Play Reading Group

Play Reading Group

£10 per team (4 people max. per team). To book your team a place, contact Nicole on events@criteriontheatre.co.uk (entrants will receive an email confirming their place) Payment to be taken on entry, on the night

LOCAL WRITERS CHRIS ARNOT AND RICHARD YEOMANS TALK ABOUT THE SOCIAL HISTORY OF PITMEN & PAINTERS AT THE CRITERION THEATRE, THURSDAY 12TH MARCH, 8.00P.M. FREE ENTRANCE. BAR. ALL WELCOME.    MINER ARTISTS: THE PITMEN WHO WENT FROM COALFACE TO CANVAS On Thursday 12th March commencing at 8.00 p.m. the Criterion Theatre in Berkeley Road South will host a special evening commemorating those who worked in Britain’s mining industry and how it has been reflected in works of art. The evening has been planned to explore the fascinating background to the Criterion’s latest production, Lee Hall’s _‘THE PITMEN PAINTERS’_ directed by Pete Bagley, which runs from 21st-28th March. Well-known Earlsdon resident CHRIS ARNOT, who was formerly Features Editor at the Coventry Evening Telegraph, will be relating some of the stories he uncovered in the course of his research for his 2013 book _‘BRITAIN’S LOST MINES’_. He will not only be telling some of the tales about the Ashington miners’ group whose story is told in the play, but also referring to other mining communities which have produced pitmen artists. Lee Hall has described Chris’ book as _“a gorgeous tribute to a whole world which has vanished”_ and comments_, “It’s hard not to be moved by the scale and the importance of what has disappeared – an extraordinary gallery of lives and landscape”.  _ The evening will also include an illustrated talk by RICHARD YEOMANS about the paintings of the Ashington Goup. A former lecturer in Art and Design at Warwick University and the author of several books on art and architecture, Yeomans studied at Newcastle University where he recalls meeting some of the artists who are the subject of his talk. Finally, PETE BAGLEY, the director of the play, will speak about the preparations he has made in order to rehearse the actors who will be bringing to life on stage the story of the famous Ashington Group.  The bar will be open and it is to be hoped that the event will attract those interested in art as well as those who have an interest in the social history of the mining industry. The event is free and open to non-members. All are welcome. 

The next meeting of the Play Reading Group will be on the 31st March 2015 at 7pm in the Criterion Bar and we will be reading Arcadia by Tom Stoppard. It is set in a stately home in Derbyshire and interweaves events that take place in the present day between two modern academics and the residents of the house in the early 19th Century. It has been called Tom Stoppard's 'masterpiece' and a production is currently on tour throughout the UK.   The Play Reading Group gives members the opportunity to either listen or contribute to the reading aloud of plays and participate in a subsequent discussion. It is open to all members and there is no need to book or attend each meeting.

Play Selection Committee

Earlsdon Festival

Earlsdon Festival

Play Selection Committee

_WILL JOHNS_ 2012 & 2013 British Blues Award Nominee WILL JOHNS has been performing his Blues Rock across the globe for more than 15 years. Voted Best Male Solo Artist 2012 in the Doc's Blues Awards by Radio Severn's listeners. With a sizzling hot new band and a new album "HOOKS & LINES". A blend of fiery vocals and guitar wizardry, his compositions and performances consist of blistering authentic roots. He has performed with many incredible musicians at iconic venues, entrancing listeners around the world. Wills' crafted songs are as infectious as they are rousing and are rapidly gaining him awards and accolades. Will Johns was born in London, 1973 to actress/model Paula Boyd, and L.A. Record Producer/Engineer Andy Johns. Will taught himself guitar from the age of 15 and was encouraged by his then uncle, Eric Clapton. Whilst living in L.A., Will Johns bumped into his old friend, Jesse Wood (son of Ronnie) they formed the band GLYDA. The band had success releasing an album and three EP's, and wooing audiences in the US, Ireland, France, Germany, and UK. In 2008, Will moved to Brighton and recorded and released his first Solo album 'Count On Me'.  Containing the track "On MY Back" which was nominated "Best Original Blues Song" in the British Blues Awards in 2012. The new album 'HOOKS & LINES' was released on Big Bear Records in late 2012.
 Nominated again in 2013  "Best Original Blues Song" in the British Blues Awards for 'Kissing You'. 'COUNT ON ME' and 'HOOKS & LINES' are available on iTunes, Amazon, Signed CD's on the web site and at live shows.   _STEVE RODGERS_ STEVE RODGERS, singer songwriter - his songs reflect his passion for life's depth, mystery and wonder. Critics compare his music to a mix of Jack Johnson, Paolo Nutini and Cat Stevens.  Steve grew up surrounded by great music and at a young age he used to listen to LP's from his father's eclectic record collection, mostly blues records, The Beatles and his favourite, Led Zeppelin. At 14 he began to write his own songs on guitar and piano. He started a band with his friends at 17, 'Lost Sons of Davros'. From the 'Lost Sons' came 'Boa' with a few new members including Steve's sister Jasmine - they created two great albums - their first single 'Duvet' was the title track to the Japanese multi award- winning animation series Manga 'Lain - Serial Xperiments'. They toured the States, the UK and after much partying, Steve decided to follow his own path.  Along the way he saw how amazing and deep life really was and wanted to reflect that in his songs. In the past few years, he has  ‘guested’ at Wembley for Bad Company, Aerosmith's Joe Perry and the Robert Randolph Band. Tours have included support slots for Bad Company in the UK and Japan and his own headline dates in the UK and Canada.   Steve has recently supported The Deborah Bonham Band and Midge Ure on their respective tours in the UK and Europe.  In 2014 year he joined Bad Company/Lynyrd Skynyrd for their coast to coast US Tour.    LED ZEPPELIN'S JIMMY PAGE: 'He's fantastic'. (Wembley Arena) QUEEN'S ROGER TAYLOR: 'Great singing and songwriting - I'm impressed'. BY STEVE YOURGLOVICH / Blues Matters The extremely gifted Steve Rodgers opened proceedings tonight.  Seated centre stage with mostly acoustic but occasionally electric guitar we were mesmerized by the warm perfection of songs like _The River_ and _Sunshine._ Steve is much more than a singer songwriter, his tunes have a greater depth that enables them to work in solo or band mode. _BY __NANCY J. PARISI__ _&

The Play Reading Group gives Criterion members the opportunity to either listen or contribute to the reading aloud of plays and participate in a subsequent discussion. It is open to all members and there is no need to book or attend each meeting. Please contact info@criteriontheatre.co.uk with any questions. The next Criterion Play Reading Group will be held on Tuesday the 14th of July at 7pm (note the early start time!). This time we will be reading 'Enron' by Lucy Prebble which received much critical acclaim and many 5 star reviews at the Royal Court and in the West End in 2009. 'Enron' looks at the events of the Enron scandal in the 1990s with a fresh perspective that was described as a mix of "classical tragedy and savage comedy". A trailer for the Royal Court production and the reviews of the production can be found here: http://www.royalcourttheatre.com/whats-on/enron/?tab=4 We hope to see you there.     

Oskar is a bullied, lonely, teenager living with his mother on a housing estate at the edge of town, when a spate of sinister killings rocks the neighbourhood. Eli is the girl who has just moved in next door. Sensing in each other a kindred spirit, the two become devoted friends. What Oskar doesn’t know is that Eli has been a teenager for a very long time… _Let the Right One In_ is a dark and visceral coming of age vampire love story. Based on the acclaimed novel and film by John Ajvide Lindqvist, this mesmerising stage adaptation was first produced by the National Theatre of Scotland, with Marla Rubin Productions Ltd, at Dundee Rep Theatre, before a run in London’s West End, while its New York Broadway run only finished in March 2015. ‘First-rate… situated on the slipway between dream and daily life’ _Observer_ ‘A piece that will chill you to the marrow and break your heart’ _Independent_ We are very pleased to be one of the first amateur companies to gain the performing rights to this production. It is an extremely complex play, which will really stretch and challenge both the acting and technical parts of our Company in equal measure. Physical drama, combat and choreographed movement will feature heavily. Some actors will need to play multiple characters. ANNE-MARIE GREENE will be directing this exciting drama and is holding an OPEN READING on TUESDAY 21ST JULY AT 7.30PM IN THE BAR. All those interested in being involved in any way are invited to attend and anyone who would like to just come along and enjoy reading or listening would also be very welcome. AUDITIONS will take place on SUNDAY 2ND AUGUST AT 2.30 PM, AND THURSDAY 6TH AUGUST AT 730PM IN THE BAR when all those interested in being cast should attend. _CAST __M7 or 8, F2_ Oskar: _M (18-mid 20s, needs to play young)_       Eli: F _(20s, needs to play young)_                           Hakan: M _(40s-50s)_                                               Oskar’s Mum/Nurse: _F (30s-40s)_                          Halmberg/Mr Avila:  _M (40s-50s)_ Jonny: _M (18-mid 20s)_ Micke: _M (18-20s)_ Jimmy: _M (20s) could be  combined with Torkel/Janne_ Kurt/Jocke/Dad/: _M (30s-40s)_ Torkel/Janne/ Stefan (20s-40s) ANNE-MARIE CAN BE CONTACTED ON 07740 627428 TO DISCUSS PARTS IN ADVANCE.

CRITERION PLAY READING GROUP: TUESDAY 15TH SEPTEMBER 2015 AT 7PM.   At the next meeting of the Criterion Play Reading Group we will be reading 'Alice' by Laura Wade which is a contemporary adaptation of Lewis Carroll's 'Alice's Adventures in Wonderland' first was published in 1865. The play re-imagines the classic's heroine as a modern-day 12 year old from Sheffield who falls down the rabbit hole to escape the grief of losing her brother and her difficult home life. There are 43 characters for a cast of 9. A review of the first production from 2010 can be found here http://www.theguardian.com/books/2010/jun/25/alice-review    The Play Reading Group gives members the opportunity to either listen or contribute to the reading aloud of plays and participate in a subsequent discussion. It is open to all members and there is no need to book or attend each meeting. Please contact info@criteriontheatre.co.uk with any questions.   

'Our Country's Good' written by Timberlake Wertenbaker is set in Australia in 1788. Based on a true story, it depicts what happens when a collection of convicts from England are tasked by the ambitious Second Lieutenant Ralph Clark to rehearse and perform a play. First written in 1988 it has most recently been performed at the National Theatre with a score written by Cery's Matthews. The Play Reading Group starts at 7pm and is free and open to all members. There is no need to book or attend each meeting. 

Please join us for Halloween fun from 7pm where there will be a Halloween film shown in the Auditorium  Not suitable for children or young people under 18  Refreshments available  Free entry

Christmas Carols