Star ratings were added to LouReviews 5 years ago.
It was a decision I reached with some reluctance, as I believe shows are not products to be compared like for like.
I still find it extremely difficult. Comparing a big-budget production with another like it is one thing, but add the more experimental fringe, not to mention concerts, dance, circus, and shows for children, and any scoring system can only be arbitrary and subjective.
Note: a five for a small-scale fringe show is not equivalent to a five for a West End show.
LouReviews uses an 8 point scale for rating.
1.5 – this show cannot be recommended in any way, poor on every level [Examples: Dusty at Charing Cross Theatre; wonder.land at National Theatre].
2 – this show is disappointing in its current form, and has numerous issues. [Examples: Nachtland at the Young Vic; The Snail House at Hampstead Theatre].
2.5 – this show doesn’t quite work, but may have some potential to grow in the future. [Examples: The Billionaire Inside Your Head at Hampstead Theatre; 2.36 at Camden Fringe].
3 – this show is broadly good, but is not memorable, a cautious recommendation. [Examples: The Lightning Thief at The Other Palace; Speed at Bush Theatre].
3.5 – this show isn’t outstanding but is above average and has moments that I was still thinking about the day after. [Examples: I’m Afraid of Virginia Woolf, Too at Voila! Festival; Midnight Cowboy at Southwark Playhouse].
4 – this is a strong recommendation, a good, entertaining show. [Examples: Cockfosters at Southwark Playhouse; Oh, Mary! at Trafalgar Theatre].
4.5 – this is a show that almost reaches full marks but doesn’t have that emotional connection. [Examples: Prototype at Camden Fringe; The Truth About Blayds at Finborough Theatre].
5 – flawless and/or able to generate an emotional response in the reviewer. (Examples: Kenrex at Southwark Playhouse; The Crucible at the Old Vic].
Star rating is not an exact science. PRs like to have them for big shows; small shows seek them for publicity and validation.
Ratings are personal, not exact. And I can’t emphasise enough that 3 stars is NOT a bad rating.
Shows before September 2021 do not have a rating as I did not want to use them at that time.
I do not use the 1 star rating. If a show is that poorly constructed, I will discuss a way forward with the PR.
Children’s shows, dance, circus and concerts are assessed against each other and on the same point scale, but these are not assessed against other plays and musicals.
Even in concerts there is a difference between Samantha Barks at Drury Lane, Rachel Tucker at Cadogan Hall, or Lorna Dallas at Crazy Coqs.
I don’t often get the chance to re-review a show if it goes, for example, from fringe or off-West End into the West End, but I do like to see the difference.
One example would be The Doctor, which began at the Almeida (4*) then went to West End, where I felt it lacked some of the immediacy and power I had seen in the smaller venue.
Conversely, La Cage Aux Folles at the Menier and in the West End was a marvellous 5* on the three times I saw it. The same material can also read very differently.
Carousel at Regent’s Park was not Carousel in Concert at the Royal Festival Hall, Oklahoma at Young Vic/West End was not Oklahoma in Concert at Drury Lane.
One thing you will always find me being is as honest as I can. I don’t want to dislike your show, I want to love it. And I’m always nice and constructive … I hope!
You can also find me reviewing for Broadway World UK and North West End UK, on traditional 5 point reviewing scales.