Words by Michael Hudson
This Autumn, both the Lyceum Theatre and The Crucible offer a wide range of performances that will welcome theatre lovers to some well- known favourites and introduce some fantastic new shows.
All focusing on family relationships, four productions in particular have a strong place in the British theatre scene whilst still giving variety that will please many.
’Pandora’s Box’ by Ade Solanke tells the story of a Nigerian mother adjusting to family life in London and questioning whether to let her streetwise remain in the battlefields of the English capital. Showing at the Crucible Studio on the 19th and 20th September, ‘Pandora’s Box’ is a tale of turmoil spanning three generations and two continents. Website.
Sheffield Theatres also offers a classic Shakespearean tale in ‘Twelfth Night’ The tale of brother and sister Sebastian and Viola separated and their journey to find one another and also find love along the way. Funny and touching, the play sees disguises, yellow tights and fantastic one liners to give a thrilling reinvention. ‘Twelfth Night’ is on at the Crucible from 18th September until 18th October. Website.
Lyceum Theatre at night. Source: Geograph.
The Lyceum then welcomes another theatrical classic in the way of ‘The Woman in Black’ just before the spooky time of Halloween. Adapted from the novel by Susan Hill and turned into a film with Daniel Radcliffe in 2012, this small cast thriller has been a smash across the UK and chilled thousands of audience members with the tale of a mourning, vengeful apparition. Very much a modern classic, ‘The Woman in Black’ is on from 21st -25th October. Website.
The final family fuelled piece comes to the Crucible Studio with ‘Queen Coal’ by Bryony Lavery. Performing in the round, this piece tells the story of Justine and her involvement in the Coal industry and the struggles it faced in modern British history, and the effect it has on her family and their future. Described as “intensely powerful” and showing that you can’t always change the world but the world can change you, ‘Queen Coal’ will be performed from 30th October – 22nd November. Website.
For more details on all of these productions, visit www.sheffieldtheatres.co.uk
