Theater criticism, an exercise for the memory

Abstract

What is the role of criticism in the theater? This lecture draws a parallel between theatrical criticism within the framework of modernist aesthetics—which evaluated the extent to which a work adhered to established canons of craft—and the contemporary function of criticism, which should instead seek to mediate between the work and the audience, fostering engagement, passion, and allure with the aim of cultivating audiences. It also compares the practice of criticism in the theater with that in other artistic fields, such as cinema and literature, to reflect on the role of taste—in relation to prevailing canons—and its impact on cultural consumption.