Criterion Theatre

The Criterion Theatre stands in Earlsdon, a suburb of Coventry. The building began as the Earlsdon Methodist Church in the 1880s and served as the main church until 1923. After that it became a Sunday school and a place for community events. In 1960 the Methodist Church sold it to the Criterion Players, a local amateur dramatic society founded in 1955. The players converted the church into a single-stage theatre and opened it in 1961. The theatre is worth the journey for its strong local reputation. The company has won the Godiva Award for best theatre in the region several times. Current patrons include Pete Waterman, a Coventry-born music producer and railway preservationist, and Ron Cook, a stage and screen actor known for Thunderbirds and Doctor Who. The late Sir Nigel Hawthorne, a Coventry-born actor, was also a former patron. Visitors find a single-stage theatre with a modest programme of about seven shows a year. The building retains its original church layout, now adapted for performances. The interior reflects its past use, with high ceilings and simple lines. The theatre remains a focus for amateur drama and community events in Earlsdon.