Community theatre extravaganza Together Festival is back at the Crucible, showcasing the work of talented Sheffield groups in a two-day celebration of new productions.
The free festival, taking place from Friday 1 – Saturday 2 August, will feature live theatre, dance and music inspired by the theme of ‘wonder.’ The lineup of family-friendly events also includes parades, poetry, workshops and interactive performances, with an outdoor stage turning Tudor Square into an all-day party.
Day 1 presents three vibrant shows across the Crucible and Playhouse stages. From director Imogen Ashby in collaboration with Sheffield Theatres, Everyday Miracles, is the culmination of a nine-week confidence-building project, sharing the “wonders of the everyday” for residents of Manor and Castle on the main stage.
In the Playhouse, Element Society and Forced Entertainment present Facetimes, an improvised performance developed with their young people’s group combining the serious and the silly.
The Friday will also feature Heads Up: Frank’s Story from touring theatre company Dream Arts, performed by a cast of young artists from refugee backgrounds. Combining theatre, film, beatbox and rap, this bold performance tells the tale of a life-changing adventure for 17-year-old protagonist Frank. Closing the day is an energetic music and poetry set from Sheffield’s SlamBarz community.
Day 2 welcomes Last Unicorn Airways in the Adelphi room by Blanket Fort Club, a sensory-immersive production based on Hans Christian Anderson’s The Flying Trunk. Pinder Dance group will showcase their dance spectacular Wonderland Within on the Crucible stage, exploring identity and self-expression, and inspired by Pixar’s Inside Out.
Saturday’s performances will also include two ‘Plays in a Week’ from Manor After School Kids Klub and Sheffield Theatres Youth Theatre, working with artists Verity Richards and Brownen Ebdon.
Sam Buttery, who recently appeared in Sheffield Theatres’ production of Little Shop of Horrors, will host more acts on the festival’s outdoor stage.
Both days of the festival will also feature a sensory room, providing an inclusive environment inspired by the themes ‘above the clouds’ and ‘in the meadow.’
Simon Marshall, Community Project Manager at Sheffield Theatres, said, “Together Festival will be a huge celebration of the creativity of Sheffield’s communities, with performances, workshops and on Saturday, an outdoor stage with fashion, live acts and music into the evening. Come along, it’ll be wonderful.”
Together Festival will take place on 1-2 August at Sheffield’s Crucible Theatre.
