can we talk about shows during previews? | thoughts about early feedback for new theatre openings
can we talk about shows during previews? | thoughts about early feedback for new theatre openings  
Podcast: MickeyJoTheatre
Published On: Mon Feb 16 2026
Description: There has recently been a lot of online conversation about a couple of new stage productions in the UK, both of which were, at the time, in previews.The online criticism of early performances of Dracula starring Cynthia Erivo, and curtain call footage of Legally Blonde on tour starring Amber Davies has reignited the debate about whether or not a show's earliest performances should be criticised.So, here are Mickey-Jo's thoughts as a full-time critic about when it is respectful or appropriate to review a show and how much responsibility falls to a show's producers...•00:00 | introduction02:56 | what are previews?10:38 | when do critics review?20:50 | why is there discourse?32:21 | what is the solution?About Mickey-Jo:As one of the leading voices in theatre criticism on a social platform, Mickey-Jo is pioneering a new medium for a dwindling field. His YouTube channel: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠MickeyJoTheatre⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ is the largest worldwide in terms of dedicated theatre criticism, where he also share features, news and interviews as well as lifestyle content for over 95,000 subscribers. With a viewership that is largely split between the US and the UK he has been fortunate enough to be able to work with PR, Marketing, and Social Media representatives for shows in New York, London, Edinburgh, Hamburg, Toronto, Sao Pãolo, and Paris. His reviews and features have also been published by WhatsOnStage, for whom he was a panelist to help curate nominees for their 2023 and 2024 Awards as well as BroadwayWorldUK, Musicals Magazine and LondonTheatre.co.uk. Instagram/TikTok/X: @MickeyJoTheatre Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.