London's Criterion Theatre is London's ONLY independent theatre and it lies at the heart of the West End. Currently home to Fiery Angel's production of The 39 Steps, the venue has just released its Autumn schedule,'The Criterion presents' - and the new season includes a diverse range of cultural shows and events that will surprise traditional theatre goers.
1) Kicking things off is Critics at the Cri, which allows a panel of top critics have their say on some of London's exciting new openings. The panel is hosted by Sam Hodges, a new producer at the theatre. And you can head down and watch the panel in action.
To join in with some of the City's top debaters, head down to the Criterion every first Thursday lunchtime of each month, starting from Thursday 6 October.
2) Get ready to go back, way back to those spectacular days when stories before bedtime was a part of you life. This fabulous event will take place each evening, with well-known actors or authors reading three treasured stories or extracts out loud to the audience.
Each night is designed to remind us how special books are, and what they bring to us (and that they are something that is slowly fading away thanks to technology).
The first scheduled Stories Before Bedtime will be a Halloween special on Friday 28th October. Tim MacInnerney will read Oh, Whistle and I'll Come to You, My Lad by M R James. Other readers will be announced in due course.
3) In a very special Lunchtime With segment, Sam Hodges and journalist Mark Lawson will be conducting one-to-one interviews with some of the most exciting names currently performing on stage in the West End. The first session will begin with Lawson speaking to actor Mark Rylance. Sessions will take place on Thursday and Friday lunchtimes.
4)Showstopper: The Improvised Musical has only just ended its sell out dates in Edinburgh and the wagon has alreaady travelled South to London to play at the Criterion for three nights in November.
The idea goes that the Showstopper writer has only one hour to create a dazzling show for his producer. So in an attempt to come up with something original and amazing, he calls on the audience for ideas. Putting it all together, the Showstoppers give life to a musical with is filled with laughs, drama, dance and music - it simply brings the stage to life at a moment's notice. 5) And finally, comes Book Slam - a one-night celebration of the publication of the first Book Slam Annual. Entitled One For TheTrouble, the Book Slam hardback is seriously limited with each hardback numbered and signed by every contributor. And that would be including William Boyd, Irvine Welsh, Kate Tempest and Hari Kunzru. A dazzling night to remember, without a doubt.
