In a press statement, artistic director Daniel Evans commented, "I’m thrilled that our 40th birthday celebrations began in September with around 31,000 tickets sold for our production of Othello at the Crucible.... Our celebrations continue in the New Year and I am particularly looking forward to producing a season dedicated to the work of Michael Frayn. As the Crucible enters its fifth decade, it is a genuine privilege to be leading the organisation during this special time."

Lyndsey Turner will direct Congreve's The Way of the World, beginning performances Feb. 2, 2012, prior to an official opening Feb. 7, for a run through Feb. 25.  Then the Michael Frayn season, spanning the company's three auditoria, will include revivals of Copenhagen (beginning performances in the Lyceum Feb. 29, prior to an official opening March 6, for a run through March 10, directed by David Grindley), Benefactors (beginning performances in the Crucible Studio March 1, prior to an official opening March 6, for a run through March 24, directed by Charlotte Gwinner) and Democracy (beginning performances in the Crucible main house theatre March 8, prior to an official opening March 14, for a run through March 31, directed by Paul Miller). There will also be rehearsed readings of The Sneeze (March 9), Here (March 16) and Wild Honey (March 23), and a reading of extracts of his novels and columns (March 30). There will also be an In Conversation event with the playwright himself (March 23).

John Simm will return to Sheffield, where he last played the title role of Hamlet, to star in a new production of Pinter's Betrayal in the main house Crucible Theatre, beginning performances May 17 prior to an official opening May 22, for a run through June 9. It will be directed by Nick Bagnall.

Priority booking for the season opens on Nov. 12 to Sheffield members, and public booking is from Nov. 19. To book tickets, contact the box office on 0114 249 6000, or visit www.sheffieldtheatres.co.uk.