Tilda Swinton
Rose Bowl Recipient 2025
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 (208), 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, in 2020 for Dame Janet Baker and in 2021 for Daniel Barenboim.
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: Corinne Julius (2026)
Vice-President: Graham Watts (2026)
Hon. General Secretary: Jim Cooke jc.secgen.cc[@]gmail.com (2028)
Hon. Treasurer: Cindy Marcolina (2028)
Trustees: Peter Cargin (2030), Kate Maltby (2030), Karen Krizanovich (2030)
Drama Officers: Chair Mark Lawson, Secretary Tom Wicker, Ordinary Julia Rank (2026)
Music Officers: Chair Claudia Pritchard, Secretary Guy Rickards, Ordinary Jessica Duchen (2026)
Film Officers: Chair Jane Crowther, Secretary Linda Marric, Ordinary Guy Lodge (2026)
Dance Officers: Chair Graham Watts, Secretary Deborah Weiss, Ordinary Maggie Foyer (2026)
Visual Arts Officers: Chair Corinne Julius, Secretary Clare Finn, Ordinary Maev Kennedy (2026)
Books Officers: Chair Suzi Feay, Secretary Lucy Popescu, Ordinary Chris Schuler (2026)
News & reviews
July ART AND ARCHITECTURE ARTICLES AND MORE FROM MEMBERS OF THE CRITICS’ CIRCLE
by Tabish Khan
| August 26, 2026
| Uncategorized, Visual Arts
by Tabish Khan
August 26, 2026
Articles by the Critics’ Circle members on art and architecture written in July 2026.
June ART AND ARCHITECTURE ARTICLES AND MORE FROM MEMBERS OF THE CRITICS’ CIRCLE
by Tabish Khan
A summary all the articles by the Critics’ Circle members on art and architecture written in June 2026.
Wonderfully performed but this Ariadne is not quite the sum of its parts
by Guy Rickards
Alina Wunderlin, David Butt Philip, Rachel Wills-Sørensen in Laurent Pelly’s new production, (c) Tristam Kenton Glyndebourne Festival Opera / Robin Ticciati Glyndebourne Theatre, July 19, 2026 Change—even when thwarted—is the bedrock upon which Ariadne auf Naxos, one of the most nuanced and refined of Strauss’ operas, is built. The work’s main conceit, indeed, is little […]
Howard Loxton (1934-2026)
by Secretary CC Theatre
David Chadderton, editor of British Theatre Guide, reflects on the life and career of his colleague and fellow Critics’ Circle Drama Section member, Howard Loxton, who died on 22 June, at the age of 92. Howard was, in his own words, “born a Brummie” in 1934. He had a long and varied career that included […]
Singing to die for rescues drab Royal Opera ‘I Puritani’
by Claudia Pritchard
Lisette Oropesa as Elvira in Bellini’s ‘I puritani’. Photo: Tristram Kenton Verdi’s Il trovatore is said to need only the four best singers in the world, but pretty much the same goes for the earlier composer Vincenzo Bellini’s I puritani. With merely a top-flight bass, baritone, tenor and soprano, it’s plain sailing. And at the […]
