Terri Paddock produces 2016 Awards with new digital emphasis

The Critics’ Circle Awards is the third awards Mark Shenton and Terri Paddock have worked on together

The Critics’ Circle Theatre Awards 2016 will take place on Tuesday 31 January 2017 at the Prince of Wales Theatre in London’s West End, hosted by Critics’ Circle Drama Section Chairman Mark Shenton, with regular guest speaker Arthur Smith introducing the prestigious awards in much-loved tradition.

For the first time, renowned industry figure Terri Paddock has joined the team to produce the Awards, which are once again generously sponsored and presented in association with Nyman Libson Paul Chartered Accountants, leading entertainment industry specialists; and, for the twelfth year, supported by Delfont Mackintosh Theatres. Innovations for 2017 include the launch of this dedicated Awards website, Twitter (@CCTAwards) and Facebook channels and new online voting for critics.

As part of the extra emphasis on developing digital aspects of the awards, and engagement with critics and industry alike, acceptance speeches will be broadcast for the first time, streamed via Facebook Live on the day.

As ever, the ceremony will provide an informal gathering of award recipients, the drama critics, theatre practitioners and the media, convivially coming together to celebrate the critics’ personal choice of the best theatre, from throughout the UK, during the last calendar year.

Section Chairman Mark Shenton said:

“More than ever, The Critics’ Circle Theatre Awards offers an independent and indispensable reward to the best theatre of 2016, free of editorial interference or industry lobbying or pressures.  The awards are also finally moving into the digital age with a Facebook and Twitter presence that will also make the acceptance speeches available live and in real time to global audiences.”

Notes to Editors

• Media access to the ceremony is by invitation only. Please contact Arabella Neville-Rolfe at Target Live for further information. arabella.neville-rolfe@target-live.co.uk, 0203 372 0961
• The Critics’ Circle, established in 1913, is a professional association of critics of drama, music, film, dance and art/architecture. Its objects are to promote the art of criticism and to uphold its integrity in practice, to foster and safeguard the interests of its members and to support the advancement of the arts. Admission to membership is by invitation of the Council. criticscircle.org.uk
• Nyman Libson Paul is a chartered accountancy practice based in London and was established in 1933. It operates in all sectors but has particular expertise in the entertainment industry and provides tax, financial and commercial advice to businesses and individuals, including the winners of Oscars, BAFTAs and the Queen’s Award for Export. For further information, visit nlpca.co.uk.
• Terri Paddock (@TerriPaddock) is a theatre commentator, event organiser and content and social media strategist with 20 years’ experience. She co-founded and ran WhatsOnStage.com from 1997 to 2013, including founding the WhatsOnStage Awards. More recently, Terri has founded ground-breaking musical theatre social media directory, stagefaves.com (@StageFaves); and independent theatre bloggers portal www.mytheatremates.com (@MyTheatreMates), with Mark Shenton.