The Critics’ Circle
Protecting and promoting cultural criticism since 1913
The Critics’ Circle believes impartial, professional criticism of the arts is an essential ingredient of a healthy society. The Circle today has 490 members shared between Theatre (117), Music (78), Film (151), Dance (57), Visual Arts (47) and Books (40). Admission to the Circle is by invitation from the Council.
Since 1988 the Circle has presented each year the Service to Art Rosebowl to an artist of conspicuous achievement. In 2015 the members voted for Dame Maggie Smith, in 2016 for Matthew Bourne.
The sections make their own awards in ceremonies which are significant social occasions, and hold periodic meetings and lunches to discuss their awards, propose new members, debate current issues and meet artists.
President: Mark Shenton
Vice-President: Mark Pullinger
Hon. General Secretary: Rick Jones criticscircleallsections@gmail.com
Hon. Treasurer: Peter Cargin
Trustees: Ian Herbert, Michael Billington, Peter Cargin
News & reviews
Sandy Powell to receive top honour at Critics’ Circle Film Awards
The Oscar-winning costume designer will receive the Dilys Powell Award for Excellence in Film at the UK film critics' special 40th anniversary ceremony on 30th January. The UK's leading film critics today announced that Sandy Powell will receive their top honour, the...
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Murray and Dagleish to announce London Critics’ nominations
Pearl Pictures Productions comes on board as headline sponsor for the 40th anniversary of the red carpet awards event, which will be held for a eighth year at The May Fair Hotel. British actors Jenn Murray and John Dagleish will announce the nominations for the 40th...
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Death in Venice, Royal Opera House
Royal crush by Tom Sutcliffe Death in Venice, Benjamin Britten’s last opera, was always a special case – special because written for the composer’s beloved (and habitually unfaithful) partner Peter Pears, but also special because of the composer’s complicated interest...
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X Marks the Spot in Xixón
Neil Young reports from the Gijón International Film Festival in Spain Gijón is a city of cinema, haunted by the ghosts of cinemas past. In 1963, when it first hosted the event now known as the Festival Internacional de Cine de Gijón (FICX for short)—for two decades a...
read moreThe 20th National Dance Awards – #NDA20 Announcement of Nominations
In the year of the Awards’ 20th Anniversary, the Dance Section of the Critics’ Circle is pleased to announce the shortlisted nominations for the National Dance Awards (#NDA20), covering performances in the UK between 1 September 2018 and 31 August 2019. The...
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