Theatre Critics

Press, Volume CVI, Issue 31360, 4 May 1967, Page 12

Theatre Critics

Sir,—You printed three letters criticising reviews by D.F.F. and J.M.F. on recent amateur productions. I also wish to voice my concern at the disservice being done to local amateur theatre by these critics, whose reporting is not only unfair but, in some cases, totally inaccurate. It is significant that the damning review of “Night Must Fall” by J.M.F., was entirely contradicted by the critic in the evening paper, who gave the producer and cast full marks for a stimulating and entertaining performance. I suggest that, in future, D.F.F. and J.M.F. should confine their reviews to factual reporting and constructive criticism instead of airing their obviously inadequate knowledge of the theatre.—Yours, etc., FAIR PLAY. May 3, 1967. [The greatest disservice we could do amateur theatre would be to give producers and players a false idea of their attainments and the public a misleading assessment of the entertainment they are invited to pay for. Our critics are competent and experienced; and we cannot, as a rule, find space to allow less discriminating enthusiasts to express their disagreement with them. We have done so on this occasion as a reminder to readers that they will not necessarily dislike a performance which fails to reach the standards by which amateurs and professionals alike must be judged. —Ed.. “The Press.”]