It's curtains for the critics

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It's curtains for the critics

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From The Sunday Times
June 24, 2007It's curtains for the criticsWhere
once we had the wit of Tynan and Levin, today’s theatre critics are a
joyless, detached bunch. And it’s not only their readers who get a raw
deal – culture is suffering too.

First nights are special theatre. These are moments when the creatives let go
of the creation. There is nothing more to be done. Actors are the only
artists who have to go on performing through a disaster, so there is a
particular electricity, an atmosphere in the theatre. Much depends on the
first night. And, when it’s over and the audience applaud and cheer and,
more than likely these days, rise to their feet for a standing ovation, you
may notice a little gang of hunted characters sidle out of the stalls and
scuttle up the aisle. They seem to be escaping, running away. Many will be
dressed in old macs, shiny-buttocked suits and cheap, comfy shoes, and be
carrying sagging briefcases and Tesco bags. They keep their heads down and
don’t look back, and they don’t do applause. You might imagine they were
rude, disrespectful philistines. But you couldn’t be more wrong.