Critics' Circle Theatre Awards Go Public

- For the first time, the Critics' Circle Theatre Awards voting process involved members selecting from longlists and shortlists, a change intended to widen the range of talent considered. A new category for Best Cast or Ensemble was also introduced to recognize the importance of teamwork in productions. - The awards recognize excellence in theatre across the United Kingdom, with winners chosen by professional theatre critics. Recent big winners included the play *Oedipus*, which secured awards for Best Director, Best Actor, and Best Actress. - Some of the award categories are named after prominent critics, such as The Michael Billington Award for Best New Play and The Jack Tinker Award for Most Promising Newcomer. - Anime Expo is the largest celebration of Japanese pop culture in North America, having started in 1992. The 2025 event drew a record turnstile attendance of over 410,000, a significant increase from the 90,500 attendees in 2015. - The convention provides a significant economic boost to the Los Angeles area, with an estimated impact of over $110 million for local businesses in 2025. - The move to the 7,100-seat Peacock Theater for its main events accommodates the expo's continued growth. These events often include world premieres, exclusive screenings, and appearances by guests of honor like renowned anime creators and voice actors. - The Society for the Promotion of Japanese Animation (SPJA), a non-profit organization, organizes the massive, four-day event each year. - Due to its exponential growth, the SPJA is evaluating whether to keep the event in Los Angeles, its home for over 15 years, citing the need for expansion of the Los Angeles Convention Center.