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Post by Phantom of London on Oct 15, 2016 18:08:43 GMT
Firstly I haven't heard of any ill health with Michael, he is still covering the theatre as good as someone half his age and posts great, thoughtful and informative reviews. Nor posting this thread do I wish him any disservice.
As you are aware Michael has been posting for the Guardian longer than I have been alive (43 years), so he is in his seventies, also the Guardian review is the most respected in the arts world. So when it becomes vacant it will be the job to have in theatre criticism. So who would be good enough to fill this vacancy, when it does eventually arise?
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Post by martin1965 on Oct 15, 2016 18:51:17 GMT
Think you are giving too much kudos to the Grauniad. The unfortunate trend lately has been to appoint non theatre specialists at the broadsheets so i wouldnt hold your breath.
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Post by Deleted on Oct 15, 2016 20:02:22 GMT
Just promote Susannah Clapp, assuming she'd be happy to take on his workload.
Although I wouldnot be in the least bit surprised if there was no replacement when he eventually steps back...
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Post by theglenbucklaird on Oct 15, 2016 23:50:19 GMT
I'm going for Nicholas off 'ere
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Post by Deleted on Oct 15, 2016 23:56:14 GMT
What an odd thread
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Post by mallardo on Oct 16, 2016 6:18:18 GMT
I vote for Steve - from here.
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Post by duncan on Oct 16, 2016 8:58:57 GMT
Left wing tax dodgers the Grauniad (and other dead tree press) are not really relevant in the modern age so I dont think it matters. All offence intended to the freeloading reviews of the DTP but I tend to get a far more honest opinion of a show on here, although like when using Trip Advisor I discount the top and bottom 10%.
The opinion of people paying to watch something in their own free time will always be far more beneficial to me than what the paid critics are currently fapping themselves off over.
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Post by bengal73 on Oct 16, 2016 9:24:27 GMT
Random theatreboard members
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Post by Honoured Guest on Oct 16, 2016 12:45:42 GMT
I agree that he won't be replaced like-for-like when he retires or dies, or when he next decides to do less work or to travel less or to make any other such change to his remit. The Guardian's Theatre coverage will then be reconfigured, as in previous reorganisations. I think The Guardian is excellent with its current mix of critics, and its balance of reviews and considered blog essays.
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Post by firefingers on Oct 16, 2016 12:46:09 GMT
Parsley please.
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Post by ctas on Oct 16, 2016 19:24:42 GMT
I love Billington's reviews, usually a good gauge as to whether I'll like something at the theatre or not. Don't want to think of the Guardian without them!
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Post by alexandra on Oct 17, 2016 9:04:41 GMT
^agree. But off 'ere, I'd have Steve too.
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Post by dani on Oct 19, 2016 13:44:51 GMT
Will: someone who already writes for the Guardian. Susanna Clapp seems unlikely.
Should: Andrej Lukowski, Matt Trueman
Could: any left leaning critic who has the knowledge and appetite for the workload. Sam Marlowe would be great, but that won't happen in a month of Sundays.
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Post by jaqs on Oct 20, 2016 17:45:37 GMT
I vote for myself or Rhik who does the kitchen gadget column.
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Post by Phantom of London on Oct 23, 2016 18:14:57 GMT
The Drama critic has to stay for the whole show! |
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Post by joem on Oct 23, 2016 22:20:36 GMT
It would be one of my dream jobs, theatre critic. Not specifically at the Guardian - I suspect it's on its last legs anyway - but anywhere reasonably respectable.
I always stay for the whole show as you know.
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Post by Phantom of London on Oct 23, 2016 22:39:08 GMT
I think Michael Billington and Rufus Norris would be many peoples' top job.
The coverage of the arts is a big selling point for the Guardian and they would try and maintain the status quo, but certainly agree you couldn't replace Michael on a 1 for1 basis, but agree I worry the demise of quality art journalism.
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Post by joem on Oct 23, 2016 22:46:00 GMT
I think Michael Billington and Rufus Norris would be many peoples' top job. The coverage of the arts is a big selling point for the Guardian and they would try and maintain the status quo, but certainly agree you couldn't replace Michael on a 1 for1 basis, but agree I worry the demise of quality art journalism. I worry about the quality of culture as a whole. The internet theoretically created a whole new space to work in and to publicise cultural events. But modern media has also balkanised culture whilst depriving many artists of the rightful fruits of their labour. And a contrast current has concentrated great power in the hands of a few broadcasters. If artists cannot make an income from their work their commitment to their work will be on a hobby basis and creativity will suffer. |
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Post by Phantom of London on Nov 2, 2016 21:20:50 GMT
A few of have grasped the nettle here, that this thread isn't really about replacing Michael Billington as he is irreplaceable, not only he has done the requisite Oxbridge education to become a cric, but those many years of experience brings a wealth of experience, where it translated into wisdom in his reviews, and yes you could say the same with the now retired Charles Spencer, although his reviews were a bit wet at times, he had a great eye for what will become a hit. The present critic of the Telegraph is a joke. The Daily Mail doesn't review all shows and like the Telegraph and Evening Standard they go where the money is, except the Daily Mail you have to pass the morality filter test first. So in reality this thread is never about Michael Billington's age and health, it is all about the quality of theatre reviewing and the ever attack on serious theatre criticism these days of the www. I am sure Michael with be out in force for many years to come with his notepad and pencil, but really who is the next generation of critic? With art criticism being ever diminished? A great article by who else www.theguardian.com/music/2016/nov/01/boston-globe-subsidised-classical-music-critic-dangerous |
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