23 replies to this topic

[Alexandra]

This question was suggested by something samsara posted on another thread, about negative comments having the possible effect of influencing people to not attend a performance.  I wondered what people thought, and since often we'll get people to vote who won't post I thought I'd make it a poll.   Interpeter "review" as a newspaper report, or an internet post (since the original comment was aimed at posts).

[dirac]

One bad review alone probably wouldn't. As with the other poll regarding raves, for me it depends very much on who is doing the reviewing. If the reviews are uniformly bad, however, then that usually does indicate a dyed-in-the-wool turkey.

[Alexandra]

There are some turkeys, though, that are fun to watch!

[Farrell Fan]

Almost all my ballet tickets -- to NYCB, ABT, and Suzanne Farrell Ballet, are bought well in advance of any reviews, so bad ones have no effect. If a visiting troupe gets bad reviews chances are I wouldn't have gone anyway.

[Hans]

"Other."  In terms of companies, if it's the Kirov (or ABT depending on the casting, &c), I'd probably go see it anyway.  In terms of a new ballet, again, it depends on the reviewer.

[Mel Johnson]

I said "Other" in that often a bad review will make me want to see what's wrong with the thing.  Sometimes, I've been surprised.  Sometimes there's NOTHING wrong with it!

[carbro]

"Depends," because if I can decipher the critic's experience through the prism of his or her known biases, I can predict my own response to a degree.

[Paul Parish]

I agree with you all, especially Mel....

[BW]

Although I wish I could have chosen the more independent "other" - I chose "possibly" because as much as I hate to admit it ,  I have decided against going to a certain performance due to more than one "bad" review. For example, the reviews I read about Eifman's ballet at City Center last winter - I forget the name now - but after reading the reviews I just couldn't bring myself to spend the time or the money. But who knows - maybe I would have enjoyed it... :rolleyes:

[Alexandra]

Now, the bad reviews of Eifman put him on my Must See list!

[chauffeur]

Over time, as I get to know a dance (or music, film or art) critic's opinions, I find that I can use his or her opinions to develop a pretty accurate gauge of whether or not I'll like the work -- and sometimes that's because I find I consistently disagree with the critic!  Where I live right now, I've found that I can reliably "use" the local dance critic because our opinions tend to be polar opposites, so if she hates it, I know I'll probably enjoy it (eg - she totally didn't get the Baryshnikov solo show, I totally did;  she thinks the big local dance company's corps is on a par with a touring Russian company's that came through town once, and, um, it isn't, IMO).  The only time she's "failed" me was when she agreed that the local company's attempt at Balanchine choreography was not as successful as the visiting company with whom it shared the stage.  But that's OK -- I know I'll still disagree with her most of the time!  

[Mashinka]

Here is an example of a VERY bad review:

http://www.telegraph...xstageleft.html

Although it was written by a critic whose opinions I seldom share, I decided to give this one a miss.

Comments?

[Estelle]

Eeeeek!  :green:  

Mashinka, I agree that, regardless of the critic, such a review would definitely drive a lot of people away!

[Alexandra]

EEEk!!  is right.  But it's really only the end that's a harsh review -- the rest is description.  If a "dance company" is going to put a frog in a blender and have someone drink it, well......

Marc,  Viviane, this is one of "your" companies: Ultima Vez.

[Hans]

That review would drive me to China.