Alan Ayckbourn returns to the Criterion

The Criterion Theatre’s next production is Alan Ayckbourn’ ‘Communicating Doors’, which runs from Saturday 24 June until Saturday 1 July.

A dazzling comedy thriller directed by John Ruscoe, this play cleverly combines elements of farce, psycho-drama and sex-comedies. Always on the lookout for a fresh challenge, John chose this play because he was intrigued by its highly unusual plot which revolves around a murder mystery and the possibility of time travel.

A businessman staying in a London hotel hires a call girl to perform certain tasks for him. Seems like a familiar scenario but it isn’t as this is one of Ayckbourn’s most ingenious comedies and it turns out that all the man wants is the girl to sign as witness to his statement incriminating his partner in the murder of his wives. That is only the start of the surprises for when the girl opens a communicating door in the room, she finds herself in the same room – but twenty years earlier. The plot thickens as the room is now occupied by one of the allegedly murdered wives who is intent on re-writing the future.

As ever with Ayckbourn, it is the female characters that you care about and in this play, the prolific and ever-inventive playwright concocts his own unique recipe by combining comedic flair and a talent for crime thriller with just a pinch of psycho-drama thrown in for good measure. If all this sounds a heady mix, it is. But have no fear: this suspense-filled and entertaining piece is guaranteed to hold your attention and keep you guessing right until the final moments.

Tickets now available online  or you can book in person at the Box Office which is open every Wednesday from 8 to 9pm and each play night from 6.30 to 9pm.

Good Neighbours Benefit Concert

The Chapelfields Community Choir is excited to announce their upcoming Benefit Concert supporting Good Neighbours Coventry on Friday 23 June at 7.30pm at St Mary Magdalen Church (‘the church with the blue roof’).  Guest performers include two other brilliant local choirs – the Coventry and Warwickshire Gospel Choir and the Forte Gospel Choir.

The Chapelfields Community Choir, a non-auditioned ensemble, define themselves as ‘an inclusive, fun, and engaging community that values the playful and relaxed pursuit of choral excellence.’  They continue to welcome anyone interested in joining them at their weekly Tuesday rehearsals from 7.30-9.15pm (including a break for a glass or two of wine part way through) at St Mary Magdalen Church.  Check out the website for more information.

The “Good Neighbours” scheme is an exciting new initiative developed by local churches (via Hope Coventry and Together for Change) in partnership with Age UK Coventry (AUKC) to improve health and wellbeing amongst older people.   Working collaboratively, faith organisations and AUKC are seeking to engage with isolated and lonely older people by developing existing social networks and using existing community resources to enable residents to help each other.

Mental Health and Faith Session

It is estimated that one in four people live with mental health issues. This means that within our churches and communities we have a significant number of people for whom this is a concern.   Come and find out more about this important issue.

Everyone is invited to attend a Mental Health and Faith Session from 10am – 1.00pm on Saturday 10 June at St Mary Magdalen Church (‘The Church with the Blue Roof’).

The Reverend Alison Hogger-Gadsby, Director of Keeping Health in Mind, was a mental health nurse and behavioural therapist before being ordained. She will discuss what it is to be mentally healthy/unwell, common issues, dementia, a theological perspective, what to do in a crisis and then hold a Q&A session. All are welcome!

More HiMOs

Planning applications have been submitted for two new houses in multiple occupation (HiMOs):

37 Winifred Avenue – change of use to two bed HiMO three self-contained studios (ref. FUL/2017/0857). Public consultation on this plan ends 15 May. View online application

39 Winifred Avenue – change of use to two bed HiMO and 3 self-contained studios (ref. FUL/2017/0858). Public consultation on this plan ends 16 May. View online application

NatWest leaving?

We understand that the NatWest bank in Earlsdon is closing, we believe in June.

A planning application has been submitted to remove the NatWest signage, ATM and nightsafe.

This will mean that the only bank in Earlsdon Street – indeed the ECHO area – will be Lloyds, following the previous departure of Barclays and then HSBC in January 2014, when there was an outcry.