Join us for a coffee/tea and cake, and a browse through the second hand books.

Join us for a coffee/tea and cake, and a browse through the second hand books.

A new sound from old favourites Steamchicken, returning to the theatre for the first time since their sold out ‘Jazz Roots’ show in 2013.   And it was at that show that singer and actress Amy Kakoura, returning to her local theatre after four years at Guildford School of Acting, first saw the band. She went on to form a creative partnership with founder Andrew Sharpe, the pair spending two years writing and performing the ‘Musical Songs for a ledge’, before joining the band. Their new show is based around the new album ‘Look Both Ways’, the first featuring her vocals. It combines folk with jazz, reggae, blues and she brings the storytelling traditions musical theatre to the mix.   For over 20 years, Steamchicken have been delighting audiences with their own brand of fun. In Ceilidhs, concerts, bar sets and workshops, the 8 talented and versatile musicians bring musical genres together in a way that shouldn't work but does. Piano, melodeon, harmonica, vocals and percussion combine with a tightly knit horn section (including Mandy Sutton -normally found building sets) to provide entertainment that goes way beyond a dance or a song. This band don't take themselves too seriously - just don't let Andrew tell the sausage joke!   Always one of the best live bands on the circuit the new album, largely written by the band, steps up a gear and has been surprising many by its energy and freshness, they’re poised to write their name large in 2017.   “...swinging vibes for today’s sonic ecstasy.” Turn Up the Volume   "a mulch of jazz, folk and American hoedown - hilarious" - The Times (Hot Tickets)   "Good Noisy Fun" - fRoots   "Just have to be seen live" - Living Tradition   The seating will be arranged cabaret style - you can book your tickets online but there will be no reserved seating. Get there early! Pick a good table, get a drink, sit back and enjoy.

Join us for a coffee/tea and cake, and a browse through the second hand books.

Join us for a coffee/tea and cake, and a browse through the second hand books.

Will Johns is returning to the Criterion for one night on Saturday 1st April 2017.   Featuring a mixture of original material from his three acclaimed albums together with covers of Blues classics, Will and his band will, this time, be supported by Jasmine Rodgers.   Since last appearing at the Criterion in 2015, Will has released his third album “Something Old, Something New.”   Tracks from the Album have been featured by Paul Jones on Radio2.   Will Johns is recognised as one of the most distinctive and exciting performers on the British Blues scene today. His guitar playing is both modern and cutting edge but also steeped in the blues history passed from generation to generation. Hardly surprising as Will has direct heritage to a golden age of music. As well as being a spellbinding live act, Will is a hugely respected songwriter, having three times been nominated for ‘Best Original Blues Song’ by the British Blues Awards in 3 consecutive years.   From the age of 15 Will taught himself guitar but received huge encouragement from his world renowned uncle, Eric Clapton.   Having been writing and performing for over 15 years across the globe Will has picked up many accolades along the journey, not least his BBA nominations for ‘On My Back’ from his debut solo album Count On Me in 2012, and for ‘KissingYou’ from the superb Hooks & Lines album in 2013. A big favourite among festival goers, Will has appeared across the U.K. at such prestigious events as Blues On The Farm, Birmingham Jazz and Blues and Cambridge Rock Festival.

THE ART OF THE SET DESIGNER - We are delighted to announce that Bob Morley will be presenting a talk on the Art of Set Design on Friday 21st April at 7.30p.m.   For those who don't know him, Bob is a veteran member of the theatre.  In his time at the theatre he has been an actor and an extremely imaginative director. He is also a talented artist and set designer and has been responsible for many memorable set designs including 'The Herbal Bed' , 'David Copperfield' and the famous (or should that be infamous ?) shuddering set for 'The Ladykillers'. ( _see image on right_ )  Bob's talk will be based on his own experience, offering principles of design and practical methods of approach to meet the hopes and needs of directors, lighting and actors.  He will include guidance as to what is possible through building, set painting and dressing and how to negotiate the process from first concept to finished product.  Interspersed in his talk will be many anecdotes and practical tips from his many years of experience. All are welcome and this is a must attend event for anyone interested in set design. This is a free event and no booking is necessary

Please join us for our annual Great Big Criterion Quiz! £2.50 per person  6 persons per team max.  To enter, please email events@criteriontheatre.co.uk  with your team name and numbers or turn up on the night.  see you there!

Please join us as we celebrate the Earlsdon Festival with our offering at the Criterion Theatre. We will once again be offering our favoured pork batches, the bar will be open and we will be serving delicious cakes and refreshments throughout the day.  Our Box office will be open and we will be available to talk to you about becoming members of our wonderful theatre.  see you there!

Join us for a coffee/tea and cake, and a browse through the second hand books.

Join us for a coffee/tea and cake, and a browse through the second hand books.

Members - Company Agm

Join us for a coffee/tea and cake, and a browse through the second hand books.

Members - All Volunteers Are Asked To Spare A Couple Of Hours To Help Spruce Up The Theatre: Cleaning, Weed Clearing, Repair, Stage Lighting Service:there's Lots To Be Done !

We are delighted that Lucy Roslyn’s new play, ‘Goody’ will be presented as an Edinburgh Festival preview on Friday 28th and Saturday 29th July 2017. ’Goody’ is a striking and darkly funny exploration of the extraordinary, heart-breaking world of performing apes and the humans who live with them, love them and break them. 1934, Dustbowl America. Backstage at the travelling circus, the complex relationship between one man and his performing chimpanzee is revealed. Marooned in a world she does not comprehend, Goody finds comfort with her only companion - her trainer Frances. How do they communicate? How do they cohabit? Who is in control? The chimpanzee is our closest biological relative, capable of laughter and loyalty, frustration and rage, love and war.

We are delighted that Lucy Roslyn’s new play, ‘Goody’ will be presented as an Edinburgh Festival preview on Friday 28th and Saturday 29th July 2017. ’Goody’ is a striking and darkly funny exploration of the extraordinary, heart-breaking world of performing apes and the humans who live with them, love them and break them. 1934, Dustbowl America. Backstage at the travelling circus, the complex relationship between one man and his performing chimpanzee is revealed. Marooned in a world she does not comprehend, Goody finds comfort with her only companion - her trainer Frances. How do they communicate? How do they cohabit? Who is in control? The chimpanzee is our closest biological relative, capable of laughter and loyalty, frustration and rage, love and war.

Join us for a coffee/tea and cake, and a browse through the second hand books.

Wes Finch "...a welcome and singular addition to the list of new bloods reinvigorating British folk music...Non-traditional acoustic roots delivered with an edgy, risk-taking sonic boldness" (Nigel Williamson in Uncut) Coventry born Wes returns to The Criterion Theatre with his band to play a mixture of older, known songs and new and unreleased compositions. He has also invited two of his favourite York based artists to perform alongside:   The Howl & The Hum The Howl & The Hum used to have one head and then someone cut it off so it grew two heads, and this situation reoccurred until the now four-faced hydra began its slow takeover of this planet, beginning in York, UK. Its electric, distorted roar is often softened to a loveless moan, with both ranges being covered in their first song and video Godmanchester Chinese Bridge.   David Ward Maclean David has worked as a musician in York, England for the past 25 years or so. He has supported John Martyn, Jack Bruce, John James, Ralph McTell, Dougie Maclean, and more recently Martin Carthy, Jethro Tull, John Otway, John Gomm, Edwina Hayes, Chris Helme, Woody Mann and Benjamin Francis Leftwich. "Great Stuff." - Ian Anderson, Jethro Tull. "Brill, David!" - Roy Harper. davidwardmaclean.bandcamp.com davidwardmaclean.bandzoogle.com

Join us for a coffee/tea and cake, and a browse through the second hand books.

Our theatre wardrobe is bursting at the seams, so we invite you to come along and buy from our surplus stock. You could also stop at our coffee morning whilst here for a coffee/tea and homemade cake, have a browse through the second hand books, and even treat yourself to a discounted, over the clothes, head and back massage from Dan Searles Holistic Health - www.dansearles.com. The box office will also be open for you to book tickets for our forthcoming production of ‘A Steady Rain’ by Keith Huff which opens on Saturday 2nd September, or any of our future productions.

Book Launch - Talk And Presentation - Criterion Member Christine Ingall Launches Her Book 'Solo Success - You Can Do It On Your Own'

Please come along to hear or take part in this initial open read. There will be cheese and wine too! A very informal evening, please join me!  Thanks  nicole

Join us for a coffee/tea and cake, and a browse through the second hand books.

Join us for a coffee/tea and cake, and a browse through the second hand books.

  Excerpts from CAST OFF, a collection of short stories by club member Margaret Egrot, will be read in the bar theatre by theatre members.   The bar will be open from 7.30pm and the readings will take place between 8 and 9pm. All are welcome to come and hear the readings, and talk to the author about how she came to write the stories. The event is FREE.   The stories are based on female characters in plays by Shakespeare. In each story the author imagines what the character might be thinking or doing when she’s not on stage. Does she like the role she has been given? Would she prefer a different plot? Or love interest? How does she really feel about all that cross dressing? It is not a serious academic study, though there is a sprinkling of quotations to keep the more serious minded reader happy too.   Margaret has been writing plays and novels for some years. She has had two novels for teenagers published since 2015, and the Criterion hosted a ‘script in hand’ evening for two of her plays in 2016. A couple of her prize winning short stories appeared in Coventry Tales and Coventry Tales 2, as well as other anthologies. Copies of her other books will also be on sale on the 23rd.   So, if you have nothing in your diary for Thursday 23rd November from 7.30pm, and fancy an evening’s free entertainment as well as an opportunity to stock up on books for Christmas presents, do come and join us in the bar.

Join us for a coffee/tea and cake, and a browse through the second hand books.

Come and join us for our traditional carol singing at the theatre (please note the day change to a FRIDAY)  Wear your best Christmas jumpers, eat a few mince pies, bring us a raffle prize, sing (or shout) a few carols and new for this year, a Christmas film showing in the bar.   Doors open at 7.30, carols start at 8 (approx)  see you then! 

Club Night - Bar Open