Crucible Theatre Sheffield: ‘Studio theatre’ renamed as Tanya Moiseiwitsch Playhouse
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Robert Hastie, artistic director of Sheffield Theatres, this morning revealed the venue previously known as the Studio theatre will now be named the Tanya Moiseiwitsch Playhouse in honour of the hugely influential theatre designer that had an essential role in the creation of the Crucible complex.
The Playhouse, which has a capacity of up to 400 seats has launched writers, nurtured directors and propelled actors over its 50-year history.
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Hide AdOver the 50-year history of the space, audiences have enjoyed performances from hundreds of actors, from professional debuts to famous faces including Victoria Wood, Alan Rickman, Tracey Bennett, Shaun Parkes, Niamh Cusack, Richard Wilson, Stephanie Street, James Norton, Chetna Pandya and Rose Leslie.
Accidental Death of an Anarchist
The first production in the newly named Playhouse will be Accidental Death of an Anarchist from Friday September 23 until Saturday October 15.
Robert Hastie, artistic director: “Since last November we’ve been celebrating 50 years of the Crucible and Studio theatres. The Studio theatre has created some of the most memorable moments in our history, and played a part in the careers of so many beloved artists. What better time to shine a spotlight on both this wonderful space and a theatre designer to whom British theatre owes a huge debt of gratitude.
“Tanya Moiseiwitsch was a pioneer. Innovative, imaginative and a ground-breaker in her profession. Tanya created radical theatre shapes now enshrined and cherished in theatre buildings all over the world. Without her vision, neither the Crucible nor the newly named Playhouse would exist in the forms they do. Hers is an incredible legacy.
Original Sheffield Playhouse
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Hide Ad“As we look ahead to the next 50 years, this new name also honours our theatrical past. The original Sheffield Playhouse, a 540-seat converted Temperance Hall, closed its doors in 1971 when the company moved to Sheffield’s new theatre. The forerunner to the Crucible’s success, it too had a reputation for bold, adventurous, and revolutionary productions, under the leadership of inaugural Crucible artistic director Colin George.
“Renaming the Studio as the Tanya Moiseiwitsch Playhouse is our way of celebrating and cementing the impact of Tanya and those that set us on our journey, as we look ahead to a new chapter in our history, welcoming audiences to this glorious space with renewed vigour.”
Lucy George, daughter of inaugural Artistic Director Colin George: “Tanya Moiseiwitsch’s work on the Crucible Theatre was ground-breaking but, for a long time, her impact was behind the scenes. My father, Colin George, talked about Tanya’s genius yet it was only while working on Stirring Up Sheffield with Tedd, did we realise how significant she was to the creation of the Crucible’s design and that of the studio space. The shape of the Crucible’s thrust stage was Tanya’s creation, and the studio is a smaller version of that unique performing space.
"The Sheffield Playhouse, the predecessor of the Crucible, is still remembered fondly by so many of us. The naming of the Tanya Moiseiwitsch Playhouse clarifies the connection between the Playhouse and the Crucible and ties together 100 years of Sheffield theatre history, recognising Tanya’s long-lasting impact on theatre design. Naming a theatre after Tanya would have pleased Dad enormously.”