Village Squire, 1977-11, Page 44Ah ha, sceptics say, this is how critics
are chosen: because there is nobody
around with a better knowledge of theatre.
As if that isn't bad enough, they're
frustrated directors. Indeed many critics do
come to their jobs almost by accident and
without a great deal of qualification. Bale is
the first to agree things could be better.
"Theatre in this country isn't what it
could be and neither is criticism." he says.
Artists tend to lead the way and it is
"inevitable that criticism will lag behind."
He feels there are only a couple of good
critics in Canada, and doesn't include
himself among them.
While many of the critics of the critic will
agree with his self assessment, other
people including some theatre people
themselves, feel he is selling himself short
that his reviews are generally thoughtful
and to the point, even if full of barbs at
times.
His approach to the job of reviewing has
changed over the years. When he began,
he says, he had the idea that he was not
expected to be, nor equipped to be, a critic
in the academic sense. There are some
people who can turn out detailed, scholarly
reviews, he says, but the newspaper is not
the place for that kind of review. Instead he
saw himself as a kind of theatre reporter.
The critic, to him has two functions. The
first function is for the people who haven't
seen the show and won't be able to and the
role of the critic is to explain what's in the
show and what difference it makes, to put
the production in perspective.
cl�tftamcrieclbattMt Incl t3uc!Numismmow eta vat( rat etavat erg onspapat en eak
1
9
For those who have seen the play he sees
his role as "gabbing about theatre .long
distance." For these people, he says. his
review is his reaction to the play as if he
was sitting down with another group of
theatre goers after a show and pulling the
show apart. The problem is that the
conversation is just one way, with no give
and take. at least until the angry letters to
the editor hit print. The problem is
compounded because the Free Press is. as
Bale calls it. "the only game in town". Few
of the other daily newspapers in the region
give much attention to theatre criticism
and radio and television has given even
less attention to the field. Often a Bale
review is the only one that will appear on a
local show so that while in Toronto a critical
Bryan Johnston review in the Glebe may be
balanced off by a favourable review from
Gena Mallett in the Star, in the London
area, Bale stands alone. The result is, Bale
says, that people mistakenly treat his
review as if it were a sermon from the
mount.
Are you recei%ing more than one copy of
Village Squire?
As with all large subscription lists some
duplications can arise. If you are. please
send us the address label so that we can
cancel it.
Send to: Village Squire, RR 3, Blyth, Ont.
NOM 1HO.
FOR YOUR
AjtittugI ktwta gt(
SEE OUR BAR
ITEMS
BRASS
CHINA
CRYSTAL
WICKERWARE
WOODEN WARE
NATURE CRAFT
FENTON GLASS
MIRRORS & PICTURES
ETC.
ETC.
GIFT SHOPPED
140 MAIN ST., LISTOWEL, ONT. 71
LellotWtgtoctioclalotwar rictrat s c OK MU MK TM lam_ Wit we( y svac mrsamaSRi4ozseas znsia
42,VILLAGE SQUIRE/NOVEMBER 1977.
We have
1
0
}Y
c
Toys sold at
discount
prices.
0
E
P
i.
in this
area
Zilliax
Hardware
Furniture
MAIN STREET, LISTOWEL, ONT.
PHONE 291-1210
i