Sheffield Theatres has announced its 50th Anniversary Season for 2022.
Rock/Paper/Scissors – three new plays by Chris Bush: The centrepiece 50th Anniversary celebrations will see all three Sheffield spaces – The Crucible, The Studio and Lyceum Theatres – unite to stage playwright Chris Bush’s new trilogy of plays Rock (Crucible), Paper (Lyceum), Scissors (Studio). Directed by Artistic Director Robert Hastie and Associate Artistic Director Anthony Lau, with a further director to be announced, three interlinked but standalone plays will tell the story of Sheffield’s oldest scissor manufacturer and the three generations who go to war over what happens to the factory site. In a theatrical first, the same cast perform in the Crucible, Lyceum and Studio simultaneously, dashing between scenes, when a character exits one stage, they arrive on another.
Rock/Paper/Scissors runs Tuesday 14 June – Saturday 2 July 2022
Anna Karenina by Leo Tolstoy in a new adaptation by Helen Edmundson: Launching a yearlong season of programming celebrating 50 years of the iconic Crucible Theatre, this bold new production of Tolstoy’s epic masterpiece about desire, duty and defiance is directed by RTYDS Associate Artistic Director Anthony Lau.
Anna Karenina runs Saturday 5 – Saturday 26 February 2022
The Contingency Plan – On The Beach and Resilience by Steve Waters: Next in the Crucible is two new productions of the timely climate change double bill The Contingency Plan, updated to reflect the ongoing climate emergency. On The Beach is directed by Chelsea Walker and Resilience is directed by Caroline Steinbeis.
The Contingency Plan – On The Beach and Resilience runs Friday 11 March – Saturday 2 April 2022.
How a City Can Save the World: Celebrating 10 years of Sheffield People’s Theatre with a new play. Currently in development with Stockroom, more information to be announced.
Much Ado About Nothing by William Shakespeare: Sheffield Theatres Artistic Director Robert Hastie will adapt and direct Ramps on the Moon’s new production of William Shakespeare’s much-loved comedy. A pioneering initiative committed to putting D/deaf and disabled artists and audiences at the centre of their work, every performance features the use of integrated creative sign language, audio description and captioning. After a run at the Crucible Theatre the production will tour to Leeds Playhouse, Birmingham Rep, Nottingham Playhouse, New Wolsey Theatre, Ipswich, Theatre Royal Stratford East and Salisbury Playhouse.
Much Ado About Nothing runs Friday 9 – Saturday 24 September 2022
The Together Season Festival: After a successful launch in 2021, the 50th anniversary year will see the return of Sheffield Theatre’s The Together Season Festival. The festival forms part of Sheffield Theatres’ initiatives to champion new work and give a platform to the talent of local freelance artists and companies. Artists from across the region were invited to submit productions to feature in the programme, with the panel, led by RTYDS Associate Artistic Director Anthony Lau, working together over a number of weeks to create the festival line-up.
The Together Season Festival runs Thursday 20 – Saturday 29 October 2022
Standing at the Sky’s Edge by Richard Hawley and Chris Bush: The Crucible Theatre’s 50th anniversary programming will round off in December 2022 with a celebratory return of the hit musical Standing at the Sky’s Edge revived by Artistic Director Robert Hastie, prior to a run at the National Theatre in 2023.
Standing at the Sky’s Edge runs Saturday 10 December 2022 – Saturday 21 January 2023
Human Nurture by Ryan Calais Cameron: To celebrate Sheffield’s intimate and versatile Studio Theatre’s 50th anniversary, the space will continue its commitment to new writing and compelling voices. Human Nurture will be a flagship school’s project and will play a mixture of dates in both the Studio Theatre and local Sheffield schools, including The Hayfield School and Handsworth Grange Community College, during its run. The project is led by director Rob Watt and the Theatre Centre.
Human Nurture runs Wednesday 26 January – Saturday 12 February 2022
Far Gone by John Rwothomack: originally devised in Sheffield Theatres’ Making Room scratch night, Far Gone was originally scheduled to play the Studio in 2020 but postponed due to the pandemic, Far Gone is a profoundly moving story of a young boy’s journey from childhood innocence to child soldier. Playwright John Rwothomack’s new theatre company Roots Mbili Theatre coproduces this thrilling new play with Sheffield Theatres. Directed by Mojisola Elufowoju.
Far Gone runs Thursday 17 – Saturday 26 February 2022
Accidental Death of an Anarchist by Dario Fo, adapted by Tom Basden: revival of Dario Fo’s riotous 20th century classic adapted by BAFTA nominated comedy writer Tom Basden.
Accidental Death of an Anarchist runs Friday 23 September – Saturday 15 October 2022
Robert Hastie, Artistic Director of Sheffield Theatres, said: “It’s the Crucible and Studio Theatre’s 50th birthday and we’re celebrating by announcing a whole year of shows. Both spaces have always been synonymous with innovation and collaboration, sparking new ideas and forging friendships with new audiences. We look forward to lighting up our stages with a bold and ambitious programme, championing new work and partnering with brilliant creatives and companies.”
Tickets for Anna Karenina are now on sale. All new 50th Anniversary shows will be going on sale to Centre Stage Members at 10am on Saturday 20 November 2021 and on general sale at 10am on Saturday 27 November 2021.
Accessible performances are available on the majority of productions. Tickets can be booked through the Box Office in person, over the phone on 0114 249 6000 or at sheffieldtheatres.co.uk.
