Importance of Being Earnest?

The tenor of the theater reviews of late, leads me to believe that we are taking ourselves too seriously as critics, way too seriously. In an effort to improve both the objectivity and the spirit of the reviews, I have the following suggestions:

Have more than one critic cover a play, and stagger the coverage over the run. The theater and the public would benefit from the balanced reporting and since shows change (many for the better, some for the worse) patrons would have a more accurate assessment of what is being performed at any given time. The Broad Street Review in Philadelphia sometimes sends several reviewers to cover the same play, each at different times; and we could certainly do the same here. While we don't have a cadre of reviewers on staff at this site, Mrs. Drama-Urge has indicated her willingness to correct perceived errors in my own postings, sigh, and has volunteered her services. In the interest of maintaining marital harmony, I'm inclined to take up her offer.

Put the critics on the hot seat for a night. London has (or had) a custom of letting the theater community take shots at these finicky arbiters of taste, and it's generally been a positive experience for all. At the very least we critics would get to feel what it's like to be on the receiving end of a bad review, and at the best it would break down barriers between us. This is, after all, show business we're covering, not the White House!

Let the actors put on an annual skit for all the people sitting in judgment of them, just like they do at the end of the term in many professional schools. This is a great way of blowing off steam, giving everyone from the humble to the high and mighty an opportunity to laugh at him or herself. Actors can impersonate critics and their editors (if any such exist), directors and agents, and members of the Helen Hayes Awards Committee (if we can bring them to light).

The public events might be organized as fundraisers to benefit the theaters at large and members of the acting community. It's guaranteed to stir up interest in what we all care about most - The Theater - and, who knows, it may result in an uptick at the box office. To that end I say: Send in the Clowns.

Send me your thoughts at John@DramaUrge.com