Fringe and Fortune

This text considers the distinctions that exist between "highbrow" and "lowbrow" art. Using interviews with critics, performers' analysis of audiences and published reviews, the impact of critics on art forms is revealed. The extent to which consumers are influenced by experts is explored.

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Departing from the conventional view that distinctions between high art and popular art are class related, the author concentrates instead on the way individuals form opinions about culture through the mediation of critics. He shows that it is the extent to which critics shape the reception of an art form that determines its place in the cultural hierarchy. Those who patronize "lowbrow" art - stand-up comedy, cabaret, films and popular music - do not heed critical opinions nearly as much as do those who patronize "highbrow" art - theatre, opera, and classical music. Therefore the role of the critics is crucial to understanding the nature of cultural hierarchy and its persistence. The author supports his argument through an enqiury into the performing arts, focusing on the Edinburgh Fringe. Using interviews with critics and performers, analysis of audiences and published reviews, the impact of critics on high art forms is revealed. The extent to which consumers are influenced by experts is explored.