RESOURCES:

MAV’s Guide to Culturally Responsive Theatre Reviews

Published 11 November 2024

This guide has been developed to launch MAV’s initiative promoting culturally-responsive theatre reviewing. By inviting writers, storytellers and artists to review the works of fellow creatives through the lens of shared lived, or cultural experiences, we aim to highlight the importance of theatre reviews that challenge dominant narratives and provide deeper, culturally grounded perspectives.

How do we critique art from a culturally responsive perspective?

Acknowledge Cultural Context

  • Recognise the cultural background of the story, the playwright, and the performers– especially when the production centres on a marginalised or underrepresented group.

  • Acknowledge the importance of this context in understanding the play’s themes and messages.

  • If the production draws from a specific cultural tradition or historical event, mention this and explore its relevance. This might include referencing customs, language, or specific aesthetics that inform the play’s creative choices.

  • When speaking on cultural work, consider ethnic or cultural specificity where an artist has mentioned it, (ie: dialects, nationalities, religions, Indigenous groups). These intersections of identity are often missed in the dominant gaze of mainstream audiences.

Consult Appropriate Language

  • If you are not from the cultural group represented in the play, approach your review with humility.

  • It can be valuable to do some research or consult relevant voices to ensure you interpret cultural elements accurately.

  • Be aware of avoiding stereotypes or making generalisations about a culture. A nuanced, specific understanding is crucial.

  • Further research can be an aid in understanding the historical context of the culture and stories being told. How has the culture been built? And how would this inform the presentation of the story being told?

Respectful Terminology

  • Ensure that you use appropriate and respectful language when referring to cultures, identities, or traditions. Avoid outdated or colonial terms and strive to use terms preferred by the community itself.

  • Respect the gender identities of performers and characters by using correct pronouns. If the work involves LGBTQIA+ themes or non-binary identities, be mindful of using inclusive and affirming language.

Representation and Ownership

  • Who is telling the story? Consider the background of the creative team, especially the playwright, director, and lead actors. Are they from the culture they are representing?

    If not, how does this impact the storytelling? Highlight when artists are telling their own stories, and how it brings a layer of authenticity and self-determination to art making and truth-telling.

Audience Engagement and Impact

  • If possible, mention how members of the cultural community responded to the production. Did the performance resonate with those who share the cultural background? What intersections of identity become apparent? (ie: generations, diaspora or migrant identities)

  • Reflect on how the play engages with larger social, political, or cultural issues. Does it offer opportunities for reflection, dialogue, or healing within or between communities? How does it speak to or challenge power dynamics, especially in cross-cultural contexts?

Positionality, Personal Bias and Decompressing Power Dynamics

  • Acknowledge your own perspective. If you are reviewing a play that comes from a culture of community you are not part of, or perhaps share an intersection, acknowledge this positionality.

  • Be transparent about your lens and be careful not to centre your own perspective as the “default” or “neutral” viewpoint.

Language and Cultural Nuance

  • If the production features non-English languages, dialects, or culturally specific forms of communication, highlight how they contribute to the storytelling. Be mindful not to critique language differences through a colonial, or Eurocentric lens (e.g.: expecting English to be the default)

  • If the production incorporates different cultural perspectives, mention how this dialogue was handled. Does it foster mutual understanding or cultural exchange? How does it navigate cross-cultural interactions?

Community and Self-Determination

  • Comment on whether the production centres the voices of the community being represented. Are the artists empowered to tell their stories in their own way, or are external narratives imposed?

  • If applicable mention how the play fosters intergenerational conversations within a cultural community. Does it honour both tradition and innovation?

Consideration of Budget

  • Consider the limitations of budget and venue constraints when it comes to critiquing work.

This guide draws from the personal experiences as a diverse team and board of creative practitioners, and emerged from our ongoing research program Retrospection.

We envision this guide as adaptive and responsive to the ever evolving cultural landscape and times. For feedback or queries, please feel free to contact us.