If you would like to be considered as one of our official reviewers, all you need to do is submit an example of your work to [email protected]. If we like what we read, we’ll add you to our list of regular reviewers.

What do I need to get on the Reviewers’ List ?

Literacy, reliability, an interest in Oxford entertainment, an e-mail address and a phone number. Usually we will contact you by email, but phone numbers are useful in case we need to get in touch with you at the last minute, for example, if a performance time is changed.

What can be reviewed?

Anything. Films, plays, books, restaurants, exhibitions, local/student issues, gigs, music releases.... You name it, we’ll almost certainly be interested in it.

What do I get out of it?

Free tickets (to cinema, theatre, gigs, comedy, concerts and exhibitions) and the joy of seeing your work published (sometimes in print too).

What constitutes a Daily Information Review?

400-600 interesting, intelligent and entertaining words answering the questions:

What was it? How was it done? and What did I think of it?

Basically, a Daily Info review has to serve as a guide for anybody who might be considering seeing a play, buying a book, going to an exhibition or whatever. You should therefore try to describe the actual event as much as possible - just saying 'I liked it' without explaining why is of little use. We don’t want an essay, but we do like some analysis! Please remember too that it’s easy to get sadistic about a production if you are dissatisfied with a few of its points. By all means express your dislike, but don’t get drunk with power - even the worst production is likely to have some positives. You are not A A Gill (or at least we hope you’re not!). Keep it bold and cheerful if at all possible. NB. We reserve the right to edit at our discretion.

Do you always accept reviews from your official reviewers?

We may not publish a review if it is very badly written, or if it seems to us to be biased in some way. This is rare, and in all other cases we will put the review online, where it will stay in our archive more or less permanently. We will print reviews in the sheet when space allows.

How does the reviewing system work?

During the week, usually on a Tuesday, we send out circular emails letting you know what’s up for reviewing (two weeks in advance). You respond with your choice/s; we email you back letting you know whether or not you can do it/them (this is usually done on Thursday afternoons so if you request something, please keep it pencilled in to your diary 'til then!).

We aim to allocate tickets as fairly as possible, so please be patient with us and we'll do our best get you what you'd like! If we're successful, two tickets (usually) will await you on the door at the first night of the show you’ve selected. You go to the event, then send the review (to [email protected]) by 10am the following morning (or 10am on the Monday morning if the show is on a Friday, Saturday or Sunday). It is vital that you keep to these deadlines. It is very important for our relationship with event organisers that their publicity gets out there when the production is at the beginning of its run. Having said which, we are also happy to have reviews of one-off shows (if the theatre/production company are happy to provide tickets!) and things which are past - touring theatre productions will often pop up in other towns at a later date, or even revisit Oxford in a year or two.

Feel free to send in reviews of events you happen to be going to anyway. We are also happy to receive more than one review of the same event.

What happens if something goes wrong?

We prize reliability almost as highly as writing ability! It is very important that you immediately contact us - and, if it is out of office hours, the venue, if you are ever unable to make a show due to last-minute unforeseen circumstances. Please leave us a message - whatever time it is - on 01865 241133, and email us to let us know what’s happened. Please do also let us know in advance if you need to delay submitting your review - we will be understanding if there is a good reason and always prefer transparency!

Can I see some past reviews?

Please do! You can browse using the links from our reviews index page or try a site search.

I’m putting on a play. Will you review it?

We’ll try! Even more importantly, check that we’re already listing your show in our Oxford Events Guide and if we’re not, add the details yourself - it’s free. Make sure you put in your contact details so we can get hold of you to arrange ticket collection if we need to (ie. if you are not at one of the main Oxford theatre venues). Doing this ensures that your show (if a play or a film in Oxford certainly, and if a gig, meeting or lecture, probably) will be listed free in the printed sheet and that we will send it out to our reviewers.

It wouldn’t hurt to also send a reminder email to [email protected] asking us if we’re coming!