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Events

Coffee Morning - Christmas edition
In the Bar and Foyer
7th December from 10:30 to 12:30
In the Bar
24th January from 20:00 to 21:00
Christmas Carols - Criterion Christmas Carols
In the Auditorium and Bar
22nd December from 20:00 to 23:00

News

We are really pleased to announce almost all of the 2025 season up till October. Note that there is a gap over the summer where we plan some building development work, but fear not, we have only lost one show!  We think it is an exciting season - with a mix of genres, new writing and classic pieces, well known and unusual plays as well as a thrilling rock musical. All details are below and please look out for Open Reading and Audition notices for all these productions coming very soon.  * Sat 1st to 8th February: Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-time by Simon Stephens  * Sat 22nd to 29th March: The Southbury Child by Stephen Beresford  * Sat 10th to Sat 17th May: Springboard Festival 2025 * Sat 7th to Sat 14th June: The Bright and Bold Design by Peter Whelan * Sat 18th to Sat 25th October: The Who’s ‘Tommy’ by Des McAnuff and Pete Townshend   PRODUCTION 1: MAIN HOUSE: SAT 1ST TO 8TH FEBRUARY CURIOUS INCIDENT OF THE DOG IN THE NIGHT-TIME BY SIMON STEPHENS (2012) Genre: Drama, Director: Christine Ingall _Simon Stephens’ Tony and Olivier award winning adaptation of Mark Haddon’s best selling novel. Christopher, 15 years old, stands beside Mrs Shears’ dead dog. It has been speared with a garden fork, it is seven minutes after midnight, and Christopher is under suspicion. He records each fact in the book he is writing to solve the mystery of who murdered Wellington. He has an extraordinary brain and is exceptional at maths, but he is ill-equipped to interpret everyday life. He has never ventured alone beyond the end of his road, he detests being touched, and he distrusts strangers. But Christopher’s detective work, forbidden by his father, takes him on a frightening journey that turns his world upside-down. A richly theatrical exploration of this touching and bleakly humorous tale._ PRODUCTION 2: MAIN HOUSE: SAT 22ND TO 29TH MARCH THE SOUTHBURY CHILD BY STEPHEN BERESFORD (2022) Genre: Dark comedy drama, Director: Helen Withers _Raffish, urbane and frequently drunk, Reverend David Highland has kept a grip on his remote coastal parish through a combination of disordered charm and high-handed determination. When his faith impels him to take a hard line with a bereaved parishioner, he finds himself dangerously isolated from public opinion. As his own family begins to fracture, David must face a future that threatens to extinguish not only his position in the town, but everything he stands for. A darkly comic drama exploring family and community, the savage divisions of contemporary society, and the rituals that punctuate our lives. It was co-produced by Chichester Festival Theatre and the Bridge Theatre, London, in 2022, starring Alex Jennings and directed by Nicholas Hytner__._ PRODUCTION 3: MAIN HOUSE: SAT 10TH TO SAT 17TH MAY SPRINGBOARD FESTIVAL 2025 Our third year of producing this fabulous week of one act plays, poetry, music and art  bringing together amateur and professionals in one space, with in-house company performances and community/Criterion collaborations alongside external artists, musicians and theatre companies, poetry workshops and art exhibitions.  PRODUCTION 4: MAIN HOUSE SAT 7TH TO SAT 14TH JUNE THE BRIGHT AND BOLD DESIGN BY PETER WHELAN (1991) Genre: Drama, Director: Peter Bagley _Inspired by the life and work of Clarice Cliffe. In the North Staffordshire Potteries in the 1930s, Jessie Frost works for a small traditional firm, hand painting traditional designs in the time-honoured fashion… until the arrival of Jim Rhys as the firm’s new art director. A man possessed with both high ambition and strong views of the future, Jim’s views on design create tension with the factory owner, and his political beliefs gradually lead him into conflict within the small community. But in Jessie Frost, Jim recognises a special talent, one which he promptly sets out to nurture though not necessarily with her blessings. The result is a play of great warmth, charm, passion and grace, an exploration of the true nature of the art of politics, and the politics of art._ PRODUCTION 5: MAIN HOUSE SAT 18TH TO SAT 25TH OCTOBER THE WHO’S ‘TOMMY’ BY DES MCANUFF AND PETE TOWNSHEND (1968/1994) Genre: Rock Musical Director: Deb Relton-Elves, Musical Director: Rob Parrish. _Based on the iconic 1969 rock concept album, The Who's Tommy is an exhilarating story of hope, healing and the human spirit. The story of the pinball wizard who triumphs over his adversities has inspired, amazed and puzzled audiences for more than 50 years. This five-time Tony Award-winning musical was translated to the stage by theatrical visionary, Des McAnuff, into a high-energy, one-of-a-kind theatrical event._
16th September

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A Christmas Carol : A Fairy Tale

Dec 7th to 14th 2024
Piers Torday

Our 2024 season ends with an exciting adaptation of Dickens' much loved Christmas story.

1838, London. Jacob Marley is dead. And so is Ebenezer Scrooge…

In this reinvention of the timeless classic, Ebenezer has died and his sister Fan has inherited his money-lending business. She rapidly becomes notorious as the most monstrous miser ever known, a legendary misanthrope, lonely, and despised by all who cross her path.

This year, on Christmas Eve, Fan Scrooge will be haunted by three spirits. They want her to change. But will she?

This stage adaptation of Charles Dickens's Christmas tale is by renowned author Piers Torday and his original, female led version will bring lashings of goodwill to all men – and women.

Reviews of the play

‘Thought provoking but never to the detriment of Dickens’ message. This is a Christmas Carol  that both embraces its historical context but speaks urgently to our time. It's also a cracking piece of theatre. An intelligent, compelling riff on the original tale... tremendously good fun. Torday's text has a whip crack wit... at once familiar yet breathtakingly new-minted. '  WHAT’S ON STAGE

'A magical and heartwarming adaption'  THE UPCOMING

'A bold, satisfying and empowering re-imagining which dares to suggest that the humanism of Dickens's moral is nothing without the feminism that the writer, and his works, ignored'  THE REVIEWS HUB

‘This new version….is very modern, relevant and moving. If you were to choose one festive show to see this year, I would recommend this production.’ THEATRE WEEKLY

 

EDI Assessment

In line with our EDI policy, we undertake an EDI impact assessment of all our artistic programming. This adaptation of A Christmas Carol deliberately subverts the usual gender expectations of the story. It involves an ensemble cast with significant flexibility over playing ages, gender identity, and complete neutrality on race/ethnicity. For the purposes of the narrative, certain characters will be specified as needing to be female- or male- presenting.

 

Anniversary Celebrations 2021

Criterion at night

February 2021-February 2022 was the 60th anniversary of the Criterion Theatre opening. Why not check out the wonderful interviews conducted so far with members reflecting on their favourite memories and stories about the Criterion over the last 60 years in our Criterion Memories project.

 

Coming Soon

Mark Haddon adapted by Simon Stephens
Main House
Feb 1st to 8th
Stephen Beresford
Main House
Mar 22nd to 29th

Just Finished

Robert Icke/Duncan Macmillan
Main House
Oct 19th to 26th
Duncan Macmillan with Jonny Donahoe
Main House
Aug 31st to Sep 7th
Harold Pinter
Main House
Jun 22nd to 29th
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