Chat Show

The critics’ difficult relationship with those in the arts comes under scrutiny in Gareth K. Vile’s Chat Show, a new production presented by the Performance Editor of The Skinny himself. While a show dedicated to the role of the critic may seem adventurous, it manages to give critics and artists the chance to appreciate and question one another.

In Vile’s Chat Show, a number of guests based in the dance and movement world - from dancer Stephanie Black to world-renowned drag king Diane Torr - talk about their work and inspirations, are questioned by Vile, and asked what exactly they think of the critics.

The guests and format of Vile’s Chat Show are exactly how one would expect it to be; there was debate, educational asides, jokes, and a whole lot of banter. Presented by Vile, and his self deprecating alter ego ‘Mr Criticulous’, this one-off production explores the role of the critic in the modern Scottish arts scene, what critics and reviewers mean to the performer, and whether the critic is an integral part of a performance.

While it’s understandable that Vile would use the chat show format, the specialisms of his guests, with the exception of Torr, is primarily focused on contemporary dance and movement. This makes it a rather one-sided production, lacking representation from other art forms, such as acting, directing and writing.

While the production did maintain a welcome informal feel, it sometimes strayed into the realm of being just a little too casual, and while this did relax the guests, it made the show seem a little under rehearsed and awkward, despite Vile’s and his guests’ best efforts.

The show is still very much a work in progress, meaning that it shall grow as the arts scene grows. Chat Show is a theatrical peep show that lets the audience into the unseen and often lonely world of a critic, whose views are either celebrated or ridiculed by their readers. Slightly rough around the edges, this production finally gives critics a chance to have their voices heard and be appreciated by the public and professionals alike.