Over the last 8 years I’ve been reviewed as a writer and director over 200 times. The vast majority of responses to my work have been very generous-spirited, and some of them have even been intelligent.
There have been exceptions. At times, I’ve been described as unimaginative, mean-spirited and self-indulgent. And I’ve been branded a coward, a racist, a misogynist and a homophobe.
(The last three accusations all came in a single review. Admittedly, it was the work that was so labeled, not me; but when you’re the writer and director of the production such a distinction seems somewhat irrelevant.)
So what do you do when you get a review like that?
I complain.
Of the derogatory reviews listed above, only once did I fail to take the reviewer to task – the time I was accused of cowardice. Insert own joke here.
Each of my complaints was successful, in that the reviewer was willing to discuss the issue in a public forum, or in the case of the alleged racism, misogyny and homophobia, the review was withdrawn.
I want to make clear that I haven’t complained every time I received a less than glowing review. Who’s got the time?
What I do want to suggest is, that every time I elicited the type of response I’m discussing here (that is, a personal moral attack), it was perfectly obvious to me that the play had hit home. It had angered someone. That was never all that happened in the audience; each of those plays received glowing reviews from other critics.
But that anger? Was I pleased about it?
No.
And yes.
Paul Gilchrist
Theatre Red 
You know there are trolls and there are jealous people. Which have nothing better to do than to waste people’s time with their vitriol. Ignore is always a good option?
I’d left a comment and it’s gone. No idea what happened. Now what did I say? Umm, something about ignoring the trolls and the immature jealousies that abound. Although feedback is always a good thing, it is only good if it is constructive and assistive in some way.
Hey G, I just hadn’t approved the comment yet. (I only get on the computer every couple of days) And I agree, in terms of vitriol, sometimes a dignified silence is the best response!