Postponement of ‘Mary Stuart’ directed by Hugh Sorrill. New dates: September 3rd-10th
Unfortunately, we have had to postpone the May production of ‘Mary Stuart’ as serious illness and other unforeseeable circumstances have meant that it has been impossible to stage the play at this time.
Luckily, we do not have long to wait to see this fabulous production as new dates have been secured from September 3rd to 10th.
Apologies for any inconvenience this causes. Those of you who have already booked tickets will be receiving a refund by the end of this week.
Please do then book tickets for the new dates.
Next Production: ‘Midsummer’ directed by Pete Gillam. July 2nd to 9th 2022
Our next production will now be the wonderful ‘Midsummer’ in July. Pitched as a ‘play with music’, this quirky, hilarious and playful production tells the contemporary story of Bob and Helena over one drunken weekend in Edinburgh. The play is a two-hander and stars Chris Firth and Nicol Cortese, who take us along with them on this tale of unexpected love and what you might do if you happen across a big bag of cash in the Scottish capital. Written by renowned playwright David Greig and featuring original songs by Gordon McIntyre (Ballboy), our two stars also sing and play guitar and piano live on stage. An extravaganza not to be missed and perfect Summer watching. Tickets on sale now.
Criterion at the Lighthorne Festival June 7th-11th 2022
We are excited to be dipping our toes into the world of drama festivals this year with two Criterion productions at the Lighthorne Festival of One Act Plays from June 7th-11th 2022. First, Gennie Holmes directs ‘Closer to God’ by Anna Jordan, starring Kelly Davidson and Matt Sweatman. We find out about lives lived and lost and intergenerational human connection that can be made through the walls of adjacent flats at the top of a high rise block. Second, we are reprising Act 2 of our January production ‘The Gift’ by Janice Okoh, directed by Chris Ingall - a searing parody of political correctness and misunderstanding in modern multi-cultural Britain. The highest scoring plays of the Lighthorne Festival will then go onto perform at the British All Winners Festival which this year will take place at the Albany Theatre in July.
Tickets can be booked from the 1st May at https://lighthornefestival.org.uk/tickets/ and there are some great season ticket deals for the week including food! Please do come along and support the Criterion on tour.
Criterion Members Performing in Coventry April 30th and May 1st 2022
The talent of the Criterion knows no bounds and I am thrilled that two of our members are performing in high profile productions happening in Coventry this coming weekend.
Georgia Kelly is acting in her self-penned play ‘Blood’ which has been selected for the highly prestigious Bitesize 2022 Festival at Warwick Arts Centre on Saturday 30th April at 12:30. Tickets are only £5 - just go to https://www.warwickartscentre.co.uk/whats-on/bite-size-2022-extract-sessions-2783/ ‘Blood’ draws from the real life San Diego Blood Sisters - their interviews, letters, and one-to-one conversations with founding Sister, Barbara Vick, to tell the story of one of the most significant movements of lesbian AIDS activism.
Also, this weekend at 17:30 on Saturday 30th April and Sunday 1st May, Lucy Roslyn is producing her one woman play ‘Showmanship’ as part of the Coventry City of Culture at the Assembly Gardens. ‘Showmanship’ is set in 1935 in Dust Bowl America. As the worst recorded dust storm in history is about to hit, a tinpot circus rolls into town. Fortune-teller Myra Collins is plying her trade, for there is trade to be done. Tickets on sale at https://coventry2021.co.uk/what-s-on/showmanship/
Criterion and the Earlsdon Festival May 2nd 2002
On May Day this Monday 2nd May, we are pleased to be part of the first Earlsdon Festival for two years. Alongside pork batches, cakes and coffee, bar and stalls, we will also be hosting a number of creative activities. These include music, youth drama groups, dance and Earlsdon Morris. The box office will be open to get tickets to upcoming shows. This is also an opportunity for us to recruit volunteers to the Criterion, so come along to the New Members stand to find out about all the different ways you can get involved: acting; directing; stage managing; props; costume; lights; sound; set design, paint and build; front of house, bar, social events and much, much more.
It's always a great atmosphere so please do come along and join in the fun on Monday.
Thank you as always for your continued support of the Criterion Theatre,
Anne-marie