Sheffield Theatres is launching a brand-new annual festival this autumn, celebrating the vast array of theatrical talent from Sheffield and beyond.
Running from 28 September – 10 October, Open Works festival will showcase diverse stories and voices, championing both established names and emerging creatives in the theatre industry. The two-week programme sees world premieres, fully staged productions, works-in-progress, rehearsed readings, conversations and workshops take to the Playhouse, Montgomery Studio and Montgomery Theatre.
There are some big names kicking off the festival’s first instalment. Joe Carnall Jr (of Milburn and Reverend & The Makers fame) will premiere his new, original musical ‘How Could I Forget?’, blending humour and vulnerability to deliver a moving and uplifting story of family and the power of music.
After a run of shows at this year’s Edinburgh Fringe, the Famous Five-inspired comedy ‘A Simply Beastly Murder’ will head to the Montgomery Theatre for one night only, featuring the voice of impressionist Alistair McGowan.
The programme of performances also includes shows from Black Bright Theatre, The Growth House, campaign-led arts charity LUNG, and many other powerhouses of contemporary theatre that aim to challenge audience perspectives through bold new productions.
Sheffield Theatres has put together an outstanding lineup of ‘In Conversation’ events, where audiences can hear directly from some of the industry’s most brilliant playwrights, directors and creative leaders. Visitors will gain insights from experienced professionals, learning secrets from artists who are keen to inspire the next wave of theatrical talent.
Sheffield Theatres Artistic Director Elizabeth Newman said: “I wanted us to create the Open Works Festival because, at Sheffield Theatres, we believe the best theatre begins with connection. Connection between artists and audiences. Between different perspectives and lived experiences. Between people, communities, and ideas. It’s in those moments of exchange – when we come together to listen, question, imagine and share – that theatre is at its most powerful.”
The Open Works team are eager to showcase not only finished pieces, but also unique productions that demonstrate the ins and outs of the creative process. The ‘Work in Progress’ strand offers early glimpses into new shows like Ke Li’s ‘Tofu’, Roots Mbili’s ‘An African Panto’ and Chris Salt’s ‘Cat’. The Rehearsed Readings present stripped-back script performances, allowing creatives to test the waters by gauging audience reactions and fine-tuning the details of their new work.
They’ll also be trialling ‘Scratch Nights’, informal evenings of 30-minute short performances where artists can share draft pieces and try out daring new material in front of an audience for the first time.
“Open Works is about creating a space where artists and audiences can experience theatre at every stage of its journey,” said Creative Development Director Deborah Dickinson. “We want Sheffield to be a place where artists can take risks, test ideas, and build lasting connections, while audiences have the chance to discover new voices and new stories and go away talking about them.”
Alongside the performances, there are loads of opportunities for audiences to get involved in the action. The festival will host a series of workshops from artists and local theatre groups including Forced Entertainment, Stand and Be Counted Theatre and The Bare Project, also presenting unique creative sessions like Not That Asian Theatre’s ‘Intro to Clowning’ and Monica Hunken’s ‘The Street is the Theatre!’
Closing the festival is theatre director Emily Collins’s ‘Artist Town Hall’ event, where local theatre-makers can collaborate and explore their ideas through active discussions and creative exercises.
“Open Works is an invitation to make those connections: to discover new artists, encounter fresh ideas, share experiences and be part of the conversations that shape the future of theatre,” Elizabeth added.
Head to sheffieldtheatres.co.uk to get your tickets and view the full lineup of performances, workshops and activities.
