New Times / Letter To The Editor

Credible reviewers don't scoff offensively

Kathryn Kenny

As a regular attendee at the Pewter Plough Playhouse, I was surprised to read Anna Weltner's review of Grand Manner (“Not so grand Manner,” Sept. 6). It was described to me as being immaturely written and unwarranted, but I have a little more to say.

I was amazed at how she ridicules the players with her sarcasm in the first paragraph: “… doing this thing I've heard of, where you pretend to be someone else. I might be wrong, but think it's called acting." There is no place in any review for such mockery. I know that it is not unusual for plays to get bad reviews, but it is not the bad review about which I am complaining. It is the sheer contempt with which she writes her review, comparing actors to Loony Toons characters. Such scoffing is unnecessary to get one's points across about a performance one finds not up to standard.

A creditable reviewer would have no reason to be so offensive to make an impression upon the reader, saying nothing of common decency, kindness, and support.