Theatre News

Criterion Theatre announces Playing the Games Olympic season

Editorial Staff
London's West End

To mark the forthcoming Olympics, from 26 July to 12 August 2012 the West End’s Criterion Theatre is staging Playing the Games, a programme of work that will celebrate both artistic and sporting talent.

Past and present Olympians including Kriss Akabusi and Haile Gebrselassie will take to the stage for a series of lunchtime discussions about their life and work with arts personalities including Stephen Fry and Clive Owen.

In addition Sam Hodges, producer of the Criterion Theatre, has commissioned two new afternoon plays by British playwrights Serge Cartwright and Adam Brace in response to the presence of the Olympic Games in London. Cartwright’s After the Party runs from 28 July to 12 August and Brace’s Taking Part from 27 July to 12 August.

Meanwhile, late night events will include performances by leading comedians including Alan Davies, Stephen K Amos and Mark Watson.

Playing the Games has been co-curated by Hodges and Stephen Fry, who is chairman of the Criterion Theatre.

– Rosie Bannister