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 Steady Rain' by Keith Huff Thurdsay 22nd and Friday 23rd February Performed at The Tin at the Coal Vaults, Canal Basin, Coventry CV1 4LY. We are delighted to be taking the production of 'A Steady Rain' to The Tin for two further performances.  If you missed it the first time round or would like another chance to see this acclaimed UK amateur premiere of Keith Huff's dark Chicago police drama tickets can be purchased now from either criteriontheatre.co.uk/tickets [/../../../tickets] - 024 7667 4719 or thetinmusicandarts.org.uk [https://thetinmusicandarts.org.uk] - 024 7623 0699, tickets are £7 in advance or limited tickets may be available on the door for £9.  Doors will open at 7pm and the performance will start at 8.00.

'A Steady Rain' by Keith Huff Thurdsay 22nd and Friday 23rd February Performed at The Tin at the Coal Vaults, Canal Basin, Coventry CV1 4LY. We are delighted to be taking the production of 'A Steady Rain' to The Tin for two further performances.  If you missed it the first time round or would like another chance to see this acclaimed UK amateur premiere of Keith Huff's dark Chicago police drama tickets can be purchased now from either criteriontheatre.co.uk/tickets [/../../../tickets] - 024 7667 4719 or thetinmusicandarts.org.uk [https://thetinmusicandarts.org.uk] - 024 7623 0699, tickets are £7 in advance or limited tickets may be available on the door for £9.  Doors will open at 7pm and the performance will start at 8.00.

Audition - Summer Production Plus Autumn Season Plays

This year we are once again opening our doors to the public on May Day and taking part in the Earlsdon Festival.  We would like to talk to members about whether they are able to take on a part of our Festival planning.  We are particularly looking for people to manage the following: Pork Batches - this involves organising the set up of the stall itself, the rota (asking people to volunteer) and the buying of the pork/batches and accompanying sauces etc Entertainment - we need someone to manage the organisation of any entertainment throughout the day Health and Safety  Set up and close down of the day   Thank you Thanks

Come and talk to us about becoming a member of our Theatre and getting involved in our next production. We look forward to meeting you!  No booking required but if you have any questions, please contact welcome@criteriontheatre.co.uk 

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

Join us in the bar to test your wits against our brilliant Question Master, Rich Warren.  The winners will win the Criterion Theatre Quiz trophy NOW FULL FOR TABLE BOOKINGS! Standing room only  We look forward to seeing you there!  

Friday Night Social Event - Das Oscars 2018

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

Join us as we open our doors once more to celebrate the Earlsdon Festival! Pork batches, refreshments, our bar and Box Office will be open, take an opportunity to join our theatre, and a full entertainment programme.  See you there! 

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

Members - The Agm Of The Company

Join us for a spot of darts or a game of table tennis in the car park! Lots of fun, just a bit of friendly competition.  See you there!   

CANCELLED - NEW MEMBERS EVENING WILL TAKE PLACE NEXT WEEK, 20TH JUNE

Family Picnic At Memorial Park Postponed New Date Friday 13Th July

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

CANCELLED due to weather forecast.  APOLOGIES for the late notice but we wanted to see what the weather was doing.     This evenings family picnic is still going ahead, but we are on rain watch! I will post on here as late as 6.30 pm to confirm it’s going ahead, if so, it’s 7pm on the field by the office/tennis courts.  Please remember NO alcohol is allowed to be consumed at the park, the police regularly patrol the grounds and they do check.  Hopefully see you all later    Nicole 

We are delighted to welcome Lucy back to our stage on her way to the Edinburgh Festival with 'Showmanship' “People will pay to believe that anything is possible” 1935. Dust Bowl America. As the worst recorded dust storm in history is about to hit - a storm which will come to be known as The End of the World - the tinpot “BoonDog Circus” rolls into town. Myra Collins, the fortune-teller, is plying her trade, for there is trade here to be done. People are desperate for even the smallest sign of hope, and Myra is no different. But these are desperate times, and hope comes at a price… A darkly funny, one act psychological thriller based on research into charlatan psychics throughout history. Laced with poignancy and devilry, "Showmanship" is the next circus installment by the multi award-winning BoonDog Theatre. After their debut play, The State vs John Hayes, BoonDog Theatre began developing an interweaving series of plays, all set within the same 1930s travelling circus. The series began with 'The Stooge' and continued last year with 'Goody', which won the Les Enfants Terribles "Greenwich Partnership Award". Written & performed by Lucy Roslyn. You can book tickets online now at Criterion Tickets [/../../../tickets] and view the trailer on YouTube [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fuUDv9mrdFg].

We are delighted to welcome Lucy back to our stage on her way to the Edinburgh Festival with 'Showmanship' “People will pay to believe that anything is possible” 1935. Dust Bowl America. As the worst recorded dust storm in history is about to hit - a storm which will come to be known as The End of the World - the tinpot “BoonDog Circus” rolls into town. Myra Collins, the fortune-teller, is plying her trade, for there is trade here to be done. People are desperate for even the smallest sign of hope, and Myra is no different. But these are desperate times, and hope comes at a price… A darkly funny, one act psychological thriller based on research into charlatan psychics throughout history. Laced with poignancy and devilry, "Showmanship" is the next circus installment by the multi award-winning BoonDog Theatre. After their debut play, The State vs John Hayes, BoonDog Theatre began developing an interweaving series of plays, all set within the same 1930s travelling circus. The series began with 'The Stooge' and continued last year with 'Goody', which won the Les Enfants Terribles "Greenwich Partnership Award". Written & performed by Lucy Roslyn. You can book tickets online now at Criterion Tickets [/../../../tickets] and view the trailer on YouTube [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fuUDv9mrdFg].

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.

Please join us by bringing your favourite board game to the bar! The more ‘old school’ the better! 

Open Reading - A New Play 'City Final' By Local Journalist Barbara Goulden. All Welcome. The Event Is Free And Will Be Followed By A Discussion With The Author.

We are looking for members to take part in this very informal evening of acoustic music.  If you aren't interested in performing please come down to listen and support our performers.  Please contact Nicole on  customerexperience@criteriontheatre.co.uk  

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

COVENTRY'S TUDOR INHERITANCE: THE WARS OF THE ROSES AND THE ROYAL TAPESTRY ST. MARY'S HALL, TUESDAY OCTOBER 9TH at 7.30pm In April this year, five actors from the Criterion Theatre took part in a unique event in St. Mary's Guildhall, to help raise funds to restore the magnificent Tudor tapestry which has hung on the north wall of the Great Hall for more than 500 years. TV historian Jonathan Foyle explained the central part that Coventry and its Guildhall played during the Wars of the Roses, interspersed with readings from Shakespeare's history plays and documents from the period, and live music performed by the Bourton Trombone Quartet. Hosted and introduced by The Lord Mayor, the original event sold out almost immediately, so it was impossible for Criterion members to buy tickets. The event was so well received that organisers Tudor Coventry have now decided to re-run it, for one night only: Tuesday October 9th. Jonathan Foyle will again present his fascinating lecture, supported by the five Criterion actors who read so powerfully first time round: Cathryn Bowler, Helen Withers, Keith Railton, Hugh Sorrill and Gareth Withers. The new Lord Mayor will be present at the event, which will also be filmed.  All tickets are priced at £15 and can be purchased by contacting Ms J. Barlow, the Lord Mayor's Office, Council House, Earl Street, Coventry CV1 5RR or by emailing jane.barlow@coventry.gov.uk St. Mary's Guildhall is located in the city centre, near the ruins of the old cathedral and the Herbert Art Gallery, in Bayley Lane Coventry CV1 5RN                           

WHISKY GALORE PLAY READING 14TH OCTOBER THEATRE – 3PM TO 5PM 16 Male, 8 Female (Possibly) This is a preliminary reading to see whether we feel the play holds to together as a piece with all its complexities not least being the accents. During WWII, the cargo vessel _S.S. Cabinet Minister_ is wrecked off a remote Scottish island group — Great Todday and Little Todday — with fifty thousand cases of Whisky aboard. Due to wartime rationing, the thirsty islanders have run out of the "water of life" and see this as an unexpected godsend. They manage to salvage several hundred cases before the ship sinks. But it is not all clear sailing. They must thwart the efforts of the authorities to confiscate the liquor, particularly in the shape of misguided, pompous English Home Guard  Captain Paul Waggett. A cat-and-mouse battle of wits ensues. (The story was based on a real-life incident that occurred in 1941 on the Hebridean Island of Eriskay[1] when the SS Politician ran aground with a cargo including 28,000 cases of malt whisky. Official files released by The National Archives show that it was also carrying a sum of cash. In all, there were nearly 290,000 ten shilling notes which would be worth the equivalent of several million pounds at today's prices. Not all of this was recovered from the wreck.) On paper there are 16 male and 8 female characters, however, there will be doubling of actors as well as some cross dressing (possibly) I would be delighted to see as many people as would like to discover the joys of an afternoon of Whisky!   Pete Bagley

Talk By Chris Arnot About His Latest Book 'Larkin About In Coventry' Which Details The Local Associations Of The Poet Philip Larkin.

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

SOLD OUT A tribute in words and music and music to Coventry born poet and jazz critic Philip Larkin (1922-1985). Outlining his early associations with the city, it will also celebrate his lifelong passion for jazz music which began when he was a pupil at King Henry VIII School. From 1961 - 1971 Larkin wrote a monthly jazz review for the Daily Telegraph. A collection of these reviews was published in 'All What Jazz: A Record Diary'.   We are delighted to present this concert as a collaboration with Jazz Coventry.  THE EVENING WILL FEATURE A PERFORMANCE OF JAZZ CLASSICS BY THE DAVE NEWTON TRIO. Dave Newton was voted best Jazz Pianist in the British Jazz awards for the 13th time in 2014 and was made a fellow of Leeds College of Music in 2003 where he now teaches jazz piano. For this special concert at the Criterion he will be joined by Alec Dankworth (bass) and Clark Tracey (drums).  Criterion actors Hugh Sorrill, Andrew Tyrer and Nicol Cortese will bring to life some of Larkin's poems and his reflections on the importance of jazz music to his life. Nicol will also be singing some of the songs so loved by Larkin, accompanied by local musician Kevin Stannard.  This is a full length version of the brief entertainment that was offered as part of the Earlsdon Festival in May celebrating Larkin's local connections as well as his love of music.     Tickets £12 ; Students £6  Advance booking is advised as it is anticipated this will be a popular event. Tickets can be purchased from this website or in person from our box office during normal opening hours, or leave a message on 02476 675175. 

Cancelled Due To Unavoidable Circumstances- Apologies For Any Inconvenience Fireworks Evening

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

Christmas Carols - Carols Prep

Christmas Carols - Christmas Carols Sing-A Long