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
Jane Campion’s The Power of the Dog tops the nominees for the Film Awards
Female directors lead the way with Maggie Gyllenhaal’s The Lost Daughter and Joanna Hogg’s The Souvenir Part II close behind in the nomination countThe UK’s leading film critics have unveiled the nominations for the 42nd annual London Critics’ Circle Film Awards, with...
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Joanna Vanderham and Gwilym Lee to announce Film Awards nominations
Nominations for the 42nd London Critics' Circle Film Awards will be announced on Thursday 16th December at a small in-person event at The May Fair Hotel.British actors Joanna Vanderham and Gwilym Lee will announce the nominations for the 42nd London Critics' Circle...
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AWARD FOR YOUNG TALENT (INSTRUMENTALIST) TO TIMOTHY RIDOUT
Much delayed by the Coronavirus pandemic and resulting restrictions, the final one of the Music Section's 2020 Awards for Young Talent was presented to violist Timothy Ridout onstage at The Wigmore Hall at a lunchtime concert on Saturday, November 27th 2021. The...
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AWARD FOR YOUNG TALENT (COMPOSER) TO DONGHOON SHIN
The presentation of the Music Section's Awards for 2020 (based on activity carried out during the previous year) has been much disrupted by the Coronavirus pandemic. The Section prefers to present the Awards wherever possible at concerts featuring the artists...
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Macbeth, Royal Opera
By Robert Thicknesse How do you turn a Hammer horror into a tragedy? It confronts every director of Verdi’s take on Shakespeare. Part of it is that the mid-19th century had such different ideas of drama (and of Shakespeare) from us, another that Verdi (and his...
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