Five stars? I give it forty winks! What to do when critics fall asleep
Mark Shenton confesses to occasionally falling asleep while reviewing a play and talks about the implications of this occupational hazard.
Earlier this week, Fiona Mountford, theatre critic for the Evening Standard, raised the question: “I am so tired of seeing some male critics asleep in the stalls. I have never seen a female critic asleep while she’s reviewing, so why does this imbalance continue?”
But this is not a gender issue: I have seen female critics nodding off. Rather, it’s an occupational hazard. And with the Edinburgh Fringe now upon us, incidences of critical shut-eye are likely to increase, as critics – like everyone else at the festival – see too much, and have too many late nights and early mornings, with shows available to review at any time of the day. The Traverse day, for example, starts with plays from 10am, with last shows starting at 10pm. Other venues start even earlier and end even later... Keep reading on The Stage
Earlier this week, Fiona Mountford, theatre critic for the Evening Standard, raised the question: “I am so tired of seeing some male critics asleep in the stalls. I have never seen a female critic asleep while she’s reviewing, so why does this imbalance continue?”
But this is not a gender issue: I have seen female critics nodding off. Rather, it’s an occupational hazard. And with the Edinburgh Fringe now upon us, incidences of critical shut-eye are likely to increase, as critics – like everyone else at the festival – see too much, and have too many late nights and early mornings, with shows available to review at any time of the day. The Traverse day, for example, starts with plays from 10am, with last shows starting at 10pm. Other venues start even earlier and end even later... Keep reading on The Stage