How to Write a Play Review

Despite the vast popularity of short content (quick videos and TV series broken down into small episodes), theater is still not dead and plays attract as many viewers as before. Soi, if you thought that writing a play review was a thing of the past already, you were largely mistaken. But why would someone need to write a review for a theatrical play? For starters, to inform the potential audience about what they are going to pay money for; whether a play does or does not contain controversial scenes; or whether it is worth attending, at least. Your goal as a reviewer is to give the audience an accurate opinion of the play and to provide them with a context regarding it: actors, decorations, the director, dialogues, the script, and so on. 

 

Before Learning How to Write a Theater Review – Watch The Play

We get that you are eager to start writing, however, the preparation is equally as important as the writing process itself. Moreover, there are a few things you should consider even before watching the play, that can help you organize your writing process more effectively.

First of all, you need to note the key details: the name of the show, its director, costume designer, and writer. You can find all of this online or by looking at the brochure which can usually easily be found at the theater. Now, we suggest you take a small notebook with you (as phones are not allowed to be used during the play) where you can jot down the answers to the following questions regarding the show:

• What kind of play is it, and what is it about? 
• What is its performance style? 
• Is the play based on a novel (or any other type of literature)?
• Is there a film adaptation of this play?
• Who are the main actors, the supporting actors? 
• How good is it (both in terms of the text and the actors’ performance)?
• Describe aspects of the performance in detail. 
• What was your and the audience’s response to the theater experience?
• Is the script complicated or complemented with the use of special effects, flashbacks, recurring image motifs, lights, staging, or other visual elements?

These are just the major questions that you can answer either as you are watching the play or after the show. Additionally, if you read the script before going to the theater, you can also compare the performance with the written text. In this case, you will need to touch upon a) whether the production realized the full potential of the script, and b) whether the actors fit into the character description you had in mind.

Other Things to Consider

We told you what you need to concentrate on when watching the play, but in reality, the research you do beforehand is also highly important. A bit of background research can help you understand the show much better without clouding your judgment. Try to learn a bit about the theater company and the director’s past projects, if available. When you arrive, take a moment to read through the play’s program—look for the director’s note and the cast biographies, which can shed light on the creative choices behind the production.

During the performance, let your immediate reactions guide your note-taking. Jot down memorable lines, effective staging, and any unique interpretations that stand out. Try to stay present and engaged, though, so make sure to balance your noting with simply enjoying the show. The intermission is a great time to catch up on your notes without missing any part of the action.

After the curtain falls, quickly organize your thoughts into a rough draft. Verify all the factual details, like names and plot points, so that everything is accurate. Think about whether the director brought new insights. Reflect on the context and the choices made in the production. For example, a modern twist on a classic play can shift its themes and dynamics. Discussing these choices will help you deepen your analysis and engage your readers by showing them new ways to think about familiar works.

Finally, approach your review with both a critical eye and a sense of fairness. Consider not just what was presented and how, but why the director and designers made those choices. What were they trying to communicate? Were they successful? Engaging with these questions will make your review both thorough and thoughtful, providing your readers with a rich perspective on the performance.

A Step-by-Step Guide on How to Write a Play Review

The first step you need to take is to outline the structure. Of course, as with all the major types of writing this one will also have an introduction, body paragraphs, and conclusion. Nonetheless, in the case of a play review, there are also a few other structural aspects that need to be included.

As you can see from the picture, there are a lot of nuances that you should consider when thinking of writing a play review. So, as we now know what to pay attention to, we can proceed to writing.

As you can see from the picture, there are a lot of nuances that you should consider when thinking of writing a play review. So, as we now know what to pay attention to, we can proceed to writing.

Writing the Introduction

First impressions matter. Your introduction is where you’ll present the essential details: the play’s title, the playwright, the production company, and the historical context, if relevant. It’s also where you’ll set out your thesis—your overarching impression of the play’s execution. Remember, your initial thoughts may not align with the director’s vision, but that’s the beauty of art—it’s subjective.

Writing the Statement and Summary

Now, state the essence of the play without giving away the plot. Use this part to underline the thematic heartbeat of the story, supporting your insights with evidence (maybe some lines that you noted when watching). You can snugly fit this into your introduction or let it be a bit more detailed in a standalone paragraph.

Writing the Body of the Paper: The Review

It’s time to get into the details. Piece together each clue—the actors’ silent dialogue, the set’s subtle whispers, and how they relate to your initial thoughts. Why did they choose to add those decorations and lighting? How does all of this contribute to the general theme? You need to present your analytical skills in all their beauty, not skipping on any important details.

Talking About Performances

Here’s where you get to shine. Break down the performances—were the actors convincing? Did the storyline keep you glued or had you scrolling through your mental grocery list? Remember, your voice matters. Your unique viewpoint could be the refreshing take someone needs to see the play through a new lens.

Your Conclusion

At the end, circle back to that opening act—your thesis. Reflect on whether the play lived up to your expectations or left you wanting more. You can also provide your recommendation as to whether the place is worth seeing at all and why. And then, leave a little sparkle behind—a final thought for your readers to remember long after they’ve left your page.

How to Review a Play Without Making Mistakes

As we settled down on the initial steps you need to take to go through with writing a theater review, we feel it’s important that we tell you what NOT to do during this process. Because there are a few mistakes that can affect the quality of your work and the time you spend finishing it.

Do and Don’t

Do Get to know more about the play, the cast, the director, and the theater before you attend the play; this way you will be more prepared for what you will see. Choose a modern play for a start, not a classical one; classics are harder to evaluate, because they have been performed for decades or even centuries, and the performance will be most likely perfected. Expect the play to be good. In this case, if it matches your expectations, you will be pleased twice as much, and if it does not, your review will be sharper, so to say. Pay the most attention to the most significant aspects of the play, because most likely, you will not be able to take that many notes while watching it.

Don’t Base your evaluation on personal likes or dislikes. For example, “I did not like the play because I like comedies, and this play was tragic” is a bad premise. Be rude or disrespectful in your review; putting together a theatrical play is a large amount of work, even if it is bad, so make your critique friendly, even if you are not satisfied with it. Write a review until you fully understand the play. Sometimes you notice nuances only when watching a play for the second or third time, so make sure you got everything before you start writing.

Common Mistakes When Writing a Play Review

– Focusing on just one or two aspects of the play (positive or negative) when writing a review, omitting everything else.
– Watching a play once, and rushing to write a review without fully understanding the plot and the artistic techniques used in it.
– Not gathering information relevant to the play before watching it, and thus not engaging in the context, without which it may be more difficult to evaluate the play objectively.

Play Review Sample Template

We decided to help you out a little bit and give you a play review template, so you have a better idea of what a final writing should look like. As we don’t want to take much of your time, we made it as concise as possible, yet included all the necessary parts and information. 

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