NYT Defense

The article I reviewed, "One Object of Desire, Delivered," can be found at http://theater.nytimes.com/2010/01/28/theater/reviews/28venus.html

New York Times critic Charles Isherwood creates a masterpiece of his own in his review of “Venus in Fur,” a new comedy-drama at Classic Stage Company. Beginning with a vivid lede that cleverly compares the audition process to a psychodrama, he invites readers into his highly qualified and respected perspective.

Though his “but” statement appears later, Isherwood establishes his opinion almost immediately through his succinct wording: “tasty new comedy-drama” and “90 minutes of good, kinky fun.” This engaging language continues throughout as Isherwood sprinkles his review with vivid imagery, alliteration, and similes: “teeter-tottering test” and “splattering the room with excuses like a dog shaking off the rain.” Isherwood truly presents the play to the reader.

Isherwood touches on several aspects of the play in his review: acting, directing, setting, structure, plot, and theme. This helps the reader to have a general overview, and it also gives the review authority and context. In referencing other plays and being familiar enough with the writer to say “Mr. Ives is naturally a comic writer,” Isherwood exhibits his knowledge and experience in this field. In mentioning and briefly summarizing the novel “Venus in Fur,” Isherwood gives the reader the context they may have needed in order to fully understand the play and his review.

Though his structure seems somewhat backward, he first highly praises “Venus in Fur” and then concludes with its shortcomings, he makes it work with a strong final sentence that also functions as his "but" statement. His concise paragraphs and thoughtful word choice make the review a fast, entertaining read; hence, Isherwood’s review, like “Venus in Fur,” definitely delivers.