Literature: Audience reviews

From previous literary sources, we have established that interdisciplinary work is essential in any theatre company. Team work, i.e. Collaborating and cooperating affectively, and communication are key interdisciplinary skills that aid the creative success of our production. We have also discovered that positive relationships and hierarchy/management is definitely required in order to facilitate such work. The two go hand in hand, as we are beginning to understand with disciplinary and interdisciplinary practice.

After conducting the majority of my interviews, I have found that many experts in my practice feel audience reaction and reception is a key indicator of how creatively successful our production is. This supports ideas formed previously in module 2. Therefore, I have decided to analyse some audience reviews from our opening in Wolverhampton which I collated as part of the planning for my inquiry.


"The constant scene changes might keep up a cracking pace but we needed pauses to allow the characters to breathe and develop and for the chemistry between Johnny and Baby to evolve: we never got it and as a result it all seemed a little flat." (Clarke 2016. Online: "Behind the arras.")

"When the strong music beats started the audience enthusiastically cheered as they were whisked back to the summer of 1963. The packed theatre excitedly watched the growing chemistry between Baby and Johnny whilst indulging in much loved hits..." (Love Midlands Theatre, 2016)

"It wast until the end that I really felt any chemistry between the two" (Norton 2016. Express and Star)


Here we have very contrasting opinions toward the onstage relationship between the two leading roles, however what we are sure of is how important that relationship is to our audiences. It is paramount to the affect our performances have on them. We've found that 'love' and 'enjoyment' from Cohen are at the root of theatre - whether you're doing it as a hobby, professionally or watching it. Therefore it is essential for us to connect with the audience, as a result of our connections formed on stage. We can effectively visualise it is a happy love triangle or a 2 directional relationship; 1 between each other and 1 between us and the audience.


"...whisking the audience off to the summer of 1963" (online at fashionmommy's blog)

"People, rightfully, expect to see the story they loved in the film retold faithfully on stage..." (Clarke 2016. Online: "Behind the arras.")

"You can relive every cheesy line, well known cliche and enjoy every loveable character." (Norton 2016. Express and Star)


I have come to the understanding, particularly with this show deriving such a famous movie, that the audience have their own pre-conceptions and imaginations of what the production should look like; and sound like creatively. Therefore it is our job to collectively, replicate this image and live up to their expectations. It is essential for them to buy into the entire production so that they can be fully transported and feel totally involved. This is why interdisciplinary work is of upmost importance.


"Johnny's room and bed are a shade small for the inevitable love scenes, causing some sniggers in the audience..."

"Outstanding contributions from the on-stage musicians add to the enjoyment for the audience who, on the first night, enthusiastically cheered the splendid cast." (Marston 2016. "Behind the arras")

"But of course the moment everyone was waiting for was the climatic lift....It was executed to perfection by the couple and brings a tear to the eye of the romantics in the audience." (Norton 2016. Express and Star)

"By the end the whole audience was dancing and the show finished to huge cheers and applause." (Love Midlands Theatre 2016)


As well as communication being key between professionals at work, the communication between us and our audiences is also a great indicator of how well or not we are working collaboratively. Audio communication in the form of cheering, whooping, applause, laughing and booing; visual communication in the form of smiles, tears and eye contact; body language and active communication such as dancing along or waving, are all great examples. The above from our audience is basically instant feedback on our work. From this we know whether we have done a good job that night, whether the show has been a success, whether things have gone right or wrong, or whether the audience felt something as a result of our performance. In conclusion, not only is communication essential between colleagues; but the communication, or lack of it, between us and our audience is essential for us in order to reflect on our practice and team work, and gage the success of the production.