The Critic (1700) - 1982 - 7/10

Goodness, hang with this one, folks.
Slow to catch fire Restoration comedy by Sheridan.
Sharp, if dated, satire on playwrights.
First section mocks a turgid craftsman, scribe of overlong, boring plays.
Still, once Mr. Puff arrives, fasten your belts.
He writes the crowd-pleasers. The tentpoles of his day, akin to our absurd superheroes in pajamas.
Puff invites an investor and critic to a performance, and us along with them.
The finale piles numbers, effects, music, to astonishing, over-the-top effect!