A good drama critic is one who perceives what is happening in the theatre of his time. A great drama critic also perceives what is not happening.

Making his initial impact as a critic at The Observer (1954–58 1960–63) he praised Osborne's Look Back in Anger (1956) and encouraged the emerging wave of British theatrical talent. An opponent of theatre censorship he was the first person to say 'fuck' on British television which was very controversial at the time.