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 503 members shared between Theatre (117), Music (91), Film (151), Dance (57), Visual Arts (47) and Books (40). Admission to the Circle is by invitation from the Council.
Each year since 1988, the Circle has presented the Rosebowl for Distinguished Service to the Arts to an artist of conspicuous achievement. In 2019 the members voted for David Hockney and in 2020 for Dame Janet Baker.
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: Suzi Feay
Vice-President: Robert Thicknesse
Hon. General Secretary: Rick Jones criticscircleallsections@gmail.com
Hon. Treasurer: Peter Cargin
Trustees: Ian Herbert, Michael Billington, Peter Cargin
News & reviews
Mary Newcomb for the looking
For those coming across the work of the British painter, Mary Newcomb, for the first time her paintings may look naïve. Her proportions seem wrong. Her fore- and backgrounds come across as being amorphous, all on one plane. She seems not to use perspective. But there...
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Woman with Her Throat Cut – Alberto Giacometti, 1932 By Sue Hubbard
‘A fetish is a story masquerading as an object’ - Robert Stoller This morning I heard on the radio that the body of Sarah Everard, a young woman missing for a week, has been found in undergrowth and that a member of the Metropolitan police has been arrested. We may...
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#NDA21: National dance awards to go ahead in 2021
On the anniversary of the last iteration of the National Dance Awards (held at the Barbican on 19th February 2020), the Dance Section of the Critics’ Circle is pleased to announce that the 21st edition of the National Dance Awards will go ahead later this year -...
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Dame Janet Baker wins Critics’ Circle award for Distinguished Service to the Arts
One of the greatest living stars of British classical music, the mezzo-soprano Dame Janet Baker CH DBE, was voted the winner of the 2019 Critics' Circle Rosebowl by the 500 members of the Circle. Regrettably both the announcement and the award have been delayed by the...
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London Critics name Nomadland their best film of 2020
Chloé Zhao also wins for screenwriting and Frances McDormand takes the leading actress prize, while Rose Glass' Saint Maud claims three awards at this year's virtual ceremony. The improvised American road movie Nomadland won three top honours including Film of the...
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