Reviewing etiquette -- blogs

[Calvin]

Posted: 11/15/06 at 10:39am

As we know, it's pretty much an accepted practice for people on this board (including myself, on rare occasions) to post full-out reviews of shows while they're still in previews. It was an accepted practice long before I came along, and I'm not going to question it, particularly since most people who read this board regularly know the difference between a preview and a post-opening show.

Should this apply to blogs as well? I normally I wouldn't think much of it because my blog, for example, is mostly for my own purposes and a few friends who read it, so I don't expect anyone besides them to read most of what I post. The other day, however, I had written something about a show in previews and got a note from someone close to the production. It seems she found my site thanks to a Google alert about the show.

So, if blogs are treated like any other news source by Google, the dominant search engine, should bloggers use the same courtesy as the print media and wait until a show opens to post a review?

[luvtheEmcee]

Posted: 11/15/06 at 10:52am

What if they just made sure to highlight that a performance was a preview, and to explain what that was? If the concern is that the general public will be reading and might not understand, then couldn't that cut down on the problem? I don't know. Bloggers aren't critics, so I don't think they should be held to the same standards; but on the flip side, nor is that to say that it's okay for someone in the print media to see and review a preview as long as he or she explicitly writes that the show is still a work in progress.

[Calvin]

Posted: 11/15/06 at 10:54am

That was kind of my thought, em -- that maybe in the future, I should preface anything like that with a standard "this a preview" disclaimer.

[manderson05]

Posted: 11/15/06 at 11:02am

The thing is more and more people are turning to bloggers for their reviews of shows. So people within the theater community want bloggers to be held to the same rules as the actual print media.

m

[HughE2030]

Posted: 11/15/06 at 11:05am

When publicists start inviting bloggers to press night, then the blog is a news source; otherwise review away. I wouldn't have bought tickets to Mary Poppins had I not read the review on these boards.



Confessions of a Celebrity Stalker

[frontrowcentre2]

Posted: 11/15/06 at 11:25am

As long as you state that your review was based on a preview (maybe even nting the date) it's fine.

If you are a member of the invited press, they usually will not issue tickets until the opening. But unless you are a member of one of the theatre reviewers groups you are not part of that select group of invitees.

I have a little more problem with people labeling their threads "the official X review." As far as I am concerned only the actual reviewers for BWW should be doing "official" reviews.

Headings like "My review of XX.." or "My thoughts on X.." are fine.

[avab802]

Posted: 11/15/06 at 11:57am

When publicists start inviting bloggers to press night, then the blog is a news source; otherwise review away.

My thoughts exactly. A blogger is not a professional critic, and the Google alert system is not flawless. I've had blogs and even the occasional messageboard post pop up on a Google alert for a performer. Saying someone cannot review a preview performance on their blog is like saying we can't talk about a preview performance on a messageboard.

[AC126748]

Posted: 11/15/06 at 4:46pm

I will say what I've always said on this subject: if admission is being charged to see a show, then making your opinions public is fair game, be it the first preview or the very last performance. If a friend asked me what I thought of a show, I wouldn't say to them, "Well, it's still in previews, so I don't want to comment." I'd say what I thought, positive or negative, and I don't think posting those views on a blog or message board is any different.

[RyanDavis]

Posted: 11/15/06 at 5:09pm

Dead on. If you are being invited by the press reps of a show - obviously obey those rules. If not, review whenever you want.

[luvtheEmcee]

Posted: 11/15/06 at 6:00pm

I think it's not so clear-cut. The internet is both a blessing and a curse, I think; and in the sense that it's a beautiful thing and a great way to engage the audience outside of the theater, yes, blog whenever you want. But there's also absolutely no denying that when abused, it becomes extremely harmful to a lot of shows. So because of that, I don't think it's too much to ask that people use a bit more care and common sense when they blog. This doesn't mean I think people should filter their thoughts to appease those in the industry, but be sensitive to the fact that people who may not be all that informed might be reading the blogs for information.

[jrb_actor]

Posted: 11/15/06 at 6:08pm

The internet is causing much evolution in our society--look at how blogs have affected the political landscape. Who knows where this issue will end up?

I think anyone who reviews a show in previews should say so. Let your audience know it's a work in progress whether you are sharing your thoughts via a blog, a thread, or a conversation.

It's about being respectful and educated about the artform and the process.

[justme2]

Posted: 11/15/06 at 6:17pm

This is a great discussion, and one close to my heart. These reviews of preview performances (especially the "review" posted 10 minutes after the curtain falls on the first preview performance of an out of town tryout of a show that still has three months of work before it even starts rehearsals in New York)have caused many to question what is right to do.

JRB's comment sums it up perfectly:
"It's about being respectful and educated about the artform and the process."

So many times these posts start out with comments like "I know it's in previews...BUT...and then goes on to rip a show to threads and claim it's junk and will never make it so don't even think about wasting your money when it opens 6 months from now"

I question what this poster knows about the process of working out of town, previewing, etc.