"A perfect introduction to what could be a lifetime of pleasure in and around theatres ... Mark Fisher has written an intelligent and insightful manual "for critics, students and bloggers" that will help those studying theatre criticism to understand their chosen trade and pursue it more effectively." --British Theatre Guide

"In approachable and fastidious prose, Fisher guides the reader through twenty chapters in which he demonstrates how one can perform theatre criticism that is analytical and accessible, regardless of the intended audience or medium of delivery ... Fisher has given us a short (but analytical) view into the debates, the schools of thought, and the rationale for different approaches to theatre criticism. Because social media has made us all members of the public sphere, the information is invaluable for students, journalists, scholars, tweeters, bloggers, and teachers." -Journal of Dramatic Theory and Criticism

"How to Write about Theatre is a great source to teach theatre students about the history of criticism as a profession, and about what publishing theatre criticism shares with the process of making theatre. The strength of the book is how Mark Fisher repeatedly frames the act of publishing criticism as a performance ... Fisher prepares the reader to consider the social purpose and artistic dimensions of their writing so that they see theatre criticism as an art. This book focuses on the fundamentals of crafting an engaging argument and identifying one's potential audience in ways that will resonate with theatre students. Fisher's text will serve them well, because it trains their capacity as writers in fun and creative ways and illustrates how their training in performance can inform their writing ... Students who utilize this book to learn how critics might analyze theatre will be prepared to think more critically about the productions they work on, as well as their own writing ... Fisher's text teaches students how to write journalistic arts criticism, but it is a valuable resource with straightforward advice for any student learning how to translate a theatrical event into writing." -Theatre Topics