Michael Barrymore totally redeems his professional reputation in Scrooge, now touring to Liverpool Empire. A nasty shock to those who wrote to me in advance hoping he would fail and castigating the ECHO for carrying an interview in advance of the show's opening. Perhaps, if the same bigots bother to visit the production, they will realise that the theme is all about change and forgiveness.

Meanwhile, the Empire moguls will love the 9/10 score on the review, and doubtless (on this occasion) see me as both perceptive and well informed.
Not quite their opinion a while back when I panned a production of My Fair Lady and they whinged loudly.
Then, they claimed Iwas out of tune with audience reaction and little more than a general nusiance to be complained about.
Fortunately, now, as in the past, I have a steadfast editor who advocates editorial freedom in such matters. And long may that continue. Otherwise I may have been tempted to sell my soul to public relations or advertising.
Reviewing is not about reporting on audience reaction (although Barrymore, it has to be said, received a standing ovation). Critics are not there to take a straw poll of punters' reaction. A flunky with a clipboard could do that.
The reviewing job is about advising on performance skills, production values and value for money - based on YEARS of experience. Anyone in doubt should reach for the dictionary and look up the definition of 'perspective.'

• Post to:
•  del.icio.us
•  Digg
•  Newsvine
•  Nowpublic
•  Reddit