BEHIND THE SCENES: All The Gossip From The Crucible's New Season Launch

Ruth Deller

The Crucible Theatre, Sheffield, launched its new season earlier this week, following a two-year revamp. New artistic director, Daniel Evans, revealed some more about his vision for Sheffield's theatre scene and details about the six shows he has chosen for his inaugural season at the world-famous theatre.

Evans is incredibly excited: "It's the only time I'll get to present my first season as artistic director - that'll never happen again for me!" Having wanted to own a theatre since he was a teenager, he sees this as a dream role. He describes his vision for Sheffield's theatre scene as having three elements: to offer an eclectic, rich mix of theatre across the three spaces in the theatre complex (the Crucible, Lyceum and Crucible Studio); to reflect the real, daily lives of the people of the city; and for the people of Sheffield to feel that they 'own' the theatres. Evans describes how people stop him in the street "and they tell me they can't wait til the Crucible re-opens."

Evans says, "I want every single play to argue its way into the season," by meeting these three criteria.

The new season opens with Ibsen's Enemy of the People. Evans is directing, and the play stars the award-winning actor Antony Sher. It will have a community chorus of 53, and Evans admits the large cast will be a real challenge for him, and for the reopened theatre. He says the decision to be the first director in the new-look Crucible was a deliberate bold statement: "I'm taking over, so I'm offering myself up in the first season."

One of the most ambitious plays in the season is The West, Sam Shepard's 1980 play. It will be directed by new associate director Paul Miller, and the two leading actors in the play will swap roles on alternative nights. Daniel Evans admits this will be a risky undertaking, "but if anyone can pull it off, Paul can."

Other productions scheduled for the new season include Alice, an imaginative reworking of the Lewis Carroll classic novel, with the titular character depicted as a Sheffield girl; the English regional premiere of Polly Stenham's award-winning That Face; Sisters, Stephanie Street's exploration of being a Muslim woman in Britain today; and There's Only One Wayne Matthews, in which two actors play over thirty roles between them as they explore themes of football, racism, friendship and growing up.

As for the future, Evans hopes to attract a mixture of new talent and well-loved names, and promises there will be Shakespeare, a winter musical and more innovative new drama in future seasons. He is also keen on planning events across the theatres that will help the wider community feel part of things, including workshops for new writers, outdoor drama events, work with schools and community groups and the new Forge festival (May 17-29 2010) which will be a hub for innovators in all aspects of theatre-making to gather, share ideas and become inspired. Regular Crucible visitors will also be pleased to note that the new seats are incredibly comfortable!

The Crucible Theatre's new season begins on February 11, 2010. Forge: A Festival of New Work runs May 17-29, 2010.

There is a series of housewarming events, including guest speakers, comedians, one-off plays, children's shows and a special evening with Sir Ian McKellen, taking place in November and December 2009. For more details, visit the Sheffield Theatres homepage.

 

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