Commissions
In 2026, I will be offering a commissioning structure for my criticism. Producers of live performance (theatre, dance, comedy, everything in between) will be able to commission a critical response to their work for a flat fee.
This is not intended to replace my Critical Corner newsletter or entirely substitute all of my critical coverage of live work. I’m very aware of what the critical landscape looks like for live performance and know that a meaningful critical response to a piece of live performance is not guaranteed. This structure offers, for those who can afford it and those who want to guarantee, a response to their work, a way for them to do so.
Everything you might need to know about this new structure is below.
What is a response?
A response is, for all intents and purposes, a review.
It’s a subjective written and critical response to a piece of work, considering the content, context and quality of it, and how all these sit in relation to each other.
What is the rate?
For a response, I will be charging $200. (I’m aware that people from different perspectives – those from the arts sector and those in the media – may have thoughts on this rate. I’m happy to discuss my thinking behind it in private if you feel the need to discuss it with me.)
What does a production receive for their commission?
What that will get a production is:
- A meaningful, considered response of no fewer than 800 words, delivered in a timely fashion (within 48 hours) of me viewing the work.
- It will be published on Dramatic Pause and available in perpetuity. The commissioner can quote from it as they like, and link back to it for any sharing purposes.
- The review will be sent out to all Dramatic Pause subscribers, free and paid. It will not be paywalled.
What it doesn’t get a production is:
- A guaranteed “positive” reception to the work.
- Copy approval. Publication is final, with the exception of edits in the case of factual error, which will be amended as soon as possible.
How do I commission a review?
Get in touch with me via email with all the relevant details of your show – title, dates, location, basically everything you’d put in a media release or invite. Please be clear that this is a commission offer and not a standard invite.
An invoice will be sent to the commissioner upon agreement, to be paid no later than 7 days (or within the company’s next pay cycle) after the response’s publication.
What is the difference between a “response” and a review?
To many, this may seem arbitrary. However, I think a review that is commissioned by the artists (or producers) behind the work can’t really be considered a piece of impartial criticism (although I also believe that true impartiality doesn’t really exist, but that's a different debate for a different post).
A “response” allows me to acknowledge the reality of why the piece has come about – a financial transaction between me and the producer of a work – while also being able to react meaningfully to the work.
Why are you doing this?
Dramatic Pause is largely a labour of love for me (although if you want to support me, you can always do so through a paid subscription). I decide what I cover on a case-by-case basis, and I don’t have the time to review everything that I would want to.
2026 is looking to be a particularly busy year for me, and while I still want to continue regular Critical Corner newsletters, these will likely be on a fortnightly basis and will cover multiple reviews, across artforms, in a single newsletter. These reviews might be a bit more informal, voice-y, and conversational. The kind of review you might expect if I was talking to you in person over a wine, for example.
In this context, a response would be a little bit more official, and each response would get its own dedicated newsletter rather than sharing space with other artworks. I would treat it with the seriousness and gravity that I do all my commissions (although, ideally, you should see no difference in quality, just a difference in voice).
Are you still available to review work even if you aren’t being commissioned for it?
I am! I am being more selective however, so please don’t be offended if I say that I’m at capacity.
A big reason why I’m instituting this structure is so that productions who want to guarantee a written response to their work – which is not a given in our current landscape – have a way in which to do so.
What if we would like a response but the commission rate is not feasible for us?
Feel free to email me! I’m not a stone wall, and I’m very much aware of the ecosystem that individual artists, small companies, festivals, and even established companies operate in. If we can make something work, that’s equally ideal for me.
Are you available to commission for things that aren’t live performances (ie. reviews of books, films, TV, games)?
Ideally, this structure is only for live performance given the specific critical landscape that exists for those artforms. However, if you’re still keen, we can always discuss it!
Are you available to be commissioned for preview coverage?
I absolutely am. The rates will be different, as it is a slightly trickier process that is easier to determine on a case-by-case basis. For preview coverage, please get in touch with me!
If you’re an editor who works for a publication who wants to commission me for anything else, feel free to get in touch as well!