Star duo Maxine Peake and Imelda Staunton bringing Talking Heads show to Sheffield Crucible

They appear in two Alan Bennett Talking Heads monologues that have been seen on TV this June in a double bill on November 9-11.

Harry Potter villain and The Crown star Imelda Staunton appears in A Lady of Letters and Shameless and Funny Cow star Maxine Peake performs in Miss Fozzard Finds Her Feet.

The double bill then moves to Leeds Playhouse on November 12 to 14.

The shows represent a show of solidarity by the performers and the creative teams of both pieces at the Bridge Theatre in London, where they are due to run. As at the Bridge, Alan Bennett has waived his royalty.

Talking Heads will join the Crucible’s Together season, announced last week.

Other productions include the world premiere of Sheffield-based Utopia Theatre’s Here’s What She Said to Me by Oladipo Agboluaje (October 30-November 14).

Crucible ready to reopen

Returning to Sheffield following its 2016 sell-out run is Operation Crucible by Kieran Knowles, marking 80 years since the Sheffield Blitz (November 17-28).

Far Gone by John Rwothomack returns following its premiere in the Crucible Studio last year (December 3-4).

Damian’s Pop-Up Panto! will bring together Lyceum Dame Damian Williams and an ensemble of actors together for a festive treat (December 16–January 3).

Sheffield Theatres artistic director Robert Hastie said: “One positive consequence of the pandemic has been greater collaboration and a powerful sense of our inter-connectivity as theatres and theatre-makers.

“I’m thrilled, that thanks to the staunch support of Alan Bennett and our friends at The Bridge, and a commitment by two of Britain’s finest and best-loved performers to playing theatres outside London, Sheffield audiences returning to the Crucible this autumn will be able to enjoy these timeless monologues by one of Yorkshire’s greats.”

The new season ends a six-month break at the Crucible. All shows have extensive Covid-19 measures in place.

Sheffield Theatres box office: sheffieldtheatres.co.uk. Tickets are on sale to members now and go on general sale on October 6.

Leeds box office: call 0113 213 7700 or visit leedsplayhouse.org.uk

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