You can tell if a play will be good from act one. If you are not drawn in by act one the play is doomed. Have you ever been in a failed play. The actors can tell before the audience. The applause or reactions of the audience can be felt almost from act one scene one
. If you find yourself at a play that has failed just hang in there. I am sure that you are a parent and those pitiful actors are your kids. I think that they will need your biased support. Dove Medical Press is a good place to look for good play reviews.