While it is shocking that The Times chose to review a preview performance of Cumberbatch’s Hamlet, producers don't do themselves any favours by charging the same price for previews as post-opening performances, argues Mark Shenton.
Newspapers like to be first for the news – that's their business. But newspapers also have a place for more considered commentary, on their editorial comment, features and reviews pages. Sometimes,naturally, these areas get blurred: what critics think of the latest blockbuster film, or which movie star is treading the theatrical boards, can itself become news.
But there's (usually) respect for the process: movies aren't reviewed while they're still in the editing room, and theatre productions are not reviewed at the first preview – however much excitement is being generated around a show elsewhere, we wait our turn (except, in the case of Broadway's Spider-Man: Turn Off the Dark, the opening is postponed three times and we lose patience – and credibility – by not doing so; it finally opened after nearly six and a half months of previews)... Keep reading on The Stage
Newspapers like to be first for the news – that's their business. But newspapers also have a place for more considered commentary, on their editorial comment, features and reviews pages. Sometimes,naturally, these areas get blurred: what critics think of the latest blockbuster film, or which movie star is treading the theatrical boards, can itself become news.
But there's (usually) respect for the process: movies aren't reviewed while they're still in the editing room, and theatre productions are not reviewed at the first preview – however much excitement is being generated around a show elsewhere, we wait our turn (except, in the case of Broadway's Spider-Man: Turn Off the Dark, the opening is postponed three times and we lose patience – and credibility – by not doing so; it finally opened after nearly six and a half months of previews)... Keep reading on The Stage