them.
Do: consider the goals behind production decisions and be prepared to evaluate whether the play
achieves them.
2
Take notes during the show. Its important to write down any striking details during the production.
But try not to bury your head in your notebook during the entire production. You may miss certain
details or a key moment. Use the intermission, which usually happens between acts in a play, to
take more detailed notes. Consider:[8]
The set design. Look at design elements like lighting, sound, costumes, makeup, and props.
The acting and directing of the production. If a certain casting choice seems important, write it
down. If a line of dialogue strikes you, make a note of it. Look at the way the actors say their
dialogue and move around the stage. Are they serious, comedic, formal? Do they use modern
slang or speech, even though the play was originally set in an older time period?
Any “special effects” used, such as special lighting, sound or technology. Note if the production
also uses audience participation to keep the audience engaged.
Right after the performance, you should jot down any concluding notes, including your initial
impressions of the production and how successful or unsuccessful you think the production was.
3
Write a rough draft of the review right after you have seen the production. The longer you wait,
the less you’ll remember your experience of the play. Remember your role as a critic is to
describe, analyze, and judge. In your review, you will need to:[9]
Describe what you saw in detail and make the reader see what you see. Be specific and thorough
in your descriptions.
Analyze what you think the director or designer was trying to achieve. Why do you think they
designed the movements, lights, sounds effects, and costumes a certain way? What do you think
they were trying to make the audience feel or think?
Judge how effective the play was as a whole. Don’t be afraid to give an honest opinion of the
production but be sure you can back up your critique in the body of your review (paragraphs 2-4).
Don't: make your personal opinion the main feature.
Do: state your opinion honestly, grounded in specific points.
4
Create a strong hook or line to open the review. You may start with a summary of the play if it is a
re-staging of a production your audience is familiar with.[10]
For example, in this review of “The Little Shop of Horrors”, the reviewer begins with the line:
“This Fringe classic pops up most years, with songs such as ‘Somewhere That’s Green’ and ‘Don’t
Feed The Plants’ bringing the house down.”[11]
This opening line works because it allows the reader to dive right in. In one line, the reviewer has
introduced the play, noted the play is a “classic” and told the reader it is a popular musical.
You can also start with a hook that challenges the audience’s expectations of a familiar production.
For example, in this review of “The Little Shop of Horrors”, the reviewer begins with the line:
“Not many musicals will issue you with a sing-a-long book with the lyrics to chorus numbers so
you can join in, but this interactive production of The Little Shop of Horrors has a few surprises in
store.”[12]
This hook works because it tells you that the play is a unique take on a classic production and is
interactive. Don't: write an exciting hook that has nothing to do with the rest of your review.
Do: take risks with bold statements or an unusual opening.
5
Answer who, what, where, and when in paragraph 1. The introductory paragraph should cover
basic information about the play, including:
The full title of the play.
Where did you see the show? Name the theater or setting where you saw the play.
When did you see the show? Maybe it was opening night, or the last week of the show’s run. Be
specific about the exact date you saw the show.
Who wrote the show? Who directed the show? Name the playwright, the director, and the name of
the production company.
If the show is a restaging of an existing play, such as “The Little Shop of Horrors” or “Hamlet”,
you should note this in your introduction. If the show is a new or original production, you should
also note this.

Discuss the plot in paragraph 2. Briefly summarize the plot of the play, including the setting, the
main characters, and the story arc of the characters. Try to keep the summary to one or two lines.
You should give the reader just enough information to get a general sense of the play’s plot.[13]
For example, you may summarize the plot of “The Little Shop of Horrors” with: “The Little Shop
of Horrors is such an entertaining musical because of its hilarious plot involving a plant which
grows to an incredible size and the romantic love story of Seymour and Audrey.”[14]
7
Talk about the acting and directing in paragraph 3. React to the performers playing the characters
in the play. Use their real names and their character names. Write about the acting based on
questions such as:[15]
Were the performers believable? Did their relationships or chemistry with the other characters
seem natural and appropriate? Did the performers stay in character throughout the play?
Did the performers have a vocal quality (volume and articulation) that fit the context of the play?
Did their body movements and gestures stay true to the character they were playing?
Were the performers engaging and interesting to watch? If so, why did you find them engaging?
For example, in your review of “The Little Shop of Horrors” you may note: “The main credits of
this production go to the lead roles Cath Snowball (as Audrey) and Chris Rushmere York as
Seymour who created a really tangible but very shy and coy chemistry.”[16]Don't: discuss an
actor's personal appearance or insult to the point of cruelty.
Do: describe misguided or failed performances honestly.
8
Analyze the design elements of the play in paragraph 4. The design elements are a big part of a
production and should be discussed in detail in your review. Focus your analysis on:[17][18]
The set and the props: Did they establish the correct mood for the play? Did they add to the
development of the characters, the plot, and the setting? Were they convincing and well-made?
Did the blocking on stage make sense? Blocking means how the actors are positioned on stage
within the set. Were there any awkward movements by the actors on stage? Did the set help or
hinder the performances?
The lighting: Did the lights convey a mood that fit with the tone of the play? Did they draw
attention to characters or props that seemed important in the play?
The costumes and the make up: Did the costumes and the make up of the performers suit the time
period of the show? Was there a unique approach to the costumes or the make up that affected the
context of the play?
The sound: How did the music, if any, contribute to the show’s mood? Were there sound effects
used in the show, and if so, how did they add to the production? If you are reviewing a musical,
you should note if there was a live orchestra or if the music was pre recorded, and how that
affected the tone of the play overall.
Try to be as detailed as possible in your discussion of the design elements. For example, in a
review of “The Little Shop of Horrors”, you may note: “A quirky directorial decision was to have
the props and cast in grey scale. These performers were caked in grey and black make up to
contrast the monstrous green plant as it ate people alive, growing bigger and bigger as the play
went on.”[19]
9
React to the play as a whole in paragraph 5. Here is where your final critique should be in the
review. Avoid clichéd phrases like “the play was bad” or “the production wasn’t very
entertaining.” Instead state your opinion of the performance as a whole, and show why your
response to the play is valid and significant. The rest of your review should support your overall
judgment of the play.[20][21]
Note if the audience seemed attentive and interested throughout the performance. Also point to
any possible adjustments or changes that could have been made to the production to make it
stronger or more engaging.
For example, you may note: “Though the production was clearly taking some creative risks by
having all the performers in greyscale, not bringing in bright green plants for the show-stopping
“Something Green” number felt like a missed opportunity to capitalize on this contrast.”
Leave your reader with a clear sense of your opinion on the play and with more questions than
answers about the play. For example, you may wrap up your review of “The Little Shop of
Horrors” with: “This new production takes some creative risks and emphasizes the singing skills
of the performers, who manage to pull off this tale of love and a monster plant with passion and
conviction.”