In a press statement, Evans commented, "It's been a thrilling year for Sheffield Theatres – to be named The Stage’s Regional Theatre of the Year, and the recent wins at the U.K. Theatre Awards are testament to the hard work and dedication of the team here, and the breadth and variety of the work we present."
The Brian Friel season follows previous seasons dedicated to David Hare and Michael Frayn. It includes new productions of Afterplay, directed by Róisín McBrinn, beginning performances in the Studio Feb. 6, 2014, prior to an official opening Feb. 10, for a run through March 1; Translations, directed by James Grieve, beginning performances in the Crucible Theatre Feb. 13 prior to an official opening Feb. 17 for a run through March 8; and Wonderful Tennessee, directed by associate director Paul Miller, beginning performances in the Lyceum Feb. 27, prior to an official opening Mach 4, for a run through March 8. Translations will be co-produced with English Touring Theatre and the Rose Theatre Kingston, and will tour following performances at Sheffield Theatres.
The season will also feature a program of complementary events that offers the opportunity to experience the breadth of Brian Friel's work from four decades of his writing career.
Other new productions outside the Friel season include the world premiere of Kes, a new dance-theatre adaptation by Jonathan Watkins of Barry Hines' "A Kestrel for a Knave," beginning performances in the Crucible Theatre March 27 prior to an official opening March 31, for a run through April 5. Also in the Crucible, Jonathan Humphreys (a former resident director at the theatre in 2010-11) will direct Marc Camoletti's Boeing Boeing, beginning performances May 15 prior to an official opening May 19, for a run through June 7.
In the summer, Daniel Evans will direct Sheffield People's Theatre in The Sheffield Mysteries, beginning performances July 15 prior to an official opening July 16, for a run through July 19. Written by Sheffield-born playwright and theatre-maker Chris Bush, who is half of the comedy duo Bush & McCluskey and is the 2013 Pearson Playwright in Residence at the theatre, it is inspired by and responding to the medieval mystery cycles. It will be performed by around 100 actors, singers, dancers and musicians from Sheffield People’s Theatre. To book tickets and for further details, contact the box office on 0114 249 6000 or visit www.sheffieldtheatres.co.uk.
