We today announce Elizabeth Newman’s inaugural season of shows as Artistic Director, with new productions running from autumn 2025 to summer 2026 in the Crucible Theatre and Tanya Moiseiwitsch Playhouse.

• In the Crucible, Artistic Director, Elizabeth Newman will direct Brian Friel’s multi-award winning drama, DANCING AT LUGHNASA, a powerful and moving exploration of reflection and memory, in a co-production with the Royal Exchange Theatre in Manchester.
  
• In the Tanya Moiseiwitsch Playhouse, winner of the Women’s Prize for Playwriting Karis Kelly’s CONSUMEDis presented by Sheffield Theatres, Paines Plough, Women’s Prize for Playwriting and Belgrade Theatre. The play will be directed by Katie Posner.
  
• A brand new adaptation of A CHRISTMAS CAROL by Aisha Khan and directed by Elin Schofield will play in the Crucible.
  
• In 2026, Sheffield Theatres, Theatre Centre and National Youth Theatre collaborate to present MY BROTHER’S A GENIUSby Debris Stevenson in the Tanya Moiseiwitsch Playhouse.
  
• Sheffield Theatres and Utopia Theatre present CROWN OF BLOOD – A YORUBA ADAPTATION OF MACBETHin the Crucible, directed by Mojisola Kareem and adapted by Oladipo Agboluaje.
  
• Brand-new production, THE LADIES FOOTBALL CLUB will be directed by Elizabeth Newman, by Stefano Massini, adapted by Tim Firth in the Crucible.
  
• Award-winning Sheffield playwright, Leo Butler’s drama LIVING about the years of our lives will be directed by Abigail Graham in the Tanya Moiseiwitsch Playhouse.
  
• Especially adapted for Sheffield, SUMMER HOLIDAY, directed by Elizabeth Newman and Ben Occhipinti will be the 2026 summer musical in the Crucible.
• Looking ahead to 2027, Stephanie Street will adapt Sunjeev Sahota’s award-winning novel THE YEAR OF THE RUNAWAYS for the Crucible stage.

We kick off with a beautiful classic drama in the Crucible, arguably one of the greatest plays ever written—Brian Friel's Dancing at Lughnasa, in collaboration with the Royal Exchange Theatre. Consumed by Karis Kelly, in partnership with Paines Plough and Belgrade Theatre, follows and marks both our becoming the home of the Women's Prize for Playwriting and the beginning of a season of entirely new work in the Playhouse. The rest of the year sees us producing My Brother's a Genius by Debris Stevenson, our fifth co-production with Theatre Centre, and now with National Youth Theatre of Great Britain. Into 2026, Living by Sheffield’s own Leo Butler is a moving family drama that spans five decades of life in the City.

Alongside the new work in the Playhouse— in the Crucible, we will debut a brand-new adaptation of A Christmas Carol by Yorkshire’s Aisha Khan. Our version of A Christmas Carol will highlight Sheffield’s long history of singing the city’s unique Christmas carols.

After the festive period, we have two more new works. Crown of Blood, a new version of Macbeth by Oladipo Agboluaje, will be our latest collaboration with Sheffield’s Utopia Theatre, followed by The Ladies Football Club by the brilliant Tim Firth. Based on Stefano Massini's drama, this new play celebrates the founding of women's football in Sheffield in a munitions factory in 1917, and tracks the history of the sport, through the period of being banned, to the jubilant heights of the present-day Lionesses.

To wrap up our 2025/2026 programme, we’ll be putting on a fresh version of the 1960s classic musical Summer Holiday. We’re excited to bring this to life, spilling out from the auditorium and into our Square, where audiences can enjoy the Sheffield Theatres Beach! In fact, across the entire season we’ll be hosting a variety of free special events inspired by our programme, including the Lughnasa Dance Festival, the Montgomery Theatre Summer Party, the Sheffield Theatres Candlelit Carol Concert, and even a theatre football tournament. These outdoor celebrations will bring people of all ages together and reflect our commitment to opening up every door and window, inviting everyone into our theatres—and taking theatre to the streets too!

It also felt important that, as a big national organisation and now a family of four theatres, we also share a little bit of news for 2027. We are proud to announce in 2027, we will produce a big new adaptation by Stephanie Street of Sunjeev Sahota's The Year of the Runaways. This will be with an international partner and will find a home in our Crucible.

We’re incredibly proud to be powered by our amazing city, and can’t wait to welcome everyone into one of our four theatres this year.”

Crucible

Playhouse

Elizabeth joined Chief Executive Tom Bird and Deputy Chief Executive Bookey Oshin to form Sheffield Theatres’ Executive Team in December 2024, and succeeded Artistic Director Robert Hastie who left the organisation last summer. Elizabeth - a multi-award-winning theatre director - joined from Pitlochry Festival Theatre, where she had been Artistic Director since 2018, and previously Octagon Theatre Bolton, Shared Property Theatre Company and Southwark Playhouse London.

Dancing at Lughnasa begins Elizabeth’s season in the Crucible. Directed by Elizabeth herself, Brian Friel’s multi-award-winning drama is a powerful and moving exploration of reflection, memory and how the future will arrive no matter how much we resist. This co-production between Sheffield Theatres and Royal Exchange Theatre plays from Saturday 13 September – Saturday 4 October 2025 (press performance on Thursday 18 Sept 2025). The production then moves to the Exchange's unique, in-the-round space, with performance dates to be announced very soon.

This festive season, we produce A Christmas Carol adapted by Aisha Khan and directed by Elin Schofield. Featuring the Sheffield Carols, redemption, heart, and holiday spirit shine in Charles Dickens’ timeless classic. The play runs from Saturday 29 November 2025 – Saturday 10 January 2026 (press performance on Thursday 4 Dec 2025).

Into the new year, Sheffield Theatres and Utopia Theatre present Crown of Blood – A Yoruba Adaptation of Macbeth, written by Oladipo Agboluaje and directed by Mojisola Kareem. A powerful retelling of Shakespeare’s Macbeth set during the civil wars of the 19^th century Yorubaland. From Monday 2 – Saturday 7 February 2026 (press performance on Tuesday 3 February 2026).

In spring 2026, brand-new production The Ladies Football Club is by Stefano Massini, adapted by Tim Firth and directed by Elizabeth Newman. This play explores the remarkable origins of war-time women workers making football their own. The play will have its debut Saturday 28 February playing to Saturday28 Mar 2026 (press performance on Thursday5 March 2026).

Next summer, the iconic 1960s film adapted for Sheffield, Summer Holiday is directed by Elizabeth Newman and Ben Occhipinti. The musical runs from Saturday 20 June to Saturday 18 July 2026 (press performance on Thursday 25 June 2026).

Coming in 2027, Sunjeev Sahota’s award-winning novel The Year of the Runawayswill be adapted by Stephanie Street. Tickets and further details will be announced soon.

In the Tanya Moiseiwitsch Playhouse, Sheffield Theatres, Paines Plough, Women’s Prize for Playwriting and Belgrade Theatre present the winner of the Women’s Prize for Playwriting, Karis Kelly’s Consumed. A pitch-black and twisted tale of dysfunctional family dynamics, generational trauma and national boundaries will be directed by Katie Posner. The play runs from Weds 24 Sep – Sat 11 Oct 2025 (press performance on Thursday 25 September 2025).

Into the new year, Sheffield Theatres, Theatre Centre and National Youth Theatre collaborate presenting My Brother’s A Genius by Debris Stevenson. Playing from Wednesday 28 January to Saturday 14 February 2026 (press performance Friday 30 January 2026).

Award-winning Sheffield playwright Leo Butler’s drama about the funny business of life throughout sixty years of change, Living marks his homecoming to Sheffield Theatres. The play will be directed by Abigail Graham and runs from Saturday14 March – Saturday 4 April 2026 (press performance on Thursday19 March 2026).

Alongside the new season of productions, participatory work will overflow from the Crucible onto Tudor Square, where various creative projects and community engagement schemes will find a home during the run of productions. Alongside Summer Holiday, families can enjoy a day at the seaside with the Sheffield Theatres Beach, or during Dancing at Lughnasa, take part in movement themselves in the Lughnasa Dance Festival. Tudor Square will also host the Montgomery Theatre Summer Party, Sheffield Theatres’ Candlelit Carol Concert at Christmas, plus a Theatre Football Tournament to coincide with The Ladies Football Club.

Beyond Sheffield, the stomp-and-holler Western KENREXwhich brought a true crime podcast to the Playhouse stage, transferred to London’s Southwark Playhouse Borough where it is currently playing. The production was also nominated for Best Studio Production at this year’s WhatsOnStage Awards, alongside our staging of The Crucible, which also received nominations for Best Play Revival and Best Direction from our former Associate Artistic Director, Anthony Lau.

As part of her inaugural season, Elizabeth Newman fronts a new partnership with The Women’s Prize for Playwriting. Produced by Ellie Keel and Paines Plough, Sheffield Theatres joins the scheme as the first ‘Theatre Partner’ for the 2025 Prize, making Sheffield the home for the world premiere of the prize’s winning play, Consumed.

In January 2025, the Montgomery Theatre and Arts Centre joined the Sheffield Theatres family of venues. A leading arts centre for children, families and community groups in Yorkshire, the Montgomery is also home to many of Sheffield Theatres’ participatory strands for children and young people, and will continue to deliver a space for budding creative groups as the theatre joins the Sheffield Theatres complex.

Signed and Audio Described Season Announcement

Touring productions

As well as producing theatre, we also host the best plays, musicals, dance and comedy touring the UK in 2025, and into 2026.

In the Lyceum:

Following a sell-out run at the Edinburgh Festival Fringe, Damian Williams returns to the Lyceum – this time not as Sheffield’s well-loved pantomime dame, but in The Last Laugh, where he stars as Tommy Cooper, alongside Bob Golding as Eric Morecambe and Simon Cartwright as Bob Monkhouse from Tuesday 1 – Saturday 5 July. Written and directed by Paul Hendy (Snow White and Beauty and the Beast at the Lyceum) The Last Laugh is a new play which re-imagines the lives of three of Britain's all-time greatest comedy heroes. Filled with great gags, poignant stories and guaranteed to be an unforgettable night out.

Step inside Matthew Bourne’s The Midnight Bell, set in 1930s London it’s a tavern where one particular lonely-hearts club gather to play out their lovelorn affairs of the heart; bitter comedies of longing, frustration, betrayal and redemption. From Tuesday 23 – Saturday 27 September.

In a fast-paced new production, Buffy Revamped, comedian Brendan Murphy brings the entire 144 episodes of the hit TV show Buffy the Vampire Slayer, as told through the eyes of the one person who knows it inside out… Spike. Funny, satirical and bursting with 90s pop culture references, it is the perfect parody for Buffy aficionados and those who never enrolled at Sunnydale High alike. Playing on Friday 3 October.

The 250th anniversary of the birth of Jane Austen is celebrated in fitting style with a new stage adaptation of Emma, her dazzling comedy of manners, adapted by Ryan Craig. The high-spirited Emma Woodhouse is determined that she will never marry but loves to meddle in her friends’ and neighbours’ relationships. But as the romantic web she weaves becomes ever more entangled, will Emma herself get swept up in true love’s wake? From Tuesday 7 – Saturday 11 October.

The National Theatre’s Olivier Award-winning smash hit Dear England comes to Sheffield, in a highly anticipated national tour. From multi award-winning writer James Graham and director Rupert Goold, this five-star ‘new stage epic’ (Telegraph) tells the uplifting, at times heartbreaking, and ultimately inspiring story of Gareth Southgate’s revolutionary tenure as England manager in a gripping examination of nation and game. A co-production with JAS Theatricals. From Tuesday 21 - Saturday 25 October.

A chilling mystery unfolds in Inspector Morse: House of Ghosts. ITV’s long-running Inspector Morse, has been hailed by Radio Times as ‘the greatest British crime series of all time’. House of Ghosts marks the first-ever stage adaptation of the iconic detective. Starring Tom Chambers (Father Brown, Strictly Come Dancing), this original story written for the stage is a must-see for fans of compelling detective stories and thrilling mysteries. From Tuesday 28 October - Saturday 1 November.

Discover how the world’s most famous sorcerer mastered his powers in an epic adventure with Northern Ballet’s Merlin. Don’t miss spectacular sets and costumes, mind-boggling special effects and Northern Ballet’s signature blend of world-class dance and storytelling. From Tuesday 4 - Saturday 8 November.

STOS Theatre Company present The Bandfrom Tuesday 11 - Saturday 15 November. In 1992, for five 16 year-old girls, ‘The Band’ is everything. 25 years later, the girls, once inseparable, reunite to see their heartthrobs one last time. Featuring the music of Take That, including Never Forget, Back For Good, Relight My Fire, Shine and Rule The World. This amateur production is presented by arrangement with Music Theatre International.

Happiness is only a heartbeat away with hilarious and heart-warming new musical Here & Now: The Steps Musical, based on the songs of pop phenomenon Steps. Welcome to seaside superstore Better Best Bargains, where it's Friday night, the vibe is right and everyone's dancing in the aisles. With Caz and her friends around, who knows what love has in store… Here & Now is produced by Steps themselves, ROYO, and music legend Pete Waterman, and features many of Steps' iconic hits, including Stomp, 5,6,7,8, and Last Thing On My Mind. From Tuesday 18 - Saturday 22 November.

DCI Barnaby and Sergeant Troy uncover a world of hidden passions, long-buried secrets and deadly rivalries in Midsomer Murders: The Killings at Badger’s Drift. With eccentric villagers, shocking twists and an unforgettable reveal, this classic whodunnit brings to life the wit, charm and chilling suspense of the beloved TV series and original series of books. Spend an evening in England’s deadliest county… From Tuesday 25 - Saturday 29 November.

Into 2026:

Aaron Sorkin’s riveting, award-winning stage adaptation of the seminal American novel To Kill A Mockingbirdbecame a Broadway and West End sensation. Now, this thrilling courtroom drama comes to the Lyceum from Tuesday 27 January - Saturday 7 February. Successful lawyer, Atticus Finch, encourages kindness and empathy in his children, but is pushed to the limits of these qualities himself when he resolves to uncover the truth in a town that seems determined to hide it.

The award-winning, smash-hit musical The Bodyguard is back, from Tuesday 10 - Saturday 14 February. Former Secret Service agent-turned-bodyguard, Frank Farmer, is hired to protect superstar Rachel Marron from an unknown stalker. Each expects to be in charge – what they don’t expect is to fall in love. A ‘brilliant’ (The Times), breathtakingly romantic thriller, The Bodyguard features a whole host of irresistible classics including I Wanna Dance With Somebody and, of course, the legendary I Will Always Love You.

Chris McCausland presents Yonks! You might have seen him on Strictly Come Dancing, Would I Lie to You, Have I Got News for You and more. Chris McCausland is hitting the road again with another masterclass in stand-up comedy that has, literally, been yonks in the making. He's been called an "overnight success", even though he's been doing this for bloody yonks! For one night only on Tuesday 17 February.

Uncanny: Fear of the Dark follows from the sell-out Uncanny: I Know What I Saw. Danny Robins and his team of experts are back on Wednesday 18 February with even more terrifying real-life stories and witness. Using a unique mix of sound, projection, stagecraft and recollections of events that seem to defy logical explanation, this is story-telling and paranormal investigation at its peak. Whether you are team sceptic, team believer or somewhere in between, everyone is welcome. The only question to ask before you come is; do you have a fear of the dark?

The Tiger Who Came To Tea returns for another cup from Thursday 19 – Saturday 21 February. The doorbell rings just as Sophie and her mummy are sitting down to tea. Who could it possibly be? What they certainly don’t expect to see at the door is a big, stripy tiger! Join the tea-guzzling tiger in this delightful family show; packed with oodles of magic, sing-a-long songs and clumsy chaos! A stunning stage adaptation of the classic tale of teatime mayhem, based on the book by Judith Kerr OBE and directed by David Wood OBE, produced by Nicoll Entertainment.

Visiting the Crucible this year:

The World Seniors Snooker Championship returns for 2025 where Jimmy White and Ken Doherty will head a stellar field with Igor Figueiredo from Brazil as the defending Champion. From Wednesday 7 – Sunday 11 May.

… Earnest? is a twist on a classic, from Tuesday 20 – Wednesday 21 May. When a production of Oscar Wilde’s play gets underway, everything seems to be going to plan, that is, until the lead actor fails to arrive on cue and an actual audience member is chosen to star in the show. This one-of-a-kind comedy sensation is completely different, completely chaotic, and completely Wilde every single night.

Showstopper! The Improvised Musicalmakes a return to Sheffield from Friday 6 – Saturday 7 June. The Olivier Award-winning musical comedy that’s made up on the spot from audience suggestions, with hilarious results. The Showstopper cast and band weave a brand new musical in front of the eyes of the audience, complete with comical characters, fabulous dance routines, beautiful songs, epic story lines, all sprinkled with the pzazz of a Broadway show.

Bluebelleruns from Wednesday 11 - Thursday 12 June. Opening in an empty theatre with just a ‘ghost light’ on stage, the ghosts of former actors emerge. They are ready to play. Weaving together plots and characters from ancient folktales, Bluebelle reminds us that life is shaped by the stories we tell and leave behind.

Then, across a number of Sheffield's most iconic venues, Crossed Wires Festival returns to the city from Friday 4 – Sunday 6 July. See crossedwires.live for more information

Tuesday 15 July sees An Evening Without Kate Bush.She's not there - but you are. Whether you’ve been a fan for decades or recently joined the shoal via the ‘Stranger Things’ phenomenon, there has never been a better time to release your inner Bush and celebrate at this joyful, unique and mind-blowing show. Sarah-Louise Young and co-creator Russell Lucas pay glorious homage to the music, fans, and mythology of one of the most influential voices in British music.

Deafinitely Theatre presents The Vagina Monologues; V’s (formerly Eve Ensler) collection of funny, lively and emotional monologues of the untold experiences of women in a powerful theatrical experience, for the first time in a BSL and spoken English. An unmissable celebration of womanhood and sexuality, on Thursday 17 July.

Black Is The Color Of My Voice is Apphia Campbell’s acclaimed play inspired by the life of Nina Simone. Apphia reflects on Simone’s journey that took her from a young piano prodigy destined for a life in the service of the church, to a renowned jazz vocalist at the forefront of the Civil Rights Movement. Featuring many of Simone’s most iconic songs, performed live on Friday 17 October.

Jen Brister is reactive - or so she’s been told. Apparently you don't have to respond to every little thing around you. Finding herself in a constant state of exacerbation at the state of the world and people in general, Brister has been told she needs to chill the hell out. Can Jen find her zen? It seems unlikely to be honest… Jen Brister performs Reactive on Thursday 23 October.

As seen and heard on Taskmaster, Live at the Apollo, The Great British Sewing Bee and more, Sara Pascoe presents I Am A Strange Gloop on Wednesday 29 October. Have you ever been awake in the middle of the night and thought something so smart and astute that you couldn’t wait for the world to wake up so you could tell them? This show is that thought - in that it doesn’t make much sense and is a bit weird on reflection.

In the Playhouse:

Theatre by the Lake presents STEEL from Tuesday 13 – Wednesday 14 May. Two lads. Twelve hours. One million pounds. On the wet West Cumbrian coast, James and Kamran have been mates for more than a decade. At seventeen, the world should be theirs, but Workington’s a ghost town. When James discovers he is heir to a single mile of the British railway system, the lads are forced on a town-wide treasure hunt, painting the town technicolour. A play about first loves, forging identities and the wild, wild hearts of teenage boys.

A Tale Of Us on Thursday 29 May a funny, frank and magical journey through their first year of life with a little one. Ivy’s just had a baby. She’s never felt so full of love – or so alone. But she’s working it out. Blending drama and multi-sensory playtime, this is a celebration of the wonder, joys and challenges of becoming a new parent. After the performance is a guided Stay and Play session, made for parents with children ages 0-18 months.

The Mountain Witch, an adventurous tale from Speedwell Dance plays on Saturday 31 May. An enchanting production inspired by timeless themes of folklore and the human experience. Through dance, music and song, this adventurous tale tells the story of an ancient and powerful witch, seasons gone awry, and the determination of children to put things right.

Get ready for an unforgettable experience as Justin Moorhouse performs The Greatest Performance Of My Lifeon Tuesday 10 June. Covering pantomimes to dreams, how to behave in hospitals, small talk, realising your Mum is a northern version of Columbo, and how being a smart-mouthed kid saves you from a life of continually being beaten up. Funny and interesting, and perhaps a little bit to warm the soul too.

Meet Danny, plastering since he was a kid, he’s not scared of anything, he’s RUM. Danny’s been up all night and now he’s rushing to finish a job before he has to give the speech of his life. RUM is a darkly humorous and powerful new play by Joe Mallalieu that wrestles with masculinity, mental health and addiction. On Thursday 12 June.

A story about the son of the god of the sun, from Wright&Grainge. HELIOS transplants an ancient Greek tale into a modern-day myth, wound round the winding roads of rural England and into the everyday living of a towering city. On Saturday 14 June.

Fidget Theatre presents Robyn Hoodfrom Friday 25 - Saturday 26 July. Robyn is a little girl who lives in a big city. She likes to play outside in her magical den, until one day, developers arrive and Robyn’s den is under threat. An original take on the classic folktale, Robyn Hood is a playful and musical new show for children and their grown-ups, featuring playful storytelling, original live music, friendly audience participation and integrated audio description.

Gwenda’s Garage, in association with Sheffield Theatres, makes a triumphant return from Wednesday 15 - Saturday 25 October. 1980s Sheffield, Thatcher’s Britain: politics, passion, protest, where anything might happen … and usually does. Three women mechanics set up their own garage in a run-down area of the city, naming it after Gwenda Stewart, a pioneering racing driver. Gwenda’s Garage is a fabulous new musical – an exuberant call to arms, fired by fun, feminism, friendship, and above all an affirming belief in the power of collective action. Dismantling the patriarchy one spark plug at a time.

Alongside home-grown productions and dazzling tours, opportunities to get involved and develop creativity are available with a dynamic range of activities and events.

In addition to the Crucible, Lyceum and Playhouse, a fourth venue has joined Sheffield Theatres. A leading arts centre for children, families and community groups in Yorkshire, The Montgomery has championed children’s creativity since it opened in 1886. With a 400-seat auditorium and an 80-seat studio space, TheMontgomery is also home to many of Sheffield Theatres’ participatory strands for children and young people. Visit themontgomery.org.uk for full event listings.

Together Festival returns to Sheffield Theatres for 2025; a lively and welcoming free festival celebrating theatre and arts created with community groups across Sheffield. Embrace the wonder of live performance, music, dance and creativity at the heart of the Crucible. Drop by for free events and fun for all ages fromThursday 31 July – Saturday 2 August.

Launchpadis a group for adults aged 18 plus with learning disabilities and/or Autism. This year, they present their first Launchpad Festival from Thursday 10 – Saturday 12 July. A warm and welcoming free event that celebrates theatre and arts created by and with Learning Disabled people in Sheffield and beyond. Drop by for free music, puppetry and performances for everyone in a relaxed and accessible atmosphere.

Tickets for all newly-announced shows go on sale to Centre Stage Members at 10am Saturday 1 March 2025 and on general sale at 10am on Saturday 8 March 2025. Tickets for all previously announced productions are on sale now. Accessible performances are available on the majority of productions.

Tickets can be booked through the Box Office in person, over the phone on 0114 249 6000 or at the link below.