How to write a live theatre evaluation

As a significant part of the written work for your drama A level, a live theatre evaluation is unique in style. It is easy to slip into writing a theatre review of what you have seen, but it is important to remember that you must go deeper that aesthetics to showcase you are genuinely evaluating what you saw. For example - yes, you need to talk about the text, the message of the show, how it made you feel. But you also need to go into detail about the set design, the props, the costume, acting styles, perhaps practitioners that the company where inspired by or you can see elements of their work in what is on stage. Make sure you are knowledgable about the actual play itself - the context in which it was written, what its original intentions were. You can then use your knowledge of the actual play to analyse what you saw. For example, if you went to see a historical play (such as Mother Courage by Brecht) that has been ‘modernised’ for a contemporary audience, which themes of the original text still ring true, how does it compare being an audience member nowadays rather than when it was first produced? Likewise, if you are watching contemporary theatre, what are the company trying to say? Remember - identifying and analysing the significance of devises the company used is a hugely important part of the live evaluation, and connecting this use of devises to the overall structure of the show. Here is an example paragraph:
Black-eyed effectively used placards (through the projection screen) to accompany the socio-political messages in the music with reinforcing visuals. The music was performed – out of character - in several unconventional styles, from burlesque to rock to blues, possibly representing political anarchy and telling individual stories. A poignant and touching scene was when Yvette, a prostitute who followed the army around, sung 'The Song of Fraternisation', wearing a blonde wig and heavy make-up. While she sung, various anti-feminist images were projected: make-up tutorials, lap dancing, prostitution, images of generally sexually promiscuous women and young girls and also clips of domestic abuse. These anti-feminist visuals reflect both the modern-day society but could be significant in any time period, as male domination and the sexualisation of females will always be a deep rooted social issue regardless of the ongoing attempts to change. The general message of the video clips is just how sad it is that women have to be so dependant on image and sexuality; Black-Eyed are making a clear comment on the superficiality of society. Mother Courage herself, however, seems to juxtapose the other female characters: she isn't portrayed sexually whatsoever; Janet Greaves portrayed her as an outwardly feisty, somewhat masculine woman, but equally as corrupt in her measures of generating income. While 'The Song of Fraternisation' is being sung and the anti-feminist visuals are being shown, Yvette also puts on a poignant performance. Dressed in a tight corset-dress with the recurring red heels – symbolising both the sexualisation and oppression of women – Yvette wore a pained facial expression and a slouched posture, suggesting exhaustion and helplessness. Her shoulders were hunched and her head was down as she sung; her body language juxtaposed with the sexual lyrics and the seductive, burlesque style in which it was performed.