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Criterion Theatre

Events

Coffee Morning
In the Bar and Foyer
6th June from 10:30 to 12:00
In the Bar
19th June from 20:00 to 21:00
Coffee Morning
In the Bar and Foyer
4th July from 10:30 to 12:00

Our Sponsors

Penmans experienced legal team are committed to providing legal services to the people of the West Midlands, Coventry and Warwickshire.

Find out more about all their services at penmanssolicitors.co.uk

In December 2025, The Theatres Trust, in partnership with the Wolfson Foundation, awarded the Criterion £12,000 from its “Theatre Improvement Scheme” to support the journey towards reducing our environmental impact. 

Find out more about our environmental sustainability aims here

Links

Popcorn

Jun 27th to Jul 4th 2026
Ben Elton

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. Audition on Thursday 5th March at 7:30pm at the theatre.

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.

Turning the Criterion Green

Criterion Big Build

Turning the Criterion Green

Since 1961, the Criterion Theatre has entertained audiences from its home on Berkeley Road South, Earlsdon.  For many years it has been recognised that our wonderful building needs modernising to take it into the future and to support all our users and visitors. 

Thanks to an incredible gift left by Chris Murly (one of our founding members) and generous donations over many years we have been able to complete the Front of House redevelopment which officially opened in December 2025. 

But that is just the start of our plans, with our sights now set on: 

  • Air conditioning in the auditorium and dressing rooms to remove the reliance on the Victorian heating system and improve our green credentials 
  • Investing in roof and wall insulation to make the building easier and cheaper to heat and cool 
  • Adding solar panels to our roof to generate electricity and support our net-zero challenge 
  • Replacement of the remaining Tungsten lights

As a volunteer-led, charitable theatre company we rely on the generosity of our volunteers, audience members and donors to continue a tradition that stretches back 70 years.  If you feel you can help via a one-off donation, a regular contribution or playing the Criterion Lottery, please contact Barbara Sowerby at fundraising@criteriontheatre.co.uk to discuss how you can help or alternatively via our Just Giving page 

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.

 

Coming Soon

Sarah Gordon
Main House
Sep 26th to Oct 3rd
Marc Norman/Tom Stoppard adapted by Lee Hall
Main House
Dec 5th to 12th

Just Finished

Various
Main House
May 9th to 16th
Steven Moffat
Main House
Mar 21st to 28th
Des McAnuff and Pete Townshend
Main House
Jan 31st to Feb 7th
© 2026 Criterion Theatre Ltd
Registered UK 01643977 | Registered Charity 1161430