How to Write a Play Review

Play reviews should be at least three to at the most five pages long.  The earlier in the semester that you see a play, the less detailed you might be since you have not studied the elements.  Nevertheless, try to be as complete in answering the questions as possible.

Remember, this is a formal paper, so all the rules about spelling, grammar, citations, etc. apply.  Refer back to the Source Citation/Plagiarism pages if you need.

If you would like to download the questions, do so here:

Play Review Questions       [.doc] Right mouse click and then save to computer or disc.           

Below are the questions you will be referring to in your paper: 

Use the following questions to focus your play reviews.  Do not just give a blow-by-blow description of the plot.  Remember this is a paper; so follow the same rules as in ENG 100.

The point of this paper is to critique the play not just describe it.  If you just describe the plot to me, then you will be getting a grade of 59%.  Be sure to obtain a program and use it to correctly identify the play, authors, characters, etc.  Until you have read all of chapters 11 – 17 you will need to try your best to critique the play you have seen in the following areas: 

Basic Information

            What Theatre?

Location?

            What date and time?

            What play?

            Who was the author?

Script:  Try to identify the following.

            What was the major conflict, dramatic question, or unifying theme?

            What was the dominant tone of the play?  Serious?  Comic?  Ironic? Explain.

Directing:  Try to comment on the following.

            Was there an identifiable production concept, unifying metaphor, or interpretational approach?  If so, what was it and how was it manifested in the production?

Were all of the elements of the production compatible and coordinated? Explain.

If not, what seemed out of place or inadequately integrated with the rest?

Acting:  Choose at least two actors (male or female) to comment on in some depth.  Please spell actors’ and characters’ names correctly.

Were the roles appropriately cast? 

Were some actors inadequate to their roles?  In what ways? 

Were some actors especially effective?  If so, how and with what effect?

Were the actors audible?  Understandable?

            Were there any special skills (such as dancing, singing, fencing, playing a musical instrument) required of any of the actors?  If so, how effectively were the demands met?

Scenic Design:  Try to comment on the following.

            In what type of performance space was the production staged?

            What characteristics did the scenery embody?  What did the scenery convey about the play?

            How did the scenery contribute (or fail to contribute) to the total production?  What would have been lost if the scenery had been eliminated?

Costume Design and Makeup:  Try to comment on the following.

            Were there any special costume needs?  (historical, fantasy?etc.?) If so how well was it handled?

            Were there any special makeup needs?  (Same as above) If so how well was it handled?

            Overall, how did costumes and makeup contribute (or fail to contribute) to the total production?

Lighting Design and Sound:  Try to comment on the following.

                Were there any special lighting or sound needs?  If so how well was it executed?

    Overall, how did lighting and sound contribute (or fail to contribute) to the production concept and the total production?

Final Thoughts

            What was your overall impression of the performance?

            What was your overall impression of the experience?

            Any final thoughts?

To see reasons for your grade once the play review has been submitted and graded:

Grading Rubric for Play Reviews