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
RIGOLETTO, ROYAL OPERA HOUSE
The Royal Opera’s new Rigoletto has the casting is just right. Lisette Oropesa’s Gilda (who shares the role with Rosa Feola) manages the difficult balance between the coloratura writing of the part and the youthful innocence of the role. After all, she mustn’t be...
read moreMadeleine, Harlequin Theatre, Redhill
Kelly Glyptis, in the title role, and Thomas Kelly as her lover Emile, in 'Madeleine' Surrey Opera is a semi-professional company, founded in 1969. Like many similar companies around the country, they offer a platform for young and aspiring singers. Unlike those...
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Madam Butterfly, Wales Millennium Centre
Photo by Richard Hubert Smith Puccini could almost have written Madama Butterfly after hearing an appeal at a conference on intersectionality for material to support a new module, with its tragic tale of a woman misused by a man, a confrontation between a more- and a...
read moreRecording Retrospective: Galynin & Sutermeister
Galynin: Complete Works for Strings Scherzo*.**. Aria*,**. Suite**. String Quartet No 1*,***,****. String Quartet No 2*,***,***** *Anastasia Latysheva (vn). **Academy of Russian Music / Ivan Nikiforchin. ***Arina Minaeva (violin), Anna Scherbakova (cello)....
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PURCELL AND DOWLAND, MASTER SHIPWRIGHT’S HOUSE, DEPTFORD
What London really needs is more small summer arts festivals in nice venues. The newest to appear is The Shipwright, two weeks of cultural events in the Master Shipwright’s house in Deptford, kicked off with an informal but highly polished recital of lute songs by...
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