Play The Critic - Theatre. Music and Dance
Play the Critic helps 6th Form students develop critical thinking and writing skills by teaching them how to write theatre reviews, under the guidance of professional theatre critics. There are now new versions of this programme available for dance and music students.
This programme can be used as an enrichment or G & T activity for any Sixth Form students, as well as those taking Theatre Studies or Drama.
For more information, please contact Linda on 020 7836 4388 or email linda@mousetrap.org.uk
In Autumn 2007, we launched an adapted version of Play the Critic for music students, and will be following this up in autumn 2008 with a new dance version for 6th Form dance students
Play the Critic is generously supported by John Lyon's Charity
Play the Critic - Theatre
Theatre Visit: 40 or so 6th form students, from three to four schools, see a play selected by Mousetrap Theatre Projects.
Masterclass: A few days later everyone attends a full day masterclass at a central London theatre, run by two theatre critics and the director of the play they saw. Critics will discuss the basic principles of analysing plays and writing reviews; the director helps to 'deconstruct' the creative process and then writers lead a practical workshop to help students hone their writing skills.
Theatre Visit: Students are then able to see a second theatre production of their own choice, selected from a shortlist provided by Mousetrap Theatre Projects, and are given 24 hours to write a 350-500 word review.
Tutorial: Critics will visit the students at school to provide each of them with a one-to-one tutorial on their review
Selected reviews are featured on websites, and each critic invites the writers of the most outstanding reviews to attend a press night with them
The programme is supported by a resource pack with ideas on how to write a good review.
Downloadable Application - Play the Critic (Theatre)
- Next Available: February/March 2009
- Cost: £150, plus £5 per theatre ticket
Play The Critic - Music
Working in partnership with London Sinfonietta, we have developed a programme for Sixth Form music students to enable them to analyse contemporary music pieces and articulate their opinions about live performance. Students work with professional music critics and composers to hone their critiquing skills.
The structure of Play the Critic - Music is similar to the theatre version.
- Next Available: Autumn Term 2008
- Cost: £150 plus £5 per concert ticket
Downloadable Application - Play the Critic (Music)
Play the Critic - Dance
Currently in the planning stage, this programme will be available during the autumn term.
- Cost: £150 plus £5 per dance ticket