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Critics' Circle Theatre Award

The Critics' Circle Theatre Awards, known as the Drama Theatre Awards until 1990, are British theatrical awards presented annually for the closing year's theatrical achievements. The winners, from theatre throughout the United Kingdom, are selected via vote by the professional theatre critics of The Critics' Circle.

History

The Critics' Circle Theatre Awards were established by the drama section of The Critics' Circle. The Circle were initially against the idea of giving out awards due to the belief that criticisms are a matter of personal opinions, and that minority views would not be represented in a collective pronouncement in the form of an award. A referendum in 1956, voted by roughly 20% of the Circle's members, rejected the idea of the body giving out awards. This was, however, reversed in another referendum in 1980.

The first Critics' Circle Theatre Awards ceremony was held in 1989. A special anniversary ceremony was held for its 25th anniversary in 2014.

Current categories

As of 2025, the Critics' Circle Theatre awards include the following categories:

  • Best Actor
  • Best Actress
  • Best Director
  • Most Promising Playwright
  • Best Designer
  • The Jack Tinker Award for Most Promising Newcomer: Named after critic Jack Tinker, known for his work at the Daily Mail.
  • The Michael Billington Award for Best New Play: Named after Michael Billington, known for his 50-year tenure as the Guardian's chief critic
  • The Trewin Award for Best Shakespearean Performance: Formerly the John and Wendy Trewin Award, after the husband and wife who were seen as leading critics in the UK; later renamed The Trewin Award to honour their son, Ion Trewin, after his passing.
  • The Peter Hepple Award for Best Musical: Named after Peter Hepple, former editor of the Stage and former Honorary General Secretary of the Critics’ Circle.
  • The Empty Space... Peter Brook Award for Innovative Venue: Named after director Peter Brook and his book, The Empty Space, often seen as "the seminal text of modern theatre".

Recipients

Best Actor

1980s

1990s

2000s

2010s

2020s

Best Actress

1980s

1990s

2000s

2010s

2020s

Best Designer

1980s

1990s

2000s

2010s

2020s

Best Director

1980s

1990s

2000s

2010s

2020s

Best Musical

Known as the 'Peter Hepple Award' from 2016 onwards.

1980s

1990s

2000s

2010s

2020s

Best New Play

1980s

1990s

2000s

2010s

2020s

Best Shakespearean Performance

Known as the 'John and Wendy Trewin Award' from 2000 until 2015, and 'The Trewin Award' from 2016 onwards.

2000s

2010s

2020s

Most Promising Newcomer

Known as the 'Jack Tinker Award' from 1996 onwards.

1980s

1990s

2000s

2010s

2020s

Most Promising Playwright

1980s

1990s

2000s

2010s

2020s

Special awards

See also

References

External links