Come socialise with your theatre friends during the Criterion's Big Build! On the 7th September we'll be heading to Spencer Park to enjoy their "Bands in the Park" event. Bring a picnic and a friend and we'll have a lovely, informal catch-up.

The Customer Experiences team is organising three training sessions for around the time of the theatre's Grand Reopening. This is a training session open for all -- from experienced members to non-members interested in volunteering. All three training sessions will be the same, so please book yourself in on the one session you can do. BOOK YOUR PLACE WITH THIS ONLINE FORM [https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSdHOomgWrm2__YUaCSyifRsh6NHM15R7Qxr78EmAsCTdFa_AA/viewform?usp=header]. We'll be doing some GENERAL TRAINING FOR EVERYONE WORKING IN THE NEW BUILDING, ESPECIALLY AROUND FIRE SAFETY, and then we'll be covering some specifics for: * Bar * Front of House * Box Office * etc. As well as being a useful refresher and update for experienced members, this will be a great opportunity for new volunteers to learn how things work and get stuck in.

Following the success of the new writing dramas in this year’s festival, we are seeking expressions of interest in a process to develop new dramatic works (including adaptations of out of copyright works) by Coventry and Warwickshire based playwrights. Six short plays will be chosen to be performed three times each at the Springboard Festival 2026 (dates late spring TBC). The six successful writers will be offered a fee of £50. The plays, (which can be extracts of larger works) will be of between 10 and 30 minutes long, and feature a cast of two or more. Writers would not usually appear in their own work. To express interest please submit to ANDREW@CKAM.CO.UK : * Name, contact details, and brief details of your writing experience. * A precis of your idea, the characters and brief outline of the plot or scenario. PLEASE DO NOT SEND A FULL PLAY. THIS IS A DEVELOPMENT OPPORTUNITY NOT A PLAYWRITING COMPETITION. * Are you willing to attend free peer-led workshops fortnightly at the theatre? * What genre best describes your play? DEADLINE FOR EXPRESSIONS OF INTEREST: 14TH SEPT 2025 THE LATEST, EARLIER IF WE ARE OVERSUBSCRIBED. Deadline for drafts to be advised, but by December 2025. Selection of plays to be performed will start in December by a panel of directors, who will go on to arrange a table read of the plays. The final selection will then be made by the Artistic Director of the Criterion Theatre.

Here's a review of all the works undertaken in each week of the Criterion Big Build. STATUS AND PROGRESS BULLETIN TIMING AND PROGRESS: SLIGHTLY BEHIND TARGET STATUS AGAINST PLAN 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 ⇒ ⇒ ⇒ ⇒ ⇒ ⇒ ⇒ ⇒                 WORKS COMPLETED IN WEEK 8 & 9 (18JUL25)   Building works nearing completion on the extension structure: * The next extension roof framing and insulation are complete * Re-roofing to area above accessible toilet bar store and cold roomongoing * Walls boarded and vapour membrane is being installed * Aircon pipework (1st fix) installed in extension * Removed old external cladding * Slight slip against plan due to unforeseen issues and labour shortages * Following consultation with structural engineer a solution has beenagreed for the sagging beam above the bar and steels have been ordered   WORKS PLANNED FOR WEEK 10  (21JUL25) Complete roof structure and roof covering * Subject to confirmation with builder: * Start sagging beam reinforcement installation * Start toilet rebuild and refit * Start electrical 1st fix (cable installation)    This weeks images show that the framework for the extension is complete, boarded out and fitted with vapour barrier in preparation for the external cladding in the coming weeks. The size shape and feel of the new extension is really starting to come to life!  

Since 1960, the Criterion has entertained audiences from its base on Berkeley Road South, Earlsdon. In that time, the fabric of the building has not changed to any great extent, with the majority of any renovations typically carried out by volunteers within the theatre. However, it has long been recognised that our wonderful building needs modernising to prepare it for the next generations of users; not only improve the theatrical experience for audiences and volunteers, but also to become more energy efficient building fit for a greener future. The biggest barrier to such development has always been how to fund it. The theatre has always been run to serve its community, not one to maximise its profits, which meant large scale redevelopment has, to up to now, remained out of reach. However, thanks to an incredible gift left by one of our founding members - Chris Murly - the generosity of donations over many years, and the prudency of our finance team, we have been able to look at a number of key changes to the theatre. The redevelopment will begin immediately after the close of the “Springboard Festival 25” on 18th May and be finished in plenty of time for the grand reopening when “The Who’s Tommy” hits the stage in November. WHAT'S CHANGING?  The most obvious change will be the front of the building, with a new modern frontage featuring large format stone texture cladding panels, an illuminated sign and accessible entrance. This will also create more space in the building, and slightly reduce capacity in the car park. There will be also major changes to the front of house/bar/toilet areas with a number of new features: - New open entrance extension - Opening up bar and entrance - Complete refit and refurbishment - New fixed banquette seating - New furniture throughout - Sympathetic bar refurbishment - Full toilet refurbishment - New wall and floor finishes - Theatrical entrance to auditorium - Inclusive, flexible design HEATING AND COOLING Managing the temperature within the theatre has always been a challenge. Installing an economical air conditioning system will not only ensure that the building’s temperature is more easily managed, but also help to reduce the carbon footprint. FUTURE PLANS The next planned stage of development will see the installation of solar panels on the roof to make our energy use even greener, and also to replace the stage lighting with more efficient LED lamps. We will then be looking to the backstage area to provide a more accessible, fit for purpose space for the cast and crew who put on our wonderful productions. In order to achieve our ambitious plans, we will have to continue to fundraise in a major way. If you would like to contribute at all to our wonderful plans, we would be eternally grateful for any donations (big or small) from individuals, community groups or businesses.  We have a JustGiving page which you can donate to by visiting the website at https://www.justgiving.com/campaign/criterionbigbuild or contact Barbara at fundraising@criteriontheatre.co.uk if you want to discuss other ways of donating to the theatre.   If you are able to help in any other capacity (DIY, professional trades) or just want to be involved please drop an email to volunteer@criteriontheatre.co.uk and make yourself known. There are some wonderful small, manageable projects in the pipeline, a real chance to play a part in shaping the future.