Summary
This quote suggests that even if a performance or work receives positive reviews from critics, it does not guarantee its long-term success or survival. The phrase "stay of execution" alludes to postponing an inevitable fate - in this case, the eventual decline or failure of the work in question. It implies that relying solely on positive reviews is not enough to secure success, as other factors beyond critical acclaim, such as audience reception and ongoing support, ultimately determine the fate of the work.