Workshops – How to Write About Theatre

Mark Fisher, author of How to Write About Theatre, leading a criticism workshop at Liverpool Hope University — Mark Fisher at Liverpool Hope University. Pic: Michael Boyle

NEW! Online criticism workshops and one-to-one classes!

Guardian critic Mark Fisher has shared his knowledge of theatre criticism all over the world. He has taken his interactive workshops to schools, universities and theatres across the UK and as far as Malta, Brazil and Chile. A session typically lasts for two hours, sometimes three. It’s also possible to book a series of workshops. If you’d like Mark to run a workshop for you, please email.

See below for feedback from previous workshops. And see the previous workshops page for a diary of events so far.

Online, 10 February 2021

Highly recommend Mark’ @WriteAboutTheat workshop! Participated a few weeks back – learned a lot & had much fun discussing theatre with interesting people from around the globe 👇 https://t.co/b39ei2GA7w
— MagdalenaSchamberger (@Artful_Minds) March 4, 2021

Highly recommended! Mark is an extraordinary instructor, funny, warm, and insightful. Plus, you get to meet people from all over the world! https://t.co/XJllA9NbEZ
— Jose Solís (@josesolismayen) March 4, 2021

I spent my morning in a delightful @WriteAboutTheat workshop led by Mark Fisher, whose charm and wit translate beautifully from text to Zoom. I highly recommend doing one of his workshops if you want to be reminded of why criticism and theatre are worth preserving and nurturing. https://t.co/J9RYhaV6fo
— Jose Solís (@josesolismayen) February 10, 2021

Online, 11 November 2020

I’ve been feeling rather rusty when it comes to writing about theatre on my blog, so this was a fantastic couple of hours, thinking about theatre criticism & chatting about theatre with like-minded people. Thanks @WriteAboutTheat @MarkFFisher 👍 #theatre https://t.co/S2K1Pz7aPC
— vickster51 (@vickster51) November 11, 2020

Online, 9 September 2020

https://twitter.com/jenn_macrae/status/1303721840821624838?s=20

Online, 2 September 2020

They say don’t speak to strangers, but what if those strangers are the most interesting, fellow theatre nerds on zoom?🤔
I honestly can’t recommend @WriteAboutTheat enough! @MarkFFisher is a fountain of info and a joy to listen to! Thanks to @TheDukesTheatre for the opportunity!
— Amber Taylor (@1307_amber) September 2, 2020

Online, 18July 2020

This is the best book about theatre criticism I've ever read, and the workshop that Fisher ran for UTBA was superb. https://t.co/kWgV5MLjFm
— Russell T. Warne 🇺🇸🇨🇱🇮🇱 (@Russwarne) December 3, 2020

Online, 15 July 2020

https://twitter.com/radhakka/status/1283422418531487745?s=20

Scottish Drama Training Network online, 18 May 2020

Massive thank you @MarkFFisher for a great workshop today. Found it very helpful. @SDTNtweets pic.twitter.com/KZZThvfxXN
— Daniel Reynolds 🎭 (@danielreynold20) June 18, 2020

Online, 28 May 2020

Thank you @WriteAboutTheat, it was great for the pupils to meet you too! https://t.co/uYPHPcv0h6
— HighSchoolofDundee (@HSofDundee) May 29, 2020

Online, 27 May 2020

https://twitter.com/Fi0naSc0tt/status/1265670927272095748?s=20

Fabulous afternoon spent with @MarkFFisher (author of @WriteAboutTheat) & other passionate theatre lovers & writers. While stages are dark it's important to still dream, imagine & create.#LoveYourWork #HowToWriteAboutTheatre
— Heart of Theatre (@HeartOfTheatre) May 27, 2020

Spent the afternoon absorbing the wisdom of @MarkFFisher at an engaging @WriteAboutTheat workshop. The perfect tonic for some lockdown leave – would highly recommend it! 🎭
— Fraser MacDonald (@fr4ser) May 27, 2020

I took part in the @WriteAboutTheat workshop this week and loved it. The knowledge that @MarkFFisher imparts is invaluable. Sadly can't make this one, but will do my best to seek it out when it comes around again 👇🏻 https://t.co/wgTNGxW9oK
— Fraser MacDonald (@fr4ser) May 29, 2020

Online, 6 May 2020

This online theatre reviewing workshop with Guardian theatre critic, Mark Fisher was a stimulating way to spend a couple of hours during lock-down. It was so lovely to virtually meet the other participants from across the globe, including South Africa, Italy and the UK. An interactive experience, despite being virtual, there was lots of great collaboration between the participants. Whether you’re an accomplished or amateur critic, a literature student or just have an interest in theatre and the arts, you’ll get a lot of inspiration and great tips. Five stars! – Kerry Teakle, participant

What an amazing #LoveTheatre experience spending 2+ hrs soaking up the insight & knowledge of @guardian theatre critic & @WriteAboutTheat author, @MarkFFisher. I've been in a slump, but after being part of one of his workshops, I'm excited to write about theatre again! Brilliant! pic.twitter.com/O2ZvkLqlmv
— Dr Barbara Loots (@Varvara13) May 7, 2020

Spent my morning in a wonderful theatre criticism workshop with @MarkFFisher. Learnt so much and thoroughly enjoyed chatting with like-minded people. I can't wait to be back at the theatre itself!@WriteAboutTheat
— The Violet Curtain (@violet_curtain) May 6, 2020

Online, 5 May 2020

A rewarding two hours of discussion and debate that reminded us of the value of theatre to society and restored faith to those of us feeling despondent about our future. After two months of silence and isolation, it was an extremely enjoyable and refreshing evening meeting people passionate about theatre who were all confident that theatre and her critics will not die out. Congratulations and thanks to Mark Fisher for keeping the faith and bringing back some hope that the show must go on. Highly recommended. 5 stars – Toby Gough, participant

I spent this morning in a Zoom of British theatre critics talking about criticism and resonance and how the hell we can talk about art in the midst of a pandemic. It was AWESOME.@MarkFFisher is running more of these workshops over the next week. Highly, highly recommend!!
— aisling murphy (@aisling_murph_) May 5, 2020

Spent a lovely couple of hours at a theatre criticism workshop run by @WriteAboutTheat today. I have been sorely missing theatre of late, and an afternoon chatting about theatre and criticism was just the tonic.

Check out Mark's upcoming workshops at the twitter page above.
— Saoirse Anton (@E_dayEccentric) May 5, 2020

https://twitter.com/shakespeareanLK/status/1257692906682449920?s=20

Santiago a Mil festival, Chile 25 January 2020

https://www.instagram.com/p/B7wChZenllq/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link

University of Malta 5–7 December 2016

Guests clutch their copies of How to Write About Theatre after an event at the University of Malta

Arts Council Malta 20 December 2016

Let’s talk about criticism

UK theatre critic Mark Fisher was recently invited by Arts Council Malta to lead a discussion on critical reviewing in the arts. Here he records his thoughts and impressions. READ MORE

Insightful three-day course by @MarkFFisher and an overdue discussion on local arts reviewing. 👏🏼 @ArtsCouncilMLT & English Dept. (UoM) pic.twitter.com/dg4JAXP0rE
— Stephanie Bonnici (@bonnsteph) December 7, 2016

Nuffield Theatre, Southampton, 1 October 2016

Mark Fisher's theatre criticism workshop at the Nuffield Theatre, Southampton — Criticism workshop at the Nuffield Theatre, Southampton

Fascinating talk last nite by @MarkFFisher that overran but still wasn't long enough! More like this plz
— Ayad Andrews (@ayadandrews) October 1, 2016

Pepperdine University at the RCS, Glasgow July 2016

Last day of class with the wonderful @MarkFFisher
Thank you for expanding our knowledge on theatre criticism! pic.twitter.com/Ds2SnzAHVk
— Pepperdine Scotland (@PeppScotland) July 27, 2016

Falmouth University 18 March 2016

Falmouth University Students in a criticism workshop by Mark Fisher, author of How to Write About Theatre — Students in Falmouth think about How to Write About Theatre

https://twitter.com/kiernanna/status/710825701755252737?s=20

Great to be back at @faljournalism for a lecture with @MarkFFisher @WriteAboutTheat. I learn something new every time I'm there.
— Natalie Roberts (@1NatalieRoberts) March 18, 2016

Hall for Cornwall 17/18 March 2016

Fab to have @MarkFFisher @WriteAboutTheat bk in Cornwall – so far chat w/ @ByrdeSong @Janxie12 @GodzillaKent @SheilaVanloo @1NatalieRoberts
— Kirsty Cotton (@kirstycotton) March 18, 2016

Thank you @MarkFFisher @WriteAboutTheat for an informative and helpful chat about reviewing theatre.
— Natalie Roberts (@1NatalieRoberts) March 18, 2016

Great one on one chat with @MarkFFisher @WriteAboutTheat last night about the art of criticism, and criticism of art.
— Aaron Kent (@GodzillaKent) March 18, 2016

Thank you @MarkFFisher @WriteAboutTheat for motivating thoughts & feedback. I am literally in your debt. pic.twitter.com/MJDMYnWGgo
— Philly (@PhillyByrde) March 17, 2016

University of Sunderland 14 March 2016

Theatre criticism workshop with Mark Fisher at the University of Sunderland — Students at the University of Sunderland

Happy to give @WriteAboutTheat a glowing review for his @sunderlanduni lecture. It has been illuminating, amusing and challenging. #MED316
— alistair robinson (@Ali_Robinson_) March 14, 2016

University of Chichester, Department of Theatre 3 March 2016

Students at the University of Chichester join a criticism workshop with Mark Fisher — Students at the University of Chichester

@carl_woodward09 @MarkFFisher @WriteAboutTheat really enjoying today's lecture 🙂 #theatre
— JamesWhitedragon (@james128halo) March 3, 2016

What a brilliant lecture! Privilege to listen to @MarkFFisher and @jakeyoh contrasting opinions on theatre critique/writing #TheatreCricket
— Louie Smith (@MissLouieSmith) March 3, 2016

Great lecture with @MarkFFisher and @jakeyoh on theatre reviewing☺️ two very insightful opinions🎭 #theatrecritique pic.twitter.com/TJsa1rBeNW
— BethanyJN (@BethanyJN) March 3, 2016

https://twitter.com/elisearnold_/status/705363559769907201?s=20

@MarkFFisher Thankyou for coming!☺️ your book has already been very helpful and now with these lecture notes critiquing will be much easier!
— BethanyJN (@BethanyJN) March 3, 2016

An interesting lecture this morning about theatre criticism! So kind for @MarkFFisher to sign my books 😊 @chiuni pic.twitter.com/MEzhHWcEny
— LittleMissRed (@LottieTompsett) March 3, 2016

Young Vic, London 1 March 2016

"Articulate" evening w/ @MarkFFisher & #genesisdirectors discussing "How To Write About Theatre". Thank u. Look 4ward to the read.
— Sarah Ford. 🇺🇦 💜💚 (@SarahSassyFord) March 1, 2016

Thank you @MarkFFisher – that was a super useful & interesting workshop. Taking lots away- least of all refined tweeting skills!
— Amie Taylor (She/her) (@AmieAmieTay) March 1, 2016

@MarkFFisher thanks for fascinating chat tonight about #HowToWriteAboutTheatre & all things criticism @youngvictheatre. Gobby Northerner
— Signal Theatre Company (@SignalTheatreCo) March 1, 2016

https://twitter.com/verityrhealey/status/704805356569010176?s=20

Canterbury Christ Church University 1 March 2016

students at Christchurch, Canterbury joins Mark Fisher's theatre criticism workshop — Students at Christchurch, Canterbury

https://twitter.com/KeneIgweonu/status/704613362534096896?s=20

University of Manchester 10 February 2016

Great talk this afternoon by @MarkFFisher on theatre criticism #ifactingdoesntworkthenjournalismhereIcome
— Jack (@jwharrisonn) February 10, 2016

https://twitter.com/edwinamc/status/697517843529732097?s=20

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