Bloke in library performing with pained expression – not the critics' choice? (5,7)

'critics' choice?' is the definition.
I don't know anything about this answer so I cannot tell whether this works.

'bloke in library performing with pained expression not' is the wordplay.
I cannot really understand how this works, but
'bloke' could be 'man' (informal term for a man) and 'man' is found in the answer.
an anagram of 'library' is 'barryil' which is located in the remaining letters.
'with' could be 'w' (abbreviation) and 'w' is located in the answer.
'not' could be 'o' (I've seen this in other clues) and 'o' is found in the answer.
This accounts for all the letters.
This explanation may well be incorrect...

'the' acts as a link.

Can you help me to learn more?