Sheffield Theatres and Hill Dickinson Enter Third Year of New Writing Partnership

The Sheffield office of law firm Hill Dickinson has embarked on the third year of a partnership with Sheffield Theatres to fund its 'New Initiatives' writing programme.

With two highly successful years of the partnership already delivered, and 28,000 people having attended a Hill Dickinson supported performance, the firm has committed to the third year with the announcement of an exciting programme of original new works commencing in July.

Sheffield Mysteries, written by Chris Bush and directed by Daniel Evans runs at the Crucible Theatre from 15-19 July with a cast and creative team of over 100 people drawn from Sheffield People's Theatre. Further productions running into the autumn will include This is My Family and Queen Coal, a new play focusing on the stories of the women involved in the Miners' Strikes.

Speaking about the announcement Daniel Evans, Artistic Director of Sheffield Theatres commented: "Hill Dickinson's support has made it possible for us to expand the scale and ambition of our new work. Our partnership enables us to take risks and it is partly because of our bold programming that we have been awarded Regional Theatre of the Year for two consecutive years. It means we can produce great new work on our stages as well as engaging with hundreds of local people through our work with Sheffield People's Theatre."

Last year, Bull, a new play by Mike Bartlett transferred from the Studio to New York as part of the Brits Off-Broadway season, and this year This Is My Family, a new musical by Tim Firth takes to the Lyceum stage, following a hugely successful run in the Studio last summer. Daniel is currently in the midst of rehearsals for The Sheffield Mysteries, a new play which brings a Sheffield People's Theatre cast of 94 to the Crucible stage in July.

He added: "I am incredibly excited about this project which gives the city its very own, very 'Sheffield' take on the Mystery cycle, brilliantly written by award-winning local playwright Chris Bush."

Commenting on the partnership Alastair Reid, Head of Hill Dickinson's Sheffield office, said: "We've enjoyed two hugely successful years of the Partnership to date and we are delighted to underline our continued participation in the life of the City and to support these emerging artists. We try to ensure that we involve a wide range of people in the Partnership and have been joined at performances by members of the local community, media and clients."