They've been known to turn a theatre dark, close a restaurant and empty a gallery. But also make stars overnight and sell out performances.
In this three part highly entertaining series Edi Stark opens the page on newspaper critics and asks what qualifies them to judge what's funny, what's good on the stage, on the gallery wall or served on a plate. She also hears stories from creative artists, actors, comedians, performers, chefs, directors and producers on what it is like to be at the wrong end of a review. The main focus of the first programme is on comedy and the need for critics at the biggest festival in the world. Show less