In recent months, conversations around theatre criticism have become louder, sharper and, at times, surprisingly defensive. Across social media, podcasts and industry discussions, there seems to be a growing expectation that reviewers should “support theatre” by only publishing positive opinions.
But here’s the thing: honest criticism is supporting theatre.
It is important to say from the beginning that tone, language and awareness absolutely matter. Nobody benefits from reviews written to mock creatives, tear productions apart or generate attention through cruelty. Blind negativity is just as unhelpful as blind praise. However, blindly recommending every production, or approaching reviews with pre-written templates before even stepping into the auditorium, is not truly supporting the industry either.
At StageSideUK, we’ve always believed reviews should be thoughtful, open-minded and fair. Not cruel or performative, and certainly not written for shock value. Equally though, they should not be filtered into artificial positivity simply to avoid appearing “too negative”. Whilst the industry deserves support, audiences deserve honesty too.
The Rise Of The “Positive Reviews Only” Conversation
The UK theatre industry is under enormous pressure. Rising ticket prices, shrinking arts funding, venue closures and increasing touring costs mean creatives are working harder than ever to secure audiences and fill seats. In that climate, criticism can understandably feel personal, particularly for smaller companies or independent productions operating on incredibly tight budgets. From the outside, a critical review can sometimes appear less like discussion and more like anti-marketing.
It makes complete sense why some artists fear criticism. Theatre is deeply personal work, often built from months or years of emotional and creative investment. However, criticism and negativity are not the same thing.
A reviewer discussing whether a production felt under-rehearsed, whether sound design affected accessibility, or whether ticket prices reflected the experience being delivered is not “tearing theatre down”. They are engaging honestly with the work presented in front of them. That honesty helps audiences make informed choices while also encouraging conversations around quality, accessibility and artistic growth.
Theatre, music, dance and performance art are all subjective experiences. No two audience members will respond to a production in exactly the same way. Some people may connect deeply with a show that others struggle to engage with, and that variety of response is part of what makes live performance exciting. However, when a production over-promises and under-delivers, or simply does not achieve what its own marketing sets audiences up to expect, we believe paying audiences deserve transparency about that experience.
Reviewer vs Influencer: They Are Not The Same Role
One of the biggest shifts in recent years has been the increasingly blurred line between reviewer and influencer.
Influencers play a hugely valuable role in theatre marketing. They create excitement, encourage bookings and introduce productions to audiences who may never normally engage with theatre content. A strong Instagram reel or TikTok reaction can genuinely open the door for new and younger audiences, and that visibility is incredibly important for the future of the industry.
However, influencers are generally part of the promotional ecosystem. Reviewers are not.
A reviewer’s responsibility is not to sell tickets but to evaluate the experience from an audience perspective with fairness, transparency and context. At StageSideUK, we approach productions through the lens of the audience member rather than asking ourselves what positive comments we can extract for a headline.
When audiences are spending significant amounts of money on a theatre trip, questions around value naturally become important. Was the production worth the financial investment being asked of audiences? Did the storytelling feel engaging and clear? Did the performance create that immersive feeling where two hours disappear effortlessly, or were there elements that prevented the audience fully connecting with the work?
Reviewing means recognising excellence whilst also acknowledging shortcomings. If every review becomes glowing marketing copy, audiences eventually stop trusting reviews altogether. Once that trust disappears, the industry loses one of the most valuable conversations surrounding live performance.
And honestly, theatre deserves better than that.
The Problem With Forced Positivity
There is a growing idea that criticism somehow harms the arts, but removing critical discussion does not protect theatre. If anything, it weakens it.
Healthy criticism encourages higher standards, highlights accessibility concerns, opens conversations about value for money and celebrates productions that genuinely innovate. Without space for honest discussion, reviews risk becoming advertisements rather than meaningful reflections on audience experience.
Audiences are increasingly aware of that distinction. Particularly during a cost-of-living crisis, people are investing large amounts of money into theatre trips once tickets, travel, parking and refreshments are factored in. That investment matters, and audiences deserve reviews they can trust.
If every production is described as “must-see theatre”, those words eventually lose meaning.
Being Honest Doesn’t Mean Being Hurtful
There is also a misconception that criticism must be harsh in order to feel “real”. Good reviewing should never punch down.
At StageSideUK, we believe reviews should remain respectful of the enormous amount of work that goes into live performance. Even productions that do not fully succeed still represent months, and often years, of work from performers, creatives, technicians and production teams.
But respect does not require dishonesty.
It is entirely possible to acknowledge effort whilst still discussing flaws. Reviewers can question creative choices without insulting the people behind them, just as they can discuss accessibility concerns without attacking those involved in the production. Balanced criticism is not cruelty; it is professionalism.
Accessibility Matters — And Reviewers Should Talk About It
One area that often becomes overlooked in theatre criticism is accessibility. However, accessibility is not a bonus feature attached to a production. It directly shapes whether audiences can meaningfully experience theatre at all.
If sound mixing makes lyrics difficult to hear, sightlines block key moments or sensory elements become overwhelming without warning, those are important parts of the audience experience and should absolutely be discussed within reviews.
Many audience members actively rely on reviews to decide whether a venue or production will work for their individual needs. That information is valuable, and ignoring those conversations in favour of relentless positivity ultimately helps nobody.
Theatre Reviews Are Conversations, Not Verdicts
Perhaps the most important thing to remember is that a review is simply one perspective. It is not an objective truth or a declaration that a production has value or does not.
Some audience members will love a show a reviewer disliked. Others may completely agree with the criticism. That diversity of opinion is one of the most exciting parts of theatre culture.
The goal of criticism should never be to “win”. It should be to contribute thoughtfully to wider conversations around storytelling, performance and audience experience.
At StageSideUK, our reviewing team is made up of three trained academics with different specialisms in costume and accessibility, scenography, and literature and writing. We do not believe our opinions are universally “correct”, nor do we expect audiences to base their entire theatre experience around one review. However, we do believe our backgrounds give us an understanding of what productions set out to achieve based on their synopsis, marketing and creative intentions, and whether those aims successfully translate on stage.
Theatre does not need blind positivity. It needs passionate audiences, thoughtful critics, accessible venues and space for honest conversation.
Reviewers should absolutely celebrate brilliant work loudly and enthusiastically. At the same time, they should also feel comfortable discussing disappointment, accessibility concerns or productions that simply do not justify their price point.
In an industry built on live human connection, authentic conversation will always matter more than forced applause.
Have Your Say!
What do you think when you read a review? Do you want to read all the best bits or do you value a balanced approach?
As always, please be respectful of each other’s opinions and be kind to each other.
Bullying will not be tolerated and harmful language may be removed.
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