The Venue
The Crucible Theatre is located on Norfolk Street, Tudor Square, in the centre
of Sheffield. It was opened November 9th 1971, and boasted a capacity of 980.
It hosts a wide variety of theatrical performances, from film and book adaptations
to youth theatre. Many musical events are also held there, including the annual
chamber music festival and performances by The Lindsays String Quartet,
a well known local classical group. The theatre has a unique 'thrust' stage
which can be raised and lowered in height and also moved towards/away from the
audience, making The Crucible a very versatile and accommodating theatre for
all kinds of performances. The theatre also has links with many local schools,
providing them with rehearsal space, as well as the chance to put on youth theatre
for the general public.
The Crucible also has its own restaurant, Encore, and its own shop, Cues,
named after what is arguably The Crucible's most anticipated annual event...
The Snooker
Perhaps most famously, The Crucible has annually held the Embassy World Snooker
Championship since 1977, which sees the world's top snooker players and legions
of loyal fans (plus numerous television broadcast vans) descend on Sheffield
for seventeen days of snooker mayhem at the end of April. The championship provides
a yearly buzz for the city as hotels are filled with the many fans and snooker
themed events take place in many bars and clubs.
Plans are now afoot to move the championship from The Crucible as, under new
U.K tobacco advertising law; Embassy (formerly Imperial Tobacco) would
not be able to sponsor the championship at The Crucible past 2005. Insiders
believe an overseas venue may be chosen. The championship has been previously
held overseas on thee occasions; South Africa in 1966, then twice to Australia
in the 1970s.
Contact Details
Address: Crucible Theatre, Norfolk Street, Sheffield, S1 1DA
Phone: +44 (0) 114 276 9922