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Criterion Theatre
Popcorn (2026)
Written by Ben Elton
Sat 27th June to Sat 4th July
Director – Dean Sheridan
Cast
Bruce Delamitri – Dave Crossfield
Karl Brezner – Chris Revill
Farrah Delamitri – Donna Davenport
Velvet Delamitri – Revill Millie
Wayne Hudson – Connor Bailey
Scout – Kelly Davidson
Brooke Daniels – TBA
Kirsten – Morgan Blundell-Smith
Bill – Rowan McDonnell
Crew
Stage Manager – Mike Skinner
Wardrobe I/C – Anne-marie Greene
Wardrobe I/C – Lilian McGrath
Props IC – Erica Young
AV – David Chapman
Set Designer – Mark Ward
Sound Designer – Dave Cornish
Lighting Designer – Olivia Simone

A play adaptation of the best-selling 1996 novel of the same name by well-known comedian and author Ben Elton.

Set against the glimmering backdrop of Hollywood, Popcorn follows acclaimed film director Bruce Delamitri on the night of his Oscar triumph. His celebrations are cut short when two violent intruders — fans who claim his movies inspired their crimes — invade his home. 

A sharp, darkly comic thriller, Popcorn interrogates the relationship between art, celebrity, and responsibility in a culture addicted to spectacle and violence.

When Popcorn was first written, it was asking, do violent movies create a violent society? Can minds be corrupted by images and ideas presented in films? In the era of social media this has perhaps more potency: do platforms which are often unregulated, cause any damage and desensitise minds?

Casting Call

There is still one remaining role to cast for this dark comedy.

Brooke Daniels, Female-presenting, Playing Age 20s–30s, Accent - American or European, A model and Bruce’s current love interest. Image-conscious, glamorous and a wannabe actress. Underneath the polished exterior lies insecurity and a fragile sense of self-worth. Often underestimated but not unintelligent.

To register interest and for further information contact the director deansheridanperformer@live.co.uk

EDI Assessment

In line with our EDI policy, we undertake an EDI impact assessment of all our artistic programming. This play has no central diversity message. On the character notes, there are indications where specific playing gender identifications are called for and there are also recommendations of approximate playing ages. Otherwise there can be flexibility around casting with regard to ethnicity, age and disability.

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