Critics' Circle Awards to be Presented Jan 25

The Critics' Circle Theatre Awards will this year be held on Tuesday, 25 January 2011, at the Prince of Wales Theatre, London, hosted by The Critics' Circle Drama Section Chairman Mark Shenton, theatre critic of the Sunday Express, daily blogger for The Stage website and a regular contributor to The Guardian online.

The Awards, originally initiated in 1989 to honour London-based theatre, took its current name in 1997, to recognise the nationwide reach of the critics' work.

As ever, the ceremony will be an informal gathering of award recipients, the drama critics, theatre practitioners and the media, convivially coming together to applaud the critics' personal choices which, in contrast to other theatre awards during this jam-packed trophy season, is decided by the independent votes of the Drama Section members, with no panel discussions or public/industry influence exerted.

For the seventh year, the ceremony is presented in association with Nyman Libson Paul Chartered Accountants, leading entertainment industry specialists; and supported by Delfont Mackintosh Theatres and lastminute.com.

Comedian, broadcaster and award-winning playwright Arthur Smith, will once again guest speak at the event, in his own - much admired - inimitable style.