Criterion Theatre
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The tiny entrance of the Criterion Theatre is almost invisible among the massive advertisements, traffic and crowds of Piccadilly Circus. To ignore it, however, is to miss one of London's most enchanting theatres. Use of mirrors and stunning murals of clouds and cherubs turns this underground labyrinth into an airy paradise. It has shown a wide variety of fare since it opened in 1974, including the first UK production of Beckett's Waiting for Godot (1955). The Criterion's greatest successes have always come from bawdy comedy. A Little Bit of Fluff (1915) was blamed for the destruction of the public's morals with its brief flash of a woman's unclothed leg: it ran for 1241 performances. Run for Your Wife outdid this with a seven year run in the 1980s, and it recently played host to the Reduced Shakespeare Company, who performed their Complete Works of William Shakespeare more than 2000 times.
Criterion Theatre events
event > Exhibitions > Lifestyle - Fundraising Event
PRICING £10-£250
DATES Monday 18th November 2019 - 7pm
An evening of short plays written and performed by James Graham, Dennis Kelly, Roy Williams, April De Angelis, Simon Stephens, Zia Ahmed and Chloe Moss to celebrate 10 years of Paines Plough's flagship nationwide project, which supports the next generation of playwrights.
event > Theatre > Shakespearean productions
PRICING £18.50-£24.50, concs £18, NYT mems £15
DATES 6th December 2019 to 17th January 2020
Matt Harrison directs National Youth Theatre's staging of Shakespeare's forest fantasy in association with Kneehigh, which has been abridged by Kate Kennedy.
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Criterion Theatre
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Plan the perfect year in the capital with our pick of the best events in London 2019. From January to December, every month boasts an impressive line-up of entertainment. So take a look at our guide and be sure not to miss a thing.
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London > Hotels > Luxury Chain Hotel from £298 21% off
68 Regent Street, W1B | 2 minutes from Criterion Theatre
Café Royal is a 160-bedroom 5-star luxury hotel on Regent Street, in London's city centre overlooking Piccadilly Circus. The hotel has conference facilities, a cafe, bar ... More
London > Hotels > Mid-Range Chain Hotel from £50 29% off
Coventry Street, W1D | 2 minutes from Criterion Theatre
Located right next to Leicester Square, in the heart of London's West End, the Every Hotel Piccadilly is the perfect hotel for those wanting to enjoy ... More
London > Hotels > Luxury Chain Hotel from £314 26% off
21 Piccadilly, W1J | 2 minutes from Criterion Theatre
A hotel that is distinctly in the old English style, with magnificent antique décor, staff who are attentive, discreet, and ever so polite and, most importantly, ... More
London > Entertainment > Theatres
Coventry Street, Soho, London W1D | 2 minutes from Criterion Theatre
Theatres have stood on this spot since 1884, perfectly placed to draw the attention of the great crowds moving between Piccadilly Circus and Leicester Square. The ... More
London > Entertainment > Theatres
Shaftesbury Avenue, Soho, London W1D | 2 minutes from Criterion Theatre
From the outside, the Gielgud Theatre is an impressive sight, towering four storeys over Shaftesbury Avenue, its height further emphasized by the turret on top. The ... More
London > Entertainment > Theatres
18 Suffolk Street, Haymarket, SW1Y | 3 minutes from Criterion Theatre
The Haymarket Theatre was built by John Potter on the site of the King's Head Inn and the Gun Smith shop in 1702. It has had ... More
London > Entertainment >
22-32 Shaftesbury Avenue, Trocadero, W1D | 1 minute from Criterion Theatre
From spring 2019 the Crystal Maze LIVE Experience comes to the West End. After three successful years in Angel, Islington (open until 28th ... More
London > Entertainment > Cinemas
7-14 Coventry Street, Soho, London W1D | 1 minute from Criterion Theatre
A vast and much needed improvement on the old Cineworld cinema in the Trocodero, Picturehouse Central opened in June 2015 and was treated to a full ... More
London > Entertainment > Comedy Clubs
1a Oxendon Street, Soho, London SW1Y | 2 minutes from Criterion Theatre
The Comedy Store is the spiritual home of stand-up in the UK. Despite being the best large comedy venue in the country, the Store still succeeds ... More
London > Events > Theatre Dates: 1st January 2015 to 5th April 2020
Criterion Theatre, Shaftesbury Avenue, W1D | 1 minute from Criterion Theatre
Michael Jackson's untimely death may have propelled this musical into orbit; Thriller - Live became a tribute show overnight with the obvious decision that the show ...More
London > Events > Theatre Dates: 14th January to 2nd May 2020
Criterion Theatre, 6 Panton Street, SW1Y | 2 minutes from Criterion Theatre
Toby Jones plays the disaffected Uncle Vanya while Richard Armitage is the local doctor Astrov as Olivier Award-winner Conor McPherson - who directed a landmark production ...More
London > Events > Theatre Dates: 9th November 2019 to 29th February 2020
Criterion Theatre, St Martins Lane, WC2N | 6 minutes from Criterion Theatre
The true story of two young climbers who get into trouble has already been told in a BAFTA-winning film and now it comes to the stage ...More
Sights and Attractions near Criterion Theatre
London > Attractions > Sights
Piccadilly Circus, Soho, London W1J | 1 minute from Criterion Theatre
Right in the middle of the West End, Piccadilly Circus isn't a circus at all, but an enormous road junction where Piccadilly itself Regent Street, Shaftesbury ... More
London > Attractions >
St James's, SW1Y | 2 minutes from Criterion Theatre
An impressive 450 million pound development in the heart of London, St James's Market ... More
London > Attractions > Art Galleries
Brewer Street, Soho, London W1F | 2 minutes from Criterion Theatre
A new gallery space dedicated to light art. ... More
London > Shopping > Food and Drink Shops
5 Denman Place, Soho, London W1D | 1 minute from Criterion Theatre
With specially sourced and blended teas and tisanes, working with multigenerational tea makers around the world, from Lithuania, Guatemala and France to India, Egypt and Japan, ... More
London > Shopping > Opticians
2 Denman Place, Ham Yard Village, Soho, London W1D | 1 minute from Criterion Theatre
Specialising in a one-to-one, high-spec/tech styling and custom-made service for handmade glasses and sunglasses, Eyewear Concierge has over 700 pairs of the highest quality independent eyewear ... More
Restaurants near Criterion Theatre
London > Restaurants > Modern European restaurants
224 Piccadilly, Soho, London W1J | 1 minute from Criterion Theatre
What makes the Criterion special is its truly spectacular neo-Byzantine interior which has been wowing diners ever since its doors swung open in 1873. Positioned in ... More
London > Restaurants > American restaurants
20-24 Shaftesbury Avenue, Soho, London W1D | 1 minute from Criterion Theatre
A tropical paradise for kids, at this buzzy cafe you can enjoy organic food in the company of animatronic animals and with the sounds of the ... More
London > Restaurants > Cafes and Delis
Unit 4, Piccadilly Circus Underground Station, St James's, London W1J | 1 minute from Criterion Theatre
Following in the successful footsteps of well respected coffee shops Shoreditch Grind and Soho Grind, Piccadilly Grind delivers quality coffee to commuters on the tube. Raising ... More
London > Education > Universities and Colleges
24 Shelton Street, Covent Garden, WC2H | 8 minutes from Criterion Theatre
The London Film School is the oldest-established international school of film technique in the world. The school has contributed significantly to ... More
London > Education > Cookery Courses
15B Little Portland Street, Fitzrovia, London W1W | 11 minutes from Criterion Theatre
Awarded The Best City Cookery School 2013, the Cookery School at Little Portland Street has been teaching people to make simple, honest food for more than ... More
London > Education > English Language Courses
10 Coptic Street, Bloomsbury, London WC1A | 11 minutes from Criterion Theatre
English [Out There!] takes a very hands-on approach to learning English. The course places an emphasis on using what you have learned. Students are taken out ... More
Leisure near Criterion Theatre
London > Leisure > Health and Beauty
10 Wardour Street, Soho, London W1D | 2 minutes from Criterion Theatre
On the 6th floor of the W London the AWAY Spa certainly takes you away from the manic pace of life in Leicester Square ... More
London > Leisure > Health and Beauty
6 Waterloo Place, St James's, London SW1Y | 5 minutes from Criterion Theatre
Opened in July 2009, So SPA by Sofitel is a stunning relaxation space - all marble and modern design - housed within the Sofitel St James ... More
Nightlife near Criterion Theatre
London > Nightlife > Bars
41 Great Windmill Street, W1D | 1 minute from Criterion Theatre
Taking its name from teenage boxer 'Kid Mears' (real name Jack Solomons), who found fame and money in British boxing's golden years after ... More
London > Nightlife >
215-217 Piccadilly, St James's, London W1J | 1 minute from Criterion Theatre
The team behind Madame Jojo's (RIP) return (hurrah!) with The Electric Carousel on the site where the legendary Pigalle Supper Club used to be, at 215-217 ... More
Meeting venue hire near Criterion Theatre
London > Business > Venue Hire
1 Suffolk Place, St James's, London SW1Y | 3 minutes from Criterion Theatre
A hip designer hotel by Tim and Kit Kemp in a grand building on the prestigious Haymarket, the broad boulevard street making for an impressive entrance. ... More
London > Business > Venue Hire
195 Piccadilly, St James's, London W1J | 3 minutes from Criterion Theatre
The home of the British Academy of Film and Television Arts (BAFTA) is also available to hire for your own event. The iconic building at 195 ... More
London > Business > Venue Hire
24-26 Leicester Square, Soho, London WC2H | 4 minutes from Criterion Theatre
One of London's biggest cinemas, the Odeon Leicester Square regularly plays host to premieres and awards ceremonies as well as screening the week's big releases. Aside ... More
Also in Piccadilly
Our recommendations in the same street as Criterion Theatre
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Hotels Near Criterion Theatre What's On Today Near Criterion Theatre  Crystal Maze LIVE Experience West End Exhibitions | Until 31st December 2019 The Crystal Maze LIVE Experience West End 1 minute walk from Criterion Theatre From spring 2019 the Crystal Maze LIVE Experience comes to the West End. After three successful years in Angel, Islington ...More Susana Sheiman: By Myself Concerts | Until 16th November 2019 Brasserie Zedel 1 minute walk from Criterion Theatre The Madrid-born, Barcelona-based singer is accompanied on double bass and piano, for an intimate programme of swing, blues and ballads....More Barb Jungr: Bob, Brel & Me Music | Until 16th November 2019 Brasserie Zedel 1 minute walk from Criterion Theatre The cabaret singer reinterprets songs by Bob Dylan and Jacques Brel....More  Thriller Live Theatre | Until 5th April 2020 Lyric Shaftesbury Avenue 1 minute walk from Criterion Theatre Michael Jackson's untimely death may have propelled this musical into orbit; Thriller - Live became a tribute show overnight with ...More  Death of a Salesman Theatre | Until 4th January 2020 Piccadilly Theatre 2 minutes walk from Criterion Theatre Following the success of the Young Vic's bold adaptation of Arthur Miller's Death of a Salesman, the production transfers to ...More Fast Fridays Comedy | On 15th November 2019 The Comedy Pub 2 minutes walk from Criterion Theatre Witty gags and observations from former corporate high-flyer, Cally Beaton. Plus Richard Morton, Amir Khoshsokhan and Martin Durchov....More The Best In Stand Up (Late) Comedy | On 15th November 2019 Comedy Store 2 minutes walk from Criterion Theatre Jenny Collier, Dane Baptiste, Phil Nichol and Alex Boardman are the performers on the night, hosted by MC Ian Moore....More The Best In Stand Up Comedy | On 15th November 2019 Comedy Store 2 minutes walk from Criterion Theatre Jenny Collier, Dane Baptiste, Sean Collins and Alex Boardman, plus the open spot, are the performers on the night, hosted ...More  Everybody's Talking About Jamie Theatre | Until 25th January 2020 Apollo Theatre 2 minutes walk from Criterion Theatre Tom MacRae's musical Everybody's Talking About Jamie transfers to London's Apollo Theatre after an acclaimed run at the Sheffield Theatre. ...More  The Book Of Mormon Theatre | Until 11th January 2020 Prince of Wales Theatre 2 minutes walk from Criterion Theatre Creators of Southpark (Trey Parker and Matt Stone) have turned their satirical eyes to the cheery world of musicals. With ...More New on LondonTown  Royal Opera: Otello Concerts | From 9th December Keith Warner's 2017 production of Verdi's Otello - "the hottest ticket" of the year (The ...More  Cinderella at New Wimbledon Theatre Theatre | From 7th December Samantha Womack plays The Wicked Stepmother opposite Lesley ...More  TuckShop: Cinderella Theatre | From 15th December Baga Chipz from RuPaul's Drag Race UK stars as The Wicked Stepmother opposite Britain's Got ...More Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs Theatre | From 7th December Comedian, writer, presenter and actress Jo Brand stars as The Wicked Queen when Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs comes to Richmond Theatre this winter. The much loved ...More  House of Illustration Winter Fair Shopping | On 14th December From illustrated calendars to clothing, stationery to ceramics, ...More  The Lost Thing Theatre | From 7th December The Royal Opera and Candoco Dance Company combine in this first big family show in ...More  Oi Frog & Friends! 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Hotels near Criterion Theatre
From cheap budget accommodation to luxury 5 star suites see our deals for Criterion Theatre hotels, including Le Meridien Piccadilly from 57% off. |
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