Robert Brustein on Drama Criticism - The 92nd Street Y, New York

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92NY Humanities Audio Collection

Critics on Criticism

Robert Brustein on Drama Criticism

Oct 15, 1985


Actor, artistic director, and producer Jane Moss moderates a conversation with theatrical critic Robert Brustein, examining the role and the world of the drama critic. They cover subjects such as how he views the state of the theater today, how his creative work affects his criticism and vice versa, and how he feels that being both a practitioner and a critic is a “very complicated and scratchy state of affairs.” He speaks at length about the role of criticism in relation to the actual art form and warns the audience about the harmfulness of viewing criticism as a consumer report, further quipping that “New York theater isn't all that interesting anymore.” The discussion is followed by questions from the audience.

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