How to Write About Theatre
A manual for critics, students and bloggers
© Mark Fisher 2015
Mark Fisher is a participant in the Amazon EU Associates Programme, an affiliate advertising programme designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to Amazon.co.uk
Mark Fisher at Liverpool Hope University. Pic: Michael Boyle
NEWS
Forthcoming appearances
Previous appearances
Central School of Speech and Drama 12 February 2020
JOIN Guardian critic Mark Fisher as he introduces the principles of theatre criticism and discusses the demands of the job. Learn how to celebrate, analyse and discuss this most ephemeral of art forms – and how to make your writing come alive as you do so.
Santiago a Mil, Chile, 25 January 2020
JOIN Guardian critic Mark Fisher as he introduces the principles of theatre criticism and discusses the demands of the job. Learn how to celebrate, analyse and discuss this most ephemeral of art forms – and how to make your writing come alive as you do so.
MITsp, Sau Paulo, Brazil, 19–22 March 2019
JOIN Guardian critic Mark Fisher as he introduces the principles of theatre criticism and discusses the demands of the job. Learn how to celebrate, analyse and discuss this most ephemeral of art forms – and how to make your writing come alive as you do so.
University of Chichester, Department of Theatre 16 March 2018
JOIN Guardian critic Mark Fisher as he introduces the principles of theatre criticism and discusses the demands of the job. Learn how to celebrate, analyse and discuss this most ephemeral of art forms – and how to make your writing come alive as you do so.
University of Bristol 14 March 2018
JOIN Guardian critic Mark Fisher as he introduces the principles of theatre criticism and discusses the demands of the job. Learn how to celebrate, analyse and discuss this most ephemeral of art forms – and how to make your writing come alive as you do so.
Canterbury Christ Church University 13 March 2018
How to Write About Theatre/Edinburgh Fringe Surival Guide
JOIN Guardian critic Mark Fisher as he introduces the principles of theatre criticism and discusses the demands of the job. Learn how to celebrate, analyse and discuss this most ephemeral of art forms – and how to make your writing come alive as you do so.
Central School of Speech and Drama 24 January 2018
JOIN Guardian critic Mark Fisher as he introduces the principles of theatre criticism and discusses the demands of the job. Learn how to celebrate, analyse and discuss this most ephemeral of art forms – and how to make your writing come alive as you do so.
Theatre Royal Plymouth 7 September 2017
JOIN Guardian critic Mark Fisher as he introduces the principles of theatre criticism and discusses the demands of the job. Learn how to celebrate, analyse and discuss this most ephemeral of art forms – and how to make your writing come alive as you do so.
Lung Ha Theatre Company, Edinburgh 28 July 2017
JOIN Guardian critic Mark Fisher as he introduces the principles of theatre criticism and discusses the demands of the job. Learn how to celebrate, analyse and discuss this most ephemeral of art forms – and how to make your writing come alive as you do so.
Young Vic, London 13 July 2017
DRAWING on his long years of experience as a national newspaper journalist, Guardian theatre critic Mark Fisher will introduce the principles of theatre criticism and discuss the demands of his job. Find out how a critic thinks about your work, consider new ways to analyse and discuss the work you see and how to make writing about your work come alive whether through a press release, blog or tweet. There will be the opportunity to ask questions, so come prepared.
Young Vic, London 13 July 2017
How to Survive the Edinburgh Fringe
GUARDIAN journalist Mark Fisher leads a workshop based on his book The Edinburgh Fringe Survival Guide, a·practical and pragmatic manual about putting on a show in the world's biggest arts festival. The session will cover all aspects of staging a Fringe show, from getting in the right frame of mind to securing the best press coverage, generating word of mouth and making the most of a hit. As someone who has reviewed plays for over 25 years of the Fringe, he is well placed to give expert advice on the highs and lows of conquering Edinburgh.
University of Bath 16 March 2017
JOIN Guardian critic Mark Fisher as he introduces the principles of theatre criticism and discusses the demands of the job. Learn how to celebrate, analyse and discuss this most ephemeral of art forms – and how to make your writing come alive as you do so.
University of Bristol 16 March 2017
JOIN Guardian critic Mark Fisher as he introduces the principles of theatre criticism and discusses the demands of the job. Learn how to celebrate, analyse and discuss this most ephemeral of art forms – and how to make your writing come alive as you do so.
University of Exeter 4pm, 15 March 2017
Careers Event: Working as an arts journalist and theatre critic
WHAT are the opportunities for an arts journalist in the 21st century? Could you make a career from writing about theatre? How do you become an editor? Join Guardian theatre critic Mark Fisher for a lively and informal talk about life as an arts journalist. Question-and-answer session follows.
University of Manchester 14 March 2017
Masterclass: The Edinburgh Fringe Survival Guide
IT IS the world's largest arts festival, attracting everyone from student first-timers to Hollywood stars. Thrilling, inspiring and bewildering in equal measure, the Edinburgh Festival Fringe can make you a star or break your bank. So what is the secret of making it work for you? Author and journalist Mark Fisher leads this lively workshop about how to make your show a success.
Canterbury Christ Church University 21 February 2017
JOIN Guardian critic Mark Fisher as he introduces the principles of theatre criticism and discusses the demands of the job. Learn how to celebrate, analyse and discuss this most ephemeral of art forms – and how to make your writing come alive as you do so.
University of Chichester, Department of Theatre 16 February 2017
JOIN Guardian critic Mark Fisher as he introduces the principles of theatre criticism and discusses the demands of the job. Learn how to celebrate, analyse and discuss this most ephemeral of art forms – and how to make your writing come alive as you do so.
University of Leeds 1 February 2017
HOW to make a success of your show and working as an arts journalist and critic.
Central School of Speech and Drama 25 January 2017
JOIN Guardian critic Mark Fisher as he introduces the principles of theatre criticism and discusses the demands of the job. Learn how to celebrate, analyse and discuss this most ephemeral of art forms – and how to make your writing come alive as you do so.
University of Roehampton 24 January 2017
JOIN Guardian critic Mark Fisher as he introduces the principles of theatre criticism and discusses the demands of the job. Learn how to celebrate, analyse and discuss this most ephemeral of art forms – and how to make your writing come alive as you do so.
University of Kent 23 January 2017
JOIN Guardian critic Mark Fisher as he introduces the principles of theatre criticism and discusses the demands of the job. Learn how to celebrate, analyse and discuss this most ephemeral of art forms – and how to make your writing come alive as you do so.
University of Malta, Valletta 5–7 December 2016
JOIN Guardian critic Mark Fisher as he introduces the principles of theatre criticism and discusses the demands of the job. Learn how to celebrate, analyse and discuss this most ephemeral of art forms – and how to make your writing come alive as you do so.
Trinity College Dublin 10 October 2016
THEATRE critics Mark Fisher of the Guardian and Peter Crawley of the Irish Times discuss their jobs and the role of the critic in the internet age
.
Bournemouth Arts by the Sea 1 October 2016
Angles of Approach to Writing Reviews
JOIN Guardian critic Mark Fisher as he introduces the principles of theatre criticism and discusses the demands of the job. Learn how to celebrate, analyse and discuss this most ephemeral of art forms – and how to make your writing come alive as you do so.
Nuffield Theatre, Southampton 30 September 2016
EXPLORE the subtle principles of reviewing theatre, with Guardian critic Mark Fisher. What exactly makes engaging and lively reviews?
Pepperdine University at the RCS, Glasgow July 2016
Reviews, reviewers, and reviewing & theatre in Scotland
A SIGNIFICIANT part of understanding contemporary theatre in any country is knowing how critics’ reviews are generated and what their impact is on the industry. Mark Fisher will introduce students to this journalistic format, and throughout the course students will write and submit their own performance and textual analyses of productions we see.
Acting Coach Scotland 28 June 2016
JOIN Guardian critic Mark Fisher as he introduces the principles of theatre criticism and discusses the demands of the job. Learn how to celebrate, analyse and discuss this most ephemeral of art forms – and how to make your writing come alive as you do so.
Scottish Drama Training Network, Aberdeen 23 June 2016
The Edinburgh Fringe Survival Guide
IT IS the world's largest arts festival, attracting everyone from student first-timers to Hollywood stars. Thrilling, inspiring and bewildering in equal measure, the Edinburgh Festival Fringe can make you a star or break your bank. So what is the secret of making it work for you? Author and journalist Mark Fisher leads this lively workshop about how to make your show a success.
Scottish Drama Training Network, Glasgow 25 May 2016
The Edinburgh Fringe Survival Guide
IT IS the world's largest arts festival, attracting everyone from student first-timers to Hollywood stars. Thrilling, inspiring and bewildering in equal measure, the Edinburgh Festival Fringe can make you a star or break your bank. So what is the secret of making it work for you? Author and journalist Mark Fisher leads this lively workshop about how to make your show a success. (Pic: Robin Mitchell: www.robinmitchellphotography.com)
University of Kent 21 March 2016
HOW to pitch and structure an arts feature.
Falmouth University 18 March 2016
JOIN Guardian critic Mark Fisher as he introduces the principles of theatre criticism and discusses the demands of the job. Learn how to celebrate, analyse and discuss this most ephemeral of art forms – and how to make your writing come alive as you do so.
Hall for Cornwall 18 March 2016
Criticism Roundtable Discussion and One-to-One Critics' Workshops
DEBATE about the level, quality and purpose of dialogue about theatre with reviewers and artists from around Cornwall. Also feedback sessions for particpants in Hall for Cornwall's New Reviewer programme.
University of Bristol 17 March 2016
JOIN Guardian critic Mark Fisher as he introduces the principles of theatre criticism and discusses the demands of the job. Learn how to celebrate, analyse and discuss this most ephemeral of art forms – and how to make your writing come alive as you do so.
Lighthouse Poole 15 March 2016
JOIN Guardian critic Mark Fisher as he introduces the principles of theatre criticism and discusses the demands of the job. Learn how to celebrate, analyse and discuss this most ephemeral of art forms – and how to make your writing come alive as you do so.
University of Sunderland 14 March 2016
JOIN Guardian critic Mark Fisher as he introduces the principles of theatre criticism and discusses the demands of the job. Learn how to celebrate, analyse and discuss this most ephemeral of art forms – and how to make your writing come alive as you do so.
Canterbury Christ Church University 8 March 2016
JOIN Guardian critic Mark Fisher as he introduces the principles of theatre criticism and discusses the demands of the job. Learn how to celebrate, analyse and discuss this most ephemeral of art forms – and how to make your writing come alive as you do so.
University of Chichester, Department of Theatre 3 March 2016
JOIN Guardian critic Mark Fisher as he introduces the principles of theatre criticism and discusses the demands of the job. Learn how to celebrate, analyse and discuss this most ephemeral of art forms – and how to make your writing come alive as you do so.
Young Vic, London 1 March 2016
Genesis Directors Network: How to Write About Theatre
JOIN Guardian critic Mark Fisher as he introduces the principles of theatre criticism and discusses the demands of the job. Find out how a critic thinks about your work and consider new ways to analyse and discuss the work you see. There will be the opportunity to ask questions, so come prepared.
Canterbury Christ Church University 1 March 2016
Edinburgh Fringe Survival Guide
HOW to make a success of your show.
University of Sheffield 10 February 2016
Arts journalism, criticism and the Edinburgh Fringe
HOW to make a success of your show and working as an arts journalist and critic.
University of Manchester 10 February 2016
Masterclass: How to Write About Theatre
JOIN Guardian critic Mark Fisher as he introduces the principles of theatre criticism and discusses the demands of the job. Learn how to celebrate, analyse and discuss this most ephemeral of art forms – and how to make your writing come alive as you do so.
Liverpool Hope University 9 February 2016
JOIN Guardian critic Mark Fisher as he introduces the principles of arts criticism and discusses the demands of the job. Learn how to celebrate, analyse and discuss this most ephemeral of art forms – and how to make your writing come alive as you do so.
Royal Holloway, University of London 8 February 2016
DISCUSSION with Mark Fisher, Lyn Gardner, Catherine Love, Matt Trueman and Diana Damian-Martin.
Leeds Beckett University 26 February 2016
Masterclass: How to Write About Theatre
JOIN Guardian critic Mark Fisher as he introduces the principles of theatre criticism and discusses the demands of the job. Learn how to celebrate, analyse and discuss this most ephemeral of art forms – and how to make your writing come alive as you do so.
Dulwich College 13 January 2016
THEATRE criticism masterclass. Guardian critic Mark Fisher introduces the principles of theatre criticism and discusses the demands of the job. Learn how to celebrate, analyse and discuss this most ephemeral of art forms – and how to make your writing come alive as you do so.
University of Leeds 2 December 2015
The Next Stage – How to Survive the Edinburgh Fringe with Mark Fisher
HOW to make a success of your show and working as an arts journalist and critic.
Liverpool Institute for the Performing Arts 30 November 2015
The Edinburgh Fringe Survival Guide
HOW to make a success of your show.
Ty Newydd Writers’ Centre, Criccieth 14 November 2015
WEEKEND workshop run by Venue Cymru/Theatr Colwyn at the National Writers Centre of Wales. Also involved were theatre critic Kate Maltby of the Times/Spectator, TV producer Steve Doherty and poet/academic Ian Gregson.
Traverse Theatre, Edinburgh, 7 November 2015
Critically Speaking: In conversation with Scotland’s theatre critics
EXAMINING youth theatre through a critical lens and debating the question of access versus quality, and how and when youth theatre can be provocative. Part of the Chrysalis festival, a new platform for ambitious, and often provocative, performances by UK-based young companies. Chaired by Thom Dibdin of alledinburghtheatre.com and featuring Mark Fisher, author of How to Write About Theatre, and Mary Brennan of the Herald.
Edinburgh International Book Festival 2.15pm, 24 August 2015
THE FRINGE would be nothing without the critics who rant, rave and rage about the plays, dance and comedy they see. Yet with a changing media landscape, some have claimed that theatre criticism is in crisis. Two of the most talented survivors are Mark Fisher and Joyce McMillan, Edinburgh-based critics who retain a boundless energy for theatre. Their new books each make a powerful argument that there’s life in the profession yet. Chaired by Jackie McGlone.
Theatre Royal Winchester 1pm, 25 July 2015
Theatre Royal Winchester presents Young Critics
WORKSHOPS are led by journalists and leading theatre critics. There are exciting opportunities to review shows at regional theatres and participants will be provided with mentoring on their writing and an opportunity for their work to be published in The Big Issue.
University of Exeter 5pm, 28 Jan 2015
Careers Event: Working as an arts journalist and theatre critic
WHAT are the opportunities for an arts journalist in the 21st century? Could you make a career from writing about theatre? How do you become an editor? Join Guardian theatre critic Mark Fisher for a lively and informal talk about life as an arts journalist. Question-and-answer session follows.
Hall for Cornwall 7.30pm, 29 Jan 2015
Opportunity to become a New Reviewer
DO you have an interest in new Theatre and Dance? Do you have opinions about the performances you see? We will engage 6 reviewers in the first year of the programme, who are passionate about and regularly attend new performance work, who show a critical appreciation of the work and who communicate effectively in writing.
Keep in the loop! Subscribe for news, tips and ideas about theatre writing from critic and author Mark Fisher.
