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
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...
read more
Rosebowl lunch 2020 for Michael Frayn
On Wednesday 14 July 2021, towards the end of the morning, the Critics' Circle helped to get the wheels of live social intercourse moving again when fifty members arrived for luncheon at the National Liberal Club. The guest of honour was novelist and playwright...
read more
Critics’ Circle Member wins prestigious French critics’ award
Dance Section member, Laura Cappelle, has won the award given by the Syndicat Professionnel de la Critique for the Dance Book of the year, recognising her Nouvelle Histoire de la danse en Occident - de la Prehistoire a nos jours. Photo copyright: Jérôme Panconi Full...
read more
Ensemble Marsyas, Wigmore Hall
By Fiona Hook After a year without live music, the listener heads to the Wigmore Hall as the desert traveller to the oasis, and the Edinburgh-based Ensemble Marsyas’s evening of sparkling music from Handel’s Roman period did not disappoint. There was so much to enjoy...
read more
Award for Young Talent (Voice) to Louise Alder
The Critics’ Circle have issued awards annually for many years now, whether as a whole – with the Rosebowl for Services to the Arts – or from the individual sections, such as Film, Theatre and Dance. The Music Section have focused specifically in their awards on young...
read more