Time Out retires one- and two-star review ratings

Time Out is moving to a new theatre reviewing system, the publication has announced.

In a social media post, the publication announced it would be doing away with negative one- and two-star reviews, and only be attributing review ratings to shows that fall into the three-star or above bracket.

After posting a two-star write-up of Richard III at the Rose Theatre Kingston, in a post the publication said on Twitter: “PSA that’s our last two star review for a while – as of 1 May, Time Out will be operating a new review system (that’s a bit like what we did in 2021) wherein shows that would have previously received one-star and two-star will go unrated, with stars (3 to 5) – only given for ‘positive’ reviews.”

It previously operated in this format during the post-lockdown era, as venues were reopening and shows being re-mounted.

Stars are a largely UK phenomenon – critics over in New York rarely utilise star ratings when they see stage productions. In the UK, publications like Variety will also refrain from adding stars to their verdicts.

It will be interesting to see whether other publications follow suit!

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