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Criterion Theatre

COVID-19 Postponement of 2020 Season
17th May

Following government advice, the Board has taken the sad but necessary decision to close the Criterion Theatre. This will be for an undetermined period of time and will remain under review in line with government advice. This includes all planned performances, auditions and social activities, including the children's drama classes.

While there is still a lot of uncertainty around the proposals, it seems clear that there is no chance that we will be able to open our doors to the public at all until late Summer at the earliest and then on what basis is still unknown. It is likely that we will need to have some form of social distancing measures in place for a considerable time.

For these reasons, the Board have made the decision that the remaining five planned productions for 2020 should be postponed. This has obviously been a hard decision to take and is very disappointing, especially for the production directors and creative teams who have been busy in development work. However, we need to do what is necessary to look after our company, members and audiences, whilst also doing what is best artistically and most prudent financially. And, all our work will not be lost- our plan is to move these productions into a new programme for 2021, announcement of which will be made as soon as we are able. The year 2021 will also be the 60th anniversary of the Criterion Theatre, and so we want to make this a very special year of celebration.

In the meantime, there are still lots of artistic and creative activities taking place within the Criterion in Lockdown alongside a programme of virtual social events. Most weeks there is a play reading taking place and our plan is to expand some of these into performed online productions which we can broadcast for your viewing and listening. Please check out the website for details. If you have any ideas about what you would like to see happening at our theatre during lockdown then please do get in touch.

As you can appreciate, this is a fast-moving and still developing situation, and we will update the information on our websiteFacebook and Twitter feeds as it becomes available. 

Many thanks for your understanding, and we very much appreciate your patience. 

Thank you everyone,  
The Board of Trustees.
© 2024 Criterion Theatre Ltd
Registered UK 01643977 | Registered Charity 1161430