Check out this thought-provoking blog meditation by NYT theater critic Charles Isherwood on a phenomenon he calls “Odd Man Out Syndrome” – that is, when you’re apparently the only one in the audience who dislikes a play/movie/concert. Many times I’ve asked myself the kind of questions he poses here. Do critics reflexively and unfairly lean toward being snooty contrarians to public opinion because they think it’s their job? (Sometimes, yes). On the other hand, do general audiences reflexively convince themselves that they’re enjoying a popular piece of entertainment – despite their own nagging doubts – just because they feel implied pressure to join the crowd? (Sometimes, yes – and some critics do that, too). Friends could down a wine cellar’s worth of vino while discussing the topics Isherwood illuminates.
In the wake of what appears to be the results of some Pavlovian social dynamic, I tend to default to Steinbeck-like responses, or swipe from Banks (for those moments I’m feeling naughty), when it comes to offering my opinion on unworthy-but-popular productions.
For example: “It was a play” or “What I liked most about this performance was the theater’s comfortable seats.”
I doubt Andrew Lloyd Webber has lost much sleep, or money, from my opinion of his work as a product of another Puccini wannabe.