Daniel Evans Announced As Sheffield Theater's New Artistic Director

Sheffield Theatres is today delighted to announce the appointment of Daniel Evans as their new Artistic Director. Evans will be working with the company for a period of handover and preparation, on a part-time basis, from 20 April and assumes his position full time from 1 June 2009. This is a return to Sheffield Theatres for Evans who previously appeared in Cloud Nine and The Tempest (both on the Crucible Stage, and the latter directed by Michael Grandage, previous Artistic Director of Sheffield Theatres).

An award-winning actor and director, Evans' most recent theatre work includes Sunday in the Park with George (Menier Chocolate Factory, Wyndham's Theatre and Broadway) - a role for which he won the Olivier Award for Best Actor in a Musical (his second Olivier Award, the first being for Merrily We Roll Along in 2001) and a Tony Award nomination. As an actor, his extensive credits include work with the Donmar Warehouse, Royal Shakespeare Company, Royal Court Theatre and National Theatre. His directing credits include Peter Gill Double Bill (Young Vic), Esther (Welsh National Theatre) and Certain Young Men (Guildhall).

Evans takes up the reins at Sheffield as the company prepare to re-launch their new building after a £15.3 million redevelopment. The Crucible closed for essential refurbishment work in December 2007, after the final performance of Amadeus. With Phase 1 of the refurbishment of Sheffield's Grade II listed Crucible Theatre, the next stage, now complete, the company embark on Phase 2, with the whole project due for completion in November 2009.

The inaugural season under Daniel Evans' artistic leadership will begin in February 2010. Daniel Evans said today "I am thrilled to be joining Sheffield Theatres as Artistic Director. Having had hugely fulfilling experiences myself at Sheffield I look forward to joining Donna Munday the interim Chief Executive and the excellent team currently in place, and contributing to the cultural life of the city. These are exciting times. The theatres belong to Sheffield, and they also have great national significance. The Crucible is undergoing a transformation, as is the city itself and I cannot wait to be part of the renaissance."

Chair of the Board Dominic Shellard commented, "It is with great pleasure that we announce Daniel Evans' return to Sheffield Theatres as Artistic Director. At a time of significant rebirth for the company, with the opening of the newly refurbished Crucible, Daniel's vision and energy will be essential in guiding the company forward, and to secure its future at the forefront of the country's theatre scene. We are delighted that Daniel will be joining us and I wish him every success in his new role."

· Daniel Evans will announce the details of his inaugural season at a press conference later this year

· The conclusion of Phase 1 of the refurbishment of the Crucible Theatre, the next stage, came in on time and overall is within budget

· Phase 1 of the next stage has seen the addition of a new brass roof, new entrance and lift system and a corporate entertaining area, as well as improved bar facilities, relocation of the ticket office to a more accessible area and with dramatically improved disabled access to all public areas including the auditorium. Phase 2 will see the development of a public archive space and comprehensive backstage refurbishment including the Studio, upgraded dressing rooms for artists and improved office space

· Funding for the refurbishment, totalling £15.3m, has come from a number of sources including grants from the Arts Council of England and the European Regional Development Fund as well as Yorkshire Forward and Sheffield City Council. Further fundraising by Sheffield Theatres is still underway

· The theatre will open temporarily from 18 April to 4 May to host the World Snooker Championships, before closing to allow completion of the building works

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