Nick Ahad: To bloggers it’s just a hobby, but for David it was his true calling

Played correctly – as it was by Frances De La Tour in the original production – it is a brilliant moment. I recall the spirit of Mrs Lintott when I say that I have not hitherto ventured, in print, down the path I am about to tread.

On Twitter, where I am a little more boisterous and bombastic, I have. Regularly, in fact.

But here for the first time I tackle the slightly thorny issue of professional theatre and arts critics and the internet pretenders who are known collectively as bloggers.

Why finally nail my colours to the mast in print?

It is to mark an important moment.

David Denton, our highly respected and rather brilliant classical music critic, is from this week taking a step back and handing the reins to his colleague Chris Robins.

Quite apart from being an absolute gentleman, David is a highly qualified, vastly experienced writer on the art of classical music. The depth and breadth of his knowledge is impressive and while Chris will do a fantastic job, David will be a tough act to follow.

As is the case with all professional critics these days, we have to rely on clarity to make our voices heard above the cacophony.

And make no mistake – there is an absolute racket being made out there.

People like David, people whose opinions are worth something because of the vast knowledge through which they interpret the works of arts they review, are becoming ever rarer creatures by the day. Quality will always out, but it is annoying to have to listen more carefully above the clamour. I write of course of the internet bloggers, the self-appointed commentators.

Now. Some bloggers, people who write only on the internet, for who knows what audience – some of them – are worth reading. I read a number of blogs by professional scriptwriters, because I have an interest in the subject and their insights are worthwhile.

If a screenwriter started reviewing theatre, or even films, then it would be a self-indulgence that would stretch my patience. Mark Kermode is and Philip French and Roger Ebert were my go-to men for film reviews.

Experts. Journalists. Not people who wrote reviews for a hobby.

The art critic has the expertise in a subject to make him or her an enthusiast, combined with the dispassion of a journalist. Bloggers can only ever do the same thing as a hobby. They are simply not as worthwhile as an expert like David Denton. Arts criticism is not rocket science, but it is a craft and deserves respect.