Curtain raised on £15.3m new Sheffield Crucible - VIDEO TOUR
AFTER two-and-a-half years and a £15.3 million redevelopment, Sheffield's most famous theatre, The Crucible, has finally reopened.
Chief executive Dan Bates gave digital reporter Nik Brear the first exclusive behind-the-scenes tour.
The Crucible is an iconic Sheffield venue.
Originally built at its home in Tudor Square in 1971, it is still relatively young in theatre terms, yet it has already managed to acquire a fascinating history.
Sir Ian McKellen, Kenneth Brannagh, Joseph Fiennes and Joanna Lumley are just a few of the legendary stars of film and theatre to grace it's famous 'thrust' stage.
"The Crucible is an exciting space because the actors are right in the middle of the audience," explains Chief Executive Dan Bates as he leads me into the auditorium.
"This is something The Crucible is now renowned for."
Dan points out that the refurbishment didn't change a great deal in the auditorium, which is undeniably the heart of the building.
"All the seats have been reupholstered and we have higher seats-backs with lumbar support.
"The house lights have also been replaced with energy efficient lights but otherwise, everything in here is original."
Below in the substage, steel beams have been added to re-enforce the stage and Dan explains that these have adjustable legs so the stage floor can be easily raised or lowered.
He said: "This is especially helpful for the snooker when we need to make sure the floor is completely level."
Next up, we head into the Studio Theatre where the current production of Sisters is being held.
Dan said: "This room is a real flexible friend to us. A black square box where we can set up seating and scenery just as we need it for each production.
"We can fit 400 people in here, The Crucible main stage holds 980 and the Lyceum holds 1100 - that's two-and-a-half thousand theatre seats available in Sheffield every night."
In the dressing rooms, of which there are now more than 20, The Crucible shows its environmentally friendly side with worktops made of recycled glass bottles. In the new toilets, the area around the sinks is constructed from recycled wellington boots.
We head back upstairs through the new foyer and past the renovated bar area as Dan points out various pieces of artwork that has been done by local artists.
"We wanted to take the opportunity to showcase local talent and we're also thrilled to have a Howard Pinter original poem on the wall, which he wrote especially for us shortly before he died."
The Adelphi Room at the top of the building is the new wing. It is a glass box that sits on the front of the building and can be hired.
"The Crucible Theatre is built on the site formerly occupied by The Adelphi Hotel, which closed in May 1969," Dan said.
"We thought it would be a nice tribute and nod-to-the-past to name the room after the Adelphi Hotel, where three important local sporting institutions were founded; Bramall Lane cricket ground, Yorkshire County Cricket Club and Sheffield Wednesday Football Club."
The former Ruskins Bar across the square has been bought by Sheffield Theatres and turned into Crucible Corner, the perfect pre or post-theatre eaterie.
Dan said: "Some theatres really struggle to get an audience back into the theatre once it's been closed, but because we've had the Lyceum operating throughout, 870,000 people have still been to see a Sheffield Theatres show during that time.
"We've kept busy."
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Friday 25 May 2012
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