Since 1961, the Criterion Theatre has entertained audiences from its home on Berkeley Road South, Earlsdon. For many years it has been recognised that our wonderful building needs modernising to take it into the future and to support all our users and visitors.

Thanks to an incredible gift left by Chris Murly (one of our founding members) and generous donations over many years we have been able to complete the Front of House redevelopment which officially opened in December 2025.

We’re now thinking about what we tackle next and improving the sustainability and running costs of the theatre is key to our future along with some much needed work to bring up the standard of the auditorium and backstage areas:

• Air conditioning in the auditorium and dressing rooms to remove the reliance on the Victorian heating system and improve our green credentials

• Investing in roof and wall insulation to make the building easier and cheaper to heat and cool

• Adding solar panels to our roof to generate electricity and support our net zero challenge

• Replacement of the remaining Tungsten lights to eliminate these high energy usage lights

• Redecoration of the auditorium

• Backstage work to improve accessibility and storage

As a volunteer lead, charitable theatre company we rely on the generosity of our volunteers, audience members and donors to continue a tradition that stretches back 70 years.

If you feel you can help via a one off donation, a regular contribution, playing the Criterion Lottery or alternatively supporting through volunteering or providing specific skills please