WRITING A REVIEW OF A PLAY
(Advanced Writing Guidance)
A review of a play is not a summary. It is a critical evaluation in which you analyse the performance and support your opinion with clear reasons and carefully selected language.
A strong review includes five essential elements:
1) An Engaging Opening
Your first sentence should immediately capture the reader’s attention. You can:
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Challenge a common belief
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Express a strong reaction
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Create curiosity
Examples:
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If anyone’s ever told you that theatre was boring, then you must see this production.
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Well, that’s two hours of my life that I’ll never get back.
This establishes tone (enthusiastic, sarcastic, critical) from the very beginning.
2) Precise and Varied Adjectives
At advanced level, avoid vague adjectives such as:
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good
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bad
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nice
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interesting
Instead, use specific evaluative adjectives, such as:
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breathtaking
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compelling
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lacklustre
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riveting
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predictable
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moving
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forgettable
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outstanding
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mediocre
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dull
The more precise the adjective, the more sophisticated your writing becomes.
3) Modifying Adjectives Correctly
Adverbs such as really, quite, so, very, rather, completely, utterly add nuance and emphasis.
✔ Position Rule
Adverbs come before the adjective:
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The performance was utterly breathtaking.
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The second act was rather dull.
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The lead actor was really convincing.
4) The Difference Between “So” and “Such”
This is a common advanced-level grammar issue.
✔ So + adjective
Used when there is no noun immediately after:
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The play was so powerful.
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The ending was so emotional.
✔ Such + adjective + noun
Used before a noun phrase:
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It was such a powerful performance.
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They are such talented actors.
❌ Incorrect:
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It was so powerful performance.
5) Article Position with Really, Quite, and Such
This is where many strong students make mistakes.
✔ With really
Structure:
a + really + adjective + noun
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He is a really gifted actor.
✔ With quite
Structure:
quite + a + adjective + noun
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It was quite a remarkable production.
❌ NOT: a quite remarkable production
✔ With such
Structure:
such + a + adjective + noun
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It was such a memorable evening.
❌ NOT: a such memorable evening
6) Balanced Evaluation
A high-level review does not simply praise or criticise. It evaluates:
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Acting
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Direction
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Set and costume design
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Lighting
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Pacing
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Emotional impact
Support opinions with brief explanation:
Instead of:
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The acting was bad.
Write:
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The acting lacked emotional depth and felt slightly artificial in key scenes.
7) Concluding with a Clear Judgement
Your conclusion should summarise your overall opinion decisively:
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It stands head and shoulders above other productions this season.
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Unfortunately, this play is a complete flop.
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I have mixed feelings about this production.
8) Making a Recommendation
End with advice to the reader:
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I can’t recommend it highly enough. Get your tickets now.
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If I were you, I’d give this one a miss.
