Excitement as Sheffield's world-famous Crucible Theatre reopens for shows again

After coronavirus struck, the only show that had a live audience was Here’s What She Said To Me in October. That was cut short by the second lockdown of the pandemic.

The planned Together season had to be scrapped and the Crucible and Lyceum experimented with online shows.

The Crucible was used as a test case for bringing in larger audiences during the World Snooker Championship last month.

Spiltmilk Dance were the first show in the new Together Season Festival with comedy show Desert Island Flicks last night (May 24).

Performer Adele Wragg, who is from Sheffield said: “It was lovely to be back in the room with an audience of course and obviously just such a wonderful way of kick-starting getting back to live performance again, being in such a spectacular venue. Everyone had been waiting for a fun night out and it definitely felt like that.

"A lot of people were buzzing afterwards about being back out of their living rooms. It was so great to be back in a theatre with a performance.”

Rob Hastie, artistic director of Sheffield Theatres, said: “It was fantastic, everything we have missed – people coming together in the same space to enjoy a great night out.

"The Together Season Festival is all about bringing the Sheffield audience and artists together for the first time in months. It was chosen by a panel of volunteer selectors and there’s something for everyone.

"The first night was joyous, silly, accessible fun and passionate – everything that makes you want to get out of your house and go to the theatre.”

He added: “The last few months have been very difficult – every time we’ve been knocked down we’ve got back up again.”

Rob thanked everyone in the city who has supported the theatres and all the “incredible staff who are always ready with a warm welcome. They always want to put the comfort, safety and enjoyment of audiences first”.

For details of the Together Festival Season, which continues until June 5, go to www.sheffieldtheatres.co.uk.

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