an observation
just in the few new york shows i’ve seen, there’s such a huge difference between the way audiences watch a preview vs a show after opening night. i’ve seen previews of allegiance, the crucible, bright star, the robber bridegroom, and for all of them, as soon as the lights come up for intermission and at the end, it’s IMMEDIATELY opinions, opinions, opinions, all around.
like, i have opinions, obviously. but when it’s a preview and ***The Critics*** haven’t finished their homework, it’s like everyone feels compelled to fill in. the crucible was one of the most fucking affecting and powerful things i’ve ever seen, and when it ended i just existed for a moment with no real thoughts running through my brain (good theatre will make me think “wow that was good,” but the best theatre will, for a moment at least, make me forget that anything exists other than the world created onstage). but nah, the guy in front of me IMMEDIATELY started going on with “an absolute masterclass in performance, direction, production design…absolutely stunning. a MASTERCLASS.” like dude! let the play exist! it has nothing to do with your opinion! and then during the process of leaving the theatre, that was the attitude among a pretty significant amount of audience members. using popular idioms among critics to go on and on about how good it was. not how much it affected them, but how good it was. because apparently theatre is supposed to be viewed objectively, as if you’re a cold observer, not an individual human being who walks in with perspective and experience and tastes different from every other person in the audience.
and that sort of attitude was evident for every single preview i saw. as soon as the lights come up, it’s not even a few seconds before you start hearing some loudmouth’s opinion (imo males are usually the loudest and the first to jump in, but everyone participates). it’s only natural to want to talk about a show once it’s over, but specifically to only hear people talk about it in terms of How Good Or Bad It Was is so disheartening. there are other angles (and, from what i’ve observed, other angles tend to pop up once a show officially opens).
i think this attitude is a response to not being told how to react maybe? as a form of overcompensation? when the “official” opinions (the critics) haven’t put forth their thoughts, the audience is entirely unsure what to expect. they’re walking into the dark, and there’s no one holding their hand. maybe this reactionary approach is a defense mechanism. at least, that’s the best explanation i can come up with right now. and if i’m right, it just speaks to how over-valued the presence of critics are in the arts. i’m sure most of these audience members don’t read the new york times reviews every week, but like a virus, reviews are mentioned in passing and vaguely accounted for, and in a city as crowded as new york city, and in a culture as interconnected as elite wealthy broadway-goers, i’m sure everyone has SOME idea of what they’ve been told to think by the second official performance night.
so for the love of god, stop being so damn objective about theatre! stop pretending your opinion matters! critical thought is one thing (and i DEFINITELY encourage critical thought and discussion, at least once you’ve left the theatre), but isn’t there something to be said for bringing your own perspective and taste and experiences to the play? why try to put your own uniqueness aside when it could enhance your experience? attempting objectivity just inserts an extra layer between you and play, and it prevents you from falling head over heels.
here’s my approach to pretty much all art: in the time that i take it in, i enjoy it as much as possible. i stay as optimistic as i can from start to finish. if i’m going to give something my precious time and money, hell, i’m going to try my darndest to love it. even for stuff i expect to hate (for example, american idiot and motown the musical, two shows i LOVED). then, once it’s over, once i leave the theatre, i think back about why i fell in love, or why i enjoyed myself, or why i was squirming in my seat. THIS is critical thought: a reaction to your experience, not a substitute for it.
i’ve found this is the most rewarding approach to making the most out of the arts, particularly theatre. don’t go in with a book report mindset–enter the theatre with optimism, and be entirely prepared to let yourself go and fall in love.
and ignore the critics.
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I agree completely. It seems like some people just connect more readily with stories while others tend to be more...
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