Sheffield Theatres has today announced that, subject to government advice, it hopes to bring Shakespeare to Sheffield’s outdoor spaces later this year. However, the theatre complex has also confirmed that the Crucible, Studio and Lyceum Theatres will remain closed for the time being. Shows which were scheduled to take place through to 20 July have been cancelled or postponed and customers with tickets will be contacted in due course.
Artistic director Robert Hastie commented: “We want to offer the city some joy and find a safe way to bring people together to experience live performance again. The last few weeks have reminded all of us here that theatre is what we do, not just the building where we usually do it. As long as we can make sure that everyone involved is safe, we can still be creative and make some great theatre happen for audiences around the city. If you can’t come to us, we’ll come to you.
We’ll be making these shows with the same bold energy we always do, telling Shakespeare’s timeless stories with passion and humour, so that families, students and theatre-lovers of all ages can share in the joy of live performance.”
Sheffield Theatres will continue to liaise with Sheffield City Council and monitor official guidance on outdoor gathering as part of planning its ambition to bring Shakespeare’s plays into the city’s green spaces. Further information will follow when further government advice is available.
Due to the length of the lead-in time for producing and touring theatre, some shows which were due to visit Sheffield in the autumn have postponed or cancelled their tours. The Theatres’ website (sheffieldtheatres.co.uk) provides up to date information on what’s on, as well as the ability to book tickets for future productions and discover new content and links to theatre that’s streaming now and activities for children and young people.
