Coffee Morning - Cancelled

Due to staff unavailability, we've had to cancel February's coffee morning. We will be back, with a new coffee machine(!), on March 5th. See you then!

Auditions will take place at Coventry Resource Centre for the Blind (33-35 Earlsdon Ave Sth) in Boston Lodge: there will be signs, but basically the brown doors to the right of the main entrance. There’s parking.

Auditions will take place at Coventry Resource Centre for the Blind (33-35 Earlsdon Ave Sth) in Boston Lodge: there will be signs, but basically the brown doors to the right of the main entrance. There’s parking.

Auditions will take place at Coventry Resource Centre for the Blind (33-35 Earlsdon Ave Sth) in Boston Lodge: there will be signs, but basically the brown doors to the right of the main entrance. There’s parking.

Coffee Morning

_Un:mute. An Art Exhibition, March 21st 5-9pm and March 22nd 12-7pm._ Our Artistic Director Anne-marie Greene in her day job is Professor at the University of York and is involved in a research project exploring the theatrical output, activities and organisational practices over 40 years of the women-only theatre company Clean Break, which works with women and girls with experience of the criminal justice system. The project has involved artist-in residence Laura Dean who lives in Earlsdon and the Criterion is lucky enough to be hosting an exhibition of images, soundscapes and visual artefacts which are her response to the research. The exhibition also sees the launch of Clean Break’s Digital Timeline. On March 21st we will be hosting a launch event, so please do join us from 5pm with discussions starting at 6pm. Hear from members of the research project team and Anna Herrman, Joint Artistic Director of Clean Break, talking about the evolution of the research project and the way that the involvement of a visual artist has transformed and enriched our understandings and experiences and provided new illumination of the impact of Clean Break's work. You are then invited to walk around the exhibition at your leisure. Refreshments provided. Entrance is free but please register by clicking here [https://www.resonatefestival.co.uk/events/unmute]. Un:mute is part of the Resonate Festival [https://www.resonatefestival.co.uk/whats-on], funded by the University of Warwick to celebrate Coventry’s year as UK City of Culture. More information about the research project can be found at www.womentheatrejustice.org [http://www.womentheatrejustice.org/]

_Un:mute. An Art Exhibition, March 21st 5-9pm and March 22nd 12-7pm._ Our Artistic Director Anne-marie Greene in her day job is Professor at the University of York and is involved in a research project exploring the theatrical output, activities and organisational practices over 40 years of the women-only theatre company Clean Break, which works with women and girls with experience of the criminal justice system. The project has involved artist-in residence Laura Dean who lives in Earlsdon and the Criterion is lucky enough to be hosting an exhibition of images, soundscapes and visual artefacts which are her response to the research. The exhibition also sees the launch of Clean Break’s Digital Timeline. On March 21st we will be hosting a launch event, so please do join us from 5pm with discussions starting at 6pm. Hear from members of the research project team and Anna Herrman, Joint Artistic Director of Clean Break, talking about the evolution of the research project and the way that the involvement of a visual artist has transformed and enriched our understandings and experiences and provided new illumination of the impact of Clean Break's work. You are then invited to walk around the exhibition at your leisure. Refreshments provided. Entrance is free but please register by clicking here [https://www.resonatefestival.co.uk/events/unmute]. Un:mute is part of the Resonate Festival [https://www.resonatefestival.co.uk/whats-on], funded by the University of Warwick to celebrate Coventry’s year as UK City of Culture. More information about the research project can be found at www.womentheatrejustice.org [http://www.womentheatrejustice.org/]

Coffee Morning

Two years on from our first lockdown quiz, we are back with a social quiz being held at the theatre next Friday. Scientific studies have shown that anyone who has had COVID may have had their brains reduced in size, so expectations are low about high scoring! So why not come along, either with a team (ideally no more than 4) or to join one, and have a go! Entry is free, but if you could let us know in advance if you are intending g to come along, that would be great (just so we can work out numbers). Just email publicity@criteriontheatre.co.uk if you want to join in but can't make it to the theatre itself, we will also be offering an online link. Again, just email the above address and we'll send you the zoom link. However, we'd love to see you in person if you can!

Earlsdon Festival

Coffee Morning

AN INVITATION TO AN EVENING FOR ALL EXISTING AND NEW MEMBERS.  As we gear back up to 'normal' productions after the Covid madness, we thought it would be a great idea to invite everyone to come along and share a complimentary drink, getting everyone together to celebrate how wonderful it is to volunteer at the Criterion.  Come and meet with department heads and get a bit of a recap on how our processes and systems are working in the post-Covid world. For example, we now operate a digital-only Box Office, so there are no physical tickets; we also now have a completely cashless Bar so there is no need to cash-up and we have new digital tablets to use; Front of House no longer have the Covid processes we were having to deal with. We think that many of the roles are now much easier than they were and we are going to take you through all of these new processes.  For anyone new to the theatre, you'll get a chance to see how these processes work as well as meeting representatives from other departments including props, wardrobe, lighting, sound, stage managers and also directors and actors. There are so many things you can volunteer for and we'd love to show you what we are all about.  Do come along and meet us all!

Coffee Morning

The Elevate Festival celebrates the 50th Anniversary of Coventry Haven Women's Aid at The Criterion Theatre.   Join us for a line up of incredible acts, food & craft stalls, and prize draws, all raising funds for the charity and commemorating this milestone as they continue their work supporting women across the city.  Line up:  Bar Pandora Ace Ambrose Paradise of the Titans Chessi O'Dowd World Song  with more to be announced...  There will be food and craft stalls in the car park and prize draws.  Tickets are £10 advance from the Criterion Box Office [/../../../seats/7705] and £12 on the door.  The theatre bar will be open and tickets will allow entry to the main auditorium.    

17TH – 23RD JULY 2022 ALBANY THEATRE COVENTRY  The National Drama Festival is the place to see the best of British amateur theatre. Groups from across the country (and abroad), bring their best work in friendly competition with the aim of winning awards and becoming national champions. It is one of the prestige annual events in this country’s amateur theatre calendar. It takes place every July and in 2022 is returning to the Albany Theatre, Coventry – a venue where it successfully ran for the first time in 2021. The Festival takes place over seven nights and is divided into three sections – Youth, One-Act and Full-Length plays. Get your tickets for this fabulous week of drama at https://www.albanytheatre.co.uk/whats-on/drama/  SUNDAY EVENING (STARTING AT 7PM) 'Twinkle' by Philip Meeks performed by Talisman Theatre (A Full Length play) [https://ndfa.co.uk/the-running-order] MONDAY EVENING (STARTING AT 7PM) 'Teechers' by John Godber performed by Limitless Academy of Performing Arts (A One Act play) [https://ndfa.co.uk/the-running-order] 'Pinteresque' by Roger Gowland performed by Phoenix Players (A One Act play) [https://ndfa.co.uk/the-running-order] 'Housebound' by Simon Maudsley performed by Abbey Players (A One Act play) [https://ndfa.co.uk/the-running-order] TUESDAY EVENING (STARTING AT 7PM) 'Constellations' by Nick Payne performed by Peterborough Mask Theatre (A Full Length play) [https://ndfa.co.uk/the-running-order] WEDNESDAY EVENING (STARTING AT 7PM) 'Brook for Nothing' by Paul Adam Levy performed by Limitless Academy of Performing Arts (A One Act Youth play) [https://ndfa.co.uk/the-running-order] 'The Devil and The Dove' by Piers Burnell performed by HAODS (Henley Amateur Operatic and Dramatic Society (A One Act play) [https://ndfa.co.uk/the-running-order] 'The Road Less Travelled' by Janet Bolam perfomed by Oxford Theatre Guild [https://ndfa.co.uk/the-running-order] THURSDAY EVENING (STARTING AT 7PM) 'Love You More' by Gill Cowen performed by Hen's Teeth Productions (A One Act Play) [https://ndfa.co.uk/the-running-order] 'Nightwalking' by Frank Canino performed by Saint Monica's Players (A One Act Play) [https://ndfa.co.uk/the-running-order] 'Fourteen' by Alice Gerstenberg performed by Lucerne World Theatre Co. (A One Act play) [https://ndfa.co.uk/the-running-order] FRIDAY EVENING (STARTING AT 7PM) 'Bad Eggs' by Dani Robin performed by Guernsey ADOC (A One Act Play) [https://ndfa.co.uk/the-running-order] 'Lifeboat' (abridged) by Nicola McCartney performed by Spiral Curtain (A One Act Play) [https://ndfa.co.uk/the-running-order] 'The Gift' by Janice Okoh (Act 2) performed by Criterion Theatre (A One Act play) [https://ndfa.co.uk/the-running-order] SATURDAY AFTERNOON (A ONE ACT PLAY AT 4:30PM INCLUDED WITHIN THE SATURDAY EVENING TICKET AND THE CONFERENCE TICKET) 'Every Brilliant Thing' by Duncan MacMillan with Jonny Donahoe performed by The Thursday Night Project (A One Act play) [https://ndfa.co.uk/the-running-order] SATURDAY EVENING (STARTING AT 7PM) 'The Importance of Being Earnest' by Oscar Wilde performed by Mutley & Minques (A Full Length Play) [https://ndfa.co.uk/the-running-order]

SATURDAY 23RD JULY 2022 – ALBANY THEATRE, COVENTRY FOR 2022 THE NATIONAL DRAMA CONFERENCE WILL FOCUS ON INCLUSION AND DIVERSITY IN BRITISH AMATEUR THEATRE. IT IS A MUST-ATTEND EVENT FOR ANYONE WHO HAS THE FUTURE OF THEATRE IN THE BRITISH ISLES AT HEART. It will consider the vital question of why our shared passion for theatrical performance is becoming more and more markedly unrepresentative of the countries and communities in which we live and perform. More importantly still, the one-day Conference will consider what can be done to effect change, and it will hear from practitioners from the worlds of professional and amateur theatre who have already made a difference. It is open to all – individuals, theatre groups, Festival organisers and any interested parties – and will be held in the Albany Theatre Studio in Coventry on Saturday July 23, 2022 – the concluding day of this year’s NDFA National Drama Festival which is taking place in the Albany’s Main House. The Conference will be jointly curated by _Penny Amis, Chair of the Side By Side Theatre Company of Leamington Spa_, and _Anne-marie Greene, who is professor of Diversity and Work at the University of York as well as being Artistic Director of the Criterion Theatre, Coventry_, which has put Equality, Diversity and Inclusion at the heart of everything they do. The Conference is supported by the _Royal Shakespeare Theatre of Stratford-on-Avon_ and their Participation Producer, Ian Wainwright, will be attending. Actors involved in recent Criterion productions of  _Queers – The Monologues_, curated by Mark Gatiss, and _The Gift_, by Janice Okoh, have also been invited to take part. Conference tickets, priced £12 each are available from the Albany Theatre [https://www.albanytheatre.co.uk/shows/ndfa-2022-conference/] Attendees are requested to provide their own refreshments and lunch.

Coffee Morning

Coffee Morning

Company Members Agm

One of the unexpected joys of lockdown was the Zoom play-reading circle organised by the Criterion theatre in Coventry, transporting us to different worlds, in a diverse and often distant company of theatre lovers.  Some led to productions, including 'The Gift' early this year and 'The Welkin' scheduled for 2023. 'Maryland' was performed on-line. It also meant that Criterion contacts from around the country could join in without having to brave the Coventry ring road. And enjoy a glass or two. The readings are free to attend (although of course we pay for the rights) and but we think it’s important to broaden our horizons and build on that earlier good work. So, as the nights draw in, why not come and escape from it all? You can read a part, stage directions or just sit back and listen -  it’s totally up to you.  If you would like to read please email lucyhayton@hotmail.com and include your name, approximate age and ethnicity so we can allocate parts as appropriately as possible (although be prepared to read anything!). Below is the list of play readings which we hope you’ll find interesting. Hope to see you then. And please do spread the word, all are welcome. 29th September 2022 -  8pm - Taxidermists Daughter - Kate Mosse [https://www.nickhernbooks.co.uk/plays-to-perform/taxidermists-daughter] Adapted by the author for stage, Kate Mosse's novel is set in 1912 in an isolated house on the Sussex salt marshes. A gothic story of violence, retribution and justice.  Register in advance for this meeting: https://us02web.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZYocOChpjwsGdVVuGddecX195X0UPJec3tY  After registering, you will receive a confirmation email containing information about joining the meeting.   27th October 2022 - 8pm - TBC   1st December 2022 - 8pm - The Birds - Conor McPherson  [https://www.nickhernbooks.co.uk/plays-to-perform/the-birds-stage-version] A suspenseful, atmospheric adaptation of Daphne du Maurier's enthralling short story.   Register in advance for this meeting: https://us02web.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZUld-qorj4vHN38zJd5IFU-zWM2Q_C6L8vW  After registering, you will receive a confirmation email containing information about joining the meeting.  26th January 2023 - 8pm - Favour - Ambreen Razia  [https://www.nickhernbooks.co.uk/plays-to-perform/favour] Ambreen Razia's play Favour is a touching and hopeful family drama about a working-class Muslim family, tackling duty, addiction and the challenge of pulling yourself back together after it all falls apart. It was a Bush Theatre and Clean Break co-production and premiered at the Bush, London, in 2022  Register in advance for this meeting: https://us02web.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZAvfuCrrjgpGda3364IxcJg4rPZgcvtPrTs  After registering, you will receive a confirmation email containing information about joining the meeting. 23rd February 2023 - 8pm - Pomona - Alistair McDowall  [https://www.bloomsbury.com/uk/pomona-9781350086715/] Ollie's sister is missing.  Searching Manchester in desperation, she finds all roads lead to Pomona, an abandoned concrete island at the heart of the city. Here at the centre of everything, journeys end and nightmares are born. Pomona is a sinister and surreal thriller.  Register in advance for this meeting: https://us02web.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZ0sd-Curz4jH914qgjhaxzGmocwaANSBJy8  After registering, you will receive a confirmation email containing information about joining the meeting. 30th March 2023 - 8pm - Iman Qureshi - Ministry of Lesbian Affairs  [https://www.nickhernbooks.co.uk/plays-to-perform/ministry-of-lesbian-affairs] It’s 2022. There’s a rainbow flag in every high street window, and no lesbian bar. Enter The Ministry of Lesbian Affairs: a lesbian choir on a mission to unite a disparate and dwindling community. Led by a world-weary conductor, the choir flirt, gossip and attempt to sing their way onto the main stage at Pride. This is a heart-warming and musical comedy about love, queerness, and belonging. No singing will be required as part of the reading!  Register in advance for this meeting: https://us02web.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZcsd-uqrz8uGtxjFgTOr9ia3u3KqNzZKI7R  After registering, you will receive a confirmation email containing information about joining the meeting.

Coffee Morning

One of the unexpected joys of lockdown was the Zoom play-reading circle organised by the Criterion theatre in Coventry, transporting us to different worlds, in a diverse and often distant company of theatre lovers.  Some led to productions, including 'The Gift' early this year and 'The Welkin' scheduled for 2023. 'Maryland' was performed on-line. It also meant that Criterion contacts from around the country could join in without having to brave the Coventry ring road. And enjoy a glass or two. The readings are free to attend (although of course we pay for the rights) and but we think it’s important to broaden our horizons and build on that earlier good work. So, as the nights draw in, why not come and escape from it all? You can read a part, stage directions or just sit back and listen -  it’s totally up to you.  If you would like to read please email lucyhayton@hotmail.com and include your name, approximate age and ethnicity so we can allocate parts as appropriately as possible (although be prepared to read anything!). Below is the list of play readings which we hope you’ll find interesting. Hope to see you then. And please do spread the word, all are welcome. 27th October 2022 - 8pm - Fairview by Jackie Sibblies Drury Fairview is a 2018 comedy play which follows a middle class African-American family as they prepare for a birthday dinner for their grandmother only to be watched by four White people.   Register in advance for this meeting: https://us02web.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZ0pfu2rrD0vEt3-rNUwYiyvdB9tL754pi2X After registering, you will receive a confirmation email containing information about joining the meeting. 1st December 2022 - 8pm - The Birds - Conor McPherson  [https://www.nickhernbooks.co.uk/plays-to-perform/the-birds-stage-version] A suspenseful, atmospheric adaptation of Daphne du Maurier's enthralling short story.   Register in advance for this meeting: https://us02web.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZUld-qorj4vHN38zJd5IFU-zWM2Q_C6L8vW  After registering, you will receive a confirmation email containing information about joining the meeting.  26th January 2023 - 8pm - Favour - Ambreen Razia  [https://www.nickhernbooks.co.uk/plays-to-perform/favour] Ambreen Razia's play Favour is a touching and hopeful family drama about a working-class Muslim family, tackling duty, addiction and the challenge of pulling yourself back together after it all falls apart. It was a Bush Theatre and Clean Break co-production and premiered at the Bush, London, in 2022  Register in advance for this meeting: https://us02web.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZAvfuCrrjgpGda3364IxcJg4rPZgcvtPrTs  After registering, you will receive a confirmation email containing information about joining the meeting. 23rd February 2023 - 8pm - Pomona - Alistair McDowall  [https://www.bloomsbury.com/uk/pomona-9781350086715/] Ollie's sister is missing.  Searching Manchester in desperation, she finds all roads lead to Pomona, an abandoned concrete island at the heart of the city. Here at the centre of everything, journeys end and nightmares are born. Pomona is a sinister and surreal thriller.  Register in advance for this meeting: https://us02web.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZ0sd-Curz4jH914qgjhaxzGmocwaANSBJy8  After registering, you will receive a confirmation email containing information about joining the meeting. 30th March 2023 - 8pm - Iman Qureshi - Ministry of Lesbian Affairs  [https://www.nickhernbooks.co.uk/plays-to-perform/ministry-of-lesbian-affairs] It’s 2022. There’s a rainbow flag in every high street window, and no lesbian bar. Enter The Ministry of Lesbian Affairs: a lesbian choir on a mission to unite a disparate and dwindling community. Led by a world-weary conductor, the choir flirt, gossip and attempt to sing their way onto the main stage at Pride. This is a heart-warming and musical comedy about love, queerness, and belonging. No singing will be required as part of the reading!  Register in advance for this meeting: https://us02web.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZcsd-uqrz8uGtxjFgTOr9ia3u3KqNzZKI7R  After registering, you will receive a confirmation email containing information about joining the meeting.

Coffee Morning

AUDITION DETAILS Please ensure that you have registered and selected audition slots by completing the Registration Form at https://forms.gle/VHPVTiBn296av8xt9 [https://forms.gle/VHPVTiBn296av8xt9]  All music and dialogue extracts are available to download as PDFs at the following link: https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/1M3-UkI6NAC2mtLnVnuSnWgJQeUY9ia1f?usp=sharing [https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/1M3-UkI6NAC2mtLnVnuSnWgJQeUY9ia1f?usp=sharing] INFORMATION ABOUT THE PLAY Our production will run from 17th-24th June 2023. Set in 19th century London, Sweeney Todd, an escaped convict once known as Benjamin Barker is back in Fleet Street and resumes his barbershop trade. He is determined to take revenge on the corrupt Judge Turpin who had him sent away 15 years earlier on false charges. Known as a “musical thriller”, this exciting production has it all. It is a story of vengeance, injustice and inequality; a chilling horror story which is both deadly funny and genuinely tragic. OUR ARTISTIC VISION Our vision for the production is to capture the bleak times of London life in the 19th century by creating a dark and atmospheric atmosphere. The set will be minimal, with a focus on the characters and their emotional and psychological depths and the theatrical/melodrama of the piece.   On the character notes, we have indicated where specific playing genders are called for, however some characters can be cast gender-neutrally. All characters will be cast completely neutrally with regards to race and ethnicity. At the Criterion we are absolutely committed to a core aspiration to be a demonstrable place of opportunity for all, with diverse and brilliant plays on stage and inclusive company and membership. Please see our policies on Equality, Diversity and Inclusion [/../../../about/edi]. THE AUDITION PROCESS The auditions will be led by the Musical Director Liam Walker and Production Director Debra Relton-Elves. Anne-marie Greene, Artistic Director of the Criterion Theatre will also be in attendance. At the audition, we will expect you to sing the selected musical extract and perform the selected dialogue extract for the role you have selected. We want this to be a supportive and enjoyable experience, allowing you to show us the best of your ability in a short time slot. We look forward to meeting you at the auditions.  Auditions will take place on: Sunday 20th November 2022 at 2pm at the Criterion Theatre, Berkeley Road, Earlsdon, CV5 6EF. Thursday 24th November 2022 at 7.30pm at 35 Warwick Avenue, Coventry, CV5 6DJ. with call backs on Sunday 24th November 2022 at 2pm at the Criterion Theatre, Berkeley Road, Earlsdon, CV5 6EF. If you have trouble finding an available slot on the Registration Form, please contact us at productions@criteriontheatre.co.uk.  Looking forward to meeting you Deb, Liam and Anne-marie.

TABLE READ OF 'FOR LUCY' BY ANDREW SHARPE Director: Chris Ingall Sunday 20th November 2022 at 7:00pm Criterion Theatre, Coventry.  Workshopped extensively in 2018, a scene ‘The Uninvited Ghost’, was performed at the Maltings Theatre St Albans as one of ‘Three Sharpe Shorts’. A production of the full work was offered, and the play was performed online to a focus group made up of members of the LGBT+ community, but the opportunity was lost in the blip. The table read of the working draft of this new work, without commitment, is to enable director CHRIS INGALL to give writing notes to Andrew, and identify whether to pitch for a studio production of the whole work and/or submit scenes to drama festivals in 2023.     Four characters. JO, F, playing age 50, Barrister. BEX, F playing age 35, Barrister. SAM, F playing age 20, Student Nurse. TIM, M, playing age 65, Solicitor Deeply closeted JO is on the point of leaving her husband TIM for her lover BEX  when her daughter Lucy is killed in a road crash. Will she choose her own happiness, or try and hold the remains of her family together, at the risk of losing BEX to SAM?   Told in reverse chronological order, a romantic quadrangle spanning four generations.  RSVP to christineingall67@gmail.com. All welcome. In line with our EDI policy we undertake an equality impact assessment of all our artistic programming. "For Lucy" by Andrew Sharpe has an LGBQT+ story at its centre. The playwright has specified that at least one member of the female cast should identify as LGBTQ+. The play can be cast with complete neutrality on race/ethnicity, but the specific gender identity should be played as written.        

AUDITION DETAILS Please ensure that you have registered and selected audition slots by completing the Registration Form at https://forms.gle/VHPVTiBn296av8xt9  All music and dialogue extracts are available to download as PDFs at the following link: https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/1M3-UkI6NAC2mtLnVnuSnWgJQeUY9ia1f?usp=sharing INFORMATION ABOUT THE PLAY Our production will run from 17th-24th June 2023. Set in 19th century London, Sweeney Todd, an escaped convict once known as Benjamin Barker is back in Fleet Street and resumes his barbershop trade. He is determined to take revenge on the corrupt Judge Turpin who had him sent away 15 years earlier on false charges. Known as a “musical thriller”, this exciting production has it all. It is a story of vengeance, injustice and inequality; a chilling horror story which is both deadly funny and genuinely tragic. OUR ARTISTIC VISION Our vision for the production is to capture the bleak times of London life in the 19th century by creating a dark and atmospheric atmosphere. The set will be minimal, with a focus on the characters and their emotional and psychological depths and the theatrical/melodrama of the piece.   On the character notes, we have indicated where specific playing genders are called for, however some characters can be cast gender-neutrally. All characters will be cast completely neutrally with regards to race and ethnicity. At the Criterion we are absolutely committed to a core aspiration to be a demonstrable place of opportunity for all, with diverse and brilliant plays on stage and inclusive company and membership. Please see our policies on Equality, Diversity and Inclusion [/../../../about/edi]. THE AUDITION PROCESS The auditions will be led by the Musical Director Liam Walker and Production Director Debra Relton-Elves. Anne-marie Greene, Artistic Director of the Criterion Theatre will also be in attendance. At the audition, we will expect you to sing the selected musical extract and perform the selected dialogue extract for the role you have selected. We want this to be a supportive and enjoyable experience, allowing you to show us the best of your ability in a short time slot. We look forward to meeting you at the auditions.  Auditions will take place on: Sunday 20th November 2022 at 2pm at the Criterion Theatre, Berkeley Road, Earlsdon, CV5 6EF. Thursday 24th November 2022 at 7.30pm at 35 Warwick Avenue, Coventry, CV5 6DJ. with call backs on Sunday 24th November 2022 at 2pm at the Criterion Theatre, Berkeley Road, Earlsdon, CV5 6EF. If you have trouble finding an available slot on the Registration Form, please contact us at productions@criteriontheatre.co.uk.  Looking forward to meeting you Deb, Liam and Anne-marie.

AUDITION DETAILS Please ensure that you have registered and selected audition slots by completing the Registration Form at https://forms.gle/VHPVTiBn296av8xt9  All music and dialogue extracts are available to download as PDFs at the following link: https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/1M3-UkI6NAC2mtLnVnuSnWgJQeUY9ia1f?usp=sharing INFORMATION ABOUT THE PLAY Our production will run from 17th-24th June 2023. Set in 19th century London, Sweeney Todd, an escaped convict once known as Benjamin Barker is back in Fleet Street and resumes his barbershop trade. He is determined to take revenge on the corrupt Judge Turpin who had him sent away 15 years earlier on false charges. Known as a “musical thriller”, this exciting production has it all. It is a story of vengeance, injustice and inequality; a chilling horror story which is both deadly funny and genuinely tragic. OUR ARTISTIC VISION Our vision for the production is to capture the bleak times of London life in the 19th century by creating a dark and atmospheric atmosphere. The set will be minimal, with a focus on the characters and their emotional and psychological depths and the theatrical/melodrama of the piece.   On the character notes, we have indicated where specific playing genders are called for, however some characters can be cast gender-neutrally. All characters will be cast completely neutrally with regards to race and ethnicity. At the Criterion we are absolutely committed to a core aspiration to be a demonstrable place of opportunity for all, with diverse and brilliant plays on stage and inclusive company and membership. Please see our policies on Equality, Diversity and Inclusion [/../../../about/edi]. THE AUDITION PROCESS The auditions will be led by the Musical Director Liam Walker and Production Director Debra Relton-Elves. Anne-marie Greene, Artistic Director of the Criterion Theatre will also be in attendance. At the audition, we will expect you to sing the selected musical extract and perform the selected dialogue extract for the role you have selected. We want this to be a supportive and enjoyable experience, allowing you to show us the best of your ability in a short time slot. We look forward to meeting you at the auditions.  Auditions will take place on: Sunday 20th November 2022 at 2pm at the Criterion Theatre, Berkeley Road, Earlsdon, CV5 6EF. Thursday 24th November 2022 at 7.30pm at 35 Warwick Avenue, Coventry, CV5 6DJ. with call backs on Sunday 24th November 2022 at 2pm at the Criterion Theatre, Berkeley Road, Earlsdon, CV5 6EF. If you have trouble finding an available slot on the Registration Form, please contact us at productions@criteriontheatre.co.uk.  Looking forward to meeting you Deb, Liam and Anne-marie.

One of the unexpected joys of lockdown was the Zoom play-reading circle organised by the Criterion theatre in Coventry, transporting us to different worlds, in a diverse and often distant company of theatre lovers.  Some led to productions, including 'The Gift' early this year and 'The Welkin' scheduled for 2023. 'Maryland' was performed on-line. It also meant that Criterion contacts from around the country could join in without having to brave the Coventry ring road. And enjoy a glass or two. The readings are free to attend (although of course we pay for the rights) and but we think it’s important to broaden our horizons and build on that earlier good work. So, as the nights draw in, why not come and escape from it all? You can read a part, stage directions or just sit back and listen -  it’s totally up to you.  If you would like to read please email lucyhayton@hotmail.com and include your name, approximate age and ethnicity so we can allocate parts as appropriately as possible (although be prepared to read anything!). Below is the list of play readings which we hope you’ll find interesting. Hope to see you then. And please do spread the word, all are welcome.   1st December 2022 - 8pm - The Birds - Conor McPherson  [https://www.nickhernbooks.co.uk/plays-to-perform/the-birds-stage-version] A suspenseful, atmospheric adaptation of Daphne du Maurier's enthralling short story.   Register in advance for this meeting: https://us02web.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZUld-qorj4vHN38zJd5IFU-zWM2Q_C6L8vW  After registering, you will receive a confirmation email containing information about joining the meeting.  26th January 2023 - 8pm - Favour - Ambreen Razia  [https://www.nickhernbooks.co.uk/plays-to-perform/favour] Ambreen Razia's play Favour is a touching and hopeful family drama about a working-class Muslim family, tackling duty, addiction and the challenge of pulling yourself back together after it all falls apart. It was a Bush Theatre and Clean Break co-production and premiered at the Bush, London, in 2022  Register in advance for this meeting: https://us02web.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZAvfuCrrjgpGda3364IxcJg4rPZgcvtPrTs  After registering, you will receive a confirmation email containing information about joining the meeting. 23rd February 2023 - 8pm - Pomona - Alistair McDowall  [https://www.bloomsbury.com/uk/pomona-9781350086715/] Ollie's sister is missing.  Searching Manchester in desperation, she finds all roads lead to Pomona, an abandoned concrete island at the heart of the city. Here at the centre of everything, journeys end and nightmares are born. Pomona is a sinister and surreal thriller.  Register in advance for this meeting: https://us02web.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZ0sd-Curz4jH914qgjhaxzGmocwaANSBJy8  After registering, you will receive a confirmation email containing information about joining the meeting. 30th March 2023 - 8pm - Iman Qureshi - Ministry of Lesbian Affairs  [https://www.nickhernbooks.co.uk/plays-to-perform/ministry-of-lesbian-affairs] It’s 2022. There’s a rainbow flag in every high street window, and no lesbian bar. Enter The Ministry of Lesbian Affairs: a lesbian choir on a mission to unite a disparate and dwindling community. Led by a world-weary conductor, the choir flirt, gossip and attempt to sing their way onto the main stage at Pride. This is a heart-warming and musical comedy about love, queerness, and belonging. No singing will be required as part of the reading!  Register in advance for this meeting: https://us02web.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZcsd-uqrz8uGtxjFgTOr9ia3u3KqNzZKI7R  After registering, you will receive a confirmation email containing information about joining the meeting.

Coffee Morning