MACBETH, A TASTE OF HONEY, DC Moore's STRAIGHT & More Set for Sheffield Theatres' New Season Sept-Jan

A season of high drama and razor-sharp comedy takes to the stage this autumn as Sheffield Theatres unveils its new season from September 2012 – January 2013. The season opens with Sheffield Theatres' Artistic Director Daniel Evans directing a new production of Shakespeare's Macbeth, followed by the regional première of Penelope Skinner's The Village Bike and a major revival of Shelagh Delaney's seminal work, A Taste of Honey. Other highlights include the world première of DC Moore's latest play Straight, and a major revival of the classic musical My Fair Lady at Christmas.

Following on from the success of Othello last year and Hamlet in 2010, Shakespeare's Macbeth will take to the Crucible stage from Wednesday 5 September – Saturday 6 October. The first revival of this classic tragedy at the theatre in over fifteen years, Sheffield Theatres' Artistic Director Daniel Evans brings this new staging to life, alongside designer Richard Kent (Company), lighting by David Plater and music and sound by composer Richard Taylor.

In October, A Taste of Honey has its first professional production since the death of British dramatist Shelagh Delaney last year. Originally staged at the Crucible in 1972, during founding Artistic Director Colin George's tenure, this new production is directed by Polly Findlay, (Antigone, National Theatre). Set in 1950s Manchester and exploring Britain on the precipice of change, A Taste of Honey celebrates the spirit of one young girl with the strength to rebel against the social constraints of her time and will feature a live jazz trio on stage.

In the Studio a season exploring male and female sexuality brings two premières by award-winning contemporary British writers to Sheffield. The Village Bike, Penelope Skinner's (The Sound of Heavy Rain, Paines Plough's Roundabout Season) daring and hilarious play about moving to the countryside, making babies and sorting out a plumber, opens in September. Jonathan Humphreys (Happy Days) makes a welcome return to Sheffield to direct. The world première of Straight follows in November, a comedy exploring male friendship and sexuality by writer DC Moore, in association with The Bush. The play will be directed by Sheffield Theatres' Associate Director Richard Wilson (Lungs), with design from James Cotterill (The Pride/That Face).

Completing the season is the Crucible Christmas musical My Fair Lady, one of the greatest musicals of all time, which takes to the stage from Wednesday 12 December to Saturday 26 January 2013. Sheffield Theatres' Artistic Director Daniel Evans brings this joyfully exuberant family musical to life.

Looking into the New Year The Full Monty will receive its world première in the Lyceum Theatre from Saturday 2 – Saturday 23 February 2013.

Artistic Director Daniel Evans said today: 'As the Crucible Theatre's 40th anniversary year continues, I'm delighted to announce our programme for this coming autumn. It's a season of work designed to offer our audiences in the city, the region and beyond the very best of British drama, new and old. It combines Shakespeare with a brand new commission from DC Moore, a regional première from Penelope Skinner and a seminal play from Shelagh Delaney, as well as one of the greatest musicals ever written – My Fair Lady. Despite the ongoing challenges of the economic climate, it's edifying to see how regional theatre is responding with ingenuity and confidence. I feel particularly proud to be leading Sheffield Theatres during these provocative but exciting times.'

First time theatre bookers will be able to experience Macbeth for just 40 pence on any Friday performance, the final production in Sheffield Theatres' First Time Friday initiative with East Midlands Trains.

Staight and The Village Bike are being supported by local law firm, Hill Dickinson, who are funding new writing and projects at Sheffield Theatres over the next three years.

The new season at Sheffield Theatres goes on sales to the public on Saturday 26 May. Tickets can be booked by calling the Box Office on 0114 249 6000 or at sheffieldtheatres.co.uk

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