The Crucible Sheffield
Comprehensive refurbishment and extension of iconic venue
Client: Sheffield Theatres Crucible Trust
Listed Grade II
Status: Complete 2010
The Crucible is the main producing venue in the Sheffield Theatres complex, comprising a 400-seat studio theatre (for drama and music) as well as the main 980-seat auditorium. It also hosts the annual World Snooker Championships and is therefore regarded as ‘the home of Snooker’. Burrell Foley Fischer worked closely with Sheffield Theatres Crucible Trust to develop a phased redevelopment of the Grade II listed theatre complex comprising of the Tanya Moiseiwitch Playouse and Crucible Theatre. The front of house areas were extended and modernised, while both auditoria and back of house areas were refurbished.
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The Crucible Theatre opened in 1971 and was designed by RHWL & Associates with Consulting Engineers Ove Arup & Partners. Tanya Moiseiwitsch advised on the design of the world-renowned Guthrie thrust stage in the 980-seat Crucible main auditorium. It is Listed Grade II, cementing its status as one of the most significant theatres of its generation.
The Crucible is the main producing venue in the Sheffield Theatres complex, comprising a 400-seat studio theatre (for drama and music) as well as the main 980-seat auditorium. It also hosts the annual World Snooker Championships.
Burrell Foley Fischer worked closely with Sheffield Theatres Crucible Trust to develop an extensive modernisation, improvement and extension strategy for the theatre, taking account of the need to minimise the closure period. In particular, there was a critical need to reopen the venue each April/May for the televised World Snooker Championships.
The front of house areas were extended, providing a new and welcoming frontage onto Tudor Square. New function rooms were provided and the box office was moved from the bowels of the building closer to the main entrance. The integrity of the original design was reinstated and the auditoria and back of house areas were refurbished. Access was improved to all facilities within the Crucible.
“The thing about the Crucible is that so many people fall in the love with the place. Whether they are audience members or actors or directors, or snooker players, there are strong feelings about the place.
The re-opening of the Crucible is a major boost for the city and the region. The theatre will once again be of huge benefit to the public with an excellent set of new facilities and new programme of dynamic and exciting work.”
— Daniel Evans, Artistic Director, The Crucible
Awards
2011 RICS Pro-Yorkshire Awards: Community Benefit Award: Shortlised
2011 LABC South Yorkshire and Humber Building Excellence Awards: Best Restoration and Conversion