POST-SHOW TALKS: _LET THE RIGHT ONE IN_ Ever wanted to find out more about the performance you've just seen? Then join us after the show on Monday 1st February and Tuesday 2nd February for a question and answer session with members of the acting company and crew. _Monday 1st February: Director and Actors_ An opportunity to find out more about the acting process and what it was like to bring the production to life on stage. _Tuesday 2nd February: Director and Crew_ An opportunity to find out more about the creative vision behind the production and its technical challenges, from the point of view of the set, lighting, sound, costume and properties teams. These sessions are very informal, are free of charge, and there is no need to book in advance. You are welcome to attend either or both sessions. Sessions will take place 20 minutes after the end of the production. 

POST-SHOW TALKS: _LET THE RIGHT ONE IN_ Ever wanted to find out more about the performance you've just seen? Then join us after the show on Monday 1st February and Tuesday 2nd February for a question and answer session with members of the acting company and crew. _Monday 1st February: Director and Actors_ An opportunity to find out more about the acting process and what it was like to bring the production to life on stage. _Tuesday 2nd February: Director and Crew_ An opportunity to find out more about the creative vision behind the production and its technical challenges, from the point of view of the set, lighting, sound, costume and properties teams. These sessions are very informal, are free of charge, and there is no need to book in advance. You are welcome to attend either or both sessions. Sessions will take place 20 minutes after the end of the production. 

The next meeting of the Play Reading Group will be held in the bar of the Criterion on Tuesday 9th February 2016 starting at 7.00p.m.. The play chosen to kick off our 2016 season will be Nick Stafford’s adaptation of Michael Morpurgo’s novel _‘War Horse’__ _which tells the tale of a young soldier in the First World War and also of the horses which were used by the army at the Front. The play has a total of 25 parts (not including horses!) and we shall continue our normal practice of casting readers without regard to age / gender.   The Play Reading Group was formed last year and has enjoyed reading a total of eight plays, including two new works, alongside  popular pieces such as ‘_The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night time’, ‘__Dunsinane__’, _and_ ‘Arcadia’._ You do not have to book a place to be able to join in, any Criterion member is welcome to turn up and take part. The scripts that are chosen are normally those which we would be unable to perform at the theatre (either because performance rights are unavailable or for logistical reasons), however, any potential director who would like to hear a script read aloud is welcome to suggest a title for a future meeting. 

Everyone is welcome! It’s an opportunity as a new or existing member to find out what talents you can bring to enhance our wonderful theatre. Come and have a cuppa and a chat with some of our department heads and find out more about playing an active part in the theatre. Do you fancy helping out with lighting or helping to paint one of our sets? Selling programmes or talk about your ideas for our next event with the events team? You might want to help serve coffee or pull a pint or maybe you’d like to show our audience to the auditorium on opening night! On stage or back stage, working with props - You can do as little or as much as you like! Come along to find out more about volunteering. We look forward to seeing you. Many thanks, Deb Director of Customer Experience

Play Reading

Join us for a coffee/tea and cake, and a browse through the second hand books.

THE GREAT BIG CRITERION QUIZ NIGHT Last year's winners celebrating their epic victory. To book your team onto this year's quiz, please email events@criteriontheatre.co.uk Admission: £10 per team (payment on the night)                   4 people per team max. Quiz starts at 8pm Hot pot supper included       

EVOLVE are an experienced and professional covers band. Playing songs from the 60s to the present day. From classic Beatles and Stones, right up to anthems from Oasis, U2, Imagine Dragons, Stereophonics, Snow Patrol, Elbow, Kings Of Leon and many, many more...   Tickets £5.00 adults - children go free www.evolvecovers.com

The Criterion will once again be taking part in the Earlsdon Festival where there will be refreshments (including our famous pork batches), live music and a chance to join our wonderful theatre. We look forward to seeing you there! There are some great things planned at the theatre for the Earlsdon Festival this year, be sure to join us:   LIVE ENTERTAINMENT from local covers band Evolve (www.evolvecovers.co.uk) playing music from the era of the next production ‘One Man Two Guvnors’, and we will also be joined by Earlsdon Morris Dancers.   VARIETY OF STALLS including Hostas and second hand books.   MEET THE CAST AND CREW OF OUR NEXT PRODUCTIONS * ‘One Man Two Guvnors’ by Richard Bean * ‘Bette & Joan’ by Anthony Burge PORK AND STUFFING BATCHES   TEA, COFFEE AND CAKE   MEMBERSHIP INFORMATION - chat to one of our members about how to join the company   BOX OFFICE - come along a book your tickets for one of our forthcoming productions   BAR (12.00 TO 14.00)

Join us for a coffee/tea and cake, and a browse through the second hand books.

Play Selection Committee

Join us for a coffee/tea and cake, and a browse through the second hand books.

Join us for a coffee/tea and cake, and a browse through the second hand books.

Play Reading

Join us for The Rocky Horror Picture Show  Doors open at 7.30 Dressing up Optional 

Join us for a coffee/tea and cake, and a browse through the second hand books.

Join us for a coffee/tea and cake, and a browse through the second hand books.

Join us for a coffee/tea and cake, and a browse through the second hand books.

Join us for a coffee/tea and cake, and a browse through the second hand books.

On the evening of Friday 11th November members of the Criterion Theatre will remember those citizens of Coventry who lived through the dark period of World War II and experienced the effects of the Nazi Blitzkrieg. Local author and Criterion member Margaret Egrot has written two short plays inspired by listening to older people recall the years 1939 – 1940 and the impact the outbreak of the war had on their lives. The first of the two plays is called _‘DANCING CHEEK TO CHEEK’_, the title being that of a popular song of 1939. It is not a ‘war play’ as such, but includes recollections of the First World War as well as hints of the pending recurrence of hostilities. It is 25 minutes long. The second play is called _‘NOT TIGGERTY BOO TONIGHT’. __‘Tiggerty Boo’ _is the title of a popular hit of the period, made famous by the Joe Loss Orchestra. In choosing the title, Margaret explains that she was looking to contrast the jolliness of this song, and the start of the evening in November 1940, with what happened later. This play is also 25 minutes long. Following the warm reception of its première performance at the Big Comfy Bookshop in Fargo Village, Margaret and the cast were invited to read it at the Criterion on the anniversary of Armistice Day, just a few days before the 76th Anniversary of the first Coventry Blitz, which occurred on the night of 14th November 1940. This was the bombing raid which destroyed most of the city centre including the old cathedral. The devastation of this night was so great that Joseph Goebbels coined the expression ‘_coventrieren_’ – to destroy a town by means of aerial bombardment.     The actors reading the two scripts will be Doreen Belton, Belinda Campbell, Gennie Holmes, Calum Lake and Pete Meredith.    The event will be FREE and the bar will be open from 7:00pm.

This preliminary reading is for anyone who would like to volunteer to help on the evening of 16th December, or would like to join in the performance. Helen Withers has devised this shortened dramatized version of Dickens’ most celebrated Christmas ghost story to be presented as a ‘script in hand’ performance in the auditorium on the evening of Friday 16th December. The performance will include a musical accompaniment of Christmas Carols played on the keyboard and sung by a small choir. The bar will be open and mince pies and mulled wine will be on sale in the foyer to the audience. If you are unable to make the reading on Tuesday 22nd November but would like more information about the event please email: * Helen at HELENMAIRWITHERS@HOTMAIL.COM  or * Jane at JANERAILTON@YAHOO.CO.UK

Join us for a coffee/tea and cake, and a browse through the second hand books.

Helen Withers has devised this shortened dramatized version of Dickens’ most celebrated Christmas ghost story to be presented as a ‘script in hand’ performance in the auditorium.  The performance will include a musical accompaniment of Christmas Carols played on the keyboard and sung by a small choir. The bar will be open from 7.00pm and mince pies and mulled wine will also be avaialble. Performance starts at 7.30pm, Tickets £5 available now online at at Box Office

Join us for our annual carol singing evening. Please wear your best festive jumper and bring your jingle bells. There will be mince pies and mulled wine available as usual. Please if you can, bring a prize for the raffle. DOORS WILL OPEN AT 7.30PM with the carols starting at approximately 8.00pm and there will be no admission fee.

NOW SOLD OUT!  HE IS A PEGASUS (DAVID BUTLER) returns to Coventry for a very special Christmas show at The Criterion Theatre on Thursday 22nd December, making his live debut with his brand new FULL BAND. After what has been another stellar year for the 25 year old multi-instrumentalist, which saw him release his debut single, perform up and down the country and headline the Rhythm Tent at Godiva Festival to over 3000 people, HIAPX (DAVID BUTLER) is rounding off 2016 with a celebratory festive show at The Criterion Theatre. Hailing from Earlsdon in Coventry, Butler has been writing music and gigging regularly since he was 10 years old – as well as being a member of the Criterion since 2001. That experience is clear in his electrifying live shows, amalgamating the influences of Jeff Buckley, Radiohead, Bon Iver and more into his own unique and inimitable style,impressing audiences throughout the UK with an eclectic technical range; with furious, energetic guitar and haunting, unaccompanied melodies. Butler’s approach is uncompromising; bursting at the seams with innovation and an amped romanticism. Roaring post-rock is beside songs of devastating quietness to create a beautifully diverse artist. But it’s onstage where Butler has been building an impressive reputation, where stunning vocal range and lyrical sophistication really make HE IS A PEGASUS a poignant and bounteous artist. Doors open at 7.30pm.  For more information search HE IS A PEGASUS on Facebook. www.soundcloud.com/heisapegasus [https://2.exchange2010.livemail.co.uk/owa/redir.aspx?C=k4WmeCXZpJ3f68vL8hK9qdw4KAloif5kRt7_K80tjn9xFx1gzwfUCA..&URL=http%3a%2f%2fwww.soundcloud.com%2fheisapegasus] www.facebook.com/heisapegasus [http://www.facebook.com/heisapegasus]