Welcome to the eighth in a series celebrating female colleagues who engage with theatre as critics, reviewers, bloggers or content creators. I am using ‘theatre’ to encompass all live arts performances, and ‘reviewer’ to cover all those who add commentary on what they see.
The master list is at: https://loureviews.blog/spotlight-on-female-theatre-reviewers-bloggers-critics-and-content-creators/
If you would like to be profiled as part of this project, please get in touch.
Today, I turn my attention to Susan Elkin.
Can you tell us a bit about yourself and how you came to be writing or creating content about theatre?
I am a former teacher of secondary English so plays and drama have always been central to my thinking. I started moonlighting as a journalist – mainly education at first – in 1990 and was soon getting work published regularly in several national newspapers.
I went part time as a teacher) in a different school) in 1993 to accommodate the dual life. Reviewing and theatre really kicked off when I added The Stage to my portfolio around 1994. I was Education and Training Editor at The Stage (among other diverse freelance pursuits) from 2005-2016.
If you have your own platform, when did it start and how did you come up with the name? If you write for one or many platforms, which was the first and how did you become involved with it?
My website which has a theatre reviews section is simply called Susan Elkin and started when I left The Stage in 2016. I also review regularly for London Pub Theatres, The Reviews Hub, Musical Theatre Review.
What kind of shows do you cover, and in which geographical areas?
Theatre of all kinds mainly in London and the Home Counties. I also review classical music concerts.
How would you describe yourself (reviewer, critic, content creator, YouTuber, influencer, other?)
Critic.
Why do you continue to engage with theatre?
I’ve been doing it for so long that it’s a way of life. And theatre can be powerful, uplifting, moving, funny and fascinating.
On the other hand, to be fair, sometimes it’s none of those things. It’s a job. And not always an enjoyable one.
What’s the one thing that would make the theatre reviewing/content creating space easier for you personally, and/or for your platform?
Only one? Much longer notice. My diary is very full and I can almost never cover a show if I’m invited only a week or two before.
Do you have a favourite show – and any you particularly dislike(d)?
Recently? I liked Heartsink at Riverside Studios and Come From Away at Bob Hope Theatre, Eltham.
The worst show I have ever seen was Hello Kitty at Apollo Eventim (some years ago) closely followed by Not Quite Three Sisters at Platform Theatre in April this year.
The theatre commentary space is wide and diverse – is there any other female reviewer/content creator you would recommend, and why?
Libby Purves is witty, insightful and very experienced,
What’s the biggest change you have noticed in the theatre space since you started contributing to it?
Far fewer reviews in nationals. Many more bloggers some of whom are very good but, in general there is far more sloppy. overwritten gush around than there used to be.
And which social networks are you most active on? If you are not on any, what is your opinion of their place in theatre reviewing/content creation?
X/Twitter, Facebook and LinkedIn. Personally, they help me to promote my work.
Generally they are quite useful in that they draw attention to shows and reactions to shows which must benefit the industry.
Can you pinpoint one of your best reviews, features, or videos?
https://www.londonpubtheatres.com/https-www-marylebonetheatre-com-productions-cable-street
How can people contact you who want to promote a show?
Email me at Susanelkinltd@gmail.com
Thank you, Susan!