For my Text of the Week this week, I
chose to read a theater review. From the New York Times online, I found a
review of a current Broadway showing of Shakespeare’s “Twelfth Night”. Once I
settled in on a theater review as my text of choice, choosing this particular
review was a logical choice for a theater-lover like myself. A Broadway showing
of a Shakespeare play is always a special event for theater fans, especially
when the show is imported directly from London’s Globe Theater as this one is.
This review covers all conceivable aspects of the production… notably the
acting, costuming, staging, and comparison to other productions. This review is
clearly written for avid theater- goers and fans of Shakespeare’s work.
Emphasis being placed on this incarnation of Shakespeare on Broadway is
relevant when one considers that it is an inordinately authentic version.
Solely male actors are used in this version, which is true to original
Shakespearean productions.
The rhetorical device that author Ben
Brantley, respected chief theater critic of the New York Times, utilizes most
effectively is evocative diction. One line that jumped out at me in particular
was his description of his reaction to the show being “pure, tickling joy”.
Such deeply descriptive language evokes an emotional response from an audience.
This emotional response helps to get the reader invested in the work being
described and works towards the author’s ultimate purpose: to review the show
effectively and either persuade or dissuade others from going. In the case of
this review, Brantley’s diction is very effective in striking my interest. Such
strong descriptive language makes me feel as though I am having the experience
of seeing the show myself and definitely makes me want to go and see this
particular production.
No comments:
Post a Comment