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
Les Vêpres Siciliennes, Millennium Centre, Cardiff
Welsh National Opera’s new (to the UK – it first saw the light of day last spring in Bonn) show is a visual triumph. The costumes (Marie-Jeanne Lecca) and set (Raimund Bauer) are arresting. The latter is a series of frames, so the characters seem to be stepping in and...
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MARQUEE TV ANNOUNCED AS SPONSOR OF THE BEST INDEPENDENT COMPANY AWARD
The National Dance Awards is delighted to announce that Marquee TV is the latest sponsor to join the impressive network of supporters for the twentieth edition of the Awards - #NDA20. Marquee TV will sponsor the Best Independent Company Award, which will now be known...
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Street Scene, Opera North, Leeds
Love thy neighbour Kurt Weill’s 1947 “Broadway opera” contains much fine writing, musically and dramatically. It is not shaped like a verismo opera: its excellent songs do not play the same intently focused role as in Puccini. Yet it shows off Weill’s huge theatrical...
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Horror-Night in Seville
The Grotesque Popcorn Marathon continues to be a popular fixture on the penultimate night of the Seville European Film Festival "Ex-hu-mac-ion! Ex-hu-mac-ion! Ex-hu-mac-ion!" The Spanish audience in Seville's Teatro de la Alameda picks up the four-syllable word and it...
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Adora Maar – the invisible woman
Tate Modern’s retrospective of Dora Maar, photographer and artist, reveals more about this elusive woman than most of us have known up to now. Previously she has been seen in the shadow of her relationship with Picasso. This show spans the whole of her career of more...
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