HFCC Learning Lab
Special Writing Forms 8.91
Writing a Drama Review
A suggested format for writing a drama review follows. Obviously not every review will
incorporate all the suggestions below. Select only those which pertain to the play attended and
which will meet the requirements of your assignment.
A review, or critique, is first of all an essay. It, therefore, has the traditional structure: an
introduction, a body and a conclusion. These three parts should include the following items:
Introduction:
In an opening paragraph, you should name the play and its author and tell where and
when you saw the play. You should also state your opinion of the play’s success. You may wish
to explain the type of play (comedy, tragedy, melodrama) and cite the genre (realistic,
expressionistic, absurd, or classic). You might mention, too, whether the play was unusual in
some special way (for example, it might have been limited to but one character) and whether it
was performed by a professional or amateur group.
Body:
This is the heart of the review. Here you are expected, in two or three paragraphs, to
evaluate the performance and the physical production. Do not retell the plot, though you may
wish to comment on whether it was believable or easy to follow and why. You may also
comment on the play’s theme: what the playwright is telling us about the subject.
Be sure to evaluate the performance of all the main characters. Consider: Were they
suited to their roles? Did they look like the people they were supposed to be? Did they move like
the people they were supposed to be? Did they sound like the people they were supposed to be?
Were they always audible? Did they interact well with the other characters? In this section of
your review, you might wish to point out whether any of the minor actors were particularly good
in their roles.
After evaluating the performance, evaluate the physical production. Consider: were they
realistic? Did they serve the purpose of the play? Did they help establish the mood of the play?
Were the costumes appropriate to the characters and the time period? (Note their fit, newness,
color, fabric). Was make-up used to express character? Did the make-up seem authentic or too
obvious, even artificial? Was the lighting used to set moods or to create special effects? Was
sound used to advantage to underscore or introduce scenes? Were lighting and sound always
appropriate and on cue?
Still more may be discussed in this portion of your review, including an assessment of the
direction given the play, or commentary on singing voices and the orchestra in a musical. The
length of your review is determined only by the nature of the play and your assignment.
Conclusion:
In a final paragraph, sum up the overall effectiveness of the production and performance
on the audience. Don’t be afraid to be critical; just be honest and ready to back up your opinion
with specifics from the play.