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play the critic

Play the Critic

Plat the Critic was developed by Eastside in partnership with Mousetrap Theatre Projects and supports sixth form and college students (aged 16+) to review theatre productions, dance performances, concerts and art exhibitions. The programme develops participants' critical thinking and analysis skills and helps students to express their thoughts and opinions in writing, extending their use of theatre, dance and art terminology and developing a language of art criticism. The project supports young people who have difficulty deconstructing artistic experiences and expressing their views about what they've seen. Play The Critic offers students a masterclass in how to write reviews. These classes are led by theatre critics and professional writers, together with a director, choreographer or curator and after the masterclass, the students each select live performances or exhibitions to attend, which they will then review, adhering to a set word limit (350 -500 words), akin to a published newspaper review. Critics then visit the schools and have individual tutorials with the students where they offer help and advice to improve or refine each student's work. Some of the most respected theatre critics including Michael Coveney (Daily Mail), Michael Billington (Guardian), Lyn Gardner (Guardian), Kate Bassett (Independent), Paul Taylor (Independent), Charles Spencer (Telegraph), Carol Woddis (Glasgow Herald) and Matt Woolf (Variety), have all taken part and helped students to develop a confident writing style of their own. Play The Critic also aims to develop an appreciation and enjoyment of theatre, dance and art amongst young people and encourages students to attend performances and exhibitions independently. A Play The Critic teachers' resource pack is also available, which contains helpful advice and information on writing reviews, crib sheets, discussion topics and further activities. To get involved or to find out more - please contact us. 

Play The Critic - Guardian Education feature