2. Who can apply for Citizens’ Reviews 2019?
Anyone who is a Singaporean Citizen, Permanent Resident or resident of Singapore.

3. Is there an age limit?
No.

4. What can participants expect from the programme?
Selected candidates will be given tickets to local theatre productions of their choice by the Centre. They will then submit a review to the Centre for editing before it gets published on the Centre 42 website. As the programme is not designed as a course, there will be no regular classes on critical writing. However, reviewers will be invited to attend a week-long training programme during the year, with details to be announced. Reviewers will also have the opportunity to attend monthly meet-ups with the editor and fellow reviewers.

5. What language can reviewers write in?
For the 2019 cycle, the programme will only be taking in English-language reviewers.

6. Who is the editor for Citizens’ Review 2019?
The 2019 cycle of Citizens’ Reviews will be helmed by Gwen Pew, the Centre’s communications and programmes executive and a former arts writer and editor.

7. How many reviews do Citizen Reviewers have to complete within the 12-month cycle?
All Citizen Reviewers are required to submit a minimum of 10 reviews.

8. Who determines the type of productions to be reviewed? And what are the criteria for the selection of productions for reviewing?
Centre 42 puts together a list of upcoming theatre productions for Citizen Reviewers to select from. In line with Centre 42’s objective of documenting and promoting local theatre, the primary criteria is that they have to be plays that are staged by Singaporean companies, or involve Singaporean theatre practitioners.

9. Will Centre 42 be providing tickets for reviewers?
Yes. Centre 42 will try to request for a reviewer’s ticket from the presenter/theatre company after confirming the date and time that the reviewer will be attending the show. Otherwise, reviewers will purchase their own tickets, and be reimbursed for the full or pre-agreed amount upon submission of their review and ticket receipt.

10. What about non-Singaporean theatre productions? Can reviewers choose to write reviews of them for publication on Centre 42’s platform?
Occasionally, the Centre might recommend foreign productions and include those in the list for reviewers to consider as part of their personal enrichment and development. However, the Centre will not bear the cost of or purchase the tickets to these productions. The Centre will accept written reviews of these recommended non-Singapore theatre productions for publication on Centre 42’s online platforms.

11. What about productions that are not on the list provided by Centre 42?
From time to time, reviewers may come across productions that the Centre may not be aware of. Reviewers can write a request/recommendation to include these into the list for consideration, at least two weeks prior to event date. Do note that reviews of productions not in the Centre’s endorsed list will not be published on Centre 42’s online platforms.

12. When do reviews need to be submitted by?
Reviews should be submitted two to three days after the performance date.

13. Can the reviewer publish his/her written review – original or edited by Centre 42 – elsewhere?
No. All reviews of productions with tickets purchased under Citizens’ Reviews platform will be exclusively published on the Centre 42 website. Reviewers can, however, share the link of the published review on other platforms.

14. Can non-English productions be reviewed?
Yes. We encourage reviewers to watch at least one non-English production during their term, but reviews submitted must be written in English.

15. Can a production or theatre company offer its show(s) to be reviewed by this Citizens’ Reviews programme? Who do they approach?
Yes. Interested organisations can write in to CitizensReviews@centre42.sg to be included in the Centre’s selection of productions to reviewers.

Find out more about Citizens’ Reviews here, and apply for the 2019 cycle here.

If you have any further questions, please email CitizensReviews@centre42.sg.

Citizens’ Reviews is a yearly programme that gives up-and-coming theatre critics the opportunity to hone their craft, and join a growing community of fellow reviewers. Now approaching its sixth cycle, the 2019 edition will take place from 1 January to 31 December 2019.

This programme encourages independent learning. Reviewers will be provided with tickets to attend local theatre performances of their choice, after which they will submit a review. The piece will then be edited and published on the Centre’s website. Please note that we will only be accepting reviewers who write in English.

As Citizens’ Reviews is not designed as a course, there will be no regular classes on critical writing. However, reviewers will be invited to attend a week-long training programme, with details to be announced. Reviewers will also have the opportunity to attend monthly meet-ups with the editor and fellow reviewers. 

For more information, visit our FAQ section here.

Selected Citizen Reviewers will:

• Be given tickets to attend a wide range of local theatre productions of their choice
• Write and submit reviews for editing and feedback
• Participate in monthly meet-ups with the editor and fellow Citizen Reviewers to discuss a range of topics related to the local theatre landscape and the art of review writing
• Have their bios and written reviews published on Centre 42’s website

We’re looking for people who:

• Have good knowledge of the local theatre scene
• Are strong writers with some experience in writing about the arts
• Possess an open and critical mind
• Are able to clearly express his or her opinions with supporting evidence

Find out more about the Citizens’ Reviews programme.

If you’d like to apply to become a Citizen Reviewer for our 2018, we are currently accepting applications until 22 October. Find out more about the open call and how you can get involved here.

Why did you want to join the Citizens’ Reviews programme?
It was an opportunity to get back into the arts in a subtler way than I had been involved before – when I had been a producer / director – and allowed me to hone my critical writing skills a bit more, which is an area of interest for me now.

What did you enjoy most about the Citizens’ Reviews programme?
I was able to enjoy different types of theatrical productions from different types of local art groups. I watched shows by established and aspiring theatre companies, as well as community and non-conventional pieces. Also, critiquing shows that are not performed in my mother tongue allowed me to review how much our arts groups have matured, and how they continue to grow in this ever developing (but more crowded) arts scene in Singapore.

What were some of the challenges you faced as a Citizen Reviewer?
I found out through my journey as a Citizen Reviewer that the reviews I panned were more challenging to write than those that I reviewed positively. However, I feel that the obligation the reviewer has is to yourself and the reader, rather than the arts groups/practitioners. I know from experience how and what it takes to mount a production in Singapore, hence I decide not to mince words on a piece if it was so warranted. I’d like to be encouraging at the same time, but for some shows, it’s hard to be so!

What do you think of the arts (and especially theatre) reviewing scene in Singapore right now?
Theatre reviewing has not quite caught up with the quality of some of the more established theatre companies in Singapore’s shows. It’s still a little premature, and whilst it is nice that most shows get reviewed in the nation’s dailies, arts reviewing here primarily communicates what the show is about, and some mention of the actor’s performances or director’s decisions. Not much else. Keeping everyone happy seems to be the modus operandi of reviewers writing for the dailies, but when readers only sees mostly positive reviews, it limits their expectations for a more critical response. There are some writers that offer more than that – an opinion, their perspective, etc. – but it has not made a dent in the overall quality of what you read from them.

Who are some of the theatre critics you follow/enjoy reading?
From the local dailies, I don’t mind reading Helmi Yusof of The Business Times and Akshita Nanda of The Straits Times, and from the Citizen’s Reviewers of 2017, I like reading Myle Yan Tay, Cordelia Lee, and Isaac Tan.

Interview by Gwen Pew on 26 September 2017

Find out more about the Citizens’ Reviews programme here.

If you’d like to apply to become a Citizen Reviewer for our 2018, we are currently accepting applications until 22 October. Find out more about the open call and how you can get involved here.

Why did you want to join the Citizens’ Reviews programme?
As part of my work as a freelance arts educator and practitioner, I generally watch a lot of performances, some of which can elicit strong reactions and spark intense reflection and/or discussion with friends and colleagues. Writing helps to consolidate my thoughts, but I don’t always have the discipline to set aside time for personal writing, so being part of a review platform is a perfect opportunity for me to write and reflect!

What did you enjoy most about the Citizens’ Reviews programme? 
I appreciate being given a lot of freedom in terms of personal reviewing interests and writing style. In fact we are encouraged to develop them in order to cultivate a strong and identifiable voice as a reviewer. So while my initial motivation for joining the programme was more personal, I liked being challenged and encouraged to approach reviewing from a more professional angle.

What did you learn from the programme?
The opportunity to share information and have discussions with the editors and fellow reviewers has enabled me to learn more and think more critically about reviewing – its purpose, its importance to the scene, common perceptions and challenges – and also about the arts scene in general.

What do you think of the arts (and especially theatre) reviewing scene in Singapore right now?
There isn’t really one (laughs)?  Or it is very disparate, because reviewing is not discussed often enough, and when it is, it tends to be viewed in a skeptical light. I feel that everyone – artists, audiences, reviewers themselves – needs to know more about reviewing and its importance, before we can have a “reviewing scene” to speak of.

Interview by Gwen Pew on 26 September 2017

Find out more about the Citizens’ Reviews programme here.

If you’d like to apply to become a Citizen Reviewer for our 2018, we are currently accepting applications until 22 October. Find out more about the open call and how you can get involved here.

What did you enjoy most about the Citizens’ Reviews programme?
Walking up to the front-of-house and claiming my complimentary ticket. That, and of course the wide variety of local productions that I’ve been exposed to! From applied theatre productions to intercultural pieces – reviewing as part of the programme has piqued my interest in forms of theatre I never knew I would enjoy (i.e mandarin children’s musicals)

What were some of the challenges you faced as a Citizen Reviewer?
Choosing which elements of the performance to include in each review. It’s terribly difficult to write a succinctly at times, and I struggle with keeping to my word limit.

What did you learn from the programme?
To compliment accordingly, and critique responsibly with evidence – you can be a bitch, but don’t be an unreasonable bitch.

What do you think of the arts (and especially theatre) reviewing scene in Singapore right now?
It is important to cultivate a generation of theatre reviewers in the scene who critically analyse a performance. One too many reviewers do little more than give readers a summary of a production’s narrative. We don’t need spoilers!

Who are some of the theatre critics you follow/enjoy reading?
John Simon, who doled out witty, and often stinging, reviews for the New York Magazine for four decades. And of course, Lyn Gardner from The Guardian.

Interview by Gwen Pew on 28 September 2017

Find out more about the Citizens’ Reviews programme here.

If you’d like to apply to become a Citizen Reviewer for our 2018, we are currently accepting applications until 22 October. Find out more about the open call and how you can get involved here.

You’re the only reviewer who’s been with us from the first pilot cycle to now – how do you think the programme has evolved over the years?
​Gosh, I realised I have been doing this for four years now! Well, the programme started out as a platform to allow anyone to gain some exposure to theatre reviewing, and we have amassed quite a collection of reviews. We have been doing that for two or three years now, and [Dr. Robin Loon, the editor of the programme] has kindly asked some of us to stay on.

As my colleagues and I have gained more confidence, the programme seems to be gearing towards professional development. It is no longer a matter of expressing our opinions and giving adequate reasons, it also about how we do it – the craft of writing. Furthermore, we are starting to have more workshops this year. Dr. Loon also spent some time discussing issues that we would face as critics in the arts industry.

In terms of content, I am glad that some of my fellow reviewers are theatre practitioners with considerable experience. I enjoy reading their opinions, especially when they contextualise a certain show within the history of our theatre scene – a scene which they were part of and helped to shape.

What did you learn from the programme?
​As with any artistic practice, and I consider theatre criticism to be a practice, the main point of it is in the doing. ​The programme has allowed me to find my voice as a critic without having to worry about very tight deadlines (unlike my colleagues in the mainstream media), or readership. It has allowed me to focus solely on my writing.

What were some of the challenges you faced as a Citizen Reviewer?
​The main challenge would be getting my point across to my reader​ ​clearly​, while maintaining my personal voice. ​How do I give myself the freedom to experiment with the way I write, while providing something of value to my reader?

What do you think of the arts (and especially theatre) reviewing scene in Singapore right now?
The most encouraging thing is that the National Arts Council is turning its attention to arts writing and is supporting initiatives such as ArtsEquator. The arts reviewing scene has to grow outside of the mainstream media, because the newspaper critics, due to the limitations of their respective publications, are journalists who are tasked to write reviews.

The main problem is how do we make theatre criticism a viable career.The only way for the whole arts scene to grow is to have professional critics who have some knowledge, and is able to stay the course because being a witness to the epochs of our theatre history is the most valuable asset a critic can have.

A related problem is how do we develop a responsive readership? Right now, the conversation, if there is any at all, is between the reviewer and the reviewed. How do we broaden the conversation to include, at the very least, the avid theatre-goer? These conversations are not meant to stroke the egos of the practitioners, but they help the scene to grow. Furthermore, when it comes to sensitive issues like funding, the opinions of those who watch the shows are crucial. Otherwise, anyone (authorities and practitioners alike) can prescribe what the arts scene should be based on the nebulous idea of what “the people” wants, or is ready for.

If you are an avid theatre-goer and do read reviews from time to time, I encourage you to share your opinions with me. Write to Centre 42 and tell them why I am a fool to praise or criticise a certain work. I’ll be happy to respond to what you have to say. You don’t need to write a full review, it could simply be a response to one of my points. That’s all it takes.

There are many other issues that we need to consider, but the ones I mentioned are the main ones.

Who are some of the theatre critics you follow/enjoy reading?
​Kenneth Tynan is a sheer joy to read, and he has an influenced my writing considerably. Apart from his unmistakable style, I admire his vivid descriptions, and his ability to contextualise the show within the history of British theatre. Of course, he is of his time, and some of his approaches to reviewing will simply be unacceptable today.

​Online, I will usually read reviews from the Guardian and Observer (Lyn Gardner, Michael Billington, Susannah Clapp) as the format and limited word count is quite aligned with Citizen​s’ Reviews. For books, I have started on John Simon’s anthology (a sharp but controversial writer). The collections by ​Harold Clurman and Joyce Macmillan are sitting on my bookshelf patiently.

Whenever I am stuck, I will consult random reviews by all of them just to get me into the groove of things again. I consider them to be my tutors in theatre criticism as well.

Interview by Gwen Pew on 26 September 2017

Find out more about the Citizens’ Reviews programme here.

2. Who can apply for Citizens’ Reviews 2018?
Anyone who is a Singaporean Citizen, Permanent Resident or resident of Singapore.

3. Is there an age limit?
No.

4. What can participants expect from the programme?
Selected candidates will be given tickets to shows of their choice by the Centre. They will then submit a review in English to the Centre for editing before it gets published on the Centre 42 website. As the programme is not designed as a course, there will be no lessons on critical writing. Reviewers will, however, have the opportunity to engage in dialogue sessions with fellow participants and the editor in the form of quarterly roundtables and one-on-one clinics.

5. What language can reviewers write in?
For the 2018 cycle, the programme will only be taking in English-language reviewers.

6. Who are the editors for Citizens’ Review?
Dr Robin Loon, the Centre’s resident dramaturg, will continue on as editor. Gwen Pew, the Centre’s communications and programmes executive and a former arts editor, will be taking on the role of deputy editor.

7. Who determines the type of productions to be reviewed? And what are the criteria for the selection of productions for reviewing?
Centre 42 puts together a list of upcoming theatre productions for Citizen Reviewers to select from on a regular basis. In line with Centre 42’s objective of documenting and promoting local theatre, the primary criteria is that they have to be plays that are staged by Singaporean companies. These could range from original new works created, to adapted works produced by local arts organisations and collectives.

8. Will Centre 42 be providing tickets for reviewers?
Yes. Centre 42 will try to request for a reviewer’s ticket from the presenter/theatre company after confirming the date and time that the reviewer will be attending the show. Otherwise, reviewers will purchase their own tickets, and be reimbursed for the full or pre-agreed amount upon submission of their reviews and ticket receipts.

9. What about non-Singapore Theatre productions? Can reviewers choose to write reviews of them for publication on Centre 42’s platform?
Occasionally, the Centre might recommend foreign productions and include those in the list for reviewers to consider as part of their personal enrichment and development. However, the Centre will not bear the cost of or purchase the tickets to these productions. The Centre will accept written reviews of these recommended non-Singapore theatre productions for publication on Centre 42’s online platforms.

10. What about productions that are not on the list provided by Centre 42?
From time to time, reviewers may come across productions that the Centre may not be aware of. Reviewers can write a request/recommendation to include these into the list for consideration, at least two weeks prior to event date. Do note that reviews of productions not in the Centre’s endorsed list will not be published on Centre 42’s online platforms.

11. When do reviews need to be submitted by?
Reviews should be submitted two to three days after the performance date.

12. Can the reviewer publish his/her written review – original or edited by Centre 42 – elsewhere?
No. All reviews of productions with tickets purchased under Citizens’ Reviews platform will be exclusively published on the Centre 42 website. Reviewers can, however, share the link of the published review on other platforms.

13. Each reviewer has a quota of 12 production reviews for the year. What kind of production/review count toward the quota?
All reviews of shows with tickets that are purchased under the Citizens’ Reviews programme will count towards the quota. Reviews of shows with tickets that are not purchased under the programme may be included under the reviewers’ quota, provided that they satisfy the programme’s requirements and that they are exclusively published on the Centre 42 website.

14. Can non-English productions be reviewed?
Yes. We encourage reviewers to watch at least one non-English production during their term, but reviews submitted must be written in English.

15. Can a production or theatre company offer its show(s) to be reviewed by this Citizens’ Reviews programme? Who do they approach?
Yes. Interested organisations can write in to CitizensReviews@centre42.sg to be included in the Centre’s selection of productions to reviewers.

16. When will the 2018 Citizen Reviewers get to meet for the first time?
A caucus for reviewers from both the 2017 and 2018 cycles will be held sometime in December 2017 at Centre 42. This will be an opportunity for reviewers, editor and the Centre 42 team to meet and share past experiences of the programme. The exact date and more details will be sent out to successful applicants closer to the time.

Find out more about Citizens’ Reviews here, and apply for the 2018 cycle here.

If you have any further questions, please email CitizensReviews@centre42.sg.

Citizens’ Reviews is a 12-month programme that takes place between 1 January and 31 December 2018. Its aim is to provide up-and-coming theatre critics with a platform to hone their review-writing skills.

The programme encourages independent learning. Reviewers will be provided tickets by Centre 42 to attend local theatre performances of their choice, after which they will submit a review. The piece will then be edited and published on the Centre’s website.

For the 2018 cycle, the programme will only be taking in English-language reviewers.

As Citizens’ Reviews is not designed as a course, there will be no lessons on critical writing. Reviewers will, however, have the opportunity to engage in dialogue sessions with fellow participants and the editor in the form of roundtables or clinics throughout the year.

For more information, visit our FAQ section here.

Selected Citizen Reviewers will:

• Be given tickets to attend a wide range of local theatre productions of their choice
• Write and submit reviews for editing and feedback
• Participate in quarterly roundtable sessions or clinics that facilitate the sharing of approaches, strategies and issues faced among reviewers
• Have their bios and written reviews published on Centre 42’s website

We’re looking for people who:

• Have good knowledge of the local theatre scene
• Are strong writers with some experience in writing about the arts
• Possess an open and critical mind
• Are able to clearly express his or her opinions with supporting evidence

Find out more about the Citizens’ Reviews programme.

Find out more about CR2017 Open Call and CR 2016 Open Call!

Then our Citizens’ Reviews programme might just be for you.

This 12-month programme takes place between 1 January and 31 December 2017, and aims to provide aspiring theatre critics with a platform to generate informed observations about the productions they have watched in the form of reviews. 

Citizens’ Reviews is a programme that encourages independent learning. Reviewers will be given tickets by Centre 42 to attend local theatre performances of their choice, after which they will submit a review in either English or Chinese. The piece will then be edited and published on the Centre’s website. Dr Robin Loon, the Centre’s resident dramaturg, will continue on as editor for English-language reviews, while renowned playwright-director Liu Xiaoyi will return as the editor for Chinese-language reviews.

As Citizens’ Reviews is not designed as a course, there will be no lessons or workshops on critical writing. Reviewers will, however, have the opportunity to engage in dialogue sessions with fellow participants and the editors. The 2017 cycle will also see the introduction of a one-on-one clinic, where reviewers can get more personal feedback about their writing.

For more information, visit our FAQ section here.

Selected Citizen Reviewers will:

• Be given tickets to attend a wide range of local theatre productions of their choice
• Write and submit reviews for editing and feedback
• Participate in quarterly round-table sessions or clinics that facilitate the sharing of approaches, strategies and issues faced among reviewers
• Have their bios and written reviews published on Centre 42’s website

We’re looking for people who:

• Have knowledge of the local theatre scene
• Possess an open and critical mind
• Are strong writers with the ability to clearly express his or her opinions with supporting evidence

Find out more about the Citizens’ Reviews programme.