Worst Sin
ON CRITICISM - by G.L. Horton (3/26/03)
IMHO, the worst sin a critic can commit is to decide early on
what his/her "hook" will be and spend the rest of the performance
gathering evidence for it to write a compelling review-- that
is, to treat the work of art as means rather than an end.
I try to go without preconceptions, listen and watch with full
attention without forming judgments, and I do not take notes during
a performance (I do scribble madly or mentally rehearse lines
I want to remember during intermission.) It's hard enough to get
everything at one hearing without dividing one's attention. Drama
is a time-art: every moment counts. Missing moments while you
take notes or form hypotheses is right up there with walking out
and writing as if you'd seen the entire play.
Plus, I believe that actors are in telepathic communication with
the audience if they are in the dark, and in direct communication
in lighted spaces like street theatre or the Globe. Inattention,
withdrawal of the suspension of disbelief-- these have a negative
effect on the performance itself. The hostile critic may be the
Cause of the fault he then condemns!
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